The Blue Ridge Mountains stretch 615 miles long. Along that trail, sits the Village of Ferrum with 9.2 square miles of land and less than 2,500 residents.
But although the Village may be small, the community is strong and tight knit.
Residents of Ferrum want students from the College to be factor in what goes on in the community.
Local establishments like the 77 Restaurant and Poobie’s Kwik Stop say they miss seeing college students eating in town regularly.
Beauty services such as Gracefully Rooted and Corner Salon & Tanning want students to help drive business up.
Kat’s Hidden Treasures is a local business where shoppers can find a variety of collectables and vintage items.
Above all, the Ferrum Forward group wants to get students from the College out in the community with different events but isn’t quite sure what would attract them off campus.
Along with Ferrum Forward is Friends of Ferrum Park who is bringing a park to the Village.
In this process, the non-profit has run a number of fundraisers to which they would love to see students attend.
Past events Friends of Ferrum Park has sponsored include an All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast, the Ferrum Flea Market, Trick-or-Treat Trail, and Haunted Trail.
Ferrum Forward runs a Farm & Craft Market every Thursday from 3-7 p.m., with the Nov. 7 market being the final one of the year.
On Nov. 16 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. is the Holiday Craft Bazaar with all kinds of food, jewelry, home goods, gifts, and more.
All of these events are intended to attract the student body on campus, as well as get them out to local businesses in the Village.
On-campus events such as DJ parties, bingo nights, the annual Folk Life Festival and sporting events draw crowds of students.
Is it the convenience of these events being on campus? Is it because there isn’t an entry fee?
Students have expressed their thoughts and want activities to be directed towards the outdoors, and events that the student body can enjoy together.
Suggested events was a fair, lake day, skeet shooting, hiking, roller-skating, and a movie night to name a few.
Ferrum Forward wants to hear from students on what they can do better, not only for the community, but for off-campus events that students would want to be a part of.
The college is a driving force in the economy of Ferrum.
Local businesses and non-profit organizations want the younger generation to feel welcomed and a part of a community they call home.
