Editing Roanoke, Virginia (section)

==Arts and culture==
Serving as a hub for arts and culture in Southwest Virginia, Roanoke is home to several museums and cultural institutions in addition to being the host of several festivals, many centering around Elmwood Park in downtown Roanoke.<ref name=Allen1>{{cite news |last=Allen |first=Mike |date=July 12, 2019 |title=Arts & Extras: Building a frame for Roanoke's arts programs |work=The Roanoke Times |page=2A}}</ref><ref name=Trinkle>{{cite news |date=February 12, 2016 |title=Trinkle supports the arts |work=The Roanoke Times |page=7B}}</ref><ref name=Morrill1>{{cite news |last=Morrill |first=Chris |date=April 8, 2012 |title=A vibrant city evolves purposefully |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1}}</ref>

===Museums===
[[File:Taubman Museum of Art.jpg|thumb|The [[Taubman Museum of Art]]|alt=An exterior photo of the underside of a museum building balcony]]
Center in the Square, an arts and culture organization located near downtown's historic market building and [[farmers' market]], was developed alongside the city's "Design '79" downtown revitalization effort and opened in 1983.<ref name=Allen2>{{cite news |last=Allen |first=Mike |date=January 19, 2008 |title=Center of attention |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1B}}</ref> The center, located in a converted warehouse, originally housed the city's arts council and museum, history and science museums, and the [[Mill Mountain Theatre]].<ref name="Square">{{Cite web |last=Square |first=Center in the |title=Center in the Square |url=https://centerinthesquare.org/our-story |access-date=May 10, 2023 |website=Center in the Square |language=en-US |archive-date=May 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510225608/https://centerinthesquare.org/our-story |url-status=live}}</ref> It has since expanded to five buildings, providing rent-free space to twelve institutions, including the [[Science Museum of Western Virginia]] and Hopkins [[Planetarium]], the Harrison Museum of African American Culture, and the Roanoke Pinball Museum.<ref name="Square" />

One of the original tenants of Center in the Square, the Art Museum of Western Virginia, moved to a downtown Salem Avenue facility in 2008.<ref name=Kittredge1 /> The move was made with the help of a $15.2 million donation from [[Nicholas F. Taubman|Nicholas and Jenny Taubman]], whose family had established [[Advance Auto Parts]] in Roanoke in the 1930s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Advance Auto Parts, Inc. - Our Story |url=https://corp.advanceautoparts.com/our-story/default.aspx#history |access-date=May 10, 2023 |website=corp.advanceautoparts.com |archive-date=May 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510233257/https://corp.advanceautoparts.com/our-story/default.aspx#history |url-status=live}}</ref> As a result, the museum was renamed the [[Taubman Museum of Art]].<ref name=Kittredge2>{{cite news |last=Kittredge |first=Kevin |date=February 7, 2008 |title=New art museum to carry Taubman name |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1B}}</ref> The [[art museum]] features 19th and 20th century American art, contemporary and modern art, decorative arts, and works on paper.<ref name=Taubman>{{cite news |date=October 7, 2022 |title=Editorial: New art show brings choice masterworks to Southwest Virginia |work=The Roanoke Times |page=7A}}</ref> The {{convert|75000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} facility was designed by Los Angeles-based architect [[Randall Stout]], who earlier in his career worked under [[Frank Gehry]].<ref name=Kittredge1>{{cite news |last=Kittredge |first=Kevin |date=November 2, 2008 |title=Could art museum prompt a downtown transformation? |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1A}}</ref> Though the building's [[avant-garde]] design was controversial,<ref name=Schultz1>{{cite news |last=Schultz |first=Robert |date=July 20, 2008 |title=Inside the art museum |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Podger |first1=Pamela J. |title=With Bold Museum, a Virginia City Aims for Visibility |id={{ProQuest|433734189}} |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/29/us/29roanoke.html |work=The New York Times |date=December 29, 2007 |access-date=May 20, 2023 |archive-date=May 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520155401/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/29/us/29roanoke.html |url-status=live}}</ref> it has since won international praise for its architecture.