Check out these upcoming events in our community.
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 - Monday, April 28, 2025
Find the Dragon Easter Eggs in Downtown Staunton
All over Staunton!The hunt is on the whole month of April.
Rachel, the resident Draco Salit, has been busy decorating Historic Downtown Staunton with colorful Dragon eggs. They have recently discovered she “borrowed” these eggs from the various Downtown Dragons. The Dragon Preservation Society of Staunton needs your help to find all 12 eggs.
Your task is to locate each Dragon egg and write down what color it is. Upon completing your quest, visit Medieval Fantasies Company Gyfte Shoppe, submit your findings and receive your FREE Dragon Egg Hunt Button.
► More informationSaturday, April 26, 2025 • 1:00-3:00 pm
Breaking Bread Community Conversation: What are we losing? Where do we want to go from here?
Booker T Washington Community Center, 1114 W. Johnson St, StauntonEvery spring, Building Bridges for the Greater Good invites the public into conversation around important issues affecting our community. This year’s Breaking Bread event will focus on how decisions that are being made in Washington will affect the Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro area – and what we want to prioritize as a community and as a Commonwealth going forward.
Building Bridges is an all-volunteer community initiative that was founded to work towards the vision of “a community of equality, unity and love where everyone can thrive.” They believe the past decade witnessed greater recognition of the need to address the legacies of historic harms and to enact policies to help create a community in which all can live in dignity, with safety and belonging. Yet as Building Bridges founder, Mr. Ophie Kier observes: “Many of these gains are now threatened and we are facing the challenge of how best can we, as a community, hold onto our values and continue to make progress?”
The event will start with a few speakers briefly describing some of the likely local effects of national budget cuts and policy changes. This will be followed by table group discussions, where everyone will have a chance to talk with neighbors about the implications for their lives, their concerns and their hopes. The program will conclude with a whole community discussion about how best we might respond in order to ensure that everyone in our community might thrive.
Speakers for opening remarks include:
· Leslie Beauregard – Staunton City Manager
· Dr Ryan Barber – Waynesboro City Schools Assistant Superintendent
· AnhThu Nguyen – Chair, Staunton DEI Commission
· Shonny Kier Cooke – Director of Workforce Programs, Piedmont Community College
· Dr. Amy Tillerson Brown – Dean, Mary Baldwin College
Because this is an important election year for Virginia, we are inviting those who want to be candidates for state office to participate as listeners and their campaigns can set up tables to connect with voters.
To continue with the tradition of having conversations while enjoying home baked treats, Building Bridges is also inviting community members to bring homemade cookies to share, if they are able.
► More informationSaturday, April 26, 2025 • 11AM to 3PM
Earth Day Staunton at Gypsy Hill Park
Gypsy Hill Park bandstand, StauntonSaturday, April 26th from 11AM to 3PM Come celebrate Earth Day Staunton at Gypsy Hill Park
· Meet local wildlife with programs from The Wildlife Center of Virginia.
· Touch stream critters. See a Bee Hive. Take home a tree. & some native plants. Look through a solar telescope.
· Check out some cool electric cars.
· Learn from the local organizations that work every day for the Earth. Celebrate some local Earth Heroes.
· Kids receive an event passport to get stamped and earn a souvenir button.
· Food Trucks on site. Bring a reusable water bottle.
More information can be found at earthdaystaunton.org
► More informationMonday, April 28, 2025 • 2pm and 7pm
The Wayne Theatre presents The Blues Brothers
Wayne Theatre, 521 W. Main Street, WaynesboroAfter his release from prison, Jake (John Belushi) reunites with his brother, Elwood (Dan Aykroyd) — collectively known as the “Blues Brothers.” Jake’s first task is to save the orphanage the brothers grew up in from closing, by raising $5,000 to pay back taxes. The two are convinced they can earn the money by getting their old band back together. However, after playing several gigs and making a few enemies, including the police, the brothers face daunting odds to deliver the money on time.
What better way to see this 1980 cult classic than at the iconic Wayne Theatre?
► More informationFriday, May 2, 2025 - Sunday, May 4, 2025
Staunton Jams
Downtown StauntonMay 2-May 4 The Judy Chops and 106.3 WQSV are excited to present Staunton Jams, in downtown Staunton.
Staunton Jams will be a jamtastic weekend filled with music, arts, culture, and fun for all ages. The event kicks off Friday night and continues into Saturday with a stage on West Beverley Street, with additional events through Sunday happening all over downtown at satellite venues. General attendance is free with tickets available for special events.
To find out more information or to get involved as a volunteer, visit stauntonjams.com. Come see how Staunton Jams!
