Mark Your Calendars March/April
Star Wars Sculptures for Good
Looking for a creative outlet that puts your artistic talents to good use? Join in on Lynchburg’s 4th Annual Canstruction—a unique event that helps provide hunger relief in the community. On April 9th, teams will use their collected canned foods to make the most creative Star Wars themed sculptures. “Canstructions” will remain on display in various downtown Lynchburg venues from April 10 to 17 before being deconstructed and donated to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.
Patches ‘n Pieces
Enjoy a unique display of more than 250 traditional and contemporary fiber art quilts at “The Magic of Fabric and Thread” quilt show hosted by local quilt club Patches ‘n Pieces from March 19 to 20. A donation of $5 at the door helps the club continue community service activities and gives you access to raffles, door prices, quilting demos and a boutique!
Paint Your Town
Grab your easel and paintbrush and join the Lynchburg Art Club (LAC) for a weekend of painting “in the open air” during the 1st Annual Lynchburg Paint Out from April 29 to May 1.
Let your plein air painting—French for “open air”—be inspired by the beautiful flower gardens, architecture and numerous downtown scenes that Lynchburg has to offer. For art admirers, you can watch LAC members Mark Johnson and Cindy Vener do plein air demonstrations and participate in a “quick paint” competition. Learn more at LynchburgArtClub.org.
Spot an Authentic Steam Train
Starting this spring after a 20-year hiatus, the newly restored Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611 steam train will once again begin public excursions in Virginia and North Carolina for four weekends between April and June. The season kicks off as the 65-year-old train, No. 611, pulls into Lynchburg for a stop on April 9! To enjoy a round trip ride yourself, visit NCTrans.org/Events.
Stop & Smell the Roses
Get outdoors to enjoy Lynchburg’s Annual Garden Day on April 26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors will experience a walking tour featuring five private homes along Peakland Place, a grand historic street in the Boonsboro section of Lynchburg. The houses, all built throughout the 1920s and 1930s, vary in size and feature gardens rich in history and some in budding infancy. There will also be outdoor lectures on beekeeping, growing grapes and harvesting lavender that take place along Peakland Place.
Lace Up for a Cause
Join hundreds of other runners on April 30 for the 8th Annual Run 4 Their Lives race being held for the first time on the campus of Liberty University (LU). It was only 8 years ago that an LU student first started Freedom 4/24, the sponsoring organization that works to bring freedom and justice to women and children all over the world who are trapped in sexual slavery. Visit freedom424.org/r4tl for details!
Lynchstock Music Festival
Love outdoor concerts? Then mark your calendars for the 4th Annual Lynchstock Music and Arts Fesitval on April 23 at Benjamin’s Restaurant in Forest. Enjoy festival favorites such as The Last Bison, Haley Greene, Dogwood & Holly and many more! You’ll also enjoy numerous food trucks, local vendors and visual artists at the festival. So grab a blanket and some friends and get ready to enjoy a day filled with local color and talent.
Vintage Lynchburg Returns
If you’re obsessed with antiquing, spend hours on Pintrest or Etsy or if you love shopping for unique home goods, then be sure to stop by Vintage Lynchburg. Not quite a flea maket and not quite a yard sale, this bi-annual sale is a place where local artisans gather to show off and sell their one-of-a-kind wares. Vintage Lynchburg will be held at the Urban Arts Garage downtown on April 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tip: Be sure to arrive early because vendors sell out quickly!
