Blue Ridge Parkway

On Friday, Feb. 17, the Virginia General Assembly approved the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s specialty license plate. Proceeds from sales will support enhancements and programs along the country’s most visited national park. Thanks to Parkway supporters, the Foundation exceeded the 450 preorders required to secure approval for the license plate. It will be the only specialty plate in the commonwealth solely dedicated to funding projects and programs along the Parkway. 

We were thrilled to celebrate our 25th anniversary with a special event on Thursday, Nov. 17, at Highland Brewing Company. More than 100 guests attended to mark the nonprofit’s years of support for projects and programs that enhance the country’s most visited national park. 

By Jack Betts and Broaddus Fitzpatrick Virginia and North Carolina are two competitive states — in sports, in economics, in academics and in their magnificent environments running from the mountain ridges down to the coastlines. Residents of both the Commonwealth of Virginia and the State of North Carolina have exceptional pride in the beautiful local, state and federal parks — particularly the 469-mile long Blue Ridge Parkway, which the two states share. So why do North Carolinians provide so much more support for the Parkway?

More than 200 guests attended The Denim Ball on Thursday, Sept. 15, at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park in Blowing Rock, N.C. The event surpassed its previous fundraising record, garnering $240,000 in support for continuing improvements at Moses and Bertha Cone’s former 3,500-acre estate.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is celebrating 87 years this Sunday, Sept. 11. We could list hundreds of reasons to celebrate this amazing national park, but here are just a few adventurous ways to mark the occasion. Enjoy!

As part of our 25th anniversary celebrations, the Foundation honored seven special members of its community of stewards at a ceremony on Saturday, June 18, at the Blue Ridge Music Center.  “Our 25th anniversary is really a celebration of the people who bring our mission to life through their contributions to the national park they love,” said Carolyn Ward, CEO of the Foundation. “We are fortunate to count these honorees as members of our community of stewards.”

We were thrilled to honor special members of our community of stewards during a 25th anniversary reception on April 7 at the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke, Va..  Conservationist and retired attorney Broaddus Fitzpatrick was awarded the Pat Shore Clark Stewardship Award for exemplary individual service in the advancement of the Foundation.

This summer, the Blue Ridge Music Center is celebrating 20 year of hosting concerts in the hillside amphitheater at milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Galax, Virginia.  Taking the stage are fan favorites, including North Carolina-based acts such as the Steep Canyon Rangers, Kruger Brothers accompanied by Kontras Quartet, and Chatham County Line, and Virginia-based acts The Steel Wheels, Dori Freeman accompanied by a Winston-Salem Symphony String Quintet, and Bill and the Belles. 

From the National Park Service Tracy Swartout Named Superintendent of Blue Ridge Parkway 

Update: Stay tuned for an announcement about The Bluffs operator coming soon. The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is seeking a partner to operate The Bluffs Restaurant starting this spring and continuing through fall. The restaurant is located within Doughton Park at milepost 241 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Bluffs was a favorite among Parkway visitors and operated for more than 60 years before closing in 2010. Last year, the 80-seat restaurant underwent extensive interior renovations in order to welcome diners back.