Exciting activities to enjoy in Smith Mountain Lake this fall
Watch the colors change by the banks of Smith Mountain Lake in fall. This is a season that is highly anticipated in this lakeside community due to its colorful calendar of activities. Check out a number of these:
- SML Fall Chili & Craft Festival
Celebrate all things hot and spicy at this fall festival, which brings some of the best chili cooks, craft beer vendors, and live bands in one place. Highlights include a chili cook-off, with chefs and cooks showing off their culinary skills using – you guessed it – chili. Outstanding participants bring home awards like the “Best Chili”, “People’s Choice”, and “Showmanship”.
Sample some of the finest chili dishes in Moneta, listen to live music, and check out the vendors selling food, drinks, and other treats. The festival traditionally takes place at the lakeside right by the Bridgewater Plaza.
- SML Wine Festival
Wine lovers shouldn’t miss this annual fall tradition, which attracts the best wineries from all over Virginia. Last year’s festivities included 25 wineries and 80 craft vendors, with roughly 7,000 guests in attendance. Popular bands Worx, BurningBridges, and Barefoot provided live entertainment. Over 300 volunteers came together to make the event happen.
Going to this two-day event is the perfect opportunity to meet local craft vendors, discover artisanal products, and sample wines from all over the state.
- SML Antique & Classic Boat Festival
This festival is a huge gathering of antique and classic boat owners from the East Coast. Organized by the local chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society (ACBS), the event is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of timeless boat models, as well as the promotion of antique and classic boating activities in SML.
The festivities kick off with a public show where everyone can come and admire the beautiful boats on display. Last year’s festival took place in Mariner’s Landing and Conference Center.
- Harvest Time of 1864
This family-oriented event takes place at the Booker T. Washington National Monument. Guests are offered a glimpse of life in the mid-19th century by way of ranger-guided tours, activities, educational programs, wagon rides, and food vendors.
This event is usually held in late September. Everyone was busy with harvest time at the plantation where Washington, a freed slave and renowned African-American educator, was born. Harvest Time of 1864 is depicted through living historical vignettes and farm work demonstrations during the festivities.
- Oktoberfest
Enjoy the best of German food and craft beer during Oktoberfest in SML. This event brings you amazing food, drinks, crafts, live music, and age-appropriate activities including face painting, animal adoptions, 5k trail races, and goat yoga.
- Balloons & Tunes Festival
This family-friendly festival is traditionally held in Downtown Moneta, where you’ll see dozens of brightly colored balloons rise into the air, and over Smith Mountain Lake in the distance. Hundreds of guests come here for the chance to enjoy a tethered hot air balloon ride, listen to live music, and watch countless balloons glow in the dusk.
- SML Charity Home Tour
This community fundraiser gives attendees access to eight of the most gorgeous waterfront homes in SML. Homeowners are present to discuss construction, décor, architecture, landscaping, and private art and antique collections on display. Volunteers also join these tours to answer questions about the home and assist guests who arrive by boat.
Proceeds are divided among eight local charities. The event has raised $5 million to date.
Live close to these wonderful events. Let me, Jane Sullivan Horne, help you navigate the luxury real estate market. Call me at 540.493.1690 or send an email to Jane(at)JaneAtTheLake(dotted)com.