<ref name=Allen3>{{cite news |last=Allen |first=Mike |date=October 15, 2009 |title=Architect wins award for Taubman |work=The Roanoke Times |page=8A}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Heilman |first=Christian |date=August 28, 2018 |title=Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke named best designed museum in Virginia |url=https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Taubman-Museum-of-Art-in-Roanoke-named-best-designed-museum-in-Virginia-491926781.html |access-date=May 18, 2023 |website=WDBJ7 |language=en |archive-date=May 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518152718/https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Taubman-Museum-of-Art-in-Roanoke-named-best-designed-museum-in-Virginia-491926781.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Outside the Virginia Museum of Transportation, Roanoke, Virginia (49461012956).jpg|left|thumb|[[PGM-19 Jupiter|Jupiter Rocket]] outside the [[Virginia Museum of Transportation]]|alt=An exterior photo of an upright rocket standing outside of a brick building]]
Also located downtown is the [[Virginia Museum of Transportation]], which houses many locomotives that were built in Roanoke by the Norfolk & Western Railway, including the [[Norfolk & Western 1218|1218]] and [[Norfolk and Western 611|611]] steam engines.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Miller |first=Kenneth |title=Norfolk and Western Class J: The Finest Steam Passenger Locomotive |publisher=Roanoke Chapter, National Railway Historical Society |year=2000 |isbn=978-0-615-11664-8}}</ref><ref name=Allen4>{{cite news |last=Allen |first=Mike |date=June 14, 2019 |title=New transportation museum director trades cowboy hat for engineer's cap |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1A}}</ref> A 2013 fundraising campaign led to the engine's refurbishment,<ref name=Allen5>{{cite news |last=Allen |first=Mike |date=April 1, 2014 |title=Historic engine 611 to get its old steam back |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1B}}</ref> and it now does tourist excursion runs when not home at the museum.<ref>{{Cite web |title=VMT - Norfolk & Western J Class #611 |url=https://www.vmt.org/attractions/611 |access-date=May 11, 2023 |website=www.vmt.org |language=en |archive-date=June 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610063908/https://www.vmt.org/attractions/611 |url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to its rail exhibits, the museum also displays a [[United States Army|US Army]] [[PGM-19 Jupiter|Jupiter rocket]]<ref name=Jackson1>{{cite news |last=Jackson |first=Todd |date=December 19, 1998 |title=Ex-Wasena Park rocket to land downtown |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1B}}</ref> and houses exhibits covering [[aviation]] as well as [[Car|automobiles]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=About the Virginia Museum of Transportation |url=https://www.vmt.org/about |access-date=May 11, 2023 |website=www.vmt.org |language=en |archive-date=May 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511152926/https://www.vmt.org/about |url-status=live}}</ref> The museum is located in the former Norfolk and Western [[Transport hub|freight depot]] which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.<ref name="NatRegFreight">{{cite web |author=Henry, Geoffrey B. |date=April 2012 |title=Norfolk & Western Railway Freight Station Final Nomination |url=https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/VLR_to_transfer/PDFNoms/128-6162_Norfolk-Western_Railway_Freight_Station_2012_NRHP_FINAL.pdf |access-date=December 20, 2023 |publisher=Virginia Department of Historic Resources}}</ref>

The former Norfolk and Western Passenger Station hosts two museums: the [[O. Winston Link Museum]], dedicated to the late steam-era railroad photography of [[O. Winston Link]], and the History Museum of Western Virginia.<ref name=Koomen1>{{cite news |last=Koomen |first=Christina |date=March 21, 2023 |title=The Art of Place features railroad line, local artists |work=The Roanoke Times |page=8B}}</ref> Originally built in 1905, the station underwent a 1949 renovation in the [[Moderne architecture|Moderne]] style by designer [[Raymond Loewy]], and is one of four contributing structures to the [[Norfolk and Western Railway Company Historic District]] listed on the National Register of Historic Places.<ref name="NatRegHD">{{cite web |last1=Harnesberger |first1=Douglas J. |last2=Kraus |first2=Nancy |date=July 1998 |title=Norfolk & Western Railway Company Historic District Final Nomination |url=https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/VLR_to_transfer/PDFNoms/128-5432_N&W_Railroad_HD_1999_Final_Nomination.pdf |access-date=December 21, 2023 |publisher=Virginia Department of Historic Resources}}</ref>

