Destination Bedford

SedaliaFest
2026-08-08 20:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Sedalia Center, 1108 Sedalia School Road, Big Island, VA, 24526, United States
SedaliaFEST is Sedalia’s annual fundraiser event!

Click here for tickets and more information.

Live Music at Harvest Moon
2026-08-09 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-15 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-16 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-22 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-23 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-29 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-30 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-09-05 13:00 - 17:00 and 2 more dates | Harvest Moon Marketplace, 14917 Moneta Rd, Moneta, VA, 24121, United States
Come see live music at Harvest Moon Marketplace! Click here to see who is playing this weekend!

Enjoy beer, wine, meads, ciders, and non-alcoholic drinks, along with delicious food and great shopping at the Marketplace. Free admission and free music!

Music Bingo
2026-08-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Apocalypse Ale Works, 1257 Burnbridge Road, Forest, VA, 24551, United States
This is where the fun of bingo meets the excitement of your favorite tunes! Each round features hit songs across various genres, and you’ll mark your card to the beat. Win the coveted Music Bingo chain, gift cards, and of course, ultimate bragging rights! It’s a lively and unique way to enjoy great music, compete with friends, and score awesome prizes. Don’t miss the fun!

Live Music at Benjamin’s
2026-08-14 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-08-21 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-08-28 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-09-04 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-09-11 18:00 - 21:00 | Benjamin’s Restaurant, 14900 Forest Rd., Forest, 24551, United States
Come to Benjamins for great food and live music every Friday! Click here to see who is playing each week.

Live Music @ Apocalypse Ale Works
2026-08-14 19:00 - 22:00, 2026-08-21 19:00 - 22:00, 2026-08-28 19:00 - 22:00, 2026-09-04 19:00 - 22:00, 2026-09-11 19:00 - 22:00 | Apocalypse Ale Works, 1257 Burnbridge Road, Forest, VA, 24551, United States
Come to Apocalypse Ale Works for great beer and live music. For more information and to see who is playing each week, click here. Food by Bunker 42 Bar Bites will also be available for purchase!

Face the Forest 5K
2026-08-15 07:30 - 12:00 | Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, 687 Poplar Forest Dr., Forest, VA, 24551, United States
Join Poplar Forest for the annual Face the Forest Obstacle Course 5K! Challenge yourself to beat the clock as you take on a 3.1-mile obstacle race through the grounds of Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest plantation, encountering obstacles (and some mud) along the way! Entry fees will support children’s educational programming at Poplar Forest. The competition is open to families and teams of all ages.

Lakeside Local
2026-08-15 10:00 - 13:00 | Halesford Center, 16483 Moneta Rd., Moneta, United States
Boutique-style farmers market experience celebrating retail, art, and wellness at the heart of SML! A destination for both locals and visitors, offering a thoughtfully curated mix of vibrant local talent and a meaningful space for connection and gathering!

Wander & Awe Foraging Clinic
2026-08-25 18:30 - 19:30 | Bedford County Parks and Recreation, 1257 County Farm Rd, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
Come learn what tasty treats and healing properties nature can provide while you explore the original grocery store, the great outdoors!
Wander: They will have a short intro into foraging safety and wildcrafting etiquette, following by a short hike where we explore what edible & medicinal plants & fungi are in season!
Awe: You will cover different resources, tools, ways to ID, look-alikes, various uses, history, and traditional practices regarding the plants & fungi. Plan on learning 10-15 different plants/Fungi each session.
Families are encouraged and all ages are welcome! You will be typically hiking less than 1 mile each session unless otherwise noted in the event discussion.
Meetings will be the LAST Tuesday of each month, Mar-Oct Sessions start at 6:30pm.
Sometimes the locations will change, click here for any updates.

Truck & Tractor Pull
2026-08-29 16:30 - 22:00 | Sims Farm, 460 West 1/2 Mile Before Owen's Market, Goode, VA, 24556, United States
Challenged Sports Exchange & Sims Events welcomes back this summer Dragon Motorsports Truck & Tractor Pull for a night of action packed fun on Saturday August 29th! Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Show starts at 6 p.m. Tickets sold at the gate only! Cash only $20.00 per person Kids 5 & under free. Enjoy the beer garden and food vendors on site. No coolers allowed, NO PETS, lawn chairs welcome. Bring your whole family, all of your friends and get ready for an unforgettable night of horsepower and excitement!

