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By Jack Betts and Broaddus Fitzpatrick Virginia and North Carolina are two competitive states — in sports, in economics, in academics and in their magnificent environments running from the mountain ridges down to the coastlines. Residents of both the Commonwealth of Virginia and the State of North Carolina have exceptional pride in the beautiful local, state and federal parks — particularly the 469-mile long Blue Ridge Parkway, which the two states share. So why do North Carolinians provide so much more support for the Parkway?

The Blue Ridge Parkway is celebrating 87 years this Sunday, Sept. 11. We could list hundreds of reasons to celebrate this amazing national park, but here are just a few adventurous ways to mark the occasion. Enjoy!

We’re getting closer and closer to our required goal of 450 pre-orders for the new Blue Ridge Parkway license plate in Virginia. To show our thanks, we’re entering every current plate applicant’s name, and those who order by August 31, in a drawing to win a $100 gift card to Mast General Store. You can use it at any location or online to shop for outdoor gear, clothes, and more.

The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and Blue Ridge Music Center are launching free Milepost Music presentations on rotating Sunday afternoons at popular destinations along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  These intimate outdoor concerts will showcase regional musicians playing traditional music at Humpback Rocks, Peaks of Otter, Roanoke Mountain Picnic Area, Mabry Mill, and Doughton Park. The first session is from 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday, June 5, at the Peaks of Otter at milepost 86 in Bedford, Va.

This year, the Foundation celebrates 25 years of support for the country’s most visited national park. From the start, those who love the park, like you, came together to give time and financial support in pursuit of the best Blue Ridge Parkway possible. The quantity and magnitude of projects, and the enthusiasm from supporters, has only increased over the years. Thank you for recognizing the Parkway’s beauty as well as its needs and potential.

The Public Lands Alliance awarded the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and National Park Service (NPS) the 2022 Public Lands Partner Award on Wednesday, April 20, for their joint project to rehabilitate the exterior of Flat Top Manor at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park in Blowing Rock, N.C. 

This summer, the Blue Ridge Music Center is celebrating 20 year of hosting concerts in the hillside amphitheater at milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Galax, Virginia.  Taking the stage are fan favorites, including North Carolina-based acts such as the Steep Canyon Rangers, Kruger Brothers accompanied by Kontras Quartet, and Chatham County Line, and Virginia-based acts The Steel Wheels, Dori Freeman accompanied by a Winston-Salem Symphony String Quintet, and Bill and the Belles. 

Need a great gift for a loved one? We’ve got perfect presents for people who love music, the outdoors, photography, puzzles, getaways, and more. The best part is that each gift also shows your love for the Blue Ridge Parkway. Happy holidays!   Give in honor of a loved one

On October 15, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and Blue Ridge Conservancy unveiled a display sign along the Middle Fork Greenway in Blowing Rock, N.C., to commemorate Camp Catawba and the work of the camp’s director Dr. Vera Lachmann, a Jewish refugee of Nazi Germany. The sign also features information about music director Tui St. George Tucker. In addition to the typical outdoor activities, the summer camp for boys was known for its cultural programs. The campers acted in plays, played in an orchestra, and sang in a choir.