Calendar of Events For The Shenandoah Valley

OCTOBER 2009

October 1-4–Gainesboro. The annual National Skirmish Competition will be held at Fort Shenandoah. The event is one of the largest Civil War live-fire matches with original or authentic weapons. 248-258-9007.

October 1-31–New Market. New Market Battlefield State Historical Park events: Sewing Circle on the 1st; Foodways on the Farm on the 15th; Spirits of New Market Tours on the 31st. 540-740-3101.

October 1-31–New Market. Walking Tours sponsored by the Apple Blossom Inn. Tours will be highlighting the colonial times to the present with a costumed historian daily at 10:30 a.m. except Sunday and Monday. Hear eyewitness accounts, folklore, and music of the Shen-andoah Valley. 540-740-3747.

October 2-3–Front Royal. “Valley Smokin’ BBQ”, at the Warren County Fairgrounds. Teams from all over the country try to compete for the title of the best BBQ. 540-635-5788.

October 2-3–Harrisonburg. The Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale and Auction will be held at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds. Featuring a wide variety of food, plants, hand crafted items, furniture and more. Also a red 1973 MGB Convertible is up for auction. 540-564-3400 or 540- 433-9319.

October 2-4–Waynesboro. 28th annual British Car Club Festival. Come out among the massive oaks of Ridgeview Park for a chance to see many exciting British cars, car related vendors, and the people who love them. Also food and refreshments. 540-456-8436.

October 2-4–Berryville. The world famous “Lipizzaner Stallions” will be performing at the Clarke County Ruritan Fairgrounds, 890 West Main Street. Admission fee. 540-955-3755.

October 2-31–Luray. Dark Wood Manner “Haunted House”, 104 N. Hawksbill Street, every weekend. Due to the scary nature it is not recommended for children under the age of 10. Admission fee. www.darkwoodmanor.net or 540-743-2408.

October 3–Strasburg. Annual Octoberfest downtown. Music, food, entertainment, kids activities, business exhibits. 540-465-3187.

October 3–Dayton. 30th Annual Autumn Celebration. Over 200 arts/crafts exhibitors, food, children’s activities, and lots more. This event is held at various locations, including the Farmer’s Market and Silver Lake Mill. 540-432-89935.

October 3-4–Swoope. Valley AeroSpace Team “Rocket Launch” at Livick Road. Rockets ranging from a few inches to over 10 feet tall will be launched from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Bring a chair, food, etc. Free admission.

October 3-4–Front Royal. Conservation Festival at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo Conservation and Research Center, 1500 Remont Road. Food, tours, and kids activities. This is the only opportunity to visit the normally closed campus. 540-635-6540 or www.nationalzoo.si.edu.

October 3-4–Waynesboro. Apple Days Craft Show at Willow Oak Plaza. Apple butter making, entertainment, with more than 100 craft participants from all over the United States. 540-942-6644.

October 3-25–Deleplane. Farm Festival at Sky Meadows State Park, every Saturday and Sunday. Each weekend of the fall festival has a different theme. 540-592-3556 or www.dcr.virginia.gov.

October 3-31–Fishersville. Augusta Expoland events: Brawley Fights on the 3rd; Shenandoah Antique Expo on the 10th-11th; Kids Fun Night on the 31st. 540-337-2552.

October 3-31–Staunton. Frontier Culture Museum events: “Oktoberfest” on the 3rd; Creepy Tales Tour on the 29th-31st. 540-332-7850.

October 3-31–New Market. Haunted Cave event on the weekends at Endless Caverns. 1-800-544-2293.

October 3-31–Staunton. Historic Staunton Foundation volunteers will be leading a free walking tour of historic downtown every Saturday at 10 a.m. Meet at the Emily Smith House porch, 24 N. Coalter Street. 540-886-4506.

October 4–Roanoke County. 10th Poor Mountain Hillclimb starting at Camp Roanoke, 6498 Dry Hollow Road, this is a real knee knocking, chin-to-the-bars bicycle race that is open to everyone. Admission fee. To register call 540-387-6078 ext. 251 or www.roanokecountyparks.com.

October 4–Stephenson. Historic Jordan Springs, a former monastery, will host a gourmet brunch, with music from the Winchester Orchestra. Also visitors are invited to bring their pets to be blessed. Blessings are given to acknowledge the importance of animals, especially pets. www.historicjordansprings.com or 540-667-7744.

