Plan to attend a "season preview" of this summer along the Blue Ridge Parkway/NPS

If you live somewhere close to the 469-mile-long Blue Ridge Parkway, you can get a preview of the upcoming travel season by attending one of the open house events the park staff is staging to highlight activities and upcoming programs.

The first "season preview" will be held at the American Legion building in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, on April 3. The second event will be held on April 4 at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Virginia. The goal of these events is to promote awareness and understanding among parkway communities, neighbors, and visitors of the National Park Service’s stewardship mission.

National Park Service staff will be on hand at each event to provide a behind the scenes look into the Parkway. The events will highlight more than 20 information stations with park staff and partners at each station to answer questions and discuss upcoming projects.

“We’re excited to host the 2019 season preview events, and look forward to meeting many Parkway neighbors and friends,” said J.D. Lee, Parkway superintendent. “These events take the Parkway into local communities and create opportunities to celebrate the important relationship between the Parkway and the Blue Ridge region.”

Representatives from Parkway partner groups, including the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Eastern National and other non-profits who support the Parkway, will also be on hand to discuss the roles each group plays and how to get involved in this work.

NORTH CAROLINA 2019 Blue Ridge Parkway Season Preview Event

What: Public is invited to meet National Park Service staff and learn more about the Blue Ridge Parkway.

When: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m, Wednesday, April 3

Where: American Legion Building – 333 Wallingford Road, Blowing Rock, North Carolina

Who: Parkway Superintendent J.D. Lee along with other representatives of the Parkway’s management team, staff, and partners.

VIRGINIA 2019 Blue Ridge Parkway Season Preview Event

What: Public is invited to meet National Park Service staff and learn more about the Blue Ridge Parkway.

When: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., Thursday, April 4

Where: Virginia Horse Center Mezzanine – 487 Maury River Road, Lexington, Virginia

Who: Parkway Superintendent J.D. Lee along with other representatives of the Parkway’s management team, staff, and partners.