Events
Upcoming Events for the Bicentennial Celebration
Click on the images to view full size program flyers.
Town of Luray welcomes Congressman Eric Cantor to present Congressional Record commemorating Bicentennial
The Town of Luray and the Luray Bicentennial Committee are pleased to welcome Congressman Eric Cantor to the Luray and Page County Visitor Center April 5 at 5:15 pm.
At a brief ceremony, Congressman Cantor will present an official statement entered into the Congressional Record commemorating the two-hundredth anniversary of the Town of Luray. Members of Luray’s Main Street Singers will offer a musical salute and Mayor Barry Presgraves and the Luray Town Council will accept the Congressional Record on behalf of the town.
Representing Virginia’s 7th District, Congressman Cantor has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2001 and was elected Majority Leader in 2010. A lifelong resident of Virginia, Congressman Cantor is a former small businessman who has worked tirelessly to cut wasteful government spending, lower taxes, remove Washington red tape, strengthen small businesses and encourage entrepreneurship.
Congressman Cantor said, “The bicentennial marks an important milestone in the history of the Town of Luray and the Commonwealth. I’m proud to be a part of this special celebration as we honor and preserve the rich history and culture of the Page County community and look forward to its continued growth and success.”
The parking lots of the Visitor Center (located in Luray’s historic train depot) will be closed, with parking available in a variety of downtown locations. Some seating will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The ceremony will move indoors in case of inclement weather.
Trout Heritage Day on April 7
Luray’s ‘Hawksbill Creek’ Chosen for Trout Heritage Day on April 7
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries announces waters to be stocked the first Saturday in April. Luray’s Hawksbill Creek has been named as one of only twenty waters in Virginia to be stocked for the 2012 Trout Heritage Day.
Luray’s Hawksbill Creek flows alongside the award-winning Luray-Hawksbill Greenway trail, which provides visitors of all ages a wide range of activities. Many guests of the trail enjoy fishing the Hawksbill Creek for a range of game including trout.
The Luray-Hawksbill Greenway trail was constructed by the Town of Luray with the project serving as an anchor amid other improvement projects for the town. This trail has won many awards and hosted countless events for the Town of Luray, which celebrates its Bicentennial all year long during 2012. Trout Heritage Day will no doubt be a highlight among the many events planned to celebrate the Town’s 200th Anniversary.
What is Heritage Day? The Trout Heritage Day program was added several years ago for those anglers who enjoyed and missed the old opening day. Selected waters are stocked for the first Saturday in April to create an announced stocking event.
When? Heritage Day 2012 will be held on April 7, with the waters closed on April 6
so that fishing may begin at 9:00am on Saturday. Therefore, the stocked portion of Hawksbill Creek will be closed to fishing on Friday to allow for Saturday’s event.
Be advised that statewide trout regulations and fishing license requirements will apply to this to Heritage Day. For more information on statewide regulations, please visit www.dgif.virginia.gov.
This event will not interfere with the annual Youth Trout Derby planned for Saturday, April 14. More information about the details of the event will be posted on the parks and recreation section of the town’s website at www.townofluray.com
Join in the Bicentennial Parade
A three-day Festival of Spring with a theme of ‘Come Home to Luray’. This year’s festival begins with a Friday night parade, the usual Saturday festival and Sunday’s Homecoming Picnic with Gospel and Old Favorites at Lake Arrowhead.
Town of Luray kicks off Bicentennial Year
with ‘Celebrate Luray’ Event
View Celebrate Luray Bicentennial Photos
Festivities began on February 4, with the ‘Celebrate Luray’ kick-off marking the 200th anniversary of the town’s charter. Modeled after popular ‘First Night’ New Year’s Eve celebrations, ‘Celebrate Luray’ took place from 4 to 8 pm in several venues in the historic district.
Other planned events so far are:
- March: Speech Contest sponsored by Page News & Courier (date TBA)
- April 28: Family Square Dance at Trackside Theater, featuring the Shenandoah Valley Minstrels
- May: A three-day Festival of Spring with a theme of ‘Come Home to Luray’. This year’s festival begins with a Friday night parade, the usual Saturday festival and Sunday’s Homecoming Picnic with Gospel and Old Favorites at Lake Arrowhead.
- June: we’ll salute the industries that put Luray on the map — the railroad and agriculture (date TBA).
- July / August: Special Bicentennial editions of Luray’s popular cycling and tri-athlon events.
- September 9: Grandparents Day in the Park will embrace the Bicentennial motto of ‘A community inspired by generations.’
- October: History takes the stage October 6 and 7, with the 43rd Annual Page County Heritage Festival.
- November: The Chamber of Commerce will mark the event with its Annual Banquet in November.
- December: Celebrate the finale with holiday celebrations and the closing of the Bicentennial year.
Please join us for these events and more — as a spectator, a volunteer and most importantly — as a neighbor!
For more information, call the Bicentennial ‘Hotline’
at 540-244-8065.
Click on image to view slideshow of the filming of Luray: Roadtrip to History.
