Salem Weather Observer

Big Spring Mill, locally known as the best flour in Virginia, is coming back under new ownership after a 2022 closure. Tynisha Jackson has the story from Montgomery County: https://tinyurl.com/ydpu75pu

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Great news about Mabry Mill from the National Park Service! The Blue Ridge Parkway announced today that it has selected MM176, LLC for a 10-year concessions contract to provide food, beverage and retail services in the restaurant and gift shop adjacent to the historic Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The new operator is planning interior renovations in 2026 and is planning to open its food and retail services to the public in spring 2027. The Parkway awarded the new concessions contract through a competitive selection process.

“We are excited to see food service return to this historic Parkway destination and look forward to working with the new operator over the next decade at Mabry Mill.” said Tracy Swartout, Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent. “The new operator’s upcoming investment at the site builds on other recent investments such as the rehabilitation of Matthews Cabin and a new roof and wheel on the Mill Building. As the new operator prepares for renovations, there is still much to enjoy and do at Mabry Mill and in nearby communities, such as Meadows of Dan and Floyd, where a wide variety of food services are available.”

During the 2026 visitor season, NPS staff and volunteers at Mabry Mill will regularly host educational programs, cultural demonstrations such as blacksmithing, music events and walking tours. Beginning June 7, the Blue Ridge Music Center will host Milepost Music concerts for the first and third Sundays throughout the summer. Food truck vendor opportunities are also available for the upcoming visitor season. Interested parties should contact [email protected] for more information.

A local Cruise-in in Salem

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It's nearly time to kick off the 2026 season!! We know many have asked when we are posting this year's schedule. The wait is over!!!

We are of course sticking with the 2nd Saturday and 4th Sunday schedule. For those that need it, here's the full list of dates for the 2026 season. We have also added color coded dots to show you what coffee/food vendors will be at each event. Vendor Cancellations do occasionally happen, although rare, so just be aware these could change. But this is the current scheduled roster for each of our vendors.

A big thanks to Taylor McBride LaPrade and Thomas Scott LaPrade for creating and together this flyer for us. We hope to see all the old faces, and hopefully plenty of new ones this season as well !

Now that the groundhogs have made their predictions for the remainder of winter this year, and folks can certainly pick and choose whatever outcome they'd prefer from these prophetical rodents. A more reliable source from the Climate Prediction Center is forecasting the next two weeks of February will likely continue to be well below normal for the region (Sorry early Spring hopefuls). With at least the next two weeks remaining cold across the region, don't hang up that big puffy jacket just yet!