Steppin' Out Revives Blacksburg's Economy | Roanoke News

Blacksburg’s Steppin’ Out festival just turned 45 and delivered a major economic boost after what many called the slowest summer in years—pulling in hundreds of vendors, music, food, and shoppers desperate for a late-summer splurge. For local businesses, it’s not just a party—it’s a lifeline, especially as students return to campus and shops gear up for fall. Out-of-town vendors say it consistently ranks among their top events, with locals showing strong buying power during this window. With Virginia Tech’s semester in full swing, there’s growing buzz about hosting a similar fall festival to tap into even bigger crowds—and Downtown Blacksburg Inc. is getting high marks for curating a stellar lineup, even weathering some rain. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/7102d604cb258873