News

Festivals & foliage in Rockbridge

Photo by Kate Shellnutt

By Kate Shellnutt

As fall foliage peaks in Rockbridge County, it doesn't just mean colorful trees and beautiful mountain views. The fall scenery is also bringing tourists to the area to boost business at retail shops, lodging accommodations and restaurants and at festivals around the county.

Fall is the second most popular time to visit the area, after summer, according to the Visitors Center in Lexington. More than a quarter of the nearly 42,500 tourists who stop by the center come in September, October and November, far more than visit in the winter and early spring.

“After the first few cool nights, they start showing up earlier in the mornings,” said Jean Clark, the director at the Lexington Visitor's Center. “They've just got a different feel.”

According to Richard Lewis, a spokesman for the state government's Virginia Tourism Corporation, fall tourism has its own demographic texture, with more couples than families taking trips.

Although the corporation reported a drop in visits to the Shenandoah area this summer, Lewis expects it to be a popular destination this fall.

“The Shenandoah and the Blue Ridge Parkway have a national reputation. Besides pretty leaves, they offer great small towns,” he said. “Visitors are looking to get away from hectic, crowded cities and a place like Lexington certainly does provide that.”

Most of the area's fall visitors come for events at Washington and Lee University or the Virginia Military Institute, and some come on their way to fall festivals in neighboring counties, said Clark.

This weekend, in fact, is Homecoming at W&L. “The hotels in the area are going to be full and you're going to see long lines at the Bistro or Applebee's,” Clark said. Saturday is also the inauguration of Kenneth P.Ruscio as the new president of W&L.

After a slow summer, businesses in downtown Lexington can count on crowds in mid-October.

“The tourists usually come in the summer, then there's a spurt in the fall when the leaves change,” said Julie Lindsey, the president of Virginia Born & Bred, a specialty shop on Washington Street. “Both groups tend to spend money here.”

Many fall tourists stop in Lexington after planning trips to fall festivals in the area. Clark said harvests at nearby vineyards, farms and orchards bring excitement to the area, before a “flat” winter season.

Jim Young, the miller at Wade's Mill in Raphine, said the festivals, like next week's at Wade's Mill, draw crowds to small towns and rural areas. For Young, the taste of homemade apple butter cooked in an old copper kettle, the smell of freshly baked bread, the twang of bluegrass music and, of course, the beautiful scenery, make for a perfect fall outing.

“It's a time when a lot of the leaf-lookers are out,” he said. “It's a busy time for us, but we enjoy the season.”

Patchy color changes began last week in the Rockbridge County area. According to the Virginia Department of Forestry Web site, colors will peak during the rest of October.

A statewide “leaf line” can be reached at 1-800-424-LOVE. Another “leaf line,” sponsored by Regional Shenandoah Valley Travel Association, can be reached at 1-800-434-LEAF. Both have updates on leaf colors this season.