ROANOKE RAMBLER HAPPENINGS

8/4 to 8/12

From a festival and a two-day comic convention to a 52-year-old road race and the return of Wednesday library storytimes, the Roanoke Valley's calendar is packed this stretch. We scoured calendars, so you didn't have to — here's what's happening in Roanoke and the surrounding valley from Aug. 4 through Aug. 12. As always, confirm times directly with the venue in case of last-minute changes.

Have a Happening? Does your business want to sponsor a newsletter? Reach out to us at news@roanokerambler.com with “Happening” in the subject line. Have fun!

Marquee Picks

Primary Elections, Wednesday, Aug. 4th

Clawson for Council Campaign to Host Election Night Watch Party — Wednesday, Aug. 4th, Evie's Bistro and Bakery,1212 Fourth St SW, 7-10pm

Raekwon Moore Campaign to Host Election Night Watch Party — Wednesday, Aug.4th, Sakura Asian Fusion in NW Roanoke City. 7-10pm

Something In The Mountains— Saturday, Aug. 8, Elmwood Park Amphitheater, 706 S. Jefferson St. Outdoor festival at Elmwood Park, so expect downtown parking and street closures around Jefferson Street for the better part of the day.

Big Lick Comic Con — Saturday–Sunday, Aug. 8–9, Berglund Center, 710 Williamson Rd. NE.

Vendors and pop-culture panels take over Berglund Center for a full weekend as the region's biggest comic convention returns.

Leanne Morgan, comedy — Saturday–Sunday, Aug. 8–9, Berglund Center, 710 Williamson Rd. NE.

The stand-up comedian and Netflix star brings three shows to town over the weekend — worth checking for last-minute tickets before showtime.

52nd Salem Distance Run — Saturday, Aug. 8, Starts downtown Salem, 611 E. Main St., finishes at Longwood Park.

One of the region's longest-running road races laces up for its 52nd year, starting downtown and finishing at Longwood Park.

Touch-a-Truck 2026, 15th anniversary — Saturday, Aug. 8, Green Hill Park, 2500 Green Hill Park Rd., Salem.

Kids can climb aboard fire trucks, dump trucks and more at this hands-on favorite's 15th year, with a dedicated sensory hour first thing in the morning.

Party in Elmwood featuring Maggie Baugh — “The REMIX” — Thursday, Aug. 6, Elmwood Park Amphitheater, 706 S. Jefferson St.

Downtown's Thursday-night concert series keeps rolling with Maggie Baugh headlining this week's free, all-ages outdoor show.

FC NAACP Freedom Summer 2.0 Kickoff Community Chili Cook-off — Saturday, Aug. 8, Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home & Crematory – Rocky Mount, 195 Maple Avenue, Rocky Mount, VA 24151 starting at noon

Rocky Mount is proud to partner with the Franklin County NAACP to host the FC NAACP Freedom Summer 2.0 Kickoff Community Chili Cook-off 

Running All Week

Historic Roanoke City Market, open-air farmers market — Mon–Sat 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily through Aug. 11. 213 Market St.

Vinton Farmers Market, weekday hours — Tue–Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Aug. 7. 204 W. Lee Ave., Vinton.

Barrel Chest 12th Anniversary Week — Tue–Sat, Aug. 4–11, special tastings and blind flights daily. Barrel Chest Wine & Beer, 2601 Franklin Rd. SW.

Tuesday, August 4

Roanoke City Primary Election (all day)

Roanoke County Planning Commission public hearing — 6 p.m. Roanoke County Administration Center, Roanoke County.

National Night Out 2026 — 6 to 8 p.m. Eureka Park, 1529 Carroll Ave. NW.

National Night Out, Loudon-Gilmer neighborhood — 5 to 7 p.m. Loudon Park, Loudon Ave. NW.

Salem RidgeYaks vs. Fayetteville Woodpeckers — 6:35 p.m. Carilion Clinic Field at Salem Memorial Ballpark, 1004 Texas St., Salem.

Pub Run at Big Lick Brewing — 5 to 7 p.m. Big Lick Brewing Company, 409 Salem Ave. SW.

Music Bingo with Nathan — 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Big Lick Brewing Company, 409 Salem Ave. SW.

Trivia Tuesdays — 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Twisted Track Brewpub, 523 Shenandoah Ave. NW.

Tuesday Night Music Bingo — 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wasena City Tap Room & Grill, 806 Wasena Ave. SW.

MollDawgs Trivia Night — 6 to 8 p.m. Golden Cactus Brewing, 214 5th St. SW.

Open Mic with The Ambassador — 5 to 8 p.m. Parkway Brewing Company, 739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem.

“Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure” screening — 7 p.m. Grandin Theatre, 1310 Grandin Rd. SW.

Christian Q & Co., live music — 8:30 p.m. Martin's Downtown, 413 1st St. SW.

Creation Station, kids maker program — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Williamson Road Branch Library.

Wednesday, August 5

Roanoke County Electoral Board primary canvass — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Roanoke County Registrar's Office, 900 Chestnut St., Vinton.

