Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains (the Blue Ridge Parkway runs through the area just east of town), beautiful Roanoke, with a population of 100,000, is among the most promising centers of food, arts and culture. . in the southeast. If you’ve been to Asheville, 250 miles to the southwest, you can get a glimpse of the hipster, outdoor vibe that’s starting to take hold in Roanoke, especially in bustling neighborhoods like Grandin Village.
Roanoke has also consistently cultivated a growing LGBT community over the years. The largest Pride event in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, the Gay Pride celebration in Roanoke Park takes place in mid-September, this year’s date is September 10-11, 2016 (expanding at a two-day event this year, weeks before the state’s largest event, Richmond Gay Pride, held in the state capital.
The official Roanoke Pride in the Park takes place on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, September 10 and 11, in downtown Elmwood Park, featuring local entertainment and a grand concert, the PRISM Games, and on Saturday the afternoon at 4 pm, the Roanoke Pride Diversity Parade.
Note that a number of Roanoke Pride-related events will take place in the area during the weeks leading up to Pride weekend, with the fun starting on Friday, August 26, with a show from former headlines from Roanoke Pride titles. There’s also the Roanoke Pride Pageant on August 28, a brunch on September 4, and more. Check out the full calendar of Roanoke Pride events for details on each party.
Roanoke Gay Resources
Although the region does not have a GLBT newspaper, you can get coverage of the region by taking a look at Richmond’s very useful site, GayRVA.com. For information on hotels, attractions, and other travel tips in the area, take a look at the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau website.
Also take a look at the Charlottesville Gay Nightlife and Dining Guide, which has tips on where to go out and eat in that progressive city.
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