Things to Do

Thursday, August 6, 2009

<cal1>July

<cal2>Summer Fling Dressage Competition. Aug 1-2, all day event, at the Morven Park International Equestrian Center in Leesburg. The highlight of the competition is the musical freestyle. The Morven Park Equestrian Center is located just north of Leesburg on Route 15. Call Shannon Pedlar at 703-777-2890 or visit the Morven Park Web site at www.morvenpark.org.

Training Camp. July 30-Aug. 8, at Redskins Park, 21300 Redskins Park Drive, Ashburn. Features eight practices open to the public. Bring the family, a camera, lawn chair, memorabilia and a paint pen for autographs history. Visit www.Redskins.com or call 703-726-7411.

Music Fest. Sundays, at the Belmont Country Club, 19661 Belmont Manor Lane, Ashburn. Gates open at 5 p.m., an opening act takes the stage at 6 p.m. with the main act following at 7 p.m. Bring blankets or chairs. Food and beverages available for purchase; no outside refreshments permitted. Benefits the Loudoun Habitat for Humanity, Loudoun Soccer and Loudoun Foundation. Tickets vary in cost and are available at www.liveatbelmont.com or by calling 703-726-8867.

Bluemont Concert Series. The Bluemont Concert Series at the Dodona Manr House in Historic Leesburg at 217 Edwards Ferry Road, Sundays, 7 p.m. Admission is $5 per person, $4 for Bluemont Friends and seniors, $2 for children 12 and under; proceeds go to support Bluemont's year-round Artist-In-Education program in area schools. No pets, alcohol or smoking are allowed. In case of rain, the concerts will be held at Smart's Mill Middle School. Bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on and a picnic before the show. For more information visit http://www.bluemont.org/Concerts/concerts_intro.html.

Sound of Summer Series. Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg, Saturdays, 6-9:30 p.m. Share music and wine by Tarara's lake. Bring a picnic, taste wine and enjoy classic stylings of world music by regional artists. Rain or shine. Cost for adults $10 for advance tickets, $15 at the door, under 6 free; tickets available online. 703-771-7100, Ext. 233, or visit www.tarara.com.

Loudoun County Fair. July 26-Aug 1, at Loudoun County Fairgrounds in Leesburg. Agricultural exhibits, horse and livestock shows, family entertainment and food. Daily tickets, adults $10, children 6-12, $5; full-week passes available. For more information call 703-777-3835 or visit www.loudouncountyfair.com.

Four Seasons of Oatlands. Oatlands Plantation, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg, holds its annual Four Seasons of Oatlands Art Show and Sale, from July 6-26, Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sundays, 1-5 p.m. The show and sale is a benefit for Oatlands and there is no charge for admission to see the art. The show is located in the historic Carriage House on the property. Free parking. Call 703-777-3174 or visit www.oatlands.org.

Ol’ Fashioned 4th of July Celebration. Celebrate the 4th of July at Claude Moore Park, , 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Enjoy an old-fashioned holiday set in the park’s historic area. Live musical entertainment and food. $5 donation per family. Call 571-258-3700.

Bastille Day. Saturday, July 4, Willowcraft Farm Vineyards, 38906 Mount Gilead Road, Leesburg. Willowcraft celebrates Bastille Day with all things French, 12-5 p.m. Cost is $10. Call 703-777-8161 or visit www.willowcraftwine.com.

<cal1>August

<cal2>Music Fest. Sundays, at the Belmont Country Club, 19661 Belmont Manor Lane, Ashburn. Gates open at 5 p.m., an opening act takes the stage at 6 p.m. with the main act following at 7 p.m. Bring blankets or chairs. Food and beverages available for purchase; no outside refreshments permitted. Benefits the Loudoun Habitat for Humanity, Loudoun Soccer and Loudoun Foundation. Tickets vary in cost and are available at www.liveatbelmont.com or by calling 703-726-8867.

