Twin County events this weekend

Looking for something to do this weekend and happen to be on the Blue Ridge Parkway or close enough to drive to the Twin Counties?

Then why don't you check out Smoke on the Mountain in Galax, Va., or Hillsville's Downtown Celebration. (Galax is pronounced "Gay-lax.")

Smoke on the Mountain
Smoke on the Mountain is the annual barbecue festival held in downtown Galax. It kicks off Friday with the first round of judging.

Your visit to the mountains of Southwest Virginia wouldn't be complete with a bit of bluegrass and oldtime music, now would it? So expect to hear some musical entertainment from 4-11:30 p.m. both days. (There will be bands and DJs playing other musical genres, so you won't get too burned out on the local traditional sounds if that's not your thing.)

After Saturday's round of judging, visitors can line up at the barbecue booths to sample the goods.

Other entertainment will include antique dealers and other vendors and the Bicycles and Barbecue, the annual non-competitive bicycling event.

The routes planned for Bicycles and Barbecue will take bikers through several Grayson County communities: Carsonville, Peach Bottom, Independence, Pine Mountain, Delhart, Savanah and Fairview.

To me, Peach Bottom and Delhart (where I lived for a year) are probably the most beautiful, scenic routes. If Fries (pronounced "freeze") were included, I'd say it would be on the top of the list for its view of the New River.

The ride begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Galax Recreation Center, 601 S. Main St.

For more information visit Smoke on the Mountain's Web site here.

Hillsville's Downtown Celebration
This will be Hillsville's third Downtown Celebration this summer. The celebrations feature a antique car cruise-in and beach music. The antique cars park along Main Street/U.S. 52 and some side streets. The music takes place in Jail House Square, located off of Main Street behind the downtown businesses.

The town built a wooden stage and a large sandy area, which I like to call the sandbox, in a town parking lot behind the downtown businesses. Well-attended, it's not uncommon to see adults dancing (usually the Shag) while kids build sand castles throughout the evening.

Vendors will also be sell concessions and, usually, there's a bounce house for the kids.

This weekend's entertainment is Jim Quick and Coastline.

This year Hillsville is hosting five celebrations. The next evets are Aug. 29 with The Mixed Emotions and The Craig Woolard Band and Sept. 12 with The Embers.

Music begins at 5 p.m.

For more information, visit the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Web site here.