Salem RidgeYaks vs. Fayetteville Woodpeckers — Bark in the Park — 6:35 p.m. Carilion Clinic Field at Salem Memorial Ballpark, 1004 Texas St., Salem.

Beginner Pottery class, two sessions — 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Roanoke County Parks, 3738 Brambleton Ave. SW.

Dan Carrell, live music — 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Parkway Brewing Company, 739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem.

Back to School Market — 5 to 8 p.m. Golden Cactus Brewing, 214 5th St. SW.

Karaoke Night — 10 p.m. Martin's Downtown, 413 1st St. SW.

Wednesday Mountain Bike Ride — 6 to 7:30 p.m. Cardinal Bicycle Grandin.

Thursday, August 6

Roanoke Architectural Review Board work session — 4 to 5 p.m. Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, 215 Church Ave. SW.

Jason Carter Band — 8 to 10 p.m., doors 6:30 p.m. 5 Points Music Sanctuary, 1217 Maple Ave. SW.

Live Music on the Rooftop — 7 to 10 p.m. Corned Beef & Company, 107 S. Jefferson St.

Salem RidgeYaks vs. Fayetteville Woodpeckers — 6:35 p.m. Carilion Clinic Field at Salem Memorial Ballpark, 1004 Texas St., Salem.

Themed Flight Thursdays: “We All Love a Liter” — 4 to 7 p.m. Barrel Chest Wine & Beer, 2601 Franklin Rd. SW.

Poems & Coffee: School Supplies Drive + Porchfest — 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Historic Fishburn Mansion, 714 13th St. SW.

“Stand By Me” screening — 7 p.m. Grandin Theatre, 1310 Grandin Rd. SW.

Orvis Fly Tying Night — 6 to 8 p.m. Three Notch'd Brewing Company.

Latin Night — 9:30 p.m. Martin's Downtown, 413 1st St. SW.

Tiles on Tap with Blue Ridge Bams — 6 to 9 p.m. Golden Cactus Brewing, 214 5th St. SW.

Friday, August 7

Roanoke City Planning Commission work session — Noon to 1 p.m. Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, 215 Church Ave. SW.

First Fridays at Five featuring Soul Expressions — 5 to 9:30 p.m. Downtown Roanoke, Market District.

All American Music Festival, R&B concert — Time n.a. Elmwood Park Amphitheater, 706 S. Jefferson St.

Salem RidgeYaks vs. Fayetteville Woodpeckers — Toy Story Night + Fireworks Friday — 6:35 p.m. Carilion Clinic Field at Salem Memorial Ballpark, 1004 Texas St., Salem.

Tavern Stage Summer Music Series: The Brothers Young — Lawn opens 6 p.m., music 6:30 to 9 p.m. Brugh Lawn at Twin Creeks, Explore Park, 56 Roanoke River Pkwy.

Art by Night: Portraits for a Cause — 5 to 8 p.m. LinDor Arts, 306 1st St. SW.

Art in Conversation: Adam Erby on George Washington — 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Taubman Museum of Art, 110 Salem Ave. SE.

Late Night Young Professionals Lounge: Trivia Night — 7:30 to 9 p.m. Taubman Museum of Art, 110 Salem Ave. SE.

Freak Rangers + Virginia Electric — 8 p.m., doors 7:30 p.m. The Spot on Kirk, 22 Kirk Ave. SW.

FireHouse & BulletBoys — 6 p.m. Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges, 9 Old Whitmore Ave.

Listening Lounge Sessions w/ Ms. Lauryn Hill — 7 to 9 p.m. Verses.

Checkered Past, live music — 7 to 9 p.m. Big Lick Brewing Company, 409 Salem Ave. SW.

Jared Stout Band — 10 p.m. Martin's Downtown, 413 1st St. SW.

Talking Cake, live music — 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Parkway Brewing Company, 739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem.

Painting Club — 10 a.m. to noon. Roanoke County Parks, 3738 Brambleton Ave. SW.

Saturday, August 8

Tinker Creek Cleanup 2026 — 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Gathers at Fallon Park.

Harrison Museum: Celebration of African Cultures — 8 a.m. to noon. Melrose Plaza, 2502 Melrose Ave. NW.

Salem Farmers Market, Saturday market — 8 a.m. to noon. 3 E. Main St., Salem.

Mingle at the Market w/ Five Dollar Shake — 7 to 10 p.m. Vinton Farmers Market, 204 W. Lee Ave., Vinton.

Daleville Summer Concert Series: The Bogeys — 5 to 9 p.m. Daleville Town Center & Performance Pavilion, Daleville.

Salem RidgeYaks vs. Fayetteville Woodpeckers — Outdoors Night — 6:35 p.m. Carilion Clinic Field at Salem Memorial Ballpark, 1004 Texas St., Salem.

Downtown Roanoke historian-guided tour — 2 to 3 p.m. Departs Roanoke Higher Education Center, 108 N. Jefferson St.

Roanoke True Crime Tour — 4 to 5 p.m. Departs Corned Beef & Company, 107 S. Jefferson St.

Women's Naturalist Hike — 9 to 11 a.m. Explore Park, 56 Roanoke River Pkwy.

