Spend Your October Weekends Visiting Mabry Mill Along the Blue Ridge Parkway

Mabry Mill will serve as the backdrop for traditional fall activities this month. Photo by David and Kay Scott.

If you live close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, you might consider visiting Mabry Mill on weekends this month to enjoy programs ranging from making apple butter to basket-making demonstrations.

Fall Gathering Days will happen on October 8, 15, and 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. During these weekends, you'll be able to find the mill from the smell of wood smoke and apple butter boiling. Along with helping out making apple butter, you'll be able to dry fruits and vegetables and enjoy demonstrations of wheel-making, chair-making, basket-making, and fiber arts demonstrations.

Mabry Mill, as always, will have traditional string band music of the Carroll, Patrick, and Floyd County areas each Sunday afternoon through October 23 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. You'll also be able to enjoy the Mountain Ivy (October 9), South Fork Ramblers (October 16), Mountain Ivy (October 24).

Corn grinding and mill talks take place each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.

Building a water-powered mill was Ed Mabry's dream, and he accomplished it in innovative ways. Learn about this icon of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the role the mill and the Mabrys played in the community.

The Mabry Mill Restaurant and Gift Shop is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through the end of October. Local authors will be signing books on October 15 and 22, and a Halloween "party" with ghosts, goblins, and special treats will happen on that day. Enjoy the fall color "special" of chicken pot pie, spiced apples, fried green tomatoes, and coffee or tea for $6.95 through October.