Send announcements to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call Matthew Razak at 703-917-6457.
This free listing is reserved for activities and events that are open to the public at no or minimal cost. For additional ongoing events listings, visit our Web site at www.connectionnewspapers.com.
Saturday, March 17, the Leesburg Animal Park kicks off the new season with redesigned animal displays that provide interactive animal encounters. The Leesburg Animal Park is located at 19270 James Monroe Highway. Admissions are $7.95 for children and seniors, $9.95 for adults. March hours are Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Visit www.LeesburgAnmialPark.com or call 703-433-0002.
Then and Now Photography Challenge. Rust Library challenges the public to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of Loudoun County with a photographic update. Submit "then and now" pictures and see them displayed in the library. Deadline is March 19. Recommended for teens ages 12-18. Register online at www..lcpl.lib.va.us or call 703-771-5624.
Gallery 222 will host “6,” an exhibit of paintings by six area artists: Jill Banks, Jin Chung, Gregg Guarnera, Susan Makara, Catherine Nunn and Ted Reed. “6” will be on display thourgh March 31. Call 703-777-5498.
The 1st Annual Teen Tech Month runs from through March 31. Stop by a local branch library and check out the Teen Tech display and join the Teen Online Book Club featuring "The House of the Scorpion" by author Nancy Farmer. Starting, Feb. 5, stop by the Youth Services Desk or Information Desk at a local branch to pick up a copy of "The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer or download an electronic copy of the book from the library's Web page: www.lcpl.lib.va.us. Starting March 1, follow the link on the Teen Page, http://www.lcpl.lib.va.us/teens/index.htm, to the Teen Online Book Club blog to share thoughts and discover what other teens thought of the book. Recommended for ages 12-18. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Beginning March 3, Temple Hall Farm Regional Park in Leesburg will be open to the public on Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Admission is free. Group tours are offered Tuesday-Friday from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. and must be reserved by calling 703-352-5900. Free farm tours will be offered without reservations at noon and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through October. Wagon rides are offered as well at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. for $2 per person.
Oatlands Plantation, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg, will be holding Four Season Teas, March-December. Includes tea sandwiches, sweets, scones and Oatlands Afternoon Tea bland. Reservations required, call 703-777-3174; cost $24.95 plus tax, children 8 and under $15.95. Seatings are at 1 p.m.
Tea events are St. Patrick's Day, March 17; Easter, April 6 and 7; Historic Garden Week, April 20-24; Mother's Day, May 11 and 12; Tea with Artists, July 29; School Days, Sept. 7 and 8; Autumn Leaf, Oct. 19 and 20; and Teddy Bear, Dec. 16.
Winter Farmers Market, every Saturday, through March 31, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Virginia Village Shopping Center, 20 Catoctin Circle, Leesburg. Buy fresh products from local farmers, including eggs, apples, fall vegetables, fresh breads and baked goods and meat products. Visit www.loudounfarmersmarkets.com.
Leesburg First Fridays. Galleries and shops open their doors on the first Friday of each month with special events, refreshments and entertainment, from 6-9 p.m. There is no First Friday in January. Free. Call 800-752-6118. Visit www.leesburgfirstfriday.com.
Guided Nature or History Hikes for all ages at Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Nature hikes, Frogshackle Cabin Nature Center, history hikes and special request programs for school groups, scouts, community organizations, adults and families are available on a variety of topics throughout the year. Programs designed to foster an appreciation of Loudoun County's natural and cultural resources in a fun and informative way. Cost is $3.50 per person for a group tour, with a minimum charge of $35. Call 571-258-3700 for reservations.
Loudoun Bluegrass Association. Weekly acoustic jam session held every Tuesday night, 7-8:30 p.m., at the Morningside House Retirement Center, 316 Harrison St. in Leesburg. All bluegrass/country musicians, singers and spectators are welcome. Free. Call Randy Kenyon
703-777-9865, home.
Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., will have a story time, every second Saturday of the month, at 11 a.m. Includes stories, music and activities. The story time is recommended for ages 2-5. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, holds a potluck/bingo every second Tuesday, at 5:30 p.m. Bring a dish to share and a small gift bag to give away as prizes. 703-430-2397.
The Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road, offers toddle story hour, every Tuesday, 9:15-10 a.m., for ages 1.5-5 years old. For caregiver and child and includes lively stories, movement, music and more. $6. Preregister by calling 703-771-5281.
Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling, will hold the following ongoing story times. Lapsits for 2s, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. and Wednesdays, 11:15 a.m.; Mother Goose Nursery Time, ages 18-24 months, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.; Pajama Story Time, Tuesdays, 7 p.m.; Story Time for 3s, 4s and 5s, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; After School Book Break, ages 5-8, Wednesdays, 4 p.m.; Terrific 3s, Thursdays, 11:15 a.m.; Saturday Family Story Time, ages 2-6, Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. Call 703-444-3228.
Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, Leesburg, will hold the following story times. Mother Goose Nursery Time, ages 18-24 months, Wednesdays, 11:15 a.m., one-on-one with your child; Lapsits for 2s, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., caregivers are requested to stay with the child; Family Story Time for 3s, 4s & 5s, Thursdays, 7 p.m., sign interpreter present; Morning Story Time for 3s, 4s & 5s, Fridays, 10:15 a.m. and 11 a.m.; Saturday Family Story Time, ages 3-6 and their family, Saturdays, 11 a.m. Call 703-777-0323.
Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., will be holding the following ongoing story times. Preschool Story Times, ages 2-5, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.; Saturday Family Story Times, ages 2-5, second Saturdays of each month, 11 a.m. Call 703-430-9500.
Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, offers the following ongoing story times. Mother Goose Nursery Time, ages 18-24 months, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.; Terrific 2s: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:45 a.m.; Preschool Story Time, ages 3-5, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.; Wonderful Wednesday Stories, ages 3-5, Wednesdays, 1:30 p.m.; Pajama Story Time, ages 3-5, Wednesdays, 7 p.m.; Saturday Family Story Time, ages 2-5, Saturdays, 10 a.m. Call 703-737-8100.
Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum, 21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling, is open Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; as well as Sundays, noon-5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children 2-12 and free for children under 2. On permanent display is "The Country People" where visitors travel through time and experience the past 300 years of agricultural history through 10 generations of Loudoun County residents. The Claude Moore children's Farm is an interactive exhibit area for children and their families. Visit www.loudounfarmmuseum.org or call 703-421-5322.