October 7-28 –Staunton. Whether we are celebrating Mardi Gras, Saint Patrick’s Day or our birthday, we are upbeat and entertaining. Join the Mill Street Grill, 1 Mill Street, every Wednesday for some good jazz music. Different musicians each week. 540-886-0656.

October 9–Buena Vista. 1st Annual Blue Ridge Foothills Folk Festival at Glen Maury Park, starting at 6:30 p.m. Featuring 1960s-era music. Performances by House Mountain, Jim Connor, Josh White, Jr., Mrs., C’s Singers, and Ray Blouin. Admission fee. 540-261-1514 or www.celebratebuenavista.org.

October 9-10–Boyce. ArborFest at the State Arboretum of Virginia, 400 Blandy Lane. Annual fall festival and plant sale, with lots of free activities including nature walks, scarecrow making, and hayrides for visitors of all ages. 540-837-1758 or www.virginia.edu/blandy/.

October 9-11–Waynesboro. P. Buckley Moss will be at the Barn to meet the public. To find out what she will sign and ones she will not call 540-949-5473.

October 9-17–Lexington. Virginia Horse Center events: Central Virginia Paint Horse Club Color Classic and Fall Futurity on the 9th-11th; House Mountain Horse Show and Therapeutic Riding Association of Virginia Fall Horse Show on the 10th-11th; Old Time Music Jam on the 13th; Old Dominion Futurity Benefit Horse Show on the 16th-17th. For times and admission prices call 540-464-2950.

October 10–Stuarts Draft. Come out to Country Connections, 267 Cold Springs Road, for their Fall Festival. There will be horse drawn wagon rides, BBQ chicken, a bake sale, and lots more. Also watch as we make apple butter. 540-337-5226.

October 10–Buena Vista. Annual Mountain Days Celebration downtown. The focus of this events is on the “Lost Arts”, with live demonstrations and informational displays related to our heritage, traditions, and culture. Also live music, pony rides, classic car show, arts/crafts, food, entertainment, including the annual duck race. www.celebratebuenavista.org or 540-261-6121.

October 10–Vesuvius. 6th Annual Heritage Day. Arts, crafts, music, food, yard sales, and a variety of vendors. Come early for breakfast or enjoy a vast array of country cooking throughout the day. Pets and children are welcome. 540-377-2178 or www.vesuviusva.com.

October 10–Winchester. International Children’s Festival at Jim Barnett Park. There will be live cultural entertainers, exhibits representing countries from around the world, interactive story-telling area, international food court. 540-533-0603–Spanish 540-678-3965 ext. 32304 or www.winchesterva.gov/icf.

October 10–Basye. Annual Trash and Treasure Sale at Bryce Resort from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 1-800-821-1444.

October 10–Vinton. 7th Annual Virginia Fall Festival at various locations. Entertainment, crafters, food, 5K run/walk race, children’s activities. www.vintonchamber.com or 540-343-1364.

October 10–Harrisonburg. Autumn Peak Festival at Massanutten Resort. Live music, arts, crafts, food, and more. Free chairlift rides. No coolers/pets/outside alcohol. Admission fee. 540-289-9441.

October 10–Front Royal. “Annual Festival of Leaves” on Main and Chester Streets. There will be a parade at 10 a.m., and guided tours of historic sites. Also food, crafts, live entertainment, and children’s activities. 540-636-1446.

October 10-11–Waynesboro. 38th Annual Virginia Fall Foliage Festival Art Show and the River City Wine and Jazz Festival. 540-949-7662.

October 10-11–Winchester. Marker-Miller Orchards Farm Market, 3035 Cedar Creek Grade will host the Apple Harvest Festival. Music, and wagon/barrel train rides. Apple cobbler and apple caramel sundaes, country ham, and more. Free admission. 540-662-1980.

October 10-11–Boyce. ArborFest at the State Arboretum of Virginia, 400 Blandy Lane. Annual fall festival and plant sale, with lots of free activities including nature walks, scarecrow making, apple-tasting for visitors of all ages. 540-837-1758 or www.virginia.edu/blandy/.

October 10-11–Fishersville. 45th Annual Shenandoah Antiques Expo at Augusta Expoland. Over 400 exhibitors displaying jewelry, silver, glassware, primitives, furniture, decorated stoneware, and more. 434-847-8242.

October 10-11–Luray. Annual Page County Heritage Festival at the Page County Fairgrounds. Traditional crafts, food, shows. 540-743-3915.

