Martinsville: local rooms, events and more

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Town and around · Virginia · 63k people

Martinsville

“The 'Ville”

Racing heart, Piedmont soul

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Welcome to Martinsville, where the roar of engines meets the calm of the lake. Whether you're here for a race, a bite of barbecue, or a float down the Smith River, you'll find a friendly, down-to-earth community. Make yourself at home and enjoy the slow pace and big skies.

Clubs for Martinsville

No clubs for Martinsville yet.

The room

Martinsville Quiet now Racing heart, Piedmont soul

One room for everyone around Martinsville. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

Coming up

No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.

Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Martinsville. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

Martinsville Speedway NASCAR's oldest track, hosts two Cup races a year.
Philpott Lake Army Corps of Engineers lake with camping, fishing, and boating.
Smith River Flows through town, popular for tubing and fishing.
Virginia Museum of Natural History Exhibits on Virginia's natural history, from dinosaurs to local wildlife.
Piedmont Arts Community art center with rotating exhibits and classes.
Martinsville Historic District Downtown with early 20th-century architecture and local shops.

Outdoors Boating and fishing at Philpott Lake
Outdoors Tubing or kayaking on the Smith River
With kids Visit the Virginia Museum of Natural History
With kids Explore the Martinsville Historic District
Evenings Catch a race under the lights at Martinsville Speedway
Evenings See a show at the Star Theatre
Locals love Stock car racing tracks
Locals love Barbecue joints

Through the year

NASCAR Cup Series races at Martinsville Speedway Spring and Fall Two race weekends a year, spring and fall, drawing big crowds.
Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival May Multi-day music and arts festival in nearby Axton, a regional favorite.
Martinsville Mustangs home games Summer Collegiate summer baseball at Hooker Field, a family-friendly night out.
Downtown Martinsville First Fridays Monthly Monthly evening gatherings with local shops, live music, and community vibes.
Martinsville Christmas Parade December Holiday parade through downtown, a local tradition.

Humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. Best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for outdoor activities and race weekends.

Talk like a local

“The 'Ville”: Local nickname for Martinsville.
“The Speedway”: Martinsville Speedway.
“The lake”: Philpott Lake.
“The river”: Smith River.

Getaways

Roanoke, VA Blue Ridge Parkway access, downtown market, and the Taubman Museum.
Mount Airy, NC Mayberry-inspired downtown, local music, and old-timey charm.
Greensboro, NC Science center, shopping, and a lively food scene.
Winston-Salem, NC Old Salem historic district, arts, and craft breweries.

Local flavour

Teams

Martinsville Mustangs Coastal Plain League

Also rooting for Virginia Tech Hokies, UNC Tar Heels

Eat and drink

Brunswick stew A thick stew of meats and vegetables, a Virginia classic
Country ham biscuits Salty, cured ham on a biscuit, a Southern staple
Sweet tea The quintessential Southern drink
Virginia barbecue Pulled pork with a vinegar-based sauce

Where people go

Stock car racing tracks Martinsville Speedway is the iconic paperclip-shaped track
Barbecue joints Smoky, casual eateries serving pulled pork and ribs
Country stores Old-fashioned general stores with local goods
Lakes and rivers Philpott Lake and Smith River offer recreation and scenery
Historic textile mills Reminders of the furniture and textile industry past

Heritage and traditions

Martinsville is proud of its deep roots in stock car racing, its strong textile and furniture heritage, and its warm Southern hospitality.

This time of year in Martinsville

NASCAR race weekends Spring and Fall Spring and fall bring thousands of fans to Martinsville Speedway.
Hot Dog Festival Fall An autumn celebration of the local hot dog.
Martinsville Hot Dog Festival Fall Celebrates the local hot dog with chili and slaw, featuring vendors and contests.

Say it like a local: “a smidge” — A small amount, or a little bit.

Festivals

Martinsville Hot Dog Festival Fall Celebrates the local hot dog with chili and slaw, featuring vendors and contests.
Henry County Fair Summer Traditional county fair with livestock, rides, and local food.

Landmarks with a story

Bassett Historical Center A museum and research library dedicated to the history of Bassett and the surrounding furniture industry.
Fieldale Historic District A well-preserved early 20th-century textile mill village with worker housing and community buildings.

Food traditions

Martinsville Hot Dog A steamed hot dog topped with chili and coleslaw, a local obsession often served at race events and family gatherings.
Virginia Peanuts Boiled or roasted peanuts are a common snack, especially at races and tailgates.
Brunswick Stew While already mentioned, locals often argue over the perfect recipe, with each family having its own variation.
Country Ham Biscuits A Southern staple, often served at church suppers and community events.

Music and arts

Bluegrass and old-time music Local jam sessions and small venues keep traditional Appalachian music alive.

A little history

1951 Martinsville Seven case
1902 Bassett Furniture founded
1947 Martinsville Speedway opened
1920s-1960s Textile industry boom

Rivalries

Virginia Tech Hokies vs. UNC Tar Heels Friendly college football and basketball rivalries among locals.

Game day NASCAR at Martinsville Speedway
Game day High school football
Outdoors Fishing at Philpott Lake
Outdoors Tubing on the Smith River
With kids Martinsville Hot Dog Festival
With kids Bassett Historical Center

Locals speak with a Southern accent, often with a relaxed drawl. Common features include the use of 'y'all' and phrases like 'fixin' to' (about to) and 'a smidge' (a little bit). Some older residents may use 'pop' for soft drinks, a term more common in the Midwest but present here due to migration.

Only here

The Martinsville Hot Dog – a chili-slaw dog that's a local culinary icon.
Martinsville Speedway is the oldest NASCAR track still running, hosting races since 1947.
The 'short track' racing culture – fans are fiercely loyal and tailgate like nowhere else.
Bassett Furniture's legacy – the town of Bassett was built around the company.

New here? A few tips

Try a Martinsville Hot Dog with chili and slaw – it's a local rite of passage.
Be prepared for hot, humid summers and mild winters; spring and fall are ideal for outdoor activities.
Learn to love the sound of race cars – Martinsville Speedway hosts two big NASCAR weekends each year.
Traffic is light, but the downtown area can get busy during events like First Fridays.
Don't be surprised if strangers wave or strike up a conversation – friendliness is the norm.

Make this page better

Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.

Nearby

Every area

DanvilleVirginiaWhere the Dan River hums with history.Caswell CountyNorth CarolinaSlow roads, big skies, and a warm welcome.RoanokeVirginiaWhere the mountains meet the star Mount AiryNorth CarolinaWhere Mayberry lives on, with a touch of granite.GreensboroNorth CarolinaCrossroads of the Piedmont, rich in history and flavor Winston-SalemNorth CarolinaWhere history and innovation share a sweet tooth.Blacksburg–ChristiansburgVirginiaWhere the mountains meet the Hokie spirit.BurlingtonNorth CarolinaWhere the Haw River winds through mill-town history.

Martinsville, VA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.