Family events in Hillsville, VA

Now in its 11th year, this chili shootout invites cooks to prepare their recipes on site while tasters sample and help choose the winners. Admission is $5 and includes a wristband for sampling and a ballot for voting. Beyond the tastings, the day features bull riding, music, and a variety of fun activities for all. Registration is available for those wishing to compete in the chili or salsa contests.

At the Andy Griffith Playhouse, Mayberry Melodies spotlights the music woven through The Andy Griffith Show. Expect familiar favorites alongside rarely heard treasures, with stories that reveal how songs were chosen for the series and even the surprise that the famous theme has lyrics. Across eight seasons the show featured 117 songs, and this concert explores their legacy in a lively, narrative-driven format. A band of seasoned pickers and singers with worldwide experience brings these tunes to the stage, from melodies that were picked and sung to those that were whistled or hummed. Tickets are $30 or $25.

Settle in for an outdoor movie night in Hillsville as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial lights up the screen. Presented by the Town of Hillsville, this family-friendly screening takes place at the Hillsville VFW and features Steven Spielberg’s beloved tale starring Henry Thomas and Drew Barrymore about a boy who befriends a stranded visitor from the stars and helps him find his way home. Admission is free. Purple Moon Cafe and Up & Down Cafe will be on site with treats, and fresh popcorn will be available. Bring a canned food donation to receive complimentary popcorn as a thank you for supporting the community. Pack lawn chairs or blankets for comfortable seating. All ages are welcome.

Designed for children ages 2 and 3, this storytime features stories, songs, and crafts.

A welcoming storytime created for the very youngest readers, designed for babies and toddlers from birth through 24 months. Little ones and their caregivers can enjoy read-alouds, interactive action rhymes, simple crafts, songs, and playful activities that nurture early learning. It also offers a relaxed opportunity for babies and parents to connect and socialize.

This preschooler storytime at Mount Airy Public Library is for children ages 4 and 5 and includes storytelling, music, and simple craft activities.