Hi everyone!

I’m new to the area and looking for overnight pet sitter recommendations for my senior dog (either pet sitting in my own home or in their home). Boarding places stress her out, so any recommendations would be helpful!

Y’all got any of that gameday parking??

For those looking for something to do this weekend, obviously Saturday's Hokie football game is the biggest event happening, but there's over 75 events from Friday-Monday in Blacksburg and across the New River Valley. Here's 18 of the best and closest to Blacksburg....

Weekend Rundown of Fun:
1. Kick-off On College Ave. before the Virginia Tech vs. VMI Football Game with The Kind
Downtown Blacksburg, Blacksburg
Friday, September 4, 2026, 5:00 - 9:00 PM
Admission: Free
Virginia Tech, the Blacksburg Partnership and Downtown Blacksburg, Inc. present the Kick-off On College Ave. Celebrate the arrival of fall and the college football season with a community street festival. The evening features live music from longtime regional folk-rock favorites The Kind best known for their Grateful Dead covers, a beer garden, face painting, and appearances by the HokieBird and Virginia Tech Spirit Squad. In addition, the Lyric Theatre will host two free screenings of the documentary "The Collapse of a Southern Classic", chronicling the Virginia Tech vs. VMI football series at 4 PM and 5:15 PM.
Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=940124

2. Flat Bridge Band in Concert
Gillie's, Blacksburg
Friday, September 4, 2026, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Admission: Free
Steeped in the vibrant musical scenes of Western North Carolina, Flat Bridge’s sound will transport you to a rowdy fiddle convention, square dance, or late night kitchen jam session, all places they love so dearly. Weaving together old-time, early bluegrass, and country influences, their concerts are thoughtfully curated to create an experience that is both entertaining and grounding for audiences. 
Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=939781

3. September Storytelling with Theme "Coming of Age"
Blacksburg Books, Blacksburg
Friday, September 4, 2026, 7:00 - 8:15 PM
Admission: Free
Blacksburg Books presents their September Storytelling with the theme "Coming of Age" and hosted by author Wendy Welch. Share your folktale, original writing, personal story, or family history piece of no more than 8 minutes long. Listeners are also encouraged to attend. Storytelling begins promptly at 7:00 PM. Please arrive prior to that time so that you can be seated and ready. 
Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=939478

4. Dolly Parton Appreciation Night
The Milk Parlor, Blacksburg
Friday, September 4, 2026, 9:00 PM - 01:00 AM
Admission: Free
The Milk Parlor will honor country music legend Dolly Parton with a late-night tribute party featuring her greatest hits, country classics, and Southern party anthems. Patrons are encouraged to dress in rhinestone-studded attire and retro country glam for an evening celebrating decades of Parton's iconic music.
Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=940316

5. Blacksburg Farmers Market with Joel McGlothlin with Justin Craig in Concert
Market Square Park, Blacksburg
Saturday, September 5, 2026, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Admission: Free
The Blacksburg Farmers Market continues their regular farmers market with live music from Joel McGlothlin and Justin Craig from 10 AM to 1 PM. The Blacksburg Farmers Market offers local meats, organic produce, baked goods, crafts, flowers and more in the heart of downtown Blacksburg. Joel McGlothlin is an acoustic musician from Blacksburg, VA performing blues, rock, country and more featuring covers and a few originals. Justin Craig is a classical and jazz guitarist, arranger, composer and recording artist residing in Blacksburg, VA. 
Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=939214

6. 2026 Floyd Yoga Jam - Superbloom
Burnette Farm, Willis
Thursday, September 3, 2026, 12:00 PM - Sunday, September 6, 2026, 11:45 PM
4 Day Ticket: $275.00, 3 Day Ticket: $250.00, 2 Day Ticket: $200.00,
Youth 4-Day Ticket (Ages 11-15): $90.00, Youth Ages 10 & Under: Free,
Individual Day Tickets:
Thursday Only Ticket: $105.00, Friday Only Ticket: $125.00,
Saturday Only Ticket: $125.00, Sunday Only Ticket: $105.00
The Floyd Yoga Jam is an annual four-day yoga and music festival held every Labor Day Weekend. It brings together yoga enthusiasts, practitioners, musicians, and artists for a weekend of wellness, community, and celebration. The event features world-class yoga teachers, live music on multiple stages, wellness workshops, art installations, local food & craft vendors, family activities, and camping. Floyd Yoga Jam aims to create a vibrant and inclusive environment where people can connect with nature, each other, and themselves through the practice of yoga, music, and other holistic activities. Participants can expect to experience a range of yoga styles catering to practitioners of all levels and preferences. The festival brings a carefully curated selection of musical artists with over 30 performances featuring headliners Toubab Krewe, the Hackensaw Boys, The Mantras and New Dawn Starkestra.
Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=939820

7. September Draper Village Heritage Market: Farmhouse Harvest
Merc Farms in Thee Draper Village, Draper
Saturday, September 5, 2026, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Admission: Free
Thee Draper Village welcomes visitors to its "Farmhouse Harvest" Heritage Market, featuring dozens of regional artisans, food trucks, and agricultural producers selling seasonal goods, baked treats, and farm-fresh staples. The community gathering will also offer an acoustic music jam, a Native American flute demonstration by Steve Garay, fall mini photo sessions, and an on-site pet adoption drive hosted by the Pulaski County Animal Shelter.
Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=940263