Annual Race. The YMCA Loudoun County's annual Leesburg 10K/20K Race, Aug. 9, registration begins at 6:15 a.m., both races begin at 7:30 a.m., at Market Station in Leesburg. There is a quarter mile Kids’ Fun Run immediately after start of the race. No registration required for the fun run and medals awarded to all finishers. Call the race hotline, 301-871-0400 or visit www.ymcawashdc.org or www.runwashington.com.

Big Chill Wine Fest. Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg, Aug. 4-5, Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday, 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Celebrate the traditions of berry picking with live music, food and craft vendors, wine tastings, children's activities, hay rides, live bands, you-pick thornless blackberries and Tarara's own Blackberry Wine. Rain or shine. Cost adults $15, under 21 and designated drivers $8, 12 and under free; discount tickets available online. 703-771-7100 or visit www.tarara.com.

The Lucketts Fair. All ages. Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road, Route 15 north from Leesburg. The Lucketts Fair is a family affair with something for everyone. This popular event features juried crafts, antiques, children’s games and entertainment, a petting zoo, food and bluegrass music all day long. Call 703-771-5281 for more information. Event admission: $8 per person, children under 6 free. Two-day tickets, $12. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Aug. 23, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Dog Days Peach and Sunflower Fest. Aug. 15-16, Great Country Farms, 18780 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont. Bring the whole family, including dogs, for a romp in the sunflower field and then cool off in the farm fountain. Admission is $10, children under 2 free. Call 540-554-2073 or visit www.greatcountyfarms.com.

<cal1>September

<cal2> Sound of Summer Series. Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg, Saturdays, 6-9:30 p.m. Share music and wine by Tarara's lake. Bring a picnic, taste wine and enjoy classic stylings of world music by regional artists. Rain or shine. Cost for adults $10 for advance tickets, $15 at the door, under 6 free; tickets available online. 703-771-7100, Ext. 233, or visit www.tarara.com.

MAiZE at Temple Hall Farm Regional Park. Annual autumn activities and giant cornfield maze are held 15789 Temple Hall Lane, Leesburg, Fall 2009. Featuring a 11-acre cornfield maze, hay rides and pick-your-own pumpkins. Visit www.nvrpa.org/parks/themaize/ for more information. Call 703-779-9372.

Arts & Craft Festival. Saturday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Vendors selling handmade crafts, tapestries, jewelry, furniture, glassware. Food available. Enter park at Loudoun Park Lane. Free admission. Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling, 571-258-3700.

Northern Virginia Senior Olympics. Sept. 12-23, open to residents 50 and older. Event include shuffleboard, table tennis, pickle-ball, tennis, golf, horseshoes, pool and team line dancing, among others. Transportation to events provided by Loudoun County Senior Center. Call 703-228-3600, Ext. 9996. Visit www.novaseniorolympics.com. Registration fee is $10, for each additional event it is $1.

Lovettsville Oktoberfest. Sept. 25-27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. All ages. Lovettsville Community Center, 57 E. Broad Way, Lovettsville. Includes vendors, street performers, live music, art sale, German cuisine. German dinner the night before. Church services and local children’s performances Sunday. Free. Call 540-822-5788.

and dancing. Cost is $250. Call 703-777-7427 for more information.

Pumpkinville. Sept. 26-Nov. 7, Leesburg Animal Park, 19720 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg. Celebrate fall with a family visit to Pumpkinville. Pick a pumpkin and enjoy the giant hill slides, hay mazes, rope swings, apples and apple cider and much more. Weekends include camel rides, popcorn, food vendors and mini tractor rides. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Admission is $8 weekdays and $12 weekends and holidays. Call 703-433-0002 or visit www.leesburganimalpark.com.

<cal1>October

<cal2>Leesburg Court and Market Days. Oct. 17, Historic Leesburg District. Leesburg’s Historic District comes alive through demonstrations, dramatic vignettes of local historic court trails, entertainment, children’s activities and fresh produce in the market place, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 703-737-7144 or 703-737-7019 or visit www.leesburgva.gov/visitors.

