This year’s theme is “Rock Your Park!” NRPA and its grassroots initiative, America’s Backyard, encourage Americans to show the country how parks and recreation make life extraordinary! NRPA will support park and recreation agencies and citizens as they plan special events and initiatives that remind local decision makers and the community of the exciting and vital role that parks and recreation play in the lives of Americans.

This year is particularly motivating as there are five weekends in July, giving citizens a record number of opportunities to get out to their local parks and recreation areas and get active. NRPA, in coordination with park and recreation agencies nationwide, is inspiring people to create a healthy weekend habit by getting out to a park, trail, playground, swimming pool, natural area or other public space every weekend this July. To make a personal commitment to get outdoors, citizens can sign the Five in July Park Pledge.

“According to recent studies, about one-third of Americans struggle with inactivity, obesity and associated health challenges,” said NRPA CEO Barbara Tulipane. “Now is time for change. Through Park and Recreation Month, we’re encouraging Americans to get out, get active and get healthy. By signing our Five in July Park Pledge, citizens can become a real part of the movement toward wellness.”

Park and recreation agencies are at the forefront in the fight against obesity and in the campaign for health and wellness; however, their services and programs are dangerously at risk due to budget cuts. National Park and Recreation Month is just one way citizens can develop healthy habits and get out locally to show their support of this vital resource.

To spread the word and demonstrate the power of parks and recreation, NRPA is hosting a national “Rock Your Park” Flash Mob Contest. Citizens are encouraged to put together a group of people and show the power of parks together in Flash Mob form. Also, NRPA is hosting its second annual July Social Media Project. Individuals are encouraged to take photos with the official “Rock Your Park” social media sign and post them on their favorite social media sites.

Through efforts by NRPA, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an official resolution for Park and Recreation Month in 2009. The association supports the national park and recreation community and the general public by advocating for federal support for park and recreation programs and legislation.

As a President’s Challenge Advocate, NRPA is also pleased to promote the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award program in support of the Let’s Move initiative. For those looking to extend their physical activity commitment, the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award, or “PALA,” can be earned by taking part in 60 minutes of physical activity for kids (30 minutes for adults), five days a week for six weeks. For additional information, please visit www.millionpalachallenge.org.

And what giveaway would be complete without the official “Parkway Guide Kit” donated by the Virtual Blue Ridge Bookstore.

Your chance to win this amazing prize package worth over $700 is just a click away! ENTER NOW

Find more details plus those pesky rules and regs at http://www.virtualblueridge.com/giveaway.

If you’d like to promote our giveaway on your website or blog, you can grab code for banner images here:
http://www.virtualblueridge.com/giveaway/banners-for-sponsors.html

The Virtual Blue Ridge Bookstore got involved by donating an official “Parkway Guide Kit” to help Katie prepare for her amazing trip. This kit included the popular book Guide to the Blue Ridge Parkway by Victoria Louge, a laminted Parkway map and a Virtual Blue Ridge CD-ROM.

Thanks to everyone who entered! Keep your eyes peeled for more chances to win, our next giveaway will be announced within the month! Giveaway information is posted at www.virtualblueridge.com/giveaway.

Don’t miss your chance to win a relaxing retreat to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Retail Value up to :: $1,473.87

The lucky winner will receive:

* Two Nights Cabin Rental from Blue Ridge Vacation Cabins
* A Half-Day Fly Fishing Trip for 2 from Foscoe Fishing Company
* Dinner for Two at Joe’s Italian Kitchen
* Two 2-day Go Blue Ridge Card Vacation Attraction Passes
* A complete “Parkway Guide Kit” courtesy of the Virtual Blue Ridge Bookstore

This sweepstakes will last from Monday, October 12, 2009 to Friday, November 27th, 2009 at 11:59:59 PM ET. Drawing will be held on Friday, December 04, 2009 and winner will be announced by email. No purchase is necessary. Void where prohibited.

Visit Virtual Blue Ridge today for your chance to win. Refer your friends and receive bonus entries!

The total prize package is valued at over $900 and includes:

2 Nights Lodging at one of Paradise Valley Estates’ Luxury Log Cabins

• A Unique Horseback Riding Adventure for 2 from Dutch Creek Trails
• Dinner and Dessert for 2 at Valle Café Restaurant
• Two 2-day Go Blue Ridge Card Vacation Attraction Passes
• A complete “Parkway Guide Kit” courtesy of the Virtual Blue Ridge Bookstore

Visit Virtual Blue Ridge today for your chance to win. Refer your friends and receive bonus entries!

Check out our partner giveaway to win more cool prizes!

Virtual Blue Ridge’s latest giveaway has started and we’re sure you are going to love this fun-filled package! Valued at over $870.00, this vacation giveaway includes:

• Two Nights Lodging at the Lazy Bear Lodge, one of Valle Crucis’ finest bed and breakfasts (dates of stay based on availability)
• A Half-Day Fly Fishing Trip for 2 from Foscoe Fishing Company
• Dinner for Two at Joe’s Italian Kitchen
• Two 2-day Go Blue Ridge Card Vacation Attraction Passes
• A complete “Parkway Guide Kit” courtesy of the Virtual Blue Ridge Bookstore

Visit Virtual Blue Ridge for your chance to win this incredible prize. Don’t forget to refer a friend for bonus entries!

You should check out our Partner Giveaway, too!

Virtual Blue Ridge is hosting another fun-filled vacation giveaway this summer, and this time, we are helping the lucky winner get here with a $100 gas card. The 2008 Parkway Fishing Vacation Giveaway is sure to get all the couch potatoes out of the house and into the great outdoors, even if it’s just for a weekend.

Starting July 15th, people can visit VirtualBlueRidge.com and register for their chance to win. Thanks to our partners Foscoe Fishing Company, Alpen Acres, and the Virtual Blue Ridge Bookstore, VBR is able to offer an incredible vacation package valued at $886.87!

With soaring gas prices a lot of people are cutting back on their vacations. So this may be just the thing for people looking for a great summer vacation. What better deal is there than free? And, now you won’t have to worry about filling up your gas tank to get here if you win. So warm up your mouse-clicking finger and get over to VirtualBlueRidge.com before the August 31st deadline for your chance to win!

Enter Now!

Jennifer will receive a 2-night stay at Alpen Acres’ Mountain Chalet as well as two 2-day Go Blue Ridge Card Vacation Attraction Passes for a wonderful weekend in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

We had over 1400 entries for this giveaway, with growing interest in future opportunities. Please stay tuned by visiting here often, or you can sign up for the Virtual Blue Ridge Newsletter.

Congratulations once again Jennifer!

Don’t want to miss the news? Sign up for our eNewsletter!

In addition to offering this great prize, you can also share the information with a friend and gain a bonus entry if that person enters the giveaway! The deadline is April 30, 2008 at 11:50 PM ET, so be sure to enter while you  can!

Almost 3,000 sun seekers entered the contest, but only one can win the grand prize. We will be announcing the contest winner within 5 business days on the Contest Winner page of the Virtual Blue Ridge website.

Remember, Virtual Blue Ridge will be having more giveaways soon, so stay in touch, or sign up for our free newsletter to keep up-to-date with the latest goings on for the best Blue Ridge Parkway Guide around.

Cheers to a much anticipated spring and we hope to see you on our site and on the curves and dips of the Blue Ridge Parkway!

Happy Travels!