The teacher lead one of her students to the school lounge so that he could pick out a snack for doing something special in class.

After the young boy chose cheese crackers, the teacher asked, “Aren’t you going to eat your snack?”  The boy looked at his teacher and replied, “I want to take it home and share it with my brother tonight so we’ll have something for supper.”

This true story echoed all too often with many hurting families across Central Virginia.

Backpacks for Kids’ Sake provides eligible elementary school students with a backpack loaded with enough USDA approved food to last throughout each weekend.

Backpacks are handed to students in need each Friday.  The children are asked to return the backs the following week to continue the process for an entire school year.

It costs $200 per school year for a student to receive one backpack of food each weekend.  With your financial support, more students can access the nutrition and stability that will enable them to achieve good grades in school and participate in student activities.

For this reason, the Lynchburg Women’s Show will be donating a generous portion of the proceeds from the admission to the show on March 17th to Backpack for Kids Sake.

For more information on this non-profit, please visit them on the web at bpfks.org.

It’s what Lynchburg is known for, the Cheesy Western.  Which is why we see fit to hold the first annual Cheesy West Contest at the Big Boys’ Toys Show on April 28.  Entry forms have been rolling in left and right for those men and women up for the challange of being named the Cheesy West Champ.  Do YOU have what it takes?  The rules are pretty simple.  When the whistle blows you will have five minutes to eat as many cheesy westerns as you can.  When the whistle blows again, the man or woman with the most consumed will be named the 2012 Cheesy West Champ.  But, the biggest goal of all……don’t get sick!

It seemed like a natural fit for us to team up with the one restaurant in the burg that is known for its famous cheesy westerns, the Texas Inn, or T-Room as most of you know it. 

Now, I have to write a little bit of personal information here.  My first trip to the T-Room was about 15 years ago.  (Yes, a late bloomer I know)  Anyway, I sat down at the bar and glanced over the menu carefully.  Figuring it would be just like any other hamburger joint I walked into, I would order my normal cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, mayo and pickles.  Ummm, shocker!  The look I received from the lady behind the bar was priceless, followed by the chuckle and response of, “we don’t have any tomato, no lettuce and no pickles.”  Well, okay then, how about just a little mustard.  After all, if I couldn’t have my normal, I would just settle for the safest.  I looked around to notice lots of eggs, relish and onions on plates and just couldn’t fathom how all of that would taste on a burger.  After my husband got over his sheer embrassment of me asking for lettuce, tomato and mayo, he quickly informed me about the T-Room and their offerings.  Before him, sat one of those burgers with the egg, relish and onions on it along with a bowl of chili.  I quickly learned the history of the cheesy western and a bowl. 

So, on April 28th at approximately 1:45pm, we will launch the First Annual Cheesy West Contest at the Big Boys’ Toys Show.   Rumor has it that Ronnie and Bobby from truTV’s Lizard Lick Towing may give some coaching on the contest.  We will see!

To enter the Man vs. Cheesy West contest, simply click on the Big Boy’s Toys tab on the main page of the website, click on Entertainment and download the application.

See you there.

The Lynchburg Women’s Show

Saturday, March 17, 2012

10am – 4pm

Holiday Inn, Downtown Lynchburg

Join us in historic downtown Lynchburg on March 17th for the 2012 Lynchburg Women’s Show.  It will be a full day of events downtown with the Lynchburg Women’s Show on one end and The Central Virginia Home & Garden Expo on the other end not to mention everything inbetween.  It’s the don’t miss event of the year!

It’s about Beauty…  It’s about Health…  It’s about Lifestyle…  It’s about YOU!

Spend the day shopping and discovering cutting edge products, great beauty and makeup advice, new fashion ideas, home decor pointers, cooking tips and health and fitness advice.  The Lynchburg Women’s Show is about everything that you’ve ever needed and desired in one location.

Come visit with exhibitors and find out what Lynchburg has to offer.

• Arts & Crafts
• Beauty & Cosmetics
• Business & Education
• Children
• Cooking & Food
• Fashion & Accessories
• Gifts
• Home Décor & Accessories
• Home Improvement / Remodeling
• Jewelry
• Lifestyle
• Media
• Travel & Leisure

The Big Boys Toys Show will be Central Virginia’s largest and most exciting male lifestyle event, combining the coolest gadgets, the latest technologies and the biggest brands along with high impact entertainment features, all packed into one day of non-stop action and sheer excitement.  This is a must-visit-event for people from across the Central Virginia area.

To satisfy all that guys love to see and do, The Big Boys Toys Show  is coming to downtown Lynchburg on Saturday, April 28, 2012 with the coolest toys a grown up boy could want.

