The acorns almost stole the show – yes acorns – on the Mill Mountain lower overlook on Wednesday as Roanoke area dignitaries gathered for the “Send Off” commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Intermittent breezes had event-goers sharing a laugh as they ducked the showers of acorns bouncing onto the wooden platform where attendees listened to area politicians and Parkway supporters as they took turns giving accolades for one of the area’s “biggest attractions” – the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Several speakers extolled the virtues of the natural assets Roanoke has in the Blue Ridge Mountains and a common theme of many was that they see the Parkway as a thread connecting people and communities.
Elmer Hodge (Blue Ridge Parkway 75, Inc. Vice President for Virginia) introduced speakers and shared a few sentiments of his own. Saying that “it took a lot of work putting this together” and offering a word of thanks to “those who have done this.” Hodge said the planning actually started about two and a half years ago in both North Carolina and Virginia, the states that are home to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The planners wanted to “be inclusive – to reach out to all localities which span 29 counties.”
Hodge added that commemorating this milestone gives “the Blue Ridge Parkway board members an opportunity to thank localities” and to highlight the fact that “it is more than just a Parkway, [it is] a whole community throughout the two states.”
The “Send Off Ceremony” on Wednesday precedes the Parkway’s 75th Anniversary Festival, which is being held Sept. 10 – 12 at the Blue Ridge Music Center (milepost 213) and Cumberland Knob Recreation Area (milepost 217). A formal ceremony is planned for Friday morning with a Festival kick off that afternoon. The Festival is free and open to the public.
Ed Elswick, Vice Chairman of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors, expressed his appreciation for the mountains as he recounted that he was “raised in a ‘holler’ in eastern Kentucky, where we had no money to buy shoes.” As a kid, he said he really appreciated having mountains to roam in. Upon moving to this area, he said “it felt like home,” being among such beautiful mountains.
Congressman Bob Goodlatte pointed out that “Roanoke is the largest population center along the Parkway’s 469 miles, and has the lowest average elevation,” which means that it will be a “continuing challenge to protect view sheds and the charm of the Parkway.”
Superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Phil Francis, was the last to take to the podium. He joked that “I have already signed the permit for next year’s Blue Ridge Marathon” in reference to a last minute mix up that almost delayed the start of the inaugural Blue Ridge Marathon that took place this past spring.
Saying, “my job is the best job in America because I get to meet so many interesting people and to learn so much,” Francis said he has “learned we can be a catalyst – to come together to protect the Parkway, but also communities.”
The stated vision for the 75th Anniversary is to engage local communities and the nation in efforts to sustain and promote the Parkway for future generations. They hope to do this by celebrating its influence on visitors and by highlighting its historic Appalachian culture and spectacular scenic views.
Elmer Hodge said that his favorite memories of the Parkway center around children – “children playing … children at tree plantings; [it’s about] the future generations, that will love and care for this Parkway for years to come.”
The 75th Anniversary Festival, offers many activities, including storytelling, films, nature walks, craft demonstrations, local foods, music and more. Blankets and picnics are allowed. It is being held Friday Sept. 10 through Sunday Sept. 12 at the Blue Ridge Music Center (milepost 213) and Cumberland Knob (milepost 217). Visit blueridgeparkway75.org for more information.