Waynesboro | Blue Ridge Children’s Museum announces grand opening date

The Blue Ridge Children’s Museum will open its doors to the public in just over two months, on Nov. 22, in Waynesboro.

Museum Founder Karen Orlando said the grand opening of BRCM will coincide with its annual signature event, a Lantern Walk.

“We are working nonstop getting the building ready for the grand opening at the Lantern Walk Festival on November 22,” Orlando told AFP. “This celebration of light is going to be the culminating event of years of hard work.”

Every dollar raised through the annual Lantern Walk and other programming has been spent renovating the 201 Short Street location.

The HVAC has been installed and interior framing is almost done.

There are still items to wrap up before the doors open: a bathroom build, drywall finishing and painting among them.

Front awnings will also be installed with funding from a Waynesboro Economic Development Authority facade grant.

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ICYMI

• Waynesboro: Blue Ridge Children’s Museum pushes opening back until fall
• Blue Ridge Children’s Museum has eyes on July 1 for certificate of occupancy
• Waynesboro: Children’s museum hoping to open indoor exhibit space by summer

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When the doors open, the indoor activity center will have:

• Art center for creating
• Space for classes and activities to be held
• Sensory play area with giant sandbox to explore
• Rotating build exhibit (magnetiles, Legos and more)
• Rotating sample exhibits of what will eventually be permanent exhibits
• Camping exhibit
• Open space for indoor group classes such as toddler time, family yoga and more

While the museum waits for the finishing touches inside to be completed, they will offer an assortment of fall programming outdoors beginning Sept. 28.

“This is the beginning of so many good things to come for our families of young children in our community,” Orlando said.

Donations for the building fund are still needed.

For more information on the museum or programming, visit blueridgechildrensmuseum.org or email [email protected]

BRCM: Upcoming events

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Rock Play, Sept. 28, 3-5 p.m.

• “Rock and Roll: Rock Play Their Way” program with FeatherFin Family Services, playdate with rocks, recommended for ages 2 to 8, but all ages welcome. Free, drop in programming

Wizards Scouts, Saturdays in October, 10-11 a.m.

• Awake your inner wizard with wand making with natural materials, foraging for ink ingredients, paper making and nature-made potions. Registration for the four-week program of Wizard Scouts is $60 for one child; $100 for two children, for ages 5-9.

Little Explorers, Tuesdays in October, 10-11 a.m.

• Little Explorers Time, recommended for ages up to 5. Pay what you will. Suggested donation is $5 per child. Rain or shine.

Nov. 22: Annual Lantern Walk Festival and BRCM grand opening, 2:30-6:30 p.m.

• Lantern Walk Festival and grand opening with activities, crafts, music, storytelling, s’mores and more. Walk begins at 5:30 p.m.