► More informationFriday, May 9, 2025 - Sunday, May 18, 2025
ShenanArts Presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
ShenanArts, 300 Churchville Avenue, Staunton VACome see ShenanArts’ production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, one of the most enduring musicals of all time! This reimagining of the Biblical story of Joseph, his father Jacob, eleven brothers and the coat of many colors is told entirely through song. After being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph ingratiates himself with Egyptian noble Potiphar, but ends up in jail after refusing the amorous advances of Potiphar’s wife. While imprisoned, he discovers his ability to interpret dreams and soon finds himself in front of the mighty, but troubled, Pharoah. Joseph’s solution to Egypt’s famine elevates him to Pharoah’s right-hand man and reunites him with his family.
The magical musical is full of catchy songs in a variety of styles, from a parody of French ballads (“Those Canaan Days”), to country-western (“One More Angel in Heaven”), and calypso (“Benjamin Calypso”), along with unforgettable classics, “Any Dream Will Do” and “Close Every Door.” With a multi-generational cast, you will not want to miss this joyful journey celebrating the enduring power of faith, perseverance, hope, and dreams.
Tickets: $12-$19, www.shenanarts.org
Showtimes: Friday and Saturday 7 pm, Sundays 3 pm.
Recommended for ages 6 and up.
Directed by Jennifer Vaughan and presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
Saturday, May 10, 2025 • 10 am to 5 pm
Annual Harrisonburg Soap Box Derby
Innovation Village, Research Drive, Rockingham VAThe 20th Annual Harrisonburg Soap Box Derby Returns to Rockingham County on May 10.
The Rotary Club of Rockingham County is gearing up for an exhilarating event that promises to bring fun, excitement, and friendly competition to the community. The highly anticipated Harrisonburg Soap Box Derby is set to take place on May 10, 2024, bringing together participants of all ages for a day filled with fast-paced races and family-friendly entertainment.
Organized by the Rotary Club, this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever before. The Soap Box Derby has become a beloved tradition in our community, attracting participants from across the region who display their engineering skills and love for speed on the racetrack.
The Soap Box Derby is an opportunity for children and teenagers to design and construct their own gravity-powered cars. With creativity and precision, participants assemble their vehicles from a kit, customizing the outside, and refining factors such as weight, aerodynamics, and safety measures to ensure a thrilling yet secure race.
For driving and racecar questions, please contact Thomas Rea at trea@bankofthejames.com or 540-239-0023.
For media inquiries, please contact: Jim Elmore at jim.elmore@gmail.com or 540-421-7254.
Saturday, May 17, 2025 • 4-8PM
WQSV’s 4th Spring Chicken Salad-Off
Ciders From Mars, 121 S. Lewis St, Staunton
Come join us at Ciders From Mars on Saturday, May 17 as WQSV hosts its fourth annual chicken salad competition! Three judges will conduct a blind tasting of Staunton’s finest salad submissions with a “people’s choice” award as well.
Think your chicken salad has got what it takes? We’d love for you to compete! The top winners will receive gift cards to local businesses, cool WQSV swag, and trophies/medals.
Tasting starts at 5PM, winners announced at 6:30PM
Hosted by Randy Ruse
Music by DJ L3D
All proceeds benefit your favorite community radio station!
► More informationSaturday, June 14, 2025 - Sunday, June 15, 2025 • 11:30 AM - 7PM
Blue Ridge Outdoors 30th Anniversary
Devils Backbone's Basecamp Brewpub and Meadows, Roseland, VirginiaWe’re partnering with Blue Ridge Outdoors to celebrate their 30th anniversary! Join us on June 14th & 15th at Devils Backbone’s Basecamp Brewpub and Meadows located in Roseland, Virginia for live music by Suggesting Rhythm, Isaac Hadden, Mackenzie Roark & The Hotpants, and Hash, on-site camping, craft vendors, Ultimate Air Dog Dock Diving, outdoor exhibitions, and more! Bring the whole family and see for yourself why Devils Backbone was voted Best Campground by Blue Ridge Outdoors readers.
ALL AGES. DOG FRIENDLY. $30 ADVANCED. $40 AT THE DOOR. KIDS UNDER 12 GET IN FREE.
► More informationThursday, June 26, 2025 - Saturday, August 2, 2025
2025 Heifetz Festival of Concerts
With spring in bloom and the promise of summertime serenades just around the corner, now is the perfect time to secure your Season Pass for the 2025 Heifetz Festival of Concerts, running from June 26 to August 2, 2025.
Join them for their 29th summer season, featuring the thrilling artistry of their world-renowned faculty artists, award-winning alumni, special guests, and—at the heart of it all—the brilliant young musicians who come from around the globe to dazzle audiences on the Heifetz stages.
Season passes can be purchased on their website heifetzinstitute.org
► More information