Roanoke, VA

Profile

Roanoke's status as the largest city in a mountainous area led to the nickname Capital of the Blue Ridge, while the Roanoke River also flows through the city. The city is home to Hollins University Virginia, Western Community College, Jefferson College of Health Sciences, and satellite educational facilities of Virginia Tech located in neighboring Montgomery County. Center in the Square, a downtown cultural site, houses the History Museum of Western Virginia, the Science Museum of Western Virginia and the Hopkins Planetarium. Roanoke's festivals and cultural events include the Chili Cook-Off, Festival in the Park, Local Colors Festival, Henry Street Festival, Big Lick Blues Festival and Strawberry Festival. Roanoke and surrounding communities also host the annual Commonwealth Games of Virginia, an Olympic-style amateur sports festival.