October Wine Days. Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg. Oct. 30-31. Includes live music, wine specials. Rain or shine. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., music from 1-5 p.m. Visit www.tarara.com.

Lucketts Bluegrass. All ages. Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road, Leesburg. Bluegrass is synonymous with Lucketts. Call 703-771-5281 for more information. Admission: $15. Saturdays, October-April, doors open at 6 p.m., shows begin at 7 p.m. Visit www.luckettscommunitycenter.org.

Annual Sterlingfest. All ages. Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Bring the family to experience the celebration in its 20th year. Food, fun games, live music, stage shows and more. Call 703-430-9480. Free event. Saturday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Visit SterlingFoundation.org.

Hauntings 2009. Ghost tours run Oct. 23-24. Participants will take tours of 18th- and 19th-century homes and hear tales of colonial residents who haunt historic Loudoun. Tours run every 15 minutes and reservations are strongly recommended. The tour is not appropriate for children under 12. Admission is $15 presale if tickets are reserved, $20 for adults at the door, and15$ for museum members. Call 703-777-7427 for more information.

Waterford Homes Tour and Crafts Exhibit. Village of Waterford, Oct. 2-4, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The 1733 village, founded by Quakers, offers historic homes open for tour, 144-juried heritage craftsmen with hands-on demonstrations, continuous traditional music and dance, children’s activities, Colonial-era militia encampments, marching fife and drum corps and Civil War re-enactors with skirmishes throughout the weekend. Advance tickets, from Aug. 18-Sept. 22, are $13 per person, per day; $15 per person, per day at the gate. Children age 12 and younger are admitted free. Call the Waterford Foundation at 540-882-3018 or visit the Web at www.waterfordva.org.

Loudon Farm Color Tour. Oct. 17-18. A self-guided tour of Loudoun’s agricultural attractions. Participating sites are open free to the public. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Visit www.loudounfarms.org.

Autumn Apple Festival. Oct. 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. All ages. Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum, 21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling. See historic orchard tools at work, learn how to make cider, visit with local apple farmers, and browse locally made apple products and dishes. Live entertainment will be provided. Visit www.loudounfarmmuseum.org or call 571-258-3800.

Halloween Parade. Oct. 31, 6 p.m. Leesburg Historic District, King and Market streets. Includes prizes for floats, bands and costumes. Free. Call 703-737-2175.

Middleburg All Breed Dog Show at Oatlands, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg, Oct. 24-25. Sponsored by the Middleburg Kennel Club on the Oatlands north fields. For additional information call 703-777-3174 or visit the Web at www.oatlands.org.

Morven Park Steeplechase. Saturday, Oct. 10. The Running of the Morven Park Steeple Chase will be held at the Morven Park Equestrian Center, on Route 15 north on Tutt Lane. Call 703-777-2414.

Fall Festival by Joshua’s Hands. Oct. 17, 38327 Charles Town Pike, Waterford. Come celebrate the glory of the fall season. Enjoy live music, entertainment, hayrides, three-legged races, demonstrations, pony rides, a petting farm, an old-fashioned spelling bee, crafts, carnival-style games, food vendors and more, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 540-454-7827 or visit www.joshuahands.org.

Aldie Harvest Festival. Oct. 17, Church of the Redeemer, 39041 John Mosby Highway, Aldie. This 200-year-old village presents a villagewide fall festival featuring food, music, antiques, handcrafted furniture and more. Children’s activities and pony rides included. Civil War re-enactors and Aldie Mill tours, 9 a.m.-5p.m. Free; optional $5 parking donation. Call 703-327-4060.

<cal1>November

<cal2> Pumpkinville. Sept. 26-Nov. 7, Leesburg Animal Park, 19720 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg. Celebrate fall with a family visit to Pumpkinville. Pick a pumpkin and enjoy the giant hill slides, hay mazes, rope swings, apples and apple cider and much more. Weekends include camel rides, popcorn, food vendors and mini tractor rides. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Admission is $8 weekdays and $12 weekends and holidays. Call 703-433-0002 or visit www.leesburganimalpark.com.