===Arts===
The Berglund Performing Arts Theatre is a 2,150-seat venue within the larger Berglund Center complex.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://berglundcenter.live/about/about-us |access-date=May 11, 2023 |website=Berglund Center |language=en |archive-date=July 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716005708/https://berglundcenter.live/about/about-us |url-status=live}}</ref> It regularly hosts concerts,<ref name=Dickens1>{{cite news |last=Dickens |first=Tad |date=January 11, 2023 |title=Old Crow Medicine Show returns to Roanoke |work=The Roanoke Times |page=3A}}</ref><ref name=Dickens2>{{cite news |last=Dickens |first=Tad |date=May 27, 2021 |title=From the lips of the Berglund: Hinder returning to Roanoke |work=The Roanoke Times |page=2A}}</ref> touring Broadway theatre performances,<ref name=Helms-Beckner>{{cite news |last=Helms-Beckner |first=Alexis |date=April 11, 2022 |title=Out & About: 'Cats' at Berglund theater |work=The Roanoke Times |page=8B}}</ref><ref name=Allen6>{{cite news |last=Allen |first=Mike |date=May 19, 2019 |title=Cornershot: Broadway in Roanoke unveils 2019-20 performance season |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1E}}</ref> stand-up comedy shows,<ref name=Dickens3>{{cite news |last=Dickens |first=Tad |date=July 7, 2022 |title=Brian Regan, Scythian, Paul thorn, 4848 Fest Top Tickets |work=The Roanoke Times |page=8B}}</ref><ref name=Comedy>{{cite news |date=July 19, 2022 |title=Comedy double-bill set for Roanoke |work=The Roanoke Times |page=8B}}</ref> and the [[Miss Virginia]] pageant.<ref name=Mouketo1>{{cite news |last=Mouketo |first=Julia |date=June 27, 2022 |title=Ashburn woman wins Miss Virginia crown |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1A}}</ref><ref name=MissVa>{{cite news |date=June 24, 2017 |title=Miss Virginia names more preliminary winners |work=The Roanoke Times |page=2A}}</ref> The city's first permanent artwork funded by the Percent for Art ordinance {{endash}} a law stating that the city must set aside 1% of its capital improvements budget for the purchasing of [[public art]]<ref name=Allen1/> {{endash}} stands before the theater. Dedicated in 2008 to celebrate the city's 150th anniversary,<ref>{{Cite web |title=In My Hands |url=https://www.roanokeva.gov/gallery.aspx?PID=183 |access-date=May 11, 2023 |website=Roanoke, VA |language=en |archive-date=May 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511192637/https://www.roanokeva.gov/gallery.aspx?PID=183 |url-status=live}}</ref> the {{convert|30|ft|m|adj=on}} stainless steel sculpture, "In My Hands", is one of over 160 public works of art in Roanoke.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roanoke Arts Commission |url=https://roanokearts.org/ |access-date=August 8, 2023 |website=Roanoke Arts Commission |language=en |archive-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810225227/https://roanokearts.org/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Jefferson Center in Roanoke Virginia.jpg|thumb|The Jefferson Center as it appeared in 2023. The [[Tudor Revival architecture|Tudor Revival]] building opened as Jefferson High School in 1924.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jefferson Center - Roanoke's Premier Performing Arts and Cultural Center |url=https://www.jeffcenter.org/about |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=www.jeffcenter.org |language=en |archive-date=August 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830165245/https://www.jeffcenter.org/about |url-status=live}}</ref>]]
