ROANOKE, Va.

The pickleball tournament is the first sanctioned tournament ever in the region

The nation's bet amateur road cyclists will be competing for medals June 14-17 in Franklin and Roanoke Counties and the city of Roanoke.

A much-anticipated train rolled into Downtown Roanoke from Washington D.C. on Monday and was greeted by city leaders and residents – The arrival marked a new chapter of transportation to and from Roanoke.

Cyclists in the Roanoke Valley can rest assured knowing that Virginia’s Blue Ridge is a prime spot for their favorite hobby.

Empty hotel beds, dining rooms and downtowns were all effects of the pandemic that could be seen firsthand.

Rachel and Lindsey sit down with Catherine Fox from Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge to talk about fun and free activities to do with your kids.

Lindsey and Rachel sit with Catherine Fox, a spokesperson for Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge. Catherines gives us details on the top activities to do locally this month.

ROANOKE, Va. – Tourism boards in Southwest Virginia received a financial boost to help attract visitors through the COVID-19 pandemic. The Virginia Tourism Corporation awarded a total of $80,000 to five tourism boards. The awards included:$20,000 for Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge$20,000 for Botetourt County$20,000 for the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce$10,000 to the Town of Rocky Mount$10,000 to the City of SalemVisit Virginia’s Blue Ridge President Landon Howard said his organization’s $20,000 will be spent mostly on online marketing. He believes regional travelers will look to the Roanoke Valley for a getaway. “Those people may not be traveling to Europe for a two or three week vacation, but they will do weekend trips to places like Virginia’s Blue Ridge.”

ROANOKE, Va. – The Star City has over 1,000 miles of trails and greenways in the area for folks to enjoy and one magazine recognized what the Roanoke outdoors has to offer. Roanoke is this year’s winner of the Large Top Adventure Town contest by “Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine." The city defeated both Chattanooga, Tennesse and Asheville, North Carolina in the finals. "Roanoke in Virginia’s Blue Ridge is the perfect location to be a Trailsetter and find all kinds of unique outdoor adventures, said Landon Howard, president of Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge. “We’re thrilled to be named a Top Adventure Town by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine and appreciate everyone who cast their vote in support of Roanoke!”This 2020 win marks back-to-back Top Adventure Town titles for Roanoke and it’s the fifth Top Town title in the past nine years.

ROANOKE, Va. – Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge has just been awarded a $10,000 tourism recovery grant. The organization will use that money to enhance branding efforts, marketing the region as a hub to experience metro-mountain adventure, especially to cities within driving distance. “We’re really working hard to find that balance of inviting people to the region as well as making sure that are residents are safe as well, but it’s all about really helping the businesses sustain and recover from this pandemic,” said Catherine Fox, vice president of public affairs and destination development for Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge. The Virginia Tourism Corporation has awarded more than $866,000 in marketing grant funds to 90 organizations across the commonwealth.

ROANOKE, Va. – As travel season gets underway and families hit the road, Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge wants everyone here at home and those visiting to know they’re safe in the Roanoke Valley. That's why VBR is asking businesses to take the "Stay Safe Pledge." The pledge asks businesses to promise to follow recommended guidelines from the CDC and public health officials and post the pledge on their storefront. VBR says that helps create an environment of safety while getting more people back in local businesses. The Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge visitor’s center will open back-up starting Friday to help people navigate their stay.

ROANOKE, Va. – Tourism in Virginia’s Blue Ridge is starting to rebound now that the state has begun to reopen. Landon Howard, President of Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, said Thursday a lot of families from Virginia and North Carolina are asking for information about outdoor activities. Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge’s visitors center in Roanoke will reopen June 12. According to data provided by Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, tourism industry revenue was down an average of 70% over the last three months compared to last year. He’s also still hopeful there will be a strong rebound in tourism in 2021.

Now in its third year, Virginias Blue Ridge GO Cross race starts Saturday morning, showing that the regions biking culture keeps pedaling. Some of the obstacles, theyre going to have to get off their bike. Its the start of the cyclocross season for professional riders from all over the world. Its getting us recognized on an international and national level, said Catherine Fox, with Visit Virginias Blue Ridge. Professional races are at 1:45 and 3 p.m. Visit the official website for more on registration and parking.

In the first of our #Trailsetter seriers with Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge, we take a closer look at the growing arts community in Virginia's Blue Ridge and the impact they've had on our region. Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.

ROANOKE, Va. - The Ironman Triathlon is coming to the Roanoke Valley in 2020 and for years to come. On Tuesday morning, officials with Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge, Carilion Clinic and Ironman announced that the international sporting event will be coming to the region. The Carilion Clinic Ironman 70.3 Virginia's Blue Ridge triathlon will take place on June 7, 2020. The Ironman triathlon is one of a series of long-distance triathlon races organized by the World Triathlon Corporation. Beginning as a single race, Ironman has grown to more than 230 events across 53 countries.