Christmas at Oatlands Plantation. 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg, Nov. 23-Dec. 30. This 260-acre estate featuring a stately Greek revival mansion, magnificent formal terraced garden and 19th century dependencies, will present a display of Christmas past including decorations from the abundant natural products of Oatlands, cedar, ivy, pine, magnolia, boxwood and Osage orange. For additional information call 703-777-3174 or visit the Web at www.oatlands.org.

<cal1>December

<cal2>First Night Leesburg. Dec. 31. More than 100 performances at 20 indoor locations in downtown Leesburg, all within walking distance of one another. Enjoy jazz, classical music, puppet shows, bluegrass, folk music, magicians and much more. First Night concludes at midnight with a traditional Grand Illumination gathering on the courthouse green. Everyone will receive a candle, pass the flame to their neighbor and sing in the New Year as the old courthouse bell rings the last 12 chimes to midnight. First Night performances, 6-11:45 p.m.; Grand Illumination, 11:45 p.m.- midnight. Admission to be determined. Visit www.bluemont.org.

Holiday in the Park. Saturday, Dec. 5, 3:30-6 p.m. Enjoy the winter season at Claude Moore Park. Take a candlelight tour of the historic Lanesville Heritage House and view its old-fashioned holiday decor. Visit Frogshackle Nature Center, sing carols, roast marshmallows, enjoy hot cider and crafts. Donations of new mittens, hats and scarves are welcome for the Winter Warmth Tree. These donations will go to the Loudoun Holiday Coalition. No registration required. Free. Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling, 571-258-3700.

Lunch with Santa. Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodridge Parkway, Leesburg. Have lunch at the Riverside Hearth and pictures with Santa. Visit www.lansdowneresort.com.

Gingerbread House Decorating. Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodridge Parkway, Leesburg. Annual event. Assemble a gingerbread house and decorate. Supplies included. Visit www.lansdowneresort.com.

<cal1>January

<cal2>Martin Luther King Holiday. Annual parade in Leesburg.

<cal1>February

<cal2> Lucketts Bluegrass. All ages. Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road, Leesburg. Bluegrass is synonymous with Lucketts. Call 703-771-5281 for more information. Admission: $15. Saturdays, October-April, doors open at 6 p.m., shows begin at 7 p.m. Visit www.luckettscommunitycenter.org.

<cal1>March

<cal1>April

<cal2>National Library Week. April 12-18. First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. For more information on National Library Week at the Loudoun County Public Library, contact Linda Holtslander at 703-777-0541 or lholtsla@loudoun.gov.

Spring Trail Clean-Up. Late April. 8 a.m.-12 p.m. All volunteers will receive orientation and then be divided into work groups. Trail work includes pruning, blazing, sign inventory, trash pick-up, etc. Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling, 571-258-3700.

Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival. Mid-April. Annual event in the historic district of Leesburg. More than 100 vendors, landscape vendors, entertainment, hands-on art and education area and food. Offers information on how to create beautiful gardens and landscapes. Admission is $3. Call 703-777-1368. Visit www.idalee.org.

Eggstravaganza. Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road. The Wednesday before Easter. For ages 2-10 years old. Participate in egg hunt, see hands-on reptile exhibit. Registration required. Fee. Call 571-258-3700.

<cal1>May

<cal2>Spring Farm Tour. Third weekend in May throughout Loudoun County. Be introduced to Loudoun's agriculture and farming activities at the beginning of the growing season. County wineries are also included in this tour. For more information visit www.loudounfarms.org.

Oatlands Garden Fair. Early May, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Call 703-777-3174.