Bug & Bat Night — 8 to 10 p.m. Eureka Park, 1529 Carroll Ave. NW.

Sunset Kayak Excursion — 6 p.m. Carvins Cove Boat Landing, Roanoke County.

Kids Day at Grand Home Furnishings, Valley View — 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Grand Home Furnishings, Valley View.

Sparklemotion, live music — 6 to 9 p.m. Big Lick Brewing Company, 409 Salem Ave. SW.

“Dr. No” screening — 10 a.m. Grandin Theatre, 1310 Grandin Rd. SW.

Vinyl & Vibes, DJ night — 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sidecar.

Sunday, August 9

Community Talent Show — 4 to 7 p.m. Highland Park.

Music on the Mountain: Dylan Dent — 5 to 7 p.m. Mill Mountain Discovery Center, 2000 J.P. Fishburn Pkwy.

Guitars Under The Star, acoustic song circle — 6 to 8 p.m. Mill Mountain Star overlook.

Fight From Within, Yung Mo$h, Dying Oath — 7:30 p.m. The Spot on Kirk, 22 Kirk Ave. SW.

Let's Make Earrings Class (sold out) — 2 to 3:30 p.m. Taubman Museum of Art, 110 Salem Ave. SE.

Salem RidgeYaks vs. Fayetteville Woodpeckers — 4:05 p.m. Carilion Clinic Field at Salem Memorial Ballpark, 1004 Texas St., Salem.

Paint Nite: “Flowers by the Sea” — 2 to 5 p.m. Big Lick Brewing Company, 409 Salem Ave. SW.

Women's Rated Pinball Tournament — 2 to 5 p.m. Golden Cactus Brewing, 214 5th St. SW.

The Floorboards, live music — 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Parkway Brewing Company, 739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem.

Monday, August 10

Irish Music Session — 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Big Lick Brewing Company, 409 Salem Ave. SW.

Monday Night Trivia — 8 to 9 p.m. Wasena City Tap Room & Grill, 806 Wasena Ave. SW.

“20th Century Women” screening — 6 p.m. Grandin Theatre, 1310 Grandin Rd. SW.

“Book Rich Environment” author talk — 3 p.m. Melrose Branch Library.

Tuesday, August 11

Johnny Dynamite, Stimulator Jones, Torturetwinn — 7:30 p.m. The Spot on Kirk, 22 Kirk Ave. SW.

6th Annual Super Smash Tournament — 5 to 8 p.m. Roanoke Public Library, Main branch.

August Vegetable Harvest, garden program — 6:30 p.m. Brambleton Recreation Center, 3738 Brambleton Ave. SW.

The Request Line, live music — 8:30 p.m. Martin's Downtown, 413 1st St. SW.

“Booksmart” screening — 7 p.m. Grandin Theatre, 1310 Grandin Rd. SW.

Wednesday, August 12

Summer Waterfall Hikes: Stiles Falls, guided 3.2-mile hike — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Departs for guided hike to Stiles Falls, Alta Mons area, Shawsville.

Movie in the Morning: “The Little Rascals” — 10:15 to 11 a.m. South County Library, 6303 Merriman Rd.

Storytime and craft with Ms. Liv — 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Gainsboro Branch Library, 15 Patton Ave. NW.

Storytime with Ms. Liv — 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Main Library, 706 S. Jefferson St.

Take-Home Crafts, while supplies last — All day, Aug. 11–12. Belmont Branch Library, 1101 Morningside St. SE.

Storytime: Mental Health Matters, with Mental Health in Motion — 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Belmont Branch Library, 1101 Morningside St. SE.

Nature Lab Summer Excursion: Meteor Shower Watch — 3 p.m. departure. Departs downtown Roanoke for James River State Park.

Alternative Crafting Club: Stamped Bookmarks — 4 to 5 p.m. Gainsboro Branch Library, 15 Patton Ave. NW.

Business After Hours: Hunting Hills, Salem-Roanoke County Chamber — 4:30 to 6 p.m. Hunting Hills, 5220 Hunting Hills Dr.

Dinner and Movie: “Karate Kid Legends” — 5 to 7 p.m. Melrose Branch Library, 2502 Melrose Ave. NW.

Mid-Week Market, local makers and vendors — 5 to 7 p.m. Golden Cactus Brewing, 214 5th St. SW.

Ambassador Duo, live music — 5 to 8 p.m. Parkway Brewing Company, 739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem.

Food Truck: Copper Dog and Co. — Time n.a. Parkway Brewing Company, 739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem.

Somatic Movement and Meditation — 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Grandin Wellness Center, 1701 Grandin Rd.

Roanoke Neighborhood Advocates, public board meeting — 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Location n.a., check with the city.

Roanoke Valley Shrine Club meeting — 5:45 to 7 p.m. 628 Campbell Ave. SW.

Wednesday Mountain Bike Ride — 6 to 7:30 p.m. Cardinal Bicycle Grandin Village, 1312 Winborne St. SW.

90s Tunes with DJ Slate — 6 to 8 p.m. Big Lick Brewing Company, 409 Salem Ave. SW.

Dan & DK, live music — 8:30 p.m. Martin's Downtown, 413 1st St. SW.

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