Events

Community Appreciation BBQ

April 25, 2026 | 9 am - 1 pm | 1301 Pierce St., LYH

In recognition of National Volunteer Appreciation Month, Pierce Street Gateway will host the 5th Annual Community Appreciation BBQ. This event is dedicated to honoring the countless volunteers and supporters who contribute their time and effort to strengthen our community. The day will be filled with delicious food, fun activities, and heartfelt gratitude, celebrating the spirit of volunteerism that makes Pierce Street a great place to live and thrive. 

Pierce Street Gateway will be partnering with SATTVA Yoga Center to provide wellness experiences to the celebration, including an African Drum Circle, massages, Tai Chi, yoga, and more. 

Pierce Street Gateway thanks Centra for their thoughtful sponsorship and is grateful to Liberty University for LU Serves participation as volunteers. 

The event is free and open to the public.

Pierce Street Gateway Farmers Market

First Thursdays | May - October | 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm | 1301 Pierce St., LYH

In 2025, Pierce Street Gateway launched Pierce Street Farmers Market, taking place on the first Thursday of each month from May through October. This vibrant market aims to support local farmers, artisans, and small businesses while providing fresh produce to our community at prices that are lower than the Lynchburg grocery store average.

The market emphasizes entrepreneurship, specifically by creating opportunities to engage with school-aged children. This initiative aims to teach essential skills such as critical thinking, financial literacy, and problem-solving. By providing hands-on experiences and interactive learning, the program prepares children for future success, empowering them to utilize these skills in their personal and professional lives. Our focus on youth entrepreneurship not only fosters creativity and innovation but also encourages children to take initiative and become proactive contributors to their communities.

The market runs from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm on the first Thursday of each month, May through October, offering an ideal outing for families, friends, and neighbors. In addition to fresh, local produce and handcrafted goods, there are family-friendly activities and live music, making it a perfect destination for a fun and enjoyable evening.

Pierce Street Gateway board member, Dr. Gerard Sherayko, will be leading tours of the Pierce Street Renaissance Historic District at each occurrence. The market not only supports local agriculture but also cultivates community connections, encourages healthy, sustainable living, and highlights the history of an important part of Lynchburg. 

Pierce Street Gateway thanks The Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation for its gracious sponsorship. These markets accept SNAP, are open to the public, and there is no entry fee. 

Party on Pierce

Saturday, September 19, 2026| 1301 Pierce St., LYH

The 3rd Annual Party on Pierce will be an incredible event that celebrates the rich history and diverse culture of Pierce Street with a variety of music, historical tours, and engaging activities for all ages. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the heritage of the Pierce Street Renaissance Historic District while enjoying live performances and interactive displays that highlight our local legacy. Pierce Street Gateway will again partner with the Whirlwind Johnson Foundation and is thankful for their continued collaboration. This event is free and open to the public. 

“The Whirlwind Johnson Foundation is excited to partner with the Pierce Street Gateway for the 3rd Annual Party on Pierce.  This event brings together people from Lynchburg and other communities to celebrate the significant history of the accomplished African Americans who resided on Pierce Street and enjoy a day of camaraderie, history, music, dance, and activities.” -Jolynn J Smith, MA, RACR - The Whirlwind Johnson Foundation (https://whirlwindjohnson.org/)

Interested in becoming a vendor or volunteering? Send us an email! info@psglyh.org

Sustainable Experiences

Available upon request:

Experiences

Plant a seed

Each individual participant plants a seed from a variety of choices in a ceramic or plastic pot to take home in a greenhouse ($3-5 per person)

Paint a pot

Paint a ceramic pot with a wide variety of color options and use colored paint pens to draw or write affirmations! ($5 per person)

Paint & Plant

Paint a ceramic pot and plant a seed of your choice, wrapped to go in a greenhouse bag. Save $2 by combining experiences! ($8 per person)

Seeds, soil, pots, greenhouse kits and plant tags are provided.

Garden Trips

Visit Pierce Street

Bring a group out to Pierce Street Gateway to experience the deep history that exists all around us. Perfect for all ages and groups of 25 or less. Add activities to your trip depending on what you hope to accomplish with your group.

Service Trips

Come spend time in the Pierce Street Community Garden and immediate neighborhood either during our regular service sessions or schedule your group for a private service trip!

Service Projects

Partner with us to accomplish great things for Lynchburg! We are always looking for passionate individuals or groups to collaborate with! If you need to complete a service project, let us talk about how we are working to keep the garden sustainable.

Activities

Garden Basics

Join in on a day of weeding, pruning, planting, harvesting, composting, distributing, etc. Basic gardening principles covered. All tools provided.

Adopt-A-Spot Service

Participate in our Adopt-A-Spot beautification contract by street trash and debris clean up.

Pierce Street Renaissance Historic District Guided Tours

Take Pierce Street Gateway’s guided tour of the neighborhood and learn about all 8 historical markers!

Poetry Corner

Be guided through timeless verse and reflect upon your surroundings in a session that is led by Dr. Nina Salmon on a reserved basis.

Packages

Young Green Leaders

Let us take our experiences and activities to your school-aged youth! Perfect for class-sized groups, we can tailor the experiences and activities to your needs and budget.

Vendor Packages

We would love to take our Plant a Seed experience, Paint and Plant experience, or whatever you have in mind to your next festival, fundraiser, or event! We are able to provide our own tables, chairs, and tent. Contact us to collaborate!