Parkway Celebration Kicks Off with NC and VA Governors in Attendance
September 10, 2010
Sept. 10-The 75 year Blue Ridge Parkway Celebration was kicked off at Cumberland Knob in NC with both NC Governor Bev Perdue and VA Gov. Bob McDonnell as speakers.
Approximately 500 people gathered with speakers including, present Parkway Supt. Phil Francis and two previous Parkway Supt. Also speakers included Sen. Kay Hagan and Sen Richard Burr from NC and Congressman Rick Boucher from the 9th District in VA.
Weather was perfect with a clear blue sky. Many local artisans and crafters gathered to show historic demonstrations.
Parkway rangers and volunteers were on hand to help everyone get to the celebration site.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is 469 miles in length and experiences approximately 20 million visitors per year.
The Parkway construction began in the depression era under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
It provided jobs to construction workers and gave a boost to the American economy at a critical time.
The Parkway extends from the Shanandoah National Park in VA to the Smoky Mountains in NC