The Jefferson Center is a former city high school that saw extensive renovation during the 1990s, turning it into a mixed-use building including office space for non-profits and city departments, event space for meetings and receptions, and the Shaftman Performance Hall, a 925-seat theatre created from the original high school's auditorium.<ref name=Kittredge3>{{cite news |last=Kittredge |first=Kevin |date=April 29, 2001 |title=Curtain up! |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jefferson Center - Roanoke's Premier Performing Arts and Cultural Center |url=https://www.jeffcenter.org/facilities |access-date=May 12, 2023 |website=www.jeffcenter.org |language=en |archive-date=May 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512150646/https://www.jeffcenter.org/facilities |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2006, the former Dumas Hotel was reopened as the Dumas Center for Artistic and Cultural Development.<ref name=Hutkin1>{{cite news |last=Hutkin |first=Erinn |date=November 5, 2006 |title=Music revives Dumas |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1B}}</ref> The center is located on Henry Street, which served as the commercial and cultural center of Roanoke's African-American community before a mid-20th century urban renewal project that saw much of the historic [[Gainsboro Historic District|Gainsboro]] neighborhood razed or relocated.<ref name="Bishop">{{Cite news |last=Bishop |first=Mary |date=January 29, 1995 |title=Urban Renewal's Untold Stories |at=Special Section |work=The Roanoke Times & World News |url=https://www.roanokeva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1532/Street-by-Street-Block-by-Block |access-date=May 12, 2023 |archive-date=May 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512154755/https://www.roanokeva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1532/Street-by-Street-Block-by-Block |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Fullilove |first=Mindy Thompson |title=Root Shock: how tearing up city neighborhoods hurts America, and what we can do about it |publisher=One World/Ballantine Books |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-345-45422-5}}</ref> The Dumas Hotel hosted such guests as [[Louis Armstrong]], [[Ethel Waters]], [[Count Basie]], [[Duke Ellington]] and [[Nat King Cole]] when they performed in Roanoke.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Annette |date=May 1, 2017 |title=Why Sell The Dumas, A Valuable Piece Of History |url=https://tapintohope.org/2017/05/01/why-sell-the-dumas-a-valuable-piece-of-history/ |access-date=May 11, 2023 |website=TAP |language=en-US |archive-date=May 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511183733/https://tapintohope.org/2017/05/01/why-sell-the-dumas-a-valuable-piece-of-history/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The renovated Dumas Center features an auditorium with more than 200 seats,<ref name=Hutkin1 /> and the building is a contributing structure to the [[Henry Street Historic District]], listed in 2004 to the National Register of Historic Places.<ref name="NatRegHenry">{{cite web |author=Blanton, Alison |date=June 2004 |title=Henry Street Historic District Final Nomination |url=https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/VLR_to_transfer/PDFNoms/128-5764_Henry_Street_HD_2004_Final_Nomination.pdf |access-date=December 21, 2023 |publisher=Virginia Department of Historic Resources}}</ref>

Since 1964, the Roanoke Valley has hosted performances by the Mill Mountain Theatre, a [[Regional theater in the United States|regional theatre]] that has been located in Center in the Square since its original home atop Mill Mountain burned down in 1976.<ref name=Kittredge4>{{cite news |last=Kittredge |first=Kevin |date=April 16, 2010 |title=Mona Black was life of Mill Mountain Theatre |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1A0}}</ref> The theatre has both a main stage for mainstream performances and a smaller [[black box theatre]] called Waldron Stage, which hosts both newer and more experimental plays along with other live events.<ref name=Allen7>{{cite news |last=Allen |first=Mike |date=October 17, 2018 |title=Mill Mountain Theatre announces 2019 season |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1E}}</ref>

Roanoke has been home to the Showtimers Community Theatre since 1951,<ref name=Allen8>{{cite news |last=Allen |first=Mike |date=June 26, 2020 |title=Showtimers to explore new ways to reach out after canceling 70th season |work=The Roanoke Times |page=2A}}</ref> and since 2008, the Virginia Children's Theatre has presented shows aimed at a younger audience, often based on children's literature.<ref name=Allen9>P{{cite news |last=Allen |first=Mike |date=August 18, 2019 |title=Roanoke Children's Theatre opens new chapter |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1E}}</ref> Originally formed as Roanoke Children's Theatre and housed in the Taubman Museum at that building's opening, the theatre expanded into the Dumas Center in 2013, and in 2016 moved to its current home in the Jefferson Center.<ref name=Allen9 />

