Destination Bedford

Pontoon Boat Tour
2025-06-19 09:30 - 11:00, 2025-06-24 09:30 - 11:00, 2025-06-26 09:30 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Smith Mountain Lake State Park, 1235 State Park Road, Huddleston, VA, United States
Ride with a park guide as we experience the shores of Smith Mountain Lake State Park. How large is the lake? What was here before the lake? Learn the history of how the lake was created and the origin of the park. We will make stops to take in the scenery and for photo opportunities. PFDs (life vests) will be provided by the park and must be worn at all times. Water and sunscreen are recommended. Unfortunately, we cannot take pets aboard the boat. You must be present 15 minutes before tour start time in order to board and for safety talk.
Pre-registration required at the Visitor Center. Space is limited, and registration for this event opens one week prior to date of each tour and closes at 4 p.m. the day before each tour. We cannot take reservations earlier than one week prior to the date you plan to go on a tour. This event is free, but regular parking fees apply. For more information, please call our Visitor Center at (540) 297-6066 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Some tours have different themes, click here for more information.

Wagon Rides & History Tour
2025-06-19 10:30 - 12:30, 2025-06-26 10:30 - 12:30 | Gross’ Orchard, 6817 Wheats Valley Rd., Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
Come to Gross Orchard this summer every Thursday, starting on June 12th for free wagon rides/history tour. Come explore the beauty and the history of this 5 generation orchard.
Tours will run from 10:45-11:30 and 11:45-12:30.

Bower Center Exhibit
2025-06-19 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-06-20 11:00 - 15:00 | Bower Center for the Arts, 309 North Bridge Street, Bedford, VA, United States
Beginning on May 6, the Bower Center for the Arts will host a dual exhibit in their galleries.
The Braaten Gallery will feature the works of Kaye Lipscomb in her exhibit titled “Inside/Out.” Lipscomb was awarded Best in Show in our National Juried Paper Arts Exhibition in 2022.
In the Terrace Gallery, they will have the exhibit “Limited Edition.” These works were completed by artists who are members of the Bower Center family. This includes studio artists, staff members, Bower Center instructors, board members, and committee members .

A reception for these exhibits will be held on Friday, June 13 at 5:00pm. It is open to the public. As always, admission to the galleries are free!

Live Music @ Mitchell's
2025-06-19 17:00 - 20:00, 2025-06-22 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-26 17:00 - 20:00 | Mitchell’s Resturant & Pizzeria, 3553 Trading Post Rd, Huddleston, VA, 24104, United States
Enjoy live music, great food and the beautiful Smith Mountain Lake all in one place! Click here to see who is playing each week.

Summer Solstice Tea at Avenel
2025-06-20 11:30 - 13:30 | Historic Avenel, 413 Avenel Avenue, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
Visit Historic Avenel for Summer Solstice Tea! Enjoy delicious treats including scones, crab dip, brie, glazed honey ham puffs, deserts and much more!
$25 a person. Reservations are required by calling 540-816-9385.

SML Songwriters Festival
2025-06-20 16:00 - 18:00 | Portside Grill and Bar, 3619 Airport Rd., Moneta, VA, 24121, United States
The official three day SML Songwriters Festival Kicks off on Friday.
19 Songwriters from Nashville to Austin and local favorites, will perform at various venues at Smith Mountain Lake on Friday and Saturday. The Grand Finale on Sunday will feature country music legend Ty Herndon.
Please click here for complete festival details.

Live Music at Portside
2025-06-20 17:00 - 19:00 | Portside Grill and Bar, 3619 Airport Rd., Moneta, VA, 24121, United States
Come to Portside Grill & Bar right on Smith Mountain Lake, for great food and live music! Click here to see who is playing!

Forest Friday Cheers
2025-06-20 18:00 - 22:00 | Apocalypse Ale Works, 1257 Burnbridge Road, Forest, VA, 24551, United States
Come enjoy Forest Friday Cheers at Apocalypse Ale Works!
Kick back, relax, and enjoy a FREE family-friendly evening of live music, food, and fun every Friday!
**Time:** 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
**Location:** Apocalypse Ale Works
Expect:
– **Live Music:** Click here to see who is playing each week!
– **Bounce Zones:** Fun for the little ones with bouncy castles and kid-friendly activities.
– **Beer & Refreshments:** Grab a cold one from Apocalypse Ale Works and enjoy their fantastic selection of local brews.
– **Food by Bunker 42: Delicious eats to fuel your evening of fun and music.
**All Ages Welcome** – Bring the whole family out for a night of great music, tasty food, and unforgettable memories.
Let’s make this Friday a night to remember! See you at Apocalypse Ale Works!

Forest Farmer's Market
2025-06-21 09:00 - 12:00 | Forest Farmers Market, 15583 Forest Road, Forest, VA, 24523, United States
The Forest Farmer’s Market is held each Saturday morning behind the Forest Public Library. The Market features farmers and artisans selling a variety of items including plants, meats, produce, soaps, lotions, coffee, baked goods and more!

