Upcoming Up.
Upcoming Events
Star City Strongman
STAR CITY STRONGFEST IS BACK!
Step right up! Star City StrongFest is bringing strength, wellness and old-school carnival fun to Riverdale Village in Roanoke, Va.!
StrongFest is a FREE, family-friendly community festival featuring the 11th Annual Star City Strongman, local vendors, food, wellness partners, kids’ activities, games, challenges and plenty of ways to play, explore and connect.
And while there will definitely be some VERY heavy things being lifted, StrongFest is about a whole lot more than strongman.
EVENT DETAILS
When: Saturday, Nov. 7 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Where: Riverdale Village | Roanoke, Va.
Cost: FREE admission!
OLD-SCHOOL CARNIVAL FUN
We're bringing some old-school carnival fun to StrongFest this year!
Look for games, prizes, challenges, demos and hands-on activities from vendors and community partners throughout the day.
Try something. Compete with your kid. Win a prize. Learn something new. Maybe even discover an activity, business or organization you didn’t know was right here in our community.
11TH ANNUAL STAR CITY STRONGMAN
Strongman is what started all of this – and this year athletes will take on five classic events:
Car Deadlift
Conan’s Wheel
Vehicle Pull
Natural Stone-to-Shoulder
Circus Dumbbell
Never watched strongman before? Come check it out. You don’t have to know the rules or know anything about the sport to have a good time watching people do some pretty amazing things with very heavy objects!
Want to be one of them?
Competitor registration:
https://bit.ly/11th-annual-scs
SHOP, DISCOVER + CONNECT
StrongFest brings a whole bunch of our community together in one place.
You’ll find:
Local nonprofits + community organizations
Gyms, fitness groups + active communities
Mental health + wellness resources
Health, rehab + recovery professionals
Local makers, shops + small businesses
Food, drinks + treats
Games, demos + things to try
Maybe you find your new favorite local business.
Maybe your kid finds an activity they want to try.
Maybe you learn about a resource you didn’t know existed.
Or maybe you just eat something good, watch strongman and have a fun Saturday with your family.
All of those count.
STRONGKIDZ ZONE
Our friends at Play for All Foundation are taking over the StrongKidz Zone with activities designed to get kids moving, playing and having FUN.
More details coming as we get closer!
COME HUNGRY
Because apparently watching people pull vehicles and pick up giant rocks makes people hungry. Who knew?
We’re building a lineup of culinary vendors offering meals, snacks, drinks and treats throughout the day.
Full food lineup coming soon!
WANT TO BE PART OF IT?
StrongFest doesn’t happen without a LOT of people jumping in.
Become a vendor:
https://bit.ly/2026-strongfest-vendors
Volunteer:
https://bit.ly/2026-strongfest-volunteers
Become a sponsor:
https://bit.ly/2026-strongfest-sponsors
Compete:
https://bit.ly/11th-annual-scs
Interested in donating a raffle or athlete prize?
Email leigh@starcitystrong.org
WHY WE DO IT
StrongFest benefits the Star City Strong Foundation, our 501c3 nonprofit working to reduce barriers to strength sports and fitness communities while advancing research on the connection between physical activity and mental wellness.
The festival gives us a chance to put that work into action by bringing athletes, families, fitness communities, businesses, nonprofits and health and wellness resources together – while keeping the entire event free for the community.
Because there isn’t just one way to be strong and there definitely isn’t just one way to move.
StrongFest is a chance to see what’s out there, try something new and maybe find a place, resource or community that sticks with you long after Nov. 7.
Saturday, Nov. 7 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Riverdale Village | Roanoke, Va.
FREE ADMISSION
Learn more about the Star City Strong Foundation and help support our work:
https://bit.ly/support-star-city-strong
We are #StrongerTogether.
See less
Play All Day - Play Out Loud
Play Out Loud
Play Out Loud
Come play. No registration. No cost. No equipment needed.
Play Out Loud is a free, drop-in pop-up happening at Garden City Park in Southeast Roanoke on Saturday, June 21 from 9 to 11 AM. It's part of the PADVA summer series — a statewide day of free community play happening across Virginia.
Show up whenever. Bring whoever you want.
What's happening at Garden City Park:
Live percussion (drumming) with Linda Macchia of The Beat Goes On
Community Art Wall — add your answer to: "What does play look like for you?"
Free coffee from Kind Brew Coffee and Tea House
All ages. All abilities. All welcome.
When: Saturday, June 21, 2026 · 9–11 AM
Where: Garden City Park · 1304 Hillview Ave SE, Roanoke, VA 24014
Free on-site parking. No sign-up required.
Looking for free things to do in Roanoke this June? This is it.
Play Out Loud is hosted by Play for All Foundation in partnership with PADVA, SE Recreation Club, The Beat Goes On, and I Heart SE.
Play Out Loud is hosted by Play for All Foundation in partnership with PADVA, SE Recreation Club, The Beat Goes On, and I Heart SE.
PlayPRIDE Spring Kickball
Season's over. Let's celebrate.
Slip n slide kickball, potluck food, good people. Play for All Foundation is helping host the end-of-season party for the PlayPride league, and it's going to be exactly what it sounds like.
Bring a dish. We've got plates, utensils, and a slip n slide. You bring the food and the energy.
PlayPride isn't a regular kickball league. If you're a player, you're welcome to bring others with you. *Bring someone you'd trust in this space.
Bring:
Something to share (food, drinks, snacks, whatever you make)
Water and sunscreen
Willingness to lose gracefully on a Slip ' N Slide
Questions? Message us or email Jessica@playforallfoundation.com
Southeast Trunk or Treat PARTY!!
Mark your calendar for the Southeast Trunk or Treat PARTY!!
Safe, fun, and FREE trunk-or-treating! Fun for all ages!
Come party with us!
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025 • 5:00 PM–7:00 PM
Location: Belmont Park baseball field parking lot
Cost: Free • Family‑friendly
What to expect: DJ, games, lottttts of CANDY, and LOTS of awesome SE neighbors and community partners! <<<Hey that’s us!!
Accessibility: More info coming soon.
Get involved: [Volunteer] • [Sponsor]
StrongKidz Zone at Star City StrongFest!
If you’re looking for something different for your kids, bring them out. I promise—it’ll be worth it just to see their faces when they realize, “I can do this.”
Back to School PLAY-Palooza
We’re excited to be part of PLAY Roanoke’s Back to School PLAY-Palooza—a free, family-friendly event designed to celebrate the end of summer and connect families with local resources and recreation opportunities.
Play for All Foundation will be set up with hands-on games, creative arts and crafts, and info about how we support families through microgrants, pop-up programs, and workshops—all designed to make play feel possible again, especially for those who’ve been left out in the past.
We’ll be at Washington Park from 2–6 PM, right alongside other vendors offering after-school resources, recreation programs, and support services. Whether you stop by for a few minutes or stay for the free outdoor movie (Mufasa: The Lion King at 4:30 PM!), we’d love to meet you and share what Play for All is all about.
No sign-ups. No pressure. Just connection, creativity, and play.
Roanoke Softball League Social
We are bringing the family the fun to Wasena Park for the Roanoke Softball Community Social!
We’re showing up with games, arts + crafts, and a whole lot of good energy.
No cost. No sign-ups. Just a chance to play, create, and connect.
Bring your friends, bring the kids—or just stop by and say hi.
We’ll be there, making play possible for everyone.
We had a blast! Check out Event photos here.