Happening: Breaks park zip line extends season

Awesome news from Breaks Interstate Park for all of the thrill seekers out there — The Canyon Rim Zipline team has decided to extend its schedule until Dec. 15. Throughout November and December the zipline will be open Saturday and Sunday with trips going out at 11, 1, and 3 o’clock. This also means you can rent mountain bikes and E-bikes longer this year, so go visit the park before the season is over and then go grab a bite to eat from the Rhododendron restaurant.

As the Christmas season approaches, there will be opportunities to support our local artisans and merchants. Support Ridgeview Middle School by attending the Hollyberry Bazaar on Nov. 23. Another opportunity to support local artisans and merchants will be at the Spring Branch Farm on Nov. 22-23.

The Southwest Virginia Legislative Breakfast and Forum will be held on Friday, Nov. 22, in Marion with registration at 8 a.m., breakfast at 8:30 a.m. followed by the forum. This annual event is sponsored by Chambers of Commerce across Southwest Virginia and this year is hosted by Smyth County Chamber. The event requires registration and tickets are $25. Please call Dickenson County Chamber for more information if you are interested in attending.

The Dickenson County Chamber wants to thank all our businesses and individuals for their sponsorship and those who have donated items for our annual silent auction to be held at our chamber membership banquet on Nov. 15 at Breaks Interstate Park. If you are interested in attending this banquet, tickets are $20. Dinner, a live band “Blast from the Past” and silent auction will be offered. This is the chamber’s largest event of the year.

The Christmas parades for the county will be coming up soon. Haysi will be having its parade on Dec. 6 with the tree lighting ceremony and treats from Santa following the parade. Clintwood will be having its parade at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, with Christmas in the Park and treats following the parade. Bring the kids out for two special nights in the county.

Check out our event calendar for events throughout the county. If you have events and want us to promote them, please send them to us at chambertourism18@gmail.com or give us a call at 276-926-6074. We love promoting events so look forward to hearing from you.

Congratulations to all the newly elected officials in the county.

What’s Happening

Chamber & Tourism

• Jettie Baker Center on Main Street in Clintwood features The Lion King 2019 on 11/23/19 (Saturday). Showtime is 6 p.m. Tickets for all ages are $5 each. For more information, see FB @ JettieBakerCenter.

• Dickenson County Chamber’s annual membership banquet and silent auction 11/15/19 (Friday) 6:30-10 p.m. at Breaks Interstate Park Conference Center. Music will be performed by “Blast from the Past.” Tickets are $20 each and must be purchased in advance. For more information or tickets call 276-926-6074. This is the chamber's event of the year.

• 11/15 - 11/16 (Friday/Saturday) Annual Russell Fork Bluegrass Show at the Breaks Interstate Park. Friday – Jam Session. Saturday – Performances by Russell More, Illrd Tyme Out, Dave Adkins Band and Remington Ryde. General Admission, $25. Lodging, meals and show packages available. For more information & reservations, call 276-865-4413 or www.breakspark.com.

• Christmas Market, 11/22-11/23 (Friday-Saturday) Spring Branch Farm, Lazarus Branch, Haysi, Friday, 3-7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.- Lots of vendors, all inside. Free apple cider and cookies. Prizes. For more information call 276-701-9876 or follow us on Facebook.

• The Polar Express dancer and acrobatic auditions 11/23/19, 1 p.m., Jettie Baker Center. Seeking male and female dancers with or without experience, tumblers of all ages for parts in the Hot Chocolate Dance from the Polar Express.

• Santa Train, 11/23/19, with special guest Marty Stuart. Arriving at Toms Bottom at 7:45 a.m., Town of Haysi, 8:05 a.m., Clinchco, 8:45 a.m., Fremont, 9:08 a.m., Dante 10:08 a.m.

• Hollyberry Bazaar, 11/23/19, first Christmas sale at Ridgeview Middle School. Seeking vendors for this RMS fund-raiser, where proceeds will go to support educational programming and student activities. . Call (276) 835-1601 for details and ask for Donna Mooney. Set-up fee is $25 (provided with two tables and chairs). Market hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Santa will be there to hear all Christmas wishes from 9 – 12 p.m. He will be accompanied by his good friends Elsa and Olaf.

• Jettie Jingle Bell Sale 11/28 – 12/1/19 (Friday-Sunday) at the Community Center in Clintwood. Arts and crafts vendors, baked and canned goods, product reps and more. Looking for vendors to set up. Booths are $30 for the three days. For more information see Facebook @ JettieBakerCenter or www.townofclintwood/jettie-baker-center or call (276)926-6265.

• Haysi Christmas Parade 12/6/19 (Friday) on Main Street. For more information, contact Town of Haysi @ 276-865-5187 or FB@HaysiPartners.

• Clintwood Christmas Parade and Christmas in the Park 12/7/19 (Saturday) at 6 p.m. Line-up will begin at 5 p.m. on the Old Clintwood Highway across from the Colley Shopping Center. Please call the town hall at 276-926-8383 to register your float. Christmas in the Park with Santa will begin after the parade at the Community Park beside of Food City.

• 12/7 (Saturday) – Annual Brunch with Santa at the Breaks Interstate Park in the Rhododendron Restaurant.

Surratt is Dickenson County Tourism director and head of the Dickenson County Chamber of Commerce.