Live Music at Harvest Moon
2025-06-21 13:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-22 13:00 - 17:00 | Harvest Moon Marketplace, 14917 Moneta Rd, Moneta, VA, 24121, United States
Come see live music at Harvest Moon Marketplace! Click here to see who is playing each week.

Enjoy beer, wine, meads, ciders, and non-alcoholic drinks, along with delicious food and great shopping at the Marketplace. Free admission and free music!

Live Music at Drifter's
2025-06-21 14:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-22 14:00 - 17:00 | Drifter’s, 1617 Crystal Shores Drive, Moneta, VA, 24121
Live music on the water front! Enjoy the beautiful Smith Mountain Lake, great food and awesome music! Click here to see who is playing each week.

Live Music at New London Ruritan Club
2025-06-21 19:00 - 22:00 | New London Ruritan, 12411 East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike, Forest, VA, 24551, United States
This is a family friendly community dance with live entertainers!! $10/adult, doors open at 6:30pm, music 7-10pm. Please bring your own snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Supported by Ruritan volunteers.

Open Farm Day
2025-06-22 12:00 - 17:00 | Lottie J Farm, 4787 Patterson Mill Road, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
The barnyard at Lottie J Farm will be open where you can visit with goats, alpacas, miniature donkeys, pigs, bunnies and chickens. Feed for animals is included with admission.
Kids love our play barn with swings, slides (including a 40 ft pipe slide), corn pit, Jumparoo, magnetic chalkboard and little people play area.
Pink lemonade will be joining with delicious food and drinks!
Admission is $5 per person and ages 3 and under are free!

Live Music @ Beacon Seafood Pub
2025-06-22 14:00 - 16:00 | Beacon Seafood Pub at The Virginia Dare Marina, 3619 Airport Rd., Moneta, VA, 24121, United States
Come to Beacon Seafood Pub located at the Virginia Dare Marina at Smith Mountain Lake, and enjoy great food, drinks and live music! Click here to see who is playing each week!

Bower Center Art Exhibits
2025-06-24 11:00 - 15:00 | Bower Center for the Arts, 309 North Bridge Street, Bedford, VA, United States
The Bower Center presents the National Juried Fiber Arts Exhibition!
The Bower Center is located in downtown Bedford and is open Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Gallery Admission is free.

Bower Center Exhibit
2025-06-24 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-06-25 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-06-26 11:00 - 15:00 | Bower Center for the Arts, 309 North Bridge Street, Bedford, VA, United States
Beginning on June 24, the Bower Center for the Arts will host the 4th Biennial Fiber Arts National Juried Exhibit.
A reception and awards presentation will be held on Friday, July 18th beginning at 5:00pm. The public is invited to attend this free reception. It is open to the public. As always, admission to the galleries are free!

Community Pool Day
2025-06-25 10:00 - 16:00 | The Peaks Retreat & Adventure Center, 1336 Simmons Mill Rd, Thaxton, 24174, United States
Come out to The Peaks Retreat & Adventure Center to enjoy a community pool day! There will be a lifeguard on duty.
**Date is subject to cancel/change based on weather and staff availability. Click here for updates.
Individual entry pass: $10
Family pass: $20
(Family pass covers up to 2 adults + children from a single household)

Moneta Farmer's Market
2025-06-25 15:00 - 18:00 | Moneta Farmer’s Market, 13641 Moneta Road, Moneta, VA, 24121
The Moneta Farmer’s Market is open Wednesdays 3 to 6pm next to the Moneta Library. The market is producer only – fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs (duck and chicken), bread, jams, jellies, and features local artisans.

Apocalypse Trivia Night
2025-06-25 19:00 - 21:00 | Apocalypse Ale Works, 1257 Burnbridge Road, Forest, VA, 24551, United States
Every week there will be a wide range of categories to enjoy while also drinking your favorite beer or seltzer water!

VA250 Mobile Museum Experience
2025-06-26 10:00 - 19:00 | Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, 687 Poplar Forest Dr., Forest, VA, 24551, United States
The Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission is bringing the spirit of the American Revolution to Poplar Forest! A hands-on, interactive, and immersive “museum on wheels,” the VA250 Mobile Museum Experience titled Out of Many, One is housed in a quad-expandable tractor trailer that is traveling throughout Virginia and beyond. Guests visiting this unique traveling museum will embark on a journey through pivotal moments of our fight for freedom while learning about the Revolution’s key figures as well as the often-overlooked stories of the Indigenous Virginians, free and enslaved African Americans, and others whose efforts secured American independence.
Out of Many, One will be open to the public free of charge (admission rates are applicable to experience the historic house and surrounding grounds and to attend 1776 the Musical). Out of Many, One will be open to the public from 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. June 26-June 28, 2025. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation and learn about Virginia’s vital role.
