Montgomery County, Virginia will be featured in an upcoming episode of “Beyond Your Backyard,” a new PBS travel series that explores and promotes regional on-and off-the beaten path eateries, attractions and other activities favored by locals in numerous destinations, encouraging travel enthusiasts to explore what’s happening within a few hours’ drive of their own backyards.
Montgomery County will be featured in the Southwest Virginia focus.
The show is produced and hosted by seasoned travel personality Erik Hastings, also known as Erik the Travel Guy.
“I want people to realize that their backyard is bigger, closer and more diverse than they think,” said Hastings. “Our goal is to inspire residents of neighboring communities to explore each other, thereby driving economic growth through regional tourism.”
The episode will take viewers to locations around the county including Blacksburg, Christiansburg and other spots frequented by both visitors and locals.
“We, along with our local partners, are excited to share our beautiful mountain community with PBS viewers through the lens of Erik the Travel Guy,” said Lisa Bleakley, Tourism Director of Montgomery County VA Regional Tourism. “Visitors will find our farm-to- town environment uniquely well-suited for a refreshing escape from the routine. “
Principal location filming began on October 23, 2017 and wrapped up on October 25, 2017.
The 30-minute show, “Beyond Your Backyard” will debut in the spring of 2018 on Blue Ridge PBS and other PBS stations in the Mid-Atlantic region. Airing weekly at 7 p.m. and available to all PBS members nation-wide, will be hosted by travel personality Erik Hastings
“The cooperation from the local tourism officials and their members and partners has been amazing. Hearing and seeing their ‘destination pride’ is one of my favorite parts about producing this show” said Hastings.
Each of the 13 episodes in the first season will focus on one geographic area. Highlights to look for include an educational component, a how-to activity and a culinary segment. The show will pull back the curtain with unfettered access to little known secrets of each place we visit.
Beyond Your Backyard is being produced by Erik Hastings LLC, Sophos Studios and Watson Visuals. Supplemental video content, behind the scenes footage and outtakes will all be featured on http://www.erikthetravelguy.com. The show is anchored at Blue Ridge PBS in Roanoke. For more information, contact Cathy Henderson Director of Public Relations for “Erik The Travel Guy” at 646-854-8490 or Cathy@Erikthetravelguy.com