One of the best opportunities in 2012 for you to directly access your target customer base, drive quality leads, substantial sales and have thousands of potential customers viewing your products and services.  This show will attract a targeted male demographic but will be family friendly; women and children will account for approximately
35% of attendees.  In addition to exhibitor space, please inquire about how we can supplement and enhance your current marketing strategy through several sponsorship opportunities.  Sponsorship packages include online advertising on our website, print advertising through local publications, televison and radio spots, billboards and premium banner placement throughout event site.

There will be vendor spcces located throughout the Riverfront Festival Park area which will consist of the following:

5 – Food Vendors Spaces:  $175
•  These vendor spaces will be located along Jefferson Street and will be approximately 10×10 spaces.  Multiple spaces can be purchased side by side.  You must present Lynchburg Shows with a current Health Deparment license.

50 – Standard Vendor Spaces:  $225
•  These 10’x10’ spaces will be located throughout the park.  You must provide your own table, chairs and tent if desired.  There will not be electrical access for these spaces.

15 – Deluxe Vendor Spaces:  $550
•  Spread out in these 20’x20’ spaces.  These spaces will be located throughout the Riverfront Park area.  There are several spaces that will be located along each end of Jefferson Street.  You must provide your own table, chairs and tents, if desired.  There will be limited electrical access.

10 – Premier Vendor Spaces:  $795
•  Here are the Big Boys Toys!  These oversize spaces will allow plenty of room for those RV’s, campers, boats, ATV’s, motorcycles, cars and trucks.  These ten spaces will be located on the highly travelled Jefferson Street.  These spaces will sell quickly!  There will be electrical access to these areas.  You must provide your own tables, chairs and tents, if desired.  The exact space size will be definied on the vendor map.

If you are interested in participating in the Big Boy’s Toys Show, please download the vendor contract and submit it for approval.

Participating in trade shows is one of the quickest and most effective ways of getting your business in front of a lot potential customers. In addition to providing a wonderful opportunity to market your products and services directly to consumers, trade shows also provide the opportunity to create a good first impression. In a recent study, over 90% of respondents indicated that they found trade shows to a very useful source gathering purchasing information and almost 50% of these respondents actually purchased products or services while attending the trade show.

Trade shows can help you generate a lot of leads relatively quickly. Studies show that almost 90% of consumers with buying power who attended a tradeshow did not receive a sales call in the past year. The study showed that trade shows are an effective way to reach many consumers that traditional prospecting methods do not reach. Most companies find that attending trade shows is worth the investment.

At a trade show with thousands of consumers and hundreds of exhibitors, you should be able to speak with hundreds of people a day. Trying to make that many contacts over the phone in a short period of time would be difficult, if not impossible. Even though you may not sell a product to every consumer you speak with you’ll get your foot into a lot of doors you wouldn’t otherwise. And if you’re thinking of not attending a show that you have attended in the past, stop and ask yourself what you’re telling current clients who are expecting to see you there. If your company has recently experienced a merger or an acquisition, or there has been a change in management, not attending a trade show may damage your relationship with your clients. Also know that you competitors will likely use your absence to further their own interests. However, this is not to say that you have to attend every trade show. You may want to send a message to all of your major customers who will be attending a show, informing them of your decision to attend one trade show over another.

Before looking into which trade show to attend, it is wise to set goals for yourself. In order to help you with this, there are several questions you should keep in mind.

What is your reason for exhibiting? (Are you trying to build current relationships or create new relationships with clients? Trying to market a new item? Better position yourself within the market? Looking to make news sales leads or counteract your competitors’ claims?)

Who do you want to reach?

What message are you looking to send?

What do you want to be an outcome of the show? (Are you hoping to bring home new sales leads or sell a product or service?)

Having clear and direct goals will help you to succeed in your trade show activities.

We would like to thank everyone who came out yesterday to the 2nd Annual Lynchburg Beer & Wine Festival.   Though the weather was a little overcast, it didn’t deter our festival goers.  Please visit our Facebook page for festival pictures.

See you in 2012!

2011 Lynchburg Beer & Wine Festival Stage Sponsor

American National Bank and Trust Company was established in 1909 to provide community-banking services to the citizens of Danville.  In the past 100 years, the bank has grown from a single office on Main Street in Danville to a regional, progressive financial institution. Though our growth has been significant, our focus of building relationships through quality financial services with exceptional customer service has not changed.

American National is a community bank serving Southern and Central Virginia and the northern portion of Central North Carolina.  American National provides a full array of financial products and services, including commercial, mortgage, and consumer banking; trust and investment services; and insurance. Services are also provided through an ATM network, “AmeriLink” Internet banking, and 24-hour “Access American” phone banking.
     
We take our role as a community bank very seriously.  The Bank has and will continue to be a leader in charitable and civic support, whether it is financially or through the thousands of hours our employees devote each year to better the communities where we work and live.  Success for American National is dependent on the viability of the markets we serve.  That is why we will maintain our commitment to our communities.

We believe our quality financial services, exceptional customer service, attention to detail, and convenience make us a great bank.  However, our people and dedication to our communities make us a great community bank…and that is what sets us apart from the rest.  We invite you to stop by one of our offices to see how a relationship with American National can benefit you…and your community.