October 10-11–Mount Jackson. Annual Apple-Grape Harvest Festival in the downtown area. Wine tasting, air balloon/helicopter rides, vendors, music, arts/crafts, and lots of activities. 540-477-3275 or www.mountjackson.org.

October 10-11–Highland County. Annual Hands and Harvest Fall Festival. Arts, crafts, live music, raffle, door prizes, seasonal and homemade food. Also the annual SPCA sweater sale. 540-468-2550.

October 16-18–Staunton. Shenandoah Fall Foliage Bike Festival at Shelburne Middle School gym, 300 Grubert Avenue. A variety of terrains and distances, depending on your level of expertise. Registration is required. 540-885-2668.

October 17–Waynesboro. Make plans now to attend the “Book ’Em” event, at the Waynesboro High School. Featuring dozens of authors who will be signing their books and giving talks on writing, and other topics of interest. Books of all types and genres are included. Free admission. 540-942-6683.

October 17–Lexington. Apple Days at the Stonewall Jackson House Museum. Apple cider being made from a hand-cranked press, 19th century music, and crafts for children. 540-463-2552.

October 17-18–Elkton. 23rd Annual Autumn Days Arts and Crafts Festival. Food, vendors, entertainment, activities. 540-298-1330.

October 17-18–Middletown. Cedar Creek Reenactment and Living History weekend on the field in front of Belle Grove Plantation. Living history encampments, battle reenactments, and Civil War interpretive activities. 540-869-2028.

October 17-18–Millwood. Historic Long Branch, 830 Long Branch Lane (routes 624 and 626) will host the Shenandoah Valley Hot Air Balloon and Wine Festival. Live entertainment, kids activities, artisans, variety of food and Virginia wine tasting. Also Virginia Giant truck rides, classic car show, “Plane Crazy” radio-controlled planes. Admission fee. 540-837-1856 or 1-888-558-5567.

October 17-18–Middletown. Celebrate the apple harvest at Richard’s Fruit Market, 6410 Middle Road. Live bluegrass music, crafts, petting zoo, hay wagon rides. 540-869-1455.

October 18, 25–Waynesboro. Open House at the Wildlife Center of Virginia. See the inner workings of the nation’s premier wildlife hospital, as well as meet some of the 20 non-releasable animals. There is no charge, but reservations are required. 540-942-9453.

October 23-25–Harrisonburg. 7th Annual Jewelry Show at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds. Gem trees, sculpture, and reconstruction/repair/design of your jewelry. Also a dealer from Russia with unique items from abroad. Hourly door prizes including a gold ring with a precious stone as grand prize. 540-434-0005.

October 23-31–Natural Bridge. Professor Cline’s Haunted Monster Museum presents “HallowScream”. This is spooky, scary, bizzarre, and unique, like Scooby Doo meets the Twilight Zone. Also there is a less scary tour for children. Admission fee. 540-464-2253 or visit this site www.roadsideamerica.com/story/9210.

October 23-31–Verona. ShenanArts presents “Cotton Patch Gospel” at their Stage4 Theatre. A toe-tapping full-length musical of the greatest story ever told. 540-248-1868.

October 24–Edinburg. Fall Celebration and Dinner. Experience the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley while dining at Shenandoah Vineyards. Reservation required. 540-984-8699.

October 24–Winchester. Colonial Days at Abram’s Delight Museum, 1430 S. Pleasant Valley Road. Living history demonstrations, food, beer, live music. Also tours of the cabin and home. Admission fee. 540-662-6550.

October 24–Basye. 11th Annual Octoberfest at Bryce Resort from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Mountain activites, authentic German music, children’s activities, and more. 540-856-2121 ext. 220.

October 24–Winchester. Marker-Miller Orchards Farm Market, 3035 Cedar Creek Grade will host a Pumpkin Festival will feature pumpkin pie and hot apple cider. Local church groups will be selling country ham sandwiches, hot dogs, homemade soups and desserts. 540-662-1980.

October 24-25–Berryville. Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival will be held at the Ruritan Fairgrounds. Sheep dog demonstrations, sheep/goat exhibit, petting zoo, rabbit show. Also Peddler’s consignment corner, raffles, children’s activities, and more. Admission fee. 540-533-5846.

October 29–Winchester. 4th Annual Haunted Casino Night will take place at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 181 Kernstown Commons Blvd. Expect a night filled with fun-filled activities, including roulete, blackjack, craps, and a great mix of silent auction items. Also great classic movies, and for sports fans, the Virginia Tech vs. UNC game on the big screen. 540-667-0809 ext. 14 or 540-877-0235.