Visit Smyth County

10/17/2026

A view from Hungry Mother State Park that's less familiar, but just as beautiful.

📷courtesy of Virginia State Parks

10/14/2026

Have you made your Halloween plans yet? Visit our online Event Calendar to find all kinds of spooky season events, from Hungry Mother State Park's Trail of Terror, to trick-or-treating, to a film festival at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia.

Click here for more: https://visitsmythcountyva.com/event-calendar/

10/12/2026

Did you know you can hike with wild ponies in Smyth County now?

This pony herd was relocated from Grayson Highlands State Park by the USFS, and released at Elk Garden, located at the border of Smyth and Grayson Counties on Rte 600.

Park at the newly expanded Elk Garden Trailhead for a spectacular day hike along the Appalachian Trail! ⚠️Important: the ponies are wild animals, do not feed or approach them, for your own sake as well as their own⚠️

📷 courtesy of Virginia Department of Transportation

10/01/2026

Five peaks. 5,000 feet elevation. One incredible experience. Are you ready to take the challenge?

09/25/2026

Join us for one of Southwest Virginia’s most beloved fall traditions! The Chilhowie Community Apple Festival is back for its 72nd year, bringing family fun, local flavor, and community spirit!

For more information, view a PDF of the Festival Cataloguehttps://files.constantcontact.com/fce7ca6b001/e5079bb4-719d-4cef-a468-b6f018d95e84.pdf

Or visit the official Facebook group here https://www.facebook.com/groups/337715502933239

09/22/2026

Don't miss the Chilhowie Community Apple Festival, this weekend September 25 - 27. Arts & Crafts, Local Flavors, and tons of Family Fun!

09/18/2026

New travel article on how to plan a trip to The Town of Marion, Virginia!

Marion, Virginia, is a charming small town off the Appalachian Trail with galleries, unique events, and great eats. Here’s how to plan the perfect trip.

09/16/2026

Mark your calendars: the Chilhowie Community Apple Festival is next weekend! Named Best of Smyth County 2026! 🏅

New in 2026: more events, expanded exhibits, and an upgrade to the beloved Storytime Train. Plus, the return of Vintage in the Valley Antiques and Arts Fair.

https://www.chilhowieapplefestival.com/
https://smythchamber.org/chamber-events/vintage-in-the-valley/

Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc. The Town of Chilhowie, Virginia

09/04/2026

The Appalachian Spirit Gallery has a great night planned for their September 11, 2026 Second Friday ArtWalk!

In the Gallery's ongoing efforts to showcase the talent of musicians living within a 30 mile radius of Marion, the Gallery is thrilled to feature an exciting music concert!

Performing at the Gallery for the third year in a row, Albert Blackburn and Dave Vaught —formerly part of The VW Boys—will share their love of music and storytelling with our community. Albert’s remarkable vocal range and talent on the guitar and upright bass complement Dave’s background as a seasoned touring lead guitarist and master illusionist. The concert will begin at 6 p.m. and is sponsored by the Bank of Marion

The featured artists for the September Artwalk event are Eric and Siera Wojciechowicz.

Art has been at the center of life for Eric and Siera Wojciechowicz for as long as either can remember. What started as childhood curiosity—Eric sketching lowriders and custom holiday characters, and Siera constantly drawing and painting—has evolved into a shared, lifelong passion.

Eric’s artistic path was shaped by strong mentors and a deep dive into portraiture. Capturing individual expressions became his signature style, turning custom art into personal gifts for friends and family. Siera expanded her craft at Emory & Henry College through Art Education, falling in love with ceramics and oil painting—a passion cemented during a transformative journey studying classic artwork across Italy.

Today, art is a complete family affair. Re-energized by each other’s creative drive, Eric and Siera now make art side-by-side while raising three boys who are already following in their footsteps. From detailed portraiture and tactile ceramics to Italian-inspired oils and mixed media, their home is a constantly evolving studio where creativity is passed down from one generation to the next.

New work on display by Appalachian Spirit Gallery members include paintings, executed in oils, watercolors, acrylics, and mixed media. Other work includes photography, jewelry, pottery, turned wood items, quilts, felted scarves and vessels, botanical printing, weaving, stained glass, papermaking and handmade books.

The gallery is run by the Appalachian Spirit Artists Association, a 501(c)3 organization composed of artisans who share jobs to fulfill the group’s mission to celebrate the arts, traditions, lore and spirit of the Appalachian Mountains by demonstrating the work of local talent.

Make plans to stop by on September 11, 2026 to view the wonderful art, grab some refreshments, listen to beautiful music, sing along with friends, and do some shopping.

The monthly Second Friday ArtWalks are always free and open to the public.