If I submit my event online, will it appear in the printed newspaper?
Our online and print calendars are connected: When you submit events to our online calendar (before deadline), it makes it possible for us to publish your event in the appropriate section of the newspaper, although please keep in mind that we can’t make any guarantees. If you submit too late for our print versions, your event will still appear online.
The events that you post to calendar.roanoke.com will go live immediately.
How much does it cost?
Nothing. All of our listings are free of charge.
If you haven’t already registered with roanoke.com, you’ll need to do that so you can submit events to our calendar. This will also enable you to edit the events you’ve already submitted if a change occurs.
I’d like to get the word out about my event as soon as possible. How far in advance will it get published in the newspaper?
Your event will appear in the online calendar as soon as you post it.
However, the majority of events only appear in the newspaper the week they happen. Very big events might run a week before they’re scheduled to occur in the “Coming Up” section of InsideOut, but there are no guarantees. Events added to those sections are determined by our calendar editor.
What about the big calendar pages that I’ve seen in Extra and InsideOut?
Inside Out, our Thursday arts-and-entertainment guide, publishes a planning page at the beginning of each month. Unfortunately, we can’t include every single event across the region in these publications. Generally, events that appeal to the broadest audience are chosen for these calendars, which are curated by our calendar editor.
Do I need to let someone know if my event’s information has changed?
In general, no. Just go ahead and update your event in the online calendar. We’ll take it from there.
But, there’s an exception: If a major detail about your event (location, date or time, for instance) changes after our print publication deadline (which is typically nine days before each calendar publishes), please let us know, so we can make sure that change is reflected in the newspaper. You can reach us at events@roanoke.com.
Where do calendar events publish, and what are the deadlines?
Events appear in various calendars throughout the newspaper. Some will be listed in multiple calendars. Your best bet, to increase your event’s chances of publication in the newspaper, is to submit your event ahead of deadline to follow the tips below.
What do those little pictures mean?
Those little pictures you see peppered around the calendar are tools to help you find what you’re looking for. Click on these buttons when you’re on the calendar’s homepage to see all of the events associated with that topic. Or, when you’re searching for events, keep an eye out for the icons, which will show up just under the event’s title, to see if the event is kid-friendly, free, an Editors’ Pick or intended for the 21-and-over crowd.
Want an event that’s geared toward the kiddoes? Keep an eye out for the Blue Man . You’ll see him in InsideOut and all over our online calendar. Click on this button on the calendar’s homepage to see all of our kid-friendly events. Or, when you’re searching for events, keep an eye out in the event description, just under the title, for the Blue Man icon. That’ll tell you in an instant that the event’s organizers intend for it to be kid-friendly.
What about free? Everyone digs free. We’ve got an icon for that, too. Keep an eye out for this button to see all the events that organizers aren’t charging admission for. And don’t forget to take a look at the “notes on cost” in the event description, in case there are any parking or other charges you ought to know about before you go.
Planning a girls’ night out, or just want to get away from the little ones for a while? Check out events marked with this button . It’ll point you toward all the events in the region intended for the 21-and-over crowd.
We’ve got some recommendations, too. If you want to skip straight to the region’s iconic events or just find out what we think you might enjoy checking out, click the Editors’ Pick button on the homepage of the calendar. We’ll point you right to our top picks for entertainment across the valleys.
First time’s the charm. Only submit an event once. Submitting your event multiple times will not increase its chances of being printed in the paper – and might result in an erroneous listing. If you run into a problem with your event after you’ve submitted it, edit the event online or contact us so we can help.
Be thorough. Fill out the submission form as thoroughly as possible. Your best bet for getting published and helping people find your event online is to be as accurate as possible, with event details, categories, subcategories and details.
Do you hold a lot of events? If you represent a venue – a bar, a museum, a restaurant, a theater, a gallery, etc. – that holds a lot of events, be sure to log in as that venue so you can create a profile for your business and quickly add new events as they are planned.
Is this a one-time deal? If you’re not a regular contributor to our calendar – or suspect that you might be adding events from time to time that are unrelated to each other or not tied to a specific place, be sure to log in here, so your event-submission is as easy and as quick as possible. Questions? Contact us.
LOL! Avoid using exclamation points or typing in all caps.
Simply the best? Don’t use descriptions that we won’t be able to use in the newspaper. (For instance: Superlatives. If we haven’t tasted your food, we won’t be able to say it’s delicious. If we haven’t been to the event, we won’t be able to say it’s the best in the Roanoke Valley.)
CALENDARS IN THE EXTRA SECTION
Inside Out
Our largest arts and entertainment calendar covering Southwest Virginia. Includes nightlife, concerts, festivals, dances, art exhibitions, foodie events, film screenings and family fun.
Publication day: Thursday
Deadline: Thursdays, one week before publication
Books & Talks
Lectures, book signings, author talks, book clubs and library events.
Publication day: Monday
Deadline: Mondays, one week before publication
Gardening
Horticulture workshops, gardening events, tours and more.
Publication day: Saturday
Deadline: Mondays, one week before publication
CALENDARS IN THE VIRGINIA SECTION
Travel
Day and overnight trips that are sponsored by government entities, registered nonprofit organizations, schools, churches and parks & recreation departments.(Questions? travel@roanoke.com )
Publication day: Saturday
Deadline: Mondays, one week before publication
Your Community, Reunions, Call for Entries
Our top picks of not-for-profit community events, meetings, classes and various family-friendly events in the Roanoke Valley.
Publication day: Sunday
Deadline: Fridays, one week before publication
SUNDAY BUSINESS SECTION
The Next 21 Days: Business events
Job fairs, technology, networking, management, and other public events of interest to businesspeople.
Publication day: Sunday
Deadline: Two weeks before the event is scheduled to happen
COMMUNITY PUBLICATIONS
The Botetourt View
Events throughout Botetourt County
Publication day: Friday
Deadline: Fridays, two weeks before publication
The Burgs: Arts & Entertainment
Arts, entertainment, nightlife, festivals, exhibitions and more in the New River Valley
Publication day: Thursdays
Deadline: Fridays, one weeks before publication
The Burgs: Community
Family fun, festivals, fundraisers, volunteer information, reunions and more in the New River Valley
Publication day: Sunday
Deadline: Fridays, one weeks before publication
Laker Weekly
Events around Smith Mountain Lake
Publication day: Friday
Deadline: Fridays, one weeks before publication
So Salem
Events in Salem, Glenvar and western Roanoke County
Publication day: Friday
Deadline: Fridays, two weeks before publication
SWoCo
Events in Southwest Roanoke County
Publication day: Friday
Deadline: Fridays, two weeks before publication
