The first words that come to my mind when I think of July are Patriotic, outdoor fun & food, and HOT! Well, this year the HOT has arrived in June. Many guests are enjoying a day at our pool or using the pool to cool down after a fun day of activities. Our walking path connecting the side porch to the pool is complete. So now it will lead you to the water!
So here are 5 Great Things to do in our area and then come back to Steeles Tavern, head on the new path and check out the pool!
THING #1
Celebrate the 4th of July in Lexington VA, a town recently named one of the best Small Towns in America.
Start out your July 4th day by listening to a reading of the Declaration of Independence by the Mayor’s Youth Council. Location: Old Courthouse steps, 2 South Main Street, Lexington. FREE! 9:30am
Celebrate our nation’s birthday at the annual Balloon Rally & 4th of July Celebration held on the parade grounds of Virginia Military Institute in Lexington. Piloted balloon rides & tethered balloon rides, live music, food and craft vendors, antique car show and, of course, fireworks! Friday July 3 & Saturday July 4 7am-10pm.
THING #2
Enjoy a Local Winery.
Rockbridge Vineyards and Barren Ridge Vineyards wines are outstanding. And we are so lucky to be located close to them. Visit their tasting rooms this summer to sample their award winning vino. Rockbridge’s tastings are complimentary and Barren Ridge’s tastings are also complimentary using our Tasting Card. Just ask us for one. And here are events that are happening at their wineries in July…………
Rockbridge Vineyards – Summer Breeze Wine Festival. July 11 Noon-6pm. Live music, tastings, and festival fun at the winery. $10 admission includes wine tasting and souvenir glass. $5.00 of each admission goes directly to the SPCA. Lunch will be available for purchase or bring a picnic. Plus live music on Sunday July 26 with local favorites Loose Gravel & Amanda Baxter – the Blues, some folk, and a little bit of rock & roll. Lunch is available for purchase from Mama’s Caboose or bring a picnic.
Barren Ridge Vineyards – Pork & Cork. July 4 6:30-10pm. Delicious barbecue to pair with Barren Ridge wines, great live music, and a fireworks display after dark! Feel free to bring picnic blankets and lawn furniture. Plus live music every Friday & Saturday 6:30-sundown.
THING #3
Have you ever been to a Drive-in Movie?
Some of our guests have never been or even heard of a drive-in movie. Well we have one of the best located 10 miles from us – Hull’s Drive In. You may have read about Hull’s in my previous Blogs. It is an open air movie theater where you sit in your car and watch a double feature movie with the sound coming through your radio. They upgraded a few years ago to digital so they can offer 1st run movies. Jurassic World was shown last weekend. Eat a late lunch or grab an early dinner and head out to Hull’s. 1st show starts at dusk. Don’t worry about not having your popcorn. They have a great concession stand!
• WEEKENDS (Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights) – 1st run double feature movies
• WEDNESDAY’S in July – “Retro Movie Night” $10 per carload
o July 8 – “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” (1971).
o July 15 – “Karate Kid” (1984).
o July 22 – “Top Gun” (1986).
o July 29 – “Grease” (1978).
THING #4
Food Lovers……….Summer Restaurant Week in Lexington.
Who doesn’t love food? A week-long celebration of food from Local Restaurants and Retail Shops including meal specials and retail sales!
Sunday July 26 – Saturday August 1. 10:00am – 10:00pm Downtown Lexington
Visit Main Street Lexington website for more details on the specials.
THING #5
Canoe, Kayak, or Tubing?
Cool down and experience a water sport. Take a relaxing ride in a tube down the Maury and James Rivers. Best spot for tubing is the Maury River from Jordan’s Point to Buena Vista. But if you need something challenging then kayak or canoe on the Maury or James Rivers. Both rivers provide calm float trips or whitewater adventures. Check out Lexington’s Visitor Center website or talk to the experts at Wilderness Canoe Company to plan your day of fun.
When you are finished doing with one of these THINGS, come back to a dip in our pool and then share your adventure with us at Social Hour!
See you soon!
Melissa, Ray and Bacchus