Layman Family Farms
2026-09-04 15:00 - 20:00 | Layman Family Farms, 1815 Mountain View Church Road, Montvale, VA, 24122, United States
Come navigate your way through the 10 acre corn maze, pick the perfect pumpkins, and enjoy many activities. While exploring all the fun the farm has to offer, don’t forget to meet the furry friends that are on site! If you work up an appetite, they offer full concessions along with the fantastic Fry Shack. Come for the fun, stay for the views; there’s something for everyone at Layman Family Farms.
Hours this season will be Fridays 4pm-8pm, Saturdays 10am – 6pm, and Sundays 11am – 6pm. The last day to enjoy the farm will be November 1st!
The theme for this year’s Corn Maze is “Lost with Lainey”, after country music star Lainey Wilson, presented by The Maize Company!
Click here for tickets.

Labor Day Rodeo
2026-09-05 15:30 - 22:00 | Wind Vineyards, 15772 Moneta Road, Moneta
Who is ready to see cowboys on bulls at Smith Mountain Lake!?!? Join us on September 5 for our Rodeo at Wind Vineyards Smith Mountain Lake. BLM Bull and Rodeo Company will be at Wind Vineyards for all of your Cowboy entertainment!
Bring the whole family and register your kids for Mutton Busting and mini bulls. Food trucks will be available as will beverages including award winning Wind Vineyards wine, cold, fresh sangria and wine slushies to cool you down, as well as hard cider, sodas, water, and more.
The event is rain or shine.
Tickets are limited and non-refundable!
No pets allowed Absolutely no outside drinks allowed!

Click here for tickets.

Exploring the Legacy of America's Founding Document
2026-09-10 10:00 - 17:00 | Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, 687 Poplar Forest Dr., Forest, VA, 24551, United States
This year marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As part of VA250, Poplar Forest will host a conversation on the legacy of Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence. Local students and guest moderators have been invited to participate in a panel discussion based on the results of personal research projects. Join us for a multigenerational program featuring lauded historians and authors, Dr. John Ragosta and Dr. Frank Cogliano, as we discuss the lasting impact of America’s founding document.
Dr. John Ragosta is a historian, lawyer, and beekeeper living in Charlottesville, Virginia. His most recent book, For the People, For the Country: Patrick Henry’s Final Political Battle, was released by the University of Virginia Press in 2023. A fellow at Virginia Humanities, Ragosta is former historian at the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies (ICJS) at Monticello where he also served successfully as interim director of the Center.
Dr. Frank Cogliano is a specialist in the history of the American Revolution and the early United States. He is the author or editor of twelve books including, Thomas Jefferson Survives: American Independence in His Time and Ours (with Peter S. Onuf) which will be published in 2026. Dr. Frank Cogliano is Professor of American History at the University of Edinburgh.

Roots and Reconnection Festival
2026-09-12 10:00 - 15:00 | Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, 687 Poplar Forest Dr., Forest, VA, 24551, United States
Join the Poplar Forest’s African American Advisory Group, interpretation and archaeology staff, and the Board of Directors for the Roots and Reconnection Festival, a special event to honor, celebrate, and educate about the life, culture, and history of the enslaved Africans who lived and worked on the plantation, as well as the culture and life of African Americans today. This festival highlights the profound connection between the past and the present, providing a unique opportunity to reflect on and celebrate our rich heritage.
What to Expect:

Music and Dance: Enjoy vibrant musical and dance performances showcasing the talent and creativity of the African American community.
Exhibits and Tours: Explore informative exhibits and participate in tours that offer deep insights into plantation life and the evolution of African American culture.
Food and Celebration: Savor a variety of food while celebrating the rich culture of African Americans.
Conversations: Engage in meaningful conversations that promote understanding and appreciation of our shared history and its impact on the present.

Admission to the Roots and Reconnection Festival is free and open to the public. Food vendors will be onsite selling lunch throughout the day.
