🌱 Blacksburg 4th Of July Parade + Virginia Tech Parking Crunch

Hello again, everybody! It's Monday in Blacksburg and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening locally. Because community news matters!

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Rain and a thunderstorm. High: 72 Low: 52.
• Tuesday: Partly sunny and pleasant. High: 73 Low: 53.

Here are the top three stories today in Blacksburg:

1. The 35th Annual Blacksburg 4th of July Parade is currently seeking floats, marchers/walkers, vehicles, and more to participate in the festivities. The parade, themed "Blacksburg - A Special Place for 225 Years," will commence at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4; it will start from Eheart Street, pass through downtown on Main Street, and conclude on Alumni Mall. Those interested can register online by Wednesday, Jun. 28. (Subscription: Roanoke Times)
2. Members of the Blacksburg Regional Art Association (BRAA) showcased their talent at the opening of the 2023 Radford Art Show, with several artists earning recognition for their work. Pippi Miller claimed the first prize in Photography, Martha Olson secured the second prize in 3D Sculpture & Fibers, and Matt Gentry took home the second prize in Painting, Drawing & Graphic Artwork; Emily Freudenberg received an honorable mention for her contribution. The Radford Art Show will remain open through the end of July. (Blacksburg Regional Art Association (BRAA) via Facebook)
3. Virginia Tech students are facing a parking crunch as ongoing campus construction disrupts their commuting convenience, with at least 2,000 fewer parking spots compared to 2020, according to university data. Lynsay Belshe, the school's vice president for auxiliary and business services, attributed the shrinking availability to university growth and climate goals. To address the issue, a new parking garage is set to begin construction next year, while a $36 million multimodal transit facility on Perry Street is already under construction in partnership with the Town of Blacksburg. (Subscription: Roanoke Times)

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Today and tomorrow in and around Blacksburg:

Monday, June 12

• Outer Space Camp At Paint 'N Fun Ceramics Studio, Christianburg (9:00 AM)

Tuesday, June 13

• Town Council Meeting At Blacksburg Municipal Building (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Heads up, local house hunters! Here are five properties to hit the Blacksburg real estate market, including a four-bed/three-bath on Pheasant Run Court for $320,000. (Blacksburg Patch)
• The Roanaoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport reminds travelers that REAL IDs will be required at ROA by May 7, 2025. Additional information can be found on the Virginia DMV website. (Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport via Facebook)
• The Town of Blacksburg is currently hiring for a full-time building inspector. Interested applicants can view this and other career opportunities with Blacksburg on governmentjobs.com.(Town of Blacksburg Government via Facebook)

That's it for today! See you soon for another update.

— Michelle Paul

About me: Michelle Paul is a Utah-based writer and photographer with a professional background in content management and registered nursing. When not working on projects ranging from photo editing to copywriting, they enjoy traveling, video games, and expanding their skills.