Local Mortgage Options For Central Virginia

Since 1985, Mortgage Atlantic, Inc., has played an instrumental part in helping Central Virginia realize the dream of true home ownership. Giving you smart, informed decisions for the right refinance or mortgage is the foundation of our relationship. We ensure an affordable, secure choice for you and a friendship based on trust for us.

We know that when you walk through our door, you’re beginning a process that can significantly add to the quality of your life.

Whether you are ready to purchase your very first home or wish to acquire extra cash from your home equity, we’ll carefully guide you through the process of obtaining the necessary financing. With the number of lending options available, purchasing or refinancing can be confusing. Mortgage Atlantic is your ally in meeting your financing needs.

Mortgage Atlantic expanded into government loans in 1987 with FHA and in 1988 with Veterans Affairs, and was the first mortgage company offering the USDA guaranteed loan program in Central Virginia in 1996.

Meet Our Mortgage Specialists

Peggy J Moore
PRESIDENT

Peggy established Mortgage Atlantic on Church Street in Lynchburg in 1985.

Her background includes life insurance, retirement planning, and real estate sales before entering the mortgage industry.

Debbie Grishaw
VICE PRESIDENT, LOAN OFFICER

Experienced property manager and involved in real estate sales prior to joining Mortgage Atlantic in 1996.

Thank you, Mortgage Atlantic, for being the title sponsor of the Lynchburg Beer & Wine Festival for TWO YEARS in a row!

We are excited to announce the 2011 Lynchburg Beer & Wine Festival band lineup.

11:00am – 1:00pm

Jerry Wimmer, lead singer for The Worx, will take the stage for an acoustic show at 11am to kick off the 2nd annual Lynchburg Beer & Wine Festival.

1:00pm – 3:00pm

Superhold, from Roanoke Virginia, will have you on your feet dancing to the hottest hits from the 80’s

3:30pm – 5:00pm

Voted the Best Local Band for 2010 by the readers of Lynchburg Living, you will be singing along with the Groove Monkeys as they perform all of your favorite tunes.

5:30pm – 7:00pm

Returning to the Lynchburg Beer & Wine Festival for the second year, Dragonfly will end the day by playing  all of your favorites from Melissa Ethridge, Miranda Lambert and Prince to the Black Crows.

You don’t want to miss any of these shows!

We have just posted our FAQ’s on the website for the Lynchburg Beer & Wine Festival.  If you don’t find your question and answer on the list, please email us.

What time does the festival start?

The Lynchburg Beer & Wine Festival runs from 11am until 7:00pm.

Where downtown is the Festival Park?

The Riverfront Festival Park is located on Jefferson Street in downtown Lynchburg.

Where can we park?

There is ample parking in Downtown Lynchburg however you may have to walk several blocks to the Riverfront Festival Park area.  The parking garages and decks will be available.

Can I purchase sampling tickets at the gate?

Yes, you can purchase tickets at the gate however the lines may be longer.  The gate ticket price is $20.00 versus the advance ticket price of $15.00.

Where can I get tickets in advance?

Tickets will be available online starting August 1, 2011 thru September 16^th.  You can also purchase tickets at area businesses starting in August.  Visit our website for complete ticket outlet locations.

What if I want to come but not drink?

General Admission is $5 however you will not be allowed to drink.

What if I want to drink but not sample?

You must purchase a Sampling Admission ticket if you want to drink.

How many samples am I allowed to have?

You are allowed unlimited samples from 11:00am until 4:00pm.

Can I purchase beer and wine?

Yes, you can purchase beer and wine.  You may also purchase a bottle of wine however you will not be allowed to leave the festival park with the bottle if it has been opened.  All opened containers must be empty before leaving the park.

Are pets allowed?

No pets are allowed during the festival unless they are service animals.

Can I bring a cooler?

No coolers are allowed.  There will be vendors with non alcoholic beverages and food for sale.

Are chairs, umbrellas and tents allowed?

Chairs and umbrellas are allowed however we do discourage you from bringing tents.

 Are children allowed?

Children are allowed but please remember that this is a wine and beer festival.  Children 10 and under are admitted free.

 Will outside food be allowed?

No outside food is allowed in.  There will be plenty of food vendors on site.

 Are there any restrictions on bringing weapons to this event?

Yes. Weapons, including pocket knives, multi-tools, replica/toy weapons or pepper spray, are not allowed and will be confiscated.

What if it rains?

A rain date has been scheduled and will be posted on the website however unless there is a substantial amount of rain, the show will go on.  Please check our Facebook page, WSET, WYYD, WROV, WJJS and Steve FM for up to date information the week of the show.

Can I leave and come back?

You may leave and come back as long as your band remains on your arm.

 I would like to volunteer.

Please contact us at info@lynchburgshows for volunteer information.