Blue Ridge Kite Festival: The festival at Green Hill Park on April 19 is from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Food Truck Thursday: The food truck offering is on April 24 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Salem After Five: “Empty Bottles” on April 25 at the Salem Farmers Market. Food Trucks: Dale’s Diner Express, Kettle Cooker Express, Cabo Fish Taco, Sweet Surrender Ice Cream. Gates open for each performance at 5 p.m. and the shows will last until 9 p.m.
Community Shredding Event: In an effort to help local citizens protect themselves from identity theft, Vested Partners will host a free community shredding event on Saturday, April 26 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at their office located at 300 E. 2nd Street in Salem, VA. Hot dogs, chips, and soda will be provided, and you can enter a drawing to win a desktop paper shredder. No RSVP is required. This shredding event is for personal papers with a limit of three bags or boxes per person. Business shredding will not be allowed. Except for paper clips and staples, no metal, batteries, electronics, or other non-paper material can be in boxes or bags brought for shredding.
The Greater Blue Ridge Breakthrough T1D Walk: The walk will take place Sunday, April 27 at Salem Memorial Ballpark to raise funds for Type 1 diabetes research. The event, organized by Breakthrough T1D—formerly known as JDRF—supports efforts to prevent, treat, and cure Type 1 diabetes. Participants can choose between a 1-mile or 3-mile walk route. Check-in begins at 2 p.m., and the walk starts at 3 p.m. The event will also feature music, dancing, children’s activities, prizes, concessions, a photo booth, and live entertainment. The walk is scheduled to conclude at 5 p.m. Breakthrough T1D funds research into diabetes prevention, improved treatments, and potential cures. To register, visit breakthrought1d.org/walk. For more information, contact Sara Bell at sarambell61@yahoo.com.
Ernest “Pig” Robertson Fishing Rodeo: The City of Salem Parks & Recreation Department has announced it will once again host the Ernest “Pig” Robertson Fishing Rodeo at Lake Spring Park this spring. This is the 73rd year for the always entertaining angling event and it will once again feature four days of fishing. Participants must provide their own fishing equipment and adults cannot fish for the children at the Saturday events. Each child can catch up to six trout, and they must keep all the fish they reel in. In addition, the popular special needs and nursing home fishing days are back in 2025. Participants and organizations participating in either special needs or nursing home days must preregister. Schedule: Children Ages 3-8: Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. – Noon, Special Needs Children: Monday, April 28 from 10 a.m. – Noon, Nursing Home Residents: Wednesday, April 30 from 10 a.m. – Noon, Children Ages 9-12: Saturday, May 3 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. The Bank of Botetourt, Salem Kiwanis Club, Yokohama, and Re/Max Real Estate One, and Renewal by Anderson are sponsoring this year’s rodeo which is free for area children. Prizes will be awarded throughout the events and the top anglers each Saturday will receive a trophy. In addition, “The Tailgate” food truck will be onsite for all to enjoy. Lake Spring Park is located at the corner of W. Main Street and Green Street.
Salem After Five: “Phlegar Hill” on May 9 at the Salem Farmers Market. Gates open for each performance at 5 p.m. and the shows will last until 9 p.m. Food Trucks: Roanoke College Food Truck, Kettle Cooker Express, Customs BBQ & Grill, Sweet Surrender Ice Cream.
Mother’s Day Brunch: On Saturday, May 10 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Hidden Valley Country Club there will be a fundraiser to support Mrs. Dorsey’s Clothes Closet. Tickets may be purchased at: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjI3MTk5?fbclid=IwY2xjawJH6idleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbRPN9pd_OCxgJUyVxawdJZ14cI00c2Dv7lvPeE6KioZh6pQ JLyyErC1ig_aem_DSKds6QY61NBdkATO_wE9Q
Roanoke Lebanese Festival: This year marks the 24th Lebanese Festival and will be held May 30, 31, and June 1 at St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church, 4730 Cove Road, N.W., Roanoke, VA. The festival is open Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. The festival features delicious Lebanese food, Lebanese music and traditional Lebanese folk dancers in full costume. Admission and parking are free. Visitors may purchase a wide variety of home-style Lebanese food, and children can participate in activities for an affordable fee. Menu offerings include meat pies, vegetarian grape leaves, spinach pies, spinach-feta rolls, falafel, grilled lamb and beef kabobs, beef kafta, chicken shawarma wraps, lubee (Lebanese green beans), tabbouleh, cabbage rolls, kibbie, pita bread, hummus, Lebanese cheesecake, baklava, other Lebanese pastries and more. In addition to onsite dining, takeout will be available throughout the day and evening. Orders may be placed online. For more information, visit the website: www.LebaneseFestival.StEliasChurch.org or contact St. Elias Church at 540-562-0012.