[[Opera Roanoke]] is Southwest Virginia's only professional opera company, established in 1976 as the Southwest Virginia Opera Society.<ref name=Opera>{{cite news |date=October 28, 2021 |title=Opera Roanoke scores a US premiere |work=The Roanoke Times |page=6A}}</ref> It has performed under its current name since 1991, and its official orchestra since 2004 has been the [[Roanoke Symphony Orchestra]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Opera Roanoke |url=https://www.virginia.org/listing/opera-roanoke/15208/ |access-date=May 12, 2023 |website=www.virginia.org |language=en-us |archive-date=May 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512190559/https://www.virginia.org/listing/opera-roanoke/15208/ |url-status=live}}</ref> That group was established in 1953.<ref name="Staplefoote-2018">{{Cite web |last=Staplefoote |first=Liz |date=September 4, 2018 |title=Roanoke Has a Lot to Celebrate |url=https://theroanoker.com/api/content/d8d1ba9c-abcc-11e8-9d62-120bd63a0354/ |access-date=May 12, 2023 |website=TheRoanoker.com |language=en-us |archive-date=December 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218213309/https://theroanoker.com/magazine/features/roanoke-has-a-lot-to-celebrate/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The orchestra performs out of the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre, Salem Civic Center, and Shaftman Performance Hall at Jefferson Center.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Venues & Locations |url=https://rso.com/venues-locations/ |access-date=May 12, 2023 |website=Roanoke Symphony Orchestra |language=en-US |archive-date=May 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512183801/https://rso.com/venues-locations/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Points of interest===
Roanoke is the largest metropolitan area on the Blue Ridge Parkway,<ref>{{Cite web |location=Asheville |publisher=Blue Ridge Parkway Association |title=Roanoke Valley Area |url=https://www.blueridgeparkway.org/communities/roanoke-valley-area/ |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=Blue Ridge Parkway |language=en-US |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516191009/https://www.blueridgeparkway.org/communities/roanoke-valley-area/ |url-status=live}}</ref> a 469-mile-long scenic road that is the most-visited element of the [[National Park Service|National Park System]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains |url=https://www.visitroanokeva.com/things-to-do/blue-ridge-parkway/ |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=www.visitroanokeva.com |language=en-us |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516191010/https://www.visitroanokeva.com/things-to-do/blue-ridge-parkway/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The Mill Mountain Parkway exit off of the Blue Ridge Parkway leads to the Roanoke Star, an {{Convert|88.5|ft||adj=mid|-tall}} illuminated star sitting atop a mountain inside the city's limits.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dashiell |first=Joe |date=May 10, 2023 |title=Roanoke considers restoration or replacement of Mill Mountain Star |url=https://www.wdbj7.com/2023/05/10/roanoke-considers-restoration-or-replacement-mill-mountain-star/ |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=WDBJ7 |language=en |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516191010/https://www.wdbj7.com/2023/05/10/roanoke-considers-restoration-or-replacement-mill-mountain-star/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Also on the mountain's summit is Mill Mountain Zoo, a [[Zoological Association of America]]-accredited facility housing over 170 animals.<ref name=Berrier2>{{cite news |last=Berrier, Jr. |first=Ralph |date=March 15, 2019 |title=Mill Mountain Zoo earns accreditation from national zoo association |work=The Roanoke Times |page=3B}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mill Mountain Zoo {{!}} Roanoke, VA 24014 |url=https://www.visitroanokeva.com/listings/mill-mountain-zoo/5600/ |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=www.visitroanokeva.com |language=en-us |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516191008/https://www.visitroanokeva.com/listings/mill-mountain-zoo/5600/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Texas Tavern in downtown Roanoke, Virginia.jpg|alt=A photo of the Texas Tavern restaurant at night|left|thumb|The [[Texas Tavern]] has changed little since its establishment in 1930.]]
