Join Harrisonburg Tourism in Celebrating the 25th Annual National Tourism Week. In an effort to promote the power of travel and boost the economy, hundreds of cities, states and businesses will salute the travel and tourism industry May 10th- the 18th. You are invited to stop by Harrisonburg Tourism and Visitor Services, located in the historic Hardesty-Higgins House, 212 S. Main St. The open house celebration will be held Saturday May 10th through Sunday May 18th 9am-5pm daily. Browse all week and stock up on up to date information, brochures, maps, and special events. Light refreshments, free giveaways and a grand prize drawing will top off the week. Travel Counselors will be on hand to assist you with your vacation plans or save money and gas - Ask about one of our many local Staycation destinations. More information call 540-432-8935.

Middletown - Enjoy a walk through history, plus tastings of fine imported beers, handcrafted ales, and great food at Belle Grove Plantation's 13th annual "Of Ale & History" Beer Festival.  To be held Saturday, May 10, from noon until 6 p.m., this popular benefit event features over forty microbrewed and imported beers, fine food and excellent bands! 

Participants can enjoy beautiful mountain views, browse in Belle Grove's Museum Shop, visit the historic 1797 Manor House, and watch WINC FM and Rock 104.9 do a live radio broadcast at the festival. Or visitors may simply relax and listen to live music by The Reflex, the premier 80's tribute band in the Mid-Atlantic, and Junkfood, voted the D.C. metro area's best band in a 2005 Washington Post Reader Survey.    

Guests at the event may purchase delicious barbecued pork and chicken by Shaffer's Barbecue and Catering,  taste BBQ from Valley Pig Pickens', sample a variety of seafood from Coastal Seafood, or take a culinary journey to the Far East via Royal Siam Catering of Alexandria, Virginia.  A variety of snack and picnic items will also be offered by Express Café, A-1 Kettle Korn and Cute's Mobile Café. Bring your picnic blanket and settle in for a day in the county.

The "Of Ale & History" Beer Festival is sponsored by Rock 104.9 and WINC 92.5 (Mid-Atlantic Broadcasting) and Yuengling (Dixie Beverage), with entertainment sponsor Heineken and Heineken Premium Light.  Other sponsors include Blue Moon and Sam Adams (Premium Beverage), Red Hook (B.J. Sager), and Handy Mart. All proceeds from the event benefit Belle Grove's education programs, exhibits, and historic preservation efforts.

Advance tickets are available through Friday, May 9 at Belle Grove and at area Handy Mart stores for $20. For the first time, tickets may also be purchased on-line at www.bellegrove.org for the advance price.  Tickets are available at the gate for $25. Also available at the gate and on-line are Designated Driver tickets for $5. Designated Driver tickets include admission to the festival and free non-alcoholic refreshments at a tent sponsored by Red Bull Energy Drink.  Driver assistance, sponsored by Wiseman and Associates, is provided throughout the event.  Proof of age will be required upon entry to the Festival. Belle Grove thanks visitors in advance for leaving their pets at home.

Belle Grove Plantation is located on Route 11, one mile south of Middletown, VA, near the intersection of Interstates 66 and 81.  For more information, and to receive an "Of Ale and History" Festival brochure, please call Belle Grove at (540) 869-2028 or e-mail info@bellegrove.org.  Be sure to visit our web site: www.bellegrove.org.

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Grand opening of the Winchester-Frederick County Visitor Center and the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District Civil War Orientation Center, Monday, May 12 – 10:00am, 1400 S Pleasant Valley Rd, Winchester.

The Winchester-Frederick County Visitor Center, operated by the Winchester-Frederick County Convention & Visitors Bureau, serves to welcome visitors to the area and help them learn about the variety of attractions, lodgings, and dining experiences available in Winchester and Frederick County.

The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District Civil War Orientation Center is nested within the visitor center and will be managed by the Convention & Visitors Bureau.  It is the second of five planned Civil War Orientation Centers to be located throughout the eight-county Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District.  The first one opened in McDowell in May 2005.

The Civil War Orientation Center will help visitors understand the Shenandoah Valley’s Civil War history, including the military campaigns that took place here, and Winchester and Frederick County’s unique part of that story and it will encourage visitors to explore historic sites where that story is told.

The visitor center and orientation center occupy the first floor of the Shenandoah University History & Tourism Center—a new building completed in late 2007.  The HTC, the visitor center, and the orientation center were funded by a combination of federal, state, local, and private grants.

Winchester-Frederick County Convention & Visitors Bureau, www.VisitWinchesterVa.com

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Staunton - Downtown Staunton will rock again this summer thanks to Shakin' at the Station.  Central Shenandoah Crime Stoppers is encouraging people of all ages to come out on Thursday nights this summer to the Wharf Parking Lot in downtown Staunton to enjoy a night of music, dancing and all around good times at Shakin' at the Station. Best of all, all of the proceeds go to support local charities.

Shakin' at the Station has been a Staunton tradition for over two decades and this year promises to be the best year yet.  Shakin' at the Station will undergo many new changes this year starting with the variety of music. Shakin' at the Station bands this year will have more local appeal, be more diverse and offer something for everyone. The season kicks off on May 15th and will continue every Thursday through August 28,th  except for the week of July 4th. This year's bands will include local favorites that play Rock, Southern Rock and even Bluegrass, as well as regional bands that will provide Reggae, Top 40 and Classic Rock. The tradition of celebrating good times, good friends and Staunton's Historic Downtown will continue. "The new focus on featuring local bands and broader variety of music for the 2008 Shakin' at the Station is an exciting enhancement for this event.  I hope that the community recognizes this change and comes to the Wharf to support the local talent and experience the new and improved band line up," says Julie Markowitz, Executive Director of the Staunton Downtown Development Association.

For the family or group of friends who wants to get together and spend some time outside this summer listening to good music and enjoying cold refreshments, Shakin' at the Station offers the best value in the Shenandoah Valley. This year, as in years past, 100% of the proceeds from Shakin' at the Station benefits local charities. For more information on Shakin' in at the  Station and a complete list of bands and dates you can visit www.stauntondowntown.org or www.abwholesaler.com/jdeiland.

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Waynesboro - The public and business community are invited to participate as contestants, sponsors and to donate artwork or other items for the silent auction. The  proceeds will go to improving restrooms, break room, and the working conditions for the employees of Vector Industries. Vector has given people with complex disabilities the opportunity to earn a living, gain digity, and develop self-worth and pride for over 39 years.

The Auction will begin at 6 p.m. and the Beauty Contest will begin at 7 p.m. on May 17, 2008 at Kate Collins Middle School Auditorium. Admission fee. To be a sponsor, contestant, or dontate an item call 540-943-8444 ext. 16 or 18. You can visit their web site at www.vectornva.org for information.