
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, August 13, 1995                   TAG: 9508150087
SECTION: DISCOVER ROANOKE VALLEY                    PAGE: 13   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

BEST OF THE REST

Festival in the Park: Besides being the site of one of the largest outdoor art shows on the East Coast, festival features a craft show, float races on the river, sporting events, plays, concerts, clowns, jugglers, games for the kids, a petting zoo, a parade, bicycle races, and of course, food, food, food. Next year's festival begins Memorial Day weekend, and takes place in Elmwood and Smith Parks.

Martinsville Speedway: The site of NASCAR races has attracted such racing stars as Darrell Waltrip, Terry Labonte and Richard Petty. Two Winston Cup races held there have featured purses in excess of $1 million. Adult tickets are $10 and children can get in for $1. The 22-week season begins in April.

Poplar Forest: Thomas Jefferson's "rustic" country home is a good choice if you're interested in historic sites. Unlike many other homes of former presidents, Poplar Forest is still being restored, and it's possible to view the work first-hand. The home is located just south of Lynchburg on Virginia 661, one mile from Virginia 221, and is open from April to October, Wednesdays through Sundays.

Lynchburg: Ordinarily, I wouldn't recommend making a special trip to see this fair city. The drive is really boring and not terribly scenic, and you have to be in the right mood to appreciate what the Hill City has to offer. However, Lynchburg has it all over Roanoke in the area of architecture. While we Roanokers tended to tear down our old buildings, Lynchburgers have preserved theirs, and many of them feature Victorian gingerbread, imposing marble facades, intricate ironwork and even a domed roof or two.

Staunton: Unlike Lynchburg, Staunton is a place I would recommend making a special trip to. The drive is no less boring, but you could spend an entire day there, and probably not get around to seeing everything. Like Lynchburg, Staunton is full of beautiful old buildings. It also is the birthplace of Woodrow Wilson, and his home has been refurbished and opened for tours. The old train station, which is still served by Amtrak, has been attractively restored, and features shops and several fine restaurants. Perhaps the biggest attraction is the Museum of American Frontier Culture. This "living museum" features restored homesteads in styles favored by the Germans, the Scotch-Irish and the English, the main ethnic groups to settle in this valley. Both the museum and downtown can be reached from the Virginia 250 exit off of I-81.

by CNB