Salem After Five: “The Kings” on June 13 at the Salem Farmers Market. Gates open for each performance at 5 p.m. and the shows will last until 9 p.m. Food Trucks: Countryman Jamaican Grill, Kettle Cooker Express, Dale’s Diner Express, Sweet Surrender Ice Cream.
Salem After Five: “Matt Tucker” on July 18 at the Salem Farmers Market. Gates open for each performance at 5 p.m. and the shows will last until 9 p.m. Food Trucks: Rocky Mount Smokehouse, Kettle Cooker Express, Countryman Jamaican Grill, Sweet Surrender Ice Cream.
Whiskey Myers: Whiskey Myers is set to stop in Salem for its “What We Were Born To Do Tour.” The tour stops at the Salem Civic Center on Sunday night, July 20. The genre-bending band Whiskey Myers has played more than 2,500 live shows to ever-growing crowds since its emergence in 2007. In addition to headlining their own sold-out shows from coast to coast at iconic venues such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre and the Ryman Auditorium, plus performing at marquee festivals Bonnaroo, Stagecoach, the band members were also personally selected to open The Rolling Stones’ Chicago stadium show. Tickets start at $41.50. They can be purchased at the Salem Civic Center Box Office or online at www.ticketmaster.com
Public meetings:
The Salem City Council will meet on Monday, April 28 at 6:30 p.m.
The Salem City Council will meet on Monday, May 12 at 6:30 p.m.
The Salem City School Board will meet on Tuesday, May 13 at 7 p.m.
The Salem City Planning Commission will meet on Wednesday, May 14 at 7 p.m.
The Salem City Council will meet on Monday, May 27 at 6:30 p.m.
The Salem City School Board will meet on Tuesday, June 10 at 7 p.m.
The Salem City School Board will meet on Tuesday, July 8 at 7 p.m.
Library Corner
In celebration of Earth Day, let’s get some exercise and pick up litter as we go! Join us in the Library lobby on Tuesday, April 22nd at 4pm and we’ll spend an hour cleaning up together! Salem Library will supply garbage bags and gloves.
April Events for Adults
Wednesday, April 23, DMV Connect: 10am-12:30pm; 1:30-4pm. Walk ins only.
Thursday, April 24, 2pm. Virtual Speaker Event: “The Thrill of Writing Action, Adventure, and Suspense: A Conversation with Bestselling author Gregg Hurwitz.” Register at www.salemlibrary.info
Thursday, April 24, 6:30pm: End of the World Book Club. The theme for this month is Horror/Sci-Fi. Read a book in this sub-genre and come and share your thoughts with others and learn about the books and authors others in the group chose.
Monday, April 28, 1:30pm-6:00pm. Red Cross Blood Drive at Salem Library. Make an appointment at www.redcrossblood.org.
Tuesday, April 29, 1pm. Afternoon Book Club. Attendees will discuss the book How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley.
Wednesday, April 30, 6pm. Sit ‘n Stitch: Join other fiber crafters as you work on your own projects.
April Events for Kids
Wednesday, April 23, 30; 3:15pm; Grades 1-5, at least 6 years old. Barks & Books. Come read with a therapy dog! These mellow dogs love books and can’t wait to listen to you read. Everyone who signs up gets at least 10 minutes to read with a dog. You can bring your own book or pick one out when you arrive! Register at salemva.libcal.com
Thursday, April 17, 24; 10:15am. Infants and crawlers. Book Babies. Did you know? Literacy development begins at birth! Create lifelong readers with us at this special story time designed especially for infants and crawlers. Register at salemva.libcal.com
Thursday, April 17, 24; 11am. Ages 0-5. Story Explorers: Create lifelong readers! Join us for stories, songs, and boisterous fun as we share our love of books with your child. Open to children ages 0-5 and their families. Register at salemva.libcal.com
Friday, April 18, 10:30am, Ages 0-5. The Music Circle: Join the talented Ms. Carla for a free music and movement class full of hands-on learning and play. Recommended for ages 0-5 and their families. Register at salemva.libcal.com
Saturday, April 19, 11am, Grades 1-3. Library Buffet Storytime. We’ll read a food themed book and make a recipe! Register at salemva.libcal.com
Tuesday, April 22, 3:30pm, Grades 2-3. Book Buzz Book Club: We’ll chat about our book, enjoy an activity, and nibble snacks. April’s book is Catwings by Ursula K. Le Guin. Register at salemva.libcal.com. Come by the library after you register so we can give you a copy of the book for you to read. Registration closes Friday, April 18th at 5pm.
