All-American parkway is 75 not out

The Blue Ridge Parkway, an All-American Road as designated by the National Scenic Byways Commission, is marking its 75th Anniversary in 2010 with celebrations, events and symposia along the parkway, including the 40 Days & 40 Nights Festival of arts and culture. 

Considered a national treasure, the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway connects Shenandoah National Park in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. 

Development around the Parkway has been restricted but traditional agriculture has continued and visitors can get a true feeling for rural Appalachian life, from log cabins to split-rail fences and gristmills.

Many other national forests and state park preserves adjoin the Parkway corridor, providing an unsurpassed scenic quality.  Recreational areas with unique names abound where you can hike, fish or just enjoy a picnic: Humpback Rocks, Peaks of Otter, Rocky Knob, and Mabry Mill, the most photographed spot on the Parkway, are just a few.

The 40 Days & 40 Nights of Arts & Culture along the Blue Ridge Parkway will connect visitors to southwest Virginia’s performances, concerts, festivals, galleries, exhibitions, comedy, wine tastings and more. 
The Festival runs from October 1 to November 9 2010, beginning in downtown Roanoke, the largest neighbouring city on the Parkway and home to the Taubman Museum of Art, Centre in the Square – featuring local artisans and food vendors – and Art by Night – the monthly gallery crawl featuring regional artists.
www.blueridgeparkway75.org; www.4040fest.com