Friends of the Blue Ridge

Friends of the Blue Ridge FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge is a non-profit, volunteer and membership organization dedicated to protect

FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.

We just got the great news that our specialty Virginia license plate this year raised an unprecedented $260,000! This me...
10/13/2026

We just got the great news that our specialty Virginia license plate this year raised an unprecedented $260,000! This means we'll be able to do even more to fulfill our mission in Virginia's Blue Ridge!

So far, our plans for 2026-27 include:

- Tens of thousands of dollars in college scholarships for deserving high school students.
- $55,000 in community projects for our chapters in Waynesboro, Bedford, Roanoke, New River Valley and Galax.
- $16,000 in bike racks for Virginia communities.
- Sponsorship of programs hosted by Blue Ridge Children's Museum, Montgomery Museum of Art & History, Carroll Wellness Center, Glencoe Mansion, Museum & Gallery, Blue Ridge Institute & Museum - BRIM and others.
- And so much more!

So thank you for purchasing our iconic Virginia specialty license plate and helping us make Virginia Blue Ridge communities even better places to live!

09/28/2026

We invite you to enjoy the old-time and bluegrass sounds of Ashlee Watkins & Andrew Small his Thursday, October 1, at the historic Fishburn Mansion in Roanoke or Friday, October 2, at the historic Glencoe Mansion in Radford. Presented by Appalachian Power Co. Tickets just $15 and limited to 50 seats per session at blueridgefriends.org/events.

We kicked off our new season of “Sessions” last night at Roanoke’s Fishburn Mansion with the multitalented Cole Ritter. ...
09/04/2026

We kicked off our new season of “Sessions” last night at Roanoke’s Fishburn Mansion with the multitalented Cole Ritter. You can hear him tonight at 6p ET at Glencoe Mansion, Museum & Gallery for our first “Glencoe Sessions.”

Join us Thursday night in Roanoke (Fishburn Mansion) or Friday night in Radford (Glencoe Mansion) to listen to Nashville...
09/02/2026

Join us Thursday night in Roanoke (Fishburn Mansion) or Friday night in Radford (Glencoe Mansion) to listen to Nashville-born singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Cole Ritter, whose sound blends gritty country, bluegrass, blues, and surf-western music.

Best known for his appearance on season 20 of American Idol, where he was famously dubbed “the Michael Bublé of the guitar,” Cole has spent the last 20 years relentlessly honing his craft with national touring acts and performing at venues including the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium and Red Rocks. In January 2026 he released his debut solo EP.

The Fishburn Sessions are the first Thursdays of the month at the historic Fishburn Mansion in Roanoke. The following nights we'll be at the historic Glencoe Mansion, Museum & Gallery in Radford.

Tickets are $15 each, and seating is limited, so order yours today! (Season pass for Glencoe just $50.) 👉 https://blueridgefriends.org/2026/07/31/announcing-the-2026-fishburn-sessions-glencoe-sessions/

We are thrilled to announce the lineups for our "Fishburn Sessions" and "Glencoe Sessions" for Fall 2026!In partnership ...
07/31/2026

We are thrilled to announce the lineups for our "Fishburn Sessions" and "Glencoe Sessions" for Fall 2026!

In partnership with Friends of Mountain View and PLAY Roanoke we present The Fishburn Sessions the first Thursdays of September-December at the historic Fishburn Mansion.

The first Fridays we head to Radford for The Glencoe Sessions at the historic Glencoe Mansion, Museum & Gallery.

Each concert is $15 ... or for Glencoe alone you can buy the full season for $50. Link in Comments 👇

🎸 Sept. 3 (Fishburn) and 4 (Glencoe): Cole Ritter

🎤 Oct. 1 (Fishburn) and 2 (Glencoe): Ashlee Watkins & Andrew Small

🎻 Nov. 5 (Fishburn) Addie Levy Trio and 6 (Glencoe): Addie Levy's Gravel Road reunion

🎵 Dec. 3 (Fishburn) and 4 (Glencoe): Justin Golden

FRIENDS is a 2026 AARP Community Challenge Grantee!We are thrilled to announce we're among the 750 groups nationwide sel...
07/16/2026

FRIENDS is a 2026 AARP Community Challenge Grantee!

We are thrilled to announce we're among the 750 groups nationwide selected to receive a 2026 AARP Community Challenge grant from AARP Livable Communities. The $2,500 award, which we were required to match, will fund five new bicycle racks in the city of Roanoke to make the community more bike-friendly for adults age 50 and older.

Stay tuned to where and when the racks will be installed. Meanwhile we thank all of you who purchased our Virginia specialty license plate that helped fund our match!

07/07/2026

Meet Friends of the Blue Ridge 2026 Scholarship recipient Liam Skelton!

A native of and graduate of Liam will attend and pursue a degree in environmental engineering so he can one day better steward his beloved Blue Ridge.

Many thanks to all who support our Lynn Davis Scholarship program that provides more than $30,000 each year to deserving college bound students who express a desire to enhance the quality of life in this region we all hold dear.

Learn more via profile link!

07/07/2026

Meet Friends of the Blue Ridge 2026 Scholarship recipient Liam Skelton!

A native of Roanoke and graduate of Roanoke Catholic, Liam will attend William & Mary and pursue a degree in environmental engineering so he can one day better steward his beloved Blue Ridge.

Many thanks to all who support our Lynn Davis Scholarship program that provides more than $30,000 each year to deserving college bound students who express a desire to enhance the quality of life in this region we all hold dear.

Learn more 👇

06/24/2026

Meet Friends of the Blue Ridge 2026 Scholarship recipient Chloe Weigl!

A native of Boone, NC, Chloe will attend Washington and Lee University and study the environment and mathematics while continuing to pursue her love of fly-fishing and bluegrass music!

Help us help next year's graduates with a gift to our scholarship program! Donation link in Comments 👇

Donations made by June 30 will be matched by longtime FRIENDS Gary and Barbara Duerk!

Address

541 Luck Avenue SW #317
Roanoke, VA
24016

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

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