Here’s a round-up of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.

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Bristol event to mark premiere of docudrama on the Bristol Sessions

In celebration of the 95th anniversary of the 1927 Bristol Sessions, the public is invited to attend the world premiere of “Born in Bristol” at 8 p.m. July 30. The 1920s-themed, outdoor watch party will be held at the Downtown Center (810 State St.) in Bristol. Festivities kick off with live music by Northfork. The watch party will synchronize at 10 p.m. with Circle Network’s global premiere. The Bristol Sessions are often regarded as “the big bang” of American country music; they marked the commercial debut of Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family.

“Born in Bristol,” produced by Tennessee Tourism and Plan A Films, is a 53-minute docudrama profiling the 2015 recording of the “Orthophonic Joy: The 1927 Bristol Sessions Revisited” album project. “Orthophonic Joy” was produced in partnership with Tennessee Tourism and the Virginia Tourism Corporation. The film features interviews with artists including Ashley Campbell, Ashley Monroe, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Eric Church, Marty Stuart, Shannon Campbell, Sheryl Crow, Steve Earle and Vince Gill, as well as Grammy-winning producer Carl Jackson. Cinematic reenactments were shot in several locations in historic downtown Bristol.

“Born in Bristol” will premiere globally at 10 p.m. July 30 on Circle Network and repeats throughout August. It will also debut on connected devices worldwide on DittyTV at 8 p.m. July 30 with repeats in August.

The event is free, but the public is asked to RSVP online through the events page at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org. Attendees are encouraged to dress in the period of the Roaring ’20s. Movie concessions and adult beverages will be available for purchase; alcohol will be sold to patrons 21 and over with valid photo ID.

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Hog Camp Road in Amherst County to close Tuesday

 The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests are replacing a culvert on Forest Service Road (FSR) #48, known as Hog Camp Road, in Amherst County. The road will be closed one day only, Tuesday, July 26.

The closure will occur on the south end of the road – near the intersection with State Route 755. This is the main route to Mount Pleasant National Scenic Area, including the Appalachian Trail, and numerous other trails.

Visitors can still access Mount Pleasant National Scenic Area via the north end of FSR #48. 

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FAA awards grant for Lonesome Pine Airport

The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded $4,208,173 for Lonesome Pine Airport in Wise County for the rehabilitation of a runway, according to a release from U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, both D-Virginia.

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Lebanon gets grant for new police car

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development awarded a loan of $34,000 and a grant of $50,000, a total of $84,000, to the Town of Lebanon to purchase a new, equipped police vehicle, according to a release from Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem.

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ARC gives grant to Henry County

The Appalachian Regional Commission has awarded $1.2 million to Henry County for the Reservoir Road improvements project to enhance access to the Commonwealth Crossing Business Centre, according to a release from Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem.

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Mary Draper Ingles Festival will take place July 29-21 in Radford

The Mary Draper Ingles Festival, commemorating the capture, escape and grueling return journey of one of Virginia’s most famous colonial heroines, will take place July 29-31 in Radford and surrounding communities. 

This year’s festival features colonial period reenactors, old-time crafts and skills, an art exhibit inspired by Ingles and many children’s activities, including a petting zoo, at Glencoe Mansion, Museum & Gallery. The historic Ingles Farm, which showcases a replica of Mary’s cabin, will be open for tours and talks by interpreters. Long Way Brewing, a craft beer company whose name is a take on the frontierswoman’s journey, will also feature live music, food trucks, a children’s play zone and a living history performance by West Virginia actress Karen Vuranch.

Friday evening kicks off with the dedication of the Mary Draper Ingles Cultural Heritage Park that now includes native plant species, a bronze statue of Ingles and a train observatory designed and built by Virginia Tech students and faculty. James Alexander Thom, author of the national bestseller “Follow the River,” is expected to sign books during the event. Long Way Brewing will kick off its celebration with the reintroduction of a craft beer named in honor of Ingles, music and food.

The festival is coordinated by Glencoe Mansion, Museum & Gallery and is made possible in part by a grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation. For an event schedule, go to www.glencoemansion.org or phone 540-731-5031. For more information about the history of Mary Draper Ingles, visit www.marydraperingles.com.