The [[Basilica of St. Andrew (Roanoke, Virginia)|Basilica of St. Andrew]] rests on a hill overlooking downtown and has been called "one of Virginia's foremost examples of the High Victorian Gothic".<ref name="NatRegAndrews">{{cite web |author=Weidman, Gregory |date=May 1972 |title=St. Andrews Roman Catholic Church Final Nomination |url=https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/VLR_to_transfer/PDFNoms/128-0030_Saint_Andrew's_Roman_Catholic_Church_1973_Final_Nomination.pdf |access-date=December 21, 2023 |publisher=Virginia Department of Historic Resources}}</ref> The church dates to 1900, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1973.<ref name="NatRegAndrews"/> Just below the church lies the Hotel Roanoke, a historic 330-room Tudor Revival hotel originally built by the Norfolk and Western Railway in 1882 and rebuilt and expanded many times since.<ref>{{Cite web |title=128-0025 Hotel Roanoke |url=https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/historic-registers/128-0025/ |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=www.dhr.virginia.gov |language=en-US |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516192510/https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/historic-registers/128-0025/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Nicknamed the "Grand Old Lady",<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Our Southwest Virginia Hotel {{!}} Historic Downtown Hotel Roanoke |url=https://www.hotelroanoke.com/southwest_va_hotel/ |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=www.hotelroanoke.com |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516191009/https://www.hotelroanoke.com/southwest_va_hotel/ |url-status=live}}</ref> the hotel was listed on the NRHP in 1995.<ref name="NatRegHotel">{{cite web |last1=Giles |first1=Leslie A. |last2=Kern |first2=John R. |date=September 1995 |title=Hotel Roanoke Final Nomination |url=https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/VLR_to_transfer/PDFNoms/128-0025_Hotel_Roanoke_1996_Final_Nomination.pdf |access-date=December 21, 2023 |publisher=Virginia Department of Historic Resources}}</ref>

A pedestrian bridge leads from the Hotel Roanoke to the city's historic market building and farmers' market, the latter of which dates to 1882 and is the oldest continuously operating open-air market in Virginia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of the Market {{!}} Farmer's Market {{!}} Explore {{!}} Downtown Roanoke |url=https://www.downtownroanoke.org/explore/farmers-market/history-of-the-market |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=www.downtownroanoke.org |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516191009/https://www.downtownroanoke.org/explore/farmers-market/history-of-the-market |url-status=live}}</ref> Near the terminus of the market is [[Fire Station No. 1 (Roanoke, Virginia)|Fire Station No. 1]], which for a time was the oldest continuously operating station in the state.<ref name=Struzzi1>{{cite news |last=Struzzi |first=Diane |date=June 16, 1994 |title=Things look up for firehouse |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1C}}</ref> The [[Georgian architecture|Georgian Revival]] structure was listed on the NRHP in 1973,<ref>{{Cite web |title=128-0033 Fire Station No. 1 |url=https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/historic-registers/128-0033/ |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=www.dhr.virginia.gov |language=en-US |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516191009/https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/historic-registers/128-0033/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and currently houses a local furniture showroom, restaurant, and [[boutique hotel]].