From the desk of The Harvest Foundation President Kate Keller
As the summer begins to cool and the leaves change to red and orange, a new energy appears in Martinsville and Henry County. The cool air provides opportunities to be outside and enjoy all our community has to offer. We often hear that there isn’t anything to do in MHC or that we need more to do. I challenge you to be bored with all the activities you can choose from to entertain yourself and your family.
VisitMartinsville.com provides all the details you need to plan to be busy, adventurous, and eat delicious things this Fall right here in MHC.
We always kick off the Fall with the Henry County Fair at the Martinsville Speedway (Sept. 23-26). I hear that, in addition to the carnival rides, tasty treats, and 4-H competitions, there will be some great musical acts such as a Morgan Wallen & Lainey Wilson Tribe Concert and Austin French. The $5 gate admission is payable at the gate and includes all concerts, ground shows, the petting zoo, agricultural exhibits, and fireworks.
That very same weekend, you can also head to the Speedway to see some racing! On Saturday, September 26th, you can watch NASCAR’s Biggest and Most Prestigious Late Model Stock Car Race at the ValleyStar Credit Union 300!
Things really pick up in October, kicking off the month with the 45th Annual Martinsville Uptown Oktoberfest on Oct. 3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Uptown Martinsville. This massive street festival features local vendors, seasonal foods, and family entertainment, and admission is completely free.
For traditional Fall and Halloween activities, visit the Mayo River Corn Maze and the Bonez & Booz Halloween and Fall Festival at the Virginia Museum of Natural History, featuring seasonal family-friendly activities and festivities on Saturday, Oct. 24. The Halloween activities wrap up with another free event, the Uptown Trick or Treat from 4-6 p.m. on Oct. 30.
If you are seeking more music and food, check out Yarnival VI at Pop’s Farm from Oct. 8–11, and return to Pop’s Farm for the RW Shucks Seafood Fest on Nov. 14, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for a day of fresh seafood and live music. The Halloween Cabaret Adult Music Revue is on Oct. 17 at Spencer Penn Centre. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a performance at 7 p.m.
There is certainly more racing to be had with the Fall NASCAR Xfinity 500 Weekend on Oct. 30 through Nov. 1. This is the final race of the Chase. Every point earned at Martinsville is the last chance to move up before the Championship is decided. No cuts, no eliminations, just one final gut-check on the sport’s toughest short track.
The Harvest Youth Board wraps up the Fall season with their Community Thanksgiving Table. This year’s Thanksgiving Dinner will be different than in the past. Instead of hosting one big dinner at Martinsville High School, they will be supporting locally led dinners throughout the community. In early November, we will share with the community where to sign up for a dinner!
It’s impossible to list all of the activities happening over the next few months, but you get the gist of it. A lot is happening! Try to check out at least one new activity this year. Get to know more of your neighbors and see what this community has to offer!