8. Bands for Bradley with Six Bands in Concert
Great Wilderness Brewing Company, Pulaski
Saturday, September 5, 2026, 12:00 - 10:00 PM
Donations are greatly appreciated.
Enjoy live music from six bands, local brews from Great Wilderness Brewing Company and make a big impact helping local musician and resident Bradley Steele. If you've ever had the chance to hear Bradley Steele perform, you know he gives more than just a performance, he gives a piece of his heart. Bradley was recently diagnosed with Myxoid Liposarcoma, a rare form of cancer. While he faces treatment with courage and determination, the road ahead will include radiation, medical appointments, recovery, and time away from doing what he loves most, sharing his music. Bands performing include: Saylo, Jimothy, 21 Blackbirds, The Divided Highway, Triple Threat, M-Prov and Bradley Steele himself. There will also be raffles for Bradley and the Johnny Ray's Food Truck will be on site. Donations are greatly appreciated. Radio stations 105.3FM The Bear and 107.1FM WPSK will both be in attendance. 
Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=939777

9. September Genealogy Saturday
Alexander Black House & Cultural Center, Blacksburg
Saturday, September 5, 2026, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Admission: Free
The Alexander Black House & Cultural Center will host its monthly genealogy clinic, pairing community members with experienced ancestral researchers to trace family trees. The open-house session is designed for researchers at all stages, from beginners seeking starting advice to experienced family historians looking for advanced archive strategies.
Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=926527

10. Free All You Can Eat Pizza and VMI vs. Virginia Tech Tailgate
The Beast of Blacksburg Pizzeria & Bar, Blacksburg
Saturday, September 5, 2026, 4:00 - 8:30 PM
Admission: Free
The Beast of Blacksburg will host a game-day watch party and tailgate celebrating the start of the 2026 Hokie football season against VMI. Fans can enjoy complimentary all-you-can-eat pizza including pepperoni, cheese and the ultimate beast pizza, The Hokie starting three hours before kickoff through halftime while catching the pre-game and live game broadcast. All are welcome.
Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=940270

11. Hokie Village Fan Festival featuring Music from Farm Use
Moseley Turf Field, Virginia Tech
Saturday, September 5, 2026, 4:00 - 6:45 PM
Admission: Free
Virginia Tech Athletics will stage the season’s opening Hokie Village Fan Festival on the Moseley Turf Field across from Lane Stadium prior to the Hokies’ matchup against VMI. The family-oriented pre-game hub features live country rock from collegiate band Farm Use, team autograph sessions with Virginia Tech volleyball and softball student-athletes, interactive lawn games, local food trucks and more.
Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=940258

12. 2026 Tour of Destruction with School Bus Racing, Trailer Race, Stunts & Fireworks
Pulaski County Motorsports Park, Radford
Saturday, September 5, 2026, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Advance Tickets: Adults: $25.00, Kids Ages 3-12: $10.00, Kids Ages 2 & Under: Free,
Day of Show Tickets: Adults: $30.00, Kids Ages 3-12: $10.00, Kids Ages 2 & Under: Free,
Parking: VIP: $10.00 (Online Only), General Admission Parking: Free
Pulaski County Motorsports Park welcomes back the high-octane Tour of Destruction on their 2026 tour featuring full-contact school bus racing, camper trailer battles, a demolition derby, and motorcycle stunt shows. The touring spectacle also features a jet car burn-down demonstration and concludes with a patriotic fireworks exhibition over the speedway.
Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=940140

13. College Football: Virginia Military Institute vs. Virginia Tech (2026 Home Opener & Orange Effect)
Lane Stadium, Virginia Tech
Saturday, September 5, 2026, 7:30 - 11:30 PM
Tickets start at $70.00. Fan 4 Packs are $30.00 each (Minimum of Four Tickets)
Watch the Virginia Tech Football team open their 2026 regular season and compete against non-conference and in-state opponent VMI to mark the beginning of the James Franklin era. It's also the official Orange Effect game. All Hokie fans are encouraged to wear orange. The game will be broadcast on the ACC Network. This is the 80th Edition of the Original Military Classic of the South. The Governor’s Sword, the trophy for the series, will be on the line. Virginia Tech alumni and co-founders of Skipper I, Homer Hickam and Alton Harper, will join the Skipper crew on the field as honorary guests. The flyover will feature two HH-60 helicopters and one HC-130 cargo plane flown by the U.S. Air Force 347th RQG out of Moody Air Force Base in Georgia. 
Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=939782

14. Women's Soccer: Illinois vs. Virginia Tech (Senior Night)
Thompson Field, Virginia Tech
Sunday, September 6, 2026, 12:00 - 2:00 PM
Admission: Free
Watch the Virginia Tech Women's Soccer team compete against non-conference and Big Ten opponent Illinois as they continue their 2026 season. It's Senior Night. Honor this graduating class of Hokies through a walk of fame and pregame senior celebration. Arrive early for a chance to play Minute to Win It-style games during halftime with an ultimate prize on the line. 
Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=939237