<ref name=Petska4>{{cite news |last=Petska |first=Alicia |date=September 24, 2022 |title=First Station No. 1, downtown Roanoke historic landmark, has new calling |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1A}}</ref> Two blocks west on the same street is [[Texas Tavern]], an "iconic"<ref name=Berrier3>{{cite news |last=Berrier, Jr. |first=Ralph |date=November 12, 2020 |title=Texas Tavern sign auction raised $5,085 for Tudor House |work=The Roanoke Times |page=2B}}</ref><ref name=Friedenberger1>{{cite news |last=Friedenberger |first=Amy |date=October 8, 2015 |title=Roanoke Valley aids flood victims in S.C. |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1B}}</ref> ten-seat [[greasy spoon]] restaurant that the same family has operated since its establishment in 1930.<ref name=Nair1>{{cite news |last=Nair |first=Lindsey |date=June 4, 2008 |title=The best of Burger Nation |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1}}</ref>

===Festivals===
[[File:Roanoke_Local_Colors_Festival_with_Kenya_Represented_in_Photo.jpg|thumb|Parade of Nations at the Local Colors Festival]]
Roanoke features several annual festivals and events of various types. A parade for [[Saint Patrick's Day|St. Patrick's Day]] occurs every March,<ref name=Sampson1>{{cite news |last=Sampson |first=Anne |date=March 10, 2022 |title=Hooves o' the Irish: Budweiser Clydesdales to march in St. Patrick's Day Parade |work=The Roanoke Times |page=2T}}</ref> and Pride in the Park is an [[LGBT|LGBTQ+]] community celebration that draws thousands of visitors every April.<ref name=Sturgeon6>{{cite news |last=Sturgeon |first=Jeff |date=April 15, 2018 |title=Thousands show Pride, colors at spring festival |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1C}}</ref> Several events occur in May, including the Local Colors festival celebrating the cultures of the area's diverse ethnicities,<ref name=Weir1>{{cite news |last=Weir |first=Luke |date=May 22, 2022 |title=Flags, food downtown for Local Colors Festival |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1A}}</ref> the city's Strawberry Festival,<ref name=Strawberry>{{cite news |date=May 3, 2018 |title=Standouts include Strawberry Festival, Great Strides fundraiser |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1D}}</ref> the Down by Downtown music festival which coincides with the Blue Ridge Marathon,<ref name=Dickens4>{{cite news |last=Dickens |first=Tad |date=April 7, 2019 |title=Down by Downtown, Blue Ridge Marathon celebrate 10 years next week |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1E}}</ref> and Memorial Day weekend's Festival in the Park, which brings music and vendors to downtown Elmwood Park.<ref name=Dickens5>{{cite news |last=Dickens |first=Tad |date=April 28, 2023 |title=For boomers about to rock: Festival in the Park goes the all-tribute route for '23 |work=The Roanoke Times |page=8B}}</ref>

Later in the year, Elmwood Park hosts the Henry Street Heritage Festival, the primary fundraiser for the Harrison Museum of African American Culture.<ref name=Mouketo2>{{cite news |last=Mouketo |first=Julia |date=September 16, 2022 |title=Henry Street Festival returns to Elmwood in full force |work=The Roanoke Times |page=8B}}</ref> The event's popularity necessitated the move from its eponymous location.<ref name=Mouketo2 /> The Go Outside Festival, also known as GO Fest, is a free three-day event every October that celebrates the region's outdoor recreation opportunities,<ref name=Wall2>{{cite news |last=Wall |first=Sam |date=September 21, 2021 |title=GO Fest ready to rock, roll at new downtown location |work=The Roanoke Times |page=8B}}</ref> and the city holds the multi-week Dickens of a Christmas each December. This [[Victorian era]]-themed event includes a Christmas tree lighting, parade, and [[Carriage|horse-drawn carriage]] rides through downtown.<ref name=Berrier4>{{cite news |last=Berrier, Jr. |first=Ralph |date=December 3, 2021 |title=Dickens of a Christmas returning to downtown |work=The Roanoke Times |page=10B}}</ref>