June 26, 2026: Hellbenders Night: Celebrating Southwest Virginia Wildlife

A man kneels over a tub of water holding a medium-sized reptile gently with both hands. He wears a baseball hat and is smiling widely and brightly. They are outside and it is a sunny day. There is a large tree with hanging greenery in the background. — Dr. Bill Hopkins cradles a hellbender. Photo by Clark DeHart for Virginia Tech.

June 26, 6:35 p.m., Salem Memorial Ballpark, 1008 Texas St, Salem, VA 24153

Buy your ticket for the inaugural “Hellbenders Night” at the Salem Ridgeyaks and support efforts to save threatened Hellbenders in Virginia and beyond!

Hellbenders are giant salamanders that are disappearing in Appalachia and they need your help! Half of proceeds purchased through this link will support Virginia’s Hellbender Headstart Program, a program that raises baby hellbenders and releases them back into the wild with the aim of saving populations of this amazing salamander from extinction.

Learn more about the program at Virginia Tech here.

More about “Hellbenders Night” – The Ridgeyaks are hosting the first “Hellbenders Night: Celebrating Southwest Virginia Wildlife” on Friday, June 26. Join for a fun, family-friendly spotlight on the amazing wildlife of Southwest Virginia, starring the hellbender - our giant native salamander - and featuring activities and surprises that bring our region's wild side to life. Cheer on the RidgeYaks and help support local conservation work that protects our rivers and unique wildlife. Come help the hellbenders!

Myrtle Beach Pelicans vs. Salem RidgeYaks