2023 mobile tours & Special Events

Sunday, July 16th — 1pm-5pm

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Rocky Mount & Franklin County - Ticket $35

20 tickets available

Begin with a tour of Summit View Business Park in Franklin County - a park with ready-to-build pad sites, in-place utilities and road infrastructure, and recreational developments. Beginning in 2016 when the County purchased 550 acres, Summit View now hosts companies such as Stik-Pak, Traditional Medicinals (groundbreaking soon), and ValleyStar Credit Union Administrative Offices. Learn about the transportation improvements completed and ongoing through the leveraging of various funding sources, including County funds, VDOT grants, and Federal transportation funding. Following the tour of the business park, travel south to the Town of Rocky Mount to tour the Harvester Performance Center, an economic development initiative by the Town of Rocky Mount. The venue opened in 2014 and has hosted national and international touring acts, such as Willie Nelson and Brandi Carlisle. After the tour, explore Downtown Rocky Mount to see the Farmer's Market location, visit a shop, or grab a drink at the local distillery, speakeasy, or brewery.

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Appalachian Trail Hike to Sawtooth Ridge - SOLD OUT! 

13 tickets available

Ride Roanoke County’s McAfee Knob Trailhead Shuttle to hike about one mile south on the National Park Service’s Appalachian National Scenic Trail to Sawtooth Ridge. Learn about several initiatives underway to help manage demand to view McAfee Knob, the most photographed location on the 2,198-mile-long Appalachian Trail. After the hike, visit Parkway Brewing Company in Salem for a refreshing beverage. The hike is about 30 minutes to Sawtooth Ridge and 30 minutes back for about two miles round-trip. The trail climbs over 300 feet in elevation with roots and rocky terrain. Hiking shoes, hiking attire and sufficient water for a hot weather hike are strongly recommended.

 

Exploring Roanoke County’s Explore Park - Ticket $45

16 tickets available

Fly through the air on the Treetop Quest aerial obstacle and zip line courses, enjoy food and drink on your own at Twin Creeks Brewpub and learn about how Roanoke County has been implementing the Explore Park Adventure Plan to develop a regional recreational destination with access from the National Park Service’s Blue Ridge Parkway. Treetop Quest participants must complete a waiver, meet weight requirements and wear secure closed-toe sneakers or hiking shoes.

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Roanoke River Blueway Canoe Trip - Ticket $45 - THREE (3) TICKETS LEFT!

12 Tickets available
Urban float from the Launch at Reserve to Tinker Creek.  At the launch attendees will discuss White Water Park and Smith Park Bridge, along the trip they will hear about the13th Street redevelopment of Access/Water Authority line reroute. Finally when they arrive at Tinker Creek junction circle tour leaders will discuss Niagara Dam Relicensing and dealing with FERC. 

 

Monday, July 17th — 1pm-5pm

 

Botetourt Center at Greenfield - Ticket $35 - SIX (6)TICKETS LEFT!

12 tickets available

Join Botetourt County for a tour of the Botetourt Center at Greenfield, the County’s signature economic development investment. Five major manufacturing companies employing more than 1,500 people are sited here as well as the County’s own offices and a Virginia Western Community College facility. Participants will learn how this park came to fruition, gaining insight into the collaboration between citizens, private entities, local authorities, and state organizations that was needed to make this project work for the people of Botetourt. Ultimately, the Botetourt Center at Greenfield is a shining example of collaboration and a testament to what is possible when groups work together towards a common goal.

 

Eds and Meds and Community Development - The Virginia Tech-Carilion Innovation Corridor and a Neighborhood Revitalization Target Area - Ticket $35

20 tickets available
Extending from Downtown to the South Jefferson Redevelopment Area, the growth of the Eds and Meds industry is a main driver for economic growth within Virginia'a Blue Ridge. The tour will begin in Downtown with discussion fo the RAMP building, extend pass the Radford University Carilion (RUC) building, down to the VT-Carilion campus with a possible tour of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute/ or Medical School, a look at the expansion at the Carilion Hospital, and then down Franklin towards the 419 Town Center Plan area in Roanoke County to look at Carilions adaptive reuse of the Tanglewood Mall, economic development projects, and transportation projects.

 

Transportation Projects in the Roanoke Valley - Ticket $35

20 tickets available

Take a van tour to see a variety of transportation projects recently completed and under construction including Innovative Intersections, interstate widening, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, an expanded park and ride with pervious pavement, a new Transit Center and more! Take a stretch break in Downtown Salem at Mill Mountain Coffee or Olde Salem Brewing.

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Greenway Bike Tour | Roanoke River - Ticket $45

 20 tickets available

Bike a section of greenway from Hotel Roanoke with a presentation of the collaboration involved in construction and maintenance of the greenways, economic impact, and regional connections.

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Tuesday, July 18th — 8:00am-11:30am

 

Downtown Urban Sketch Workshop - Ticket $40 - TWO (2) TICKETS LEFT!

20 tickets available

How do you capture the essence of place and convey it and what it could become to others in planning? Join us for a hands-on urban sketch workshop that will help you to capture urban spaces through step-by-step demonstrations. This workshop is open to all skill levels.

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Downtown Roanoke Walking Tour - Ticket $35 - TWO (2) TICKETS LEFT!

20 tickets available

Come see how the City of Roanoke continues to evolve with a focus on redevelopment of the Downtown. We will focus on redevelopment along Jefferson Street from Radford University Carilion in the Innovation Corridor, The Patrick Henry, Roanoke City Library/Elmwood Park, Mast General Store & apartments, Firestation #1, Liberty Trust, Amtrack, and more.

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YOTA Art Tour - Ticket $35

20 tickets available

Join us for a tour of funded projects through the Year of the Artist Program and discussion of the impacts to local artists and City of Roanoke Arts Commission work.

 

Mill Mountain Trails Plan - Ticket $35

20 tickets available

Come enjoy a morning hike within the City of Roanoke on the Mill Mountain Trails and learn about the plan for Mill Mountain. Bus/van pickup at Hotel Roanoke. We will meet at the hotel at 8:00 am for a presentation on the Mill Mountain Trails Plan before embarking on the tour. Those who sign up for the tour will be contacted with the exact location of the presentation. We will hike from the Mill Mountain Star Trailhead parking lot on Riverland Road, up to the Star overlook, through the park area, and down the other side of the mountain to be picked up by the bus/van at the intersection of Robinhood Road Southeast and the Big Sunny Trail. This will be a 3 to 4 mile hike on dirt (and rocky) trails with some stretches of steep uphill and downhill. Please wear hiking shoes and bring water.

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