On Sept. 9, you can once again take a step back in time to the tune of a free sock hop at Tanglewood Mall (held at the end of the mall near JC Penney) from 1 to 5 p.m. Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism, Richfield Retirement and Generation Solutions will transport grandparents and their families back to the 1950s and 1960s with our third-annual Grandparent’s Day celebration. Enjoy the music of that era provided by the “40 Years After” band and contests galore. New for this year is a very special performance by the Salem Senior Center Line Dancers. Be sure to make the day complete with a complimentary hot dog and a root beer float.

Whether you’re a Hula Hoop expert, an accomplished Twister, or a Jitterbug genius, everyone will find a contest to enter during the sock hop. Don’t forget to arrive in your poodle skirt or favorite leather jacket and have a chance to win our Most Authentic Sock Hop Outfit contest or come dressed a-like to enter our Most Authentic Twosome contest.

Bring your camera, your family and your fond memories as you embark on this journey to a simpler time. This Grandparent’s Day event is designed for family members of all ages but especially for grandparents who wish to share the richness of their lives with their grandchildren and to grow together as a family!

A hardworking and dedicated committee will be lending their support to this free event so we can promise you a day filled with beautiful and lasting memories. All activities are free thanks to the sponsorship of Generation Solutions, Richfield Retirement, and Roanoke County’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. Root beer floats compliments of United Healthcare. Special thanks to our media sponsor WDBJ7. For more information, call the Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism Live, Learn and Play Line at (540) 772-7529 or visit www.RoanokeCountyParks.com.

– Submitted by Wendi Schultz