15. Tactical Forest Laser Tag - Sunday Games for Ages 14 & Up
Pandapas Pond, Blacksburg
Sunday, September 6, 2026, 2:00 - 5:00 PM
Admission: Free
The Tactical Forest Laser Tag Club will host outdoor, team-based strategy games through the wooded trails surrounding Pandapas Pond for players ages 14 and older. The club provides all necessary laser blasters and equipment, advising participants to wear camouflage or earth-toned apparel alongside durable hiking shoes. Advance registration is requested ahead of the weekend session. Anyone under the age of 18 must have an adult with them ornearby. Beginners are always welcome.
Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=939718

16. Two Year Coner-Versary at The Conery
The Conery, Draper
Monday, September 7, 2026, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Admission: Free
Celebrate two years of being open as an ice cream & coffee shop. Bring your entire family and treat them to some ice cream or coffee. There will also be face painting, kids karaoke, corn hole and more. 
Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=938524

17. Labor Day Specials: $20 Bowling Lanes, $5 Laser Tag and $0.75 Hot Dogs
NRV Superbowl, Christiansburg
Monday, September 7, 2026, 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Bowling: $20.00 per lane per hour, Laser Tag: $5.00, Hot Dogs: $0.75
Celebrate Labor Day at It's Game Time at the Superbowl. Enjoy $20.00 per hour per lane bowling for up to eight bowlers per lane, $5.00 laser tag and 75¢ hot dogs.
Note: Bowling shoes are not included with the $20.00 per hour lane rental. 
Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=940281

18. Line Dancing with Lessons and Open Dancing
The Milk Parlor, Blacksburg
Monday, September 7, 2026, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Ages 21 & Up: $2.00, Ages 20 & Under: $4.00
Join Line Dancing at Virginia Tech for Line Lessons from 6:00-7:00 PM followed by open dance until 8:00 PM. 
Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=939704

For all 70+ events, check out:
• http://www.nextthreedays.com/featuredevents.cfm

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

Anyone else notice a bunch of planes flying over town from about 1-2:30 ish? They were flying pretty low (low enough to shake my house, no more than a couple hundred feet off the ground) and I counted about 7 or 8 of them. Some of them also had helicopters along side them. If so, anyone know why?

Trying very hard to avoid an additional 800 to marry at my reception venue. Does anyone know of a place to have a quick ceremony, particularly near Pembroke? I’m not a local, and I’m having a hard time finding anything. Id need 2-4 hours for 50 guests.

Article - Sheriff candidate Brown rejects Flock, draws endorsement from Republican Shepherd

The more interesting part of this article to me is what Shepherd had to say about Sheriff Page.

I looked at his campaign website https://sheriffrobertpage.com and it seems as though the only endorsement he has received is from the former sheriff who chose Page as his replacement.

TBH, I don't know much about him. He wasn't at the sheriff candidates' forum (for good reason, he was at the funeral of a Carroll County deputy killed in the line of duty). Does anyone know much about him?

The caption is the question. Thanks!

My previous groomer closed up, and I have heard/read mixed reviews about some of the others. Does anyone here have a groomer that they're really happy with? Thanks in advance.

Pretty much the title. I'm looking for recommendations for gyms in blacksburg that wouldn't have a lot of VT students.

Hi all, I’m originally from a big city where I had my pick of doctors and well liked practices. I need to get in to see a neurologist as soon as possible and I’m wondering if anyone has recommendations or docs to stay away from lol. Thanks in advance!

Hey all! I’m looking for a local photographer to take proposal photos at a reasonable price (<$300). Please DM me if interested or leave a comment if you have a recommendation!

While doing some work near the Tech Livestock Arena, while on my lunch break, I could hear a hawk having a rough time, along with other bird sounds. Unfortunately, I didn't get any clear pictures, but it was a Red tail Hawk, a Bald Eagle, and an Osprey having a disagreement. I've only recently become bird savvy, so I didn't expect this.

Need ride everyday from Blacksburg to Christiansburg.
Just drop of.

Hey I'm trying to go to the South to visit family during Labor day weekend (specifically columbia, SC). If anyone is heading south on friday and can drop me close to Columbia (charlotte for example) on their way then I'd be willing to pay for gas money, food, and whatever else.

If not, and you have advice for how I would get as close as possible to Columbia this Friday, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

The university’s Kentland Farm now houses the headquarters of a $5 million Army project that seeks to defeat the unmanned aerial systems that could threaten military, law enforcement and infrastructure.

I am in love. I am in love with music and with someone I am writing songs about. I love Smashing Pumpkins, PTV, Lit, The Pretty Reckless, and so much more. I am NOT a trained musician. I love just a bro who loves singing and playing rubbish and thats how I can describe myself best . I have chords, pitch patterns, lyrics, even guitars and Logic Pro but IDK how to use that. If you are looking for an opportunity to write with me and help me create something meaningful, please reach out. Take a chance on me.