Blog
Fall Into Fun in MHC
Fall is here and there are plenty of fun experiences to be had here in the gorgeous foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. From exciting events, races and festivals, to stunning and picturesque rides and views, fall is a perfect season to visit Martinsville – Henry County.
Special Events
For Bluejeans & Bling get dressed up in your favorite bluejeans, add all your bling and join the MHC Historical Society for an evening of food, drinks, and auction fun at the Martinsville – Henry County Heritage Center & Museum. Saturday, September 28th
Art @ Happy Hour offers you and your friends a casual evening at the museum. Enjoy drinks and light snacks while you explore the galleries featuring Flashpoints, Ed Dollinger, John Matthews, Matthews Collection. Thursday, October 3rd
Spend a fall weekend filled with art at the Mountain Valley Artisan Barn Fall Festival. Shop one-of-a-kind pieces of art and handmade crafts while enjoying rocking live music, delicious food and picturesque views. New for 2019 ~ A Car Show! October 18th-20th
Paint your own original oil painting during the Painting with Ed Gowen series at Piedmont Arts. October’s subject: Warm Day in the Hills. November’s subject: Christmas Candle. Thursday, October 3rd & Thursday, November 7th.
Creative Corral: Mountain Valley Artisan Barn hosts a weekly arts & crafts class on Thursdays that are perfect for artists of all ages and skill level. Thursday, October 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th. November 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th. December 5th, 12th, 19th.
Martinsville Uptown will present the 40th annual Oktoberfest International Arts and Culture Festival featuring two streets of vendors offering everything from free balloons to fine art, plus lots of kid-friendly activities including inflatable bounce houses and rides. The event will also offer a beer garden selling craft beer, as well as, amazing crafters and talented artisans, this street fair has something for everyone. Be sure to stop by the VisitMartinsville booth for rock painting! Saturday, October 5th
ValleyStar Credit Union 300 NASCAR Late Model Series race at Martinsville Speedway is the biggest, richest and most prestigious NASCAR Late Model Stock Car race in the country and it will once again run under the lights. The ValleyStar Credit Union 300 regularly sees more than 75 Late Model Stock Car teams from around the country try to make the 40 car field. Saturday, October 5th
The 5th annual Wine by the River Wine Festival at the Smith River Sports Complex will offer an afternoon of relaxing, shopping and entertainment. Enjoy your favorite wines from Childress Vineyards, Hamlet Vineyards, Preston Ridge Winery and Tomahawk Mill Vineyard & Winery and live music from Morgan Wade and the Step Brothers. Saturday, October 12th.
Science, history and myth will collide during Dragon Festival at the Virginia Museum of Natural History! Explore the lore of dragons, the impact these creatures have had on societies across the globe, and the science behind the growth and dissemination of their myth. All of the sights and sounds that make the myth of dragons so alluring will be in full-force throughout the day. Saturday, October 19th
Join the MHC Historical Society and local historian Bob Vogler for a Sunday afternoon lecture “Firefighting in Colonial Virginia” at the Heritage Center & Museum. Learn about colonial firefighting and how our ancestors battled fires. Sunday, October 20th
Enjoy live music, craft beer and delicious Brunswick stew at Blues, Brews and Stews. Spend a fun fall evening surrounded by friends and artwork in the Gravely-Lester Art Garden. Friday, October 25th
The NASCAR Hall of Fame 200 will be the second race in the NASCAR Playoffs’ “Round of 6” for the Gander Trucks, with six drivers still in championship contention coming into the historic half-mile oval. Don't miss all of the excitement as the best of the best fight to try to advance! Saturday, October 26th
The First Data 500 showcases an exciting short-track race in the 2019 Playoffs and promises to shake things up. Tempers will flare and excitement will mount as drivers try to conquer the notorious paperclip that is the Martinsville Speedway. Sunday, October 27th
The Nail the Rail 9 Miler is a unique 9-mile race that starts at the Dick & Willie Passage Trail's Virginia Avenue Trailhead - Mile Post -0-. Runners race to Mile Post 4.5, do a u-turn and run back to the finish at MP -0-. Run under 60 minutes and you are deemed to have NAILED THE RAIL"! In fact, run your 9 miles hard and you have nailed the rail, regardless of time! Saturday, November 2nd
Enjoy the Medal of Honor Program by Jerry Perdue at the Bassett Historical Center about the Congressional Medal of Honor, our nation's highest award for valor in action against an enemy force engaging in war against the United States. Of the over 42 million men and women who have served our nation since the Civil War, only 3,449 have been presented our country's highest military award. Many of those who have received the Medal of Honor are just ordinary people; yet, by their extraordinary acts of heroism have become larger than life. Come and hear some fascinating stories about the men and women who have been the Medal of Honor recipients. Tuesday, November 12th
A Tuna Christmas in the Black Box, is the hilarious sequel to Greater Tuna, it’s Christmas…. and radio station O-K-A-Y news personalities Thurston Wheelis and Arles Struvie report on various Yuletide activities including the hot competition in the annual lawn-display contest. November 14th – 16th & 22nd - 24th
Don’t be a turkey! Get off the couch and wobble through Uptown Martinsville for the annual TURKEY DAY 5K & Family Fun Run! This run/walk is a great way to kick off your holiday and can be your family’s new tradition. Thursday, November 28th
Plus, you can also visit the Mayo River Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze any Saturday and Sunday through October!
What more could you ask for? Plan your MHC Fall Escape today! For more details on these events and to view more Martinsville – Henry County adventures, go to www.VisitMartinsville.com.