Fries is Where the New River Trail Begins

Fries (pronounced "freeze") is an incorporated town located on the New River in Grayson County, Virginia. Fries was named after North Carolina cotton mill owner Colonel Francis Henry Fries.  Fries purchased the surrounding rural farmland then hired a local labor force to build a dam, a cotton mill and a full-service company owned town. Around 300 houses, a post office, a church and a company commissary were wedged into the surrounding hillside before the mill began operation in February 1903 — with "the most sophisticated technology in the world."

New River Trail State Park, a 57.7-mile rail trail and state park located entirely in southwest Virginia, extending from the trail's northeastern terminus in Pulaski to its southern terminus in Galax, with a 5.5-mile spur from Fries Junction on the main trail to Fries.

Although the entire Appalachian region is known for its Bluegrass and traditional, or "old-timey" music and musicians, the region is one of the few areas of the United States where this music has remained prominent, even among young people. The Old Fiddler's Convention, one of the most prominent traditional music contests in the United States, has been held annually in the nearby city of Galax since 1935. It has long attracted the best up-and-coming bluegrass musicians. The historic Fries Recreation Center is located in downtown Fries and routinely hosts these musicians for everyone to enjoy.

For much more information read the article and watch the video prepared by our good friends at Virginia Tech.