Good morning, Blacksburg.

Christiansburg Farmers Market is now held at Huckleberry Park under the pavilion near the splash pad for the rest of the 2025 season after negative feedback from its former location.

The market runs each Thursday from 3-7 p.m. until Oct. 30 and will partner with New River Valley Community Services on July 31—adding local resource outreach for the community.

Local farmer Jason Pall of Glade Road Growing said unpredictable summer weather is making field work tougher in Blacksburg as heavy rains and sudden storms delay planting and harvests.

He said his team adapts by adjusting seeding schedules and using mulch—techniques that help divert water—to protect crops and maintain a diverse operation.

Downtown Blacksburg Inc. will host the 44th Annual Steppin’ Out Festival this weekend, offering 24 hours of art, music, and local events from August 1 at 2 p.m. to August 2 at 10 p.m. Attendees will enjoy over 250 vendors, three performance stages, the Draper Mile race on August 1 (registration is $25 for adults and free for kids) and free Blacksburg Transit from the Upper Chicken Hill Lot (transit schedules support easy festival access).

Summer vacation is winding down as parents get ready for the new school year— a new list shows school start dates for districts in Central and Southwest Virginia to help families plan ahead.

Virginia Tech announced it will use artificial intelligence in its admissions process starting August 1—evaluating application essays with both AI support and human oversight.

The change comes after a 10% rise in applicants over the past 10 years and moves the early admissions deadline from November 15 to November 1.

Virginia Tech researchers are studying the impact of solar farms on local property values — they found that vacant land near solar sites increased by 19.4 percent while nearby home values decreased by 4.8 percent.

Virginia Hollow at Steppin' Out 2025

3-4 p.m. — Acoustic Stage — Free entry — Enjoy live music from Virginia Hollow at this vibrant community event.

Marquee Night Out - Classics Mixology Tasting

7:30-9 p.m. — B&B Theatres Blacksburg 11 with B-Roll Bowling — Limited seats — Learn to craft iconic cocktails like a pro while enjoying a guided tasting experience.