<cal1>June

<cal2> Music Fest. Sundays, at the Belmont Country Club, 19661 Belmont Manor Lane, Ashburn. Gates open at 5 p.m., an opening act takes the stage at 6 p.m. with the main act following at 7 p.m. Bring blankets or chairs. Food and beverages available for purchase; no outside refreshments permitted. Benefits the Loudoun Habitat for Humanity, Loudoun Soccer and Loudoun Foundation. Tickets vary in cost and are available at www.liveatbelmont.com or by calling 703-726-8867.

www.liveatbelmont.com or by calling 703-726-8867.

Homeward Bound. June, exact date to be determined. An all-day festival celebrating companion animals. Local pet-friendly groups join the Department of Animal Care & Control for a day of fun activities and animal education. Free. Contact 703-777-0406 or animals@loudoun.gov.

Kids All-American Fishing Derby. Date to be determined, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. This event is for children ages 6-16. Prizes will be awarded in a number of categories. Park staff will be available to give fishing advice. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required; download the registration form, http://inetdocs.loudoun.gov/prcs/events/claudemoorepark. Free. Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling, 571-258-3700.

Potomac Celtic Festival. Second weekend in June, on the grounds at Morven Park, Tutt Lane and Route 15 north, Leesburg. Continuous live music, crafts, food, Celtic history re-enactments, pipers, clan tents, storytellers and demonstrations. Admission fee. Check Web site for updates. Call 703-938-9779 or visit www.potomaccelticfest.org.

National Trails Day. This national event is sponsored by the American Hiking Society. Explore some of the 11 miles of park's trails. Free trail maps are available in the Visitor Center on Old Vestal's Gap Road within the park. The Loudoun Walking and Volkssport Club will sponsor 5K (3 miles) and 10K (6 miles) walks on a marked course. All are invited to walk the course, a small fee will be charged for IVV credit; the course is free to all other walkers. Free. Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling, 571-258-3700.

Old Dominion Beer Festival. Three-day event, late June. 44633 Guilford Drive, Ashburn. Children's activities, live entertainment, beer and food. Call 703-724-9100 or visit www.olddominion.com

Winmill Carriage Show. Morven Park, Leesburg, early June. Includes a collection of the park’s antique carriages. Visit www.mrvenpark.org.

Shakespeare in the Park. The Sterling Playmakers present “Shakespeare in the Park,” a one-act Shakespeare festival, June 6-8. Call the hotline at 703-437-6117 or visit www.sterlingplaymakers.com for ticket prices and location.

<cal1>Ongoing Events

<cal2>Farmers' Markets. The six Farmers Markets in Loudoun County provide and guarantee fresh produce. The men and women that grow and sell these products open their market the first week in May and continue selling through October. Every market offers different events.

The markets are spread across Loudoun County at the following locations: Cascades: Sundays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., The Senior Center, 21060 Whitfield Place; Leesburg: Saturdays, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Virginia Village Shopping Center; Middleburg: Saturdays, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Stonewall Avenue; Purcellville: Thursdays, 4 p.m.-7 p.m., 21st Street; Brambleton: 9 a.m.-1p.m., 42405 Wood Drive; Ashburn: 8a.m.-12p.m., Ryan park Shopping Center.

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. Hours vary by season. The park is free for individuals. Cost is $3.50 per person for a group tour, with a minimum charge of $35. Call 571-258-3700 for reservations.

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 571-258-3700.

Cascades Library 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls, hosts the following ongoing story times: Terrific 2s, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. and Wednesdays, 11:15 a.m.; Toddler Story Time, ages 18-24 months, Tuesdays and Saturdays, 11:15 a.m.; Family Story Time, Tuesdays, 7 p.m. and Saturdays 10:30 a.m.; Pre-school Story Time (Ages 3-5), Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. and Thursdays, 11:15 p.m.;. Call 703-444-3228.

Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., has the following ongoing story times: Preschool story times, for 3-5 years old, Fridays, 11:00 a.m. and Toddler Story Time(18-24 m), Wednesdays, 11:15 a.m. Call 703-430-9500.

Leesburg Animal Park has several animal exhibits including exotic and domestic animals, a contact area to pet and feed animals, a bird aviary, a safari ride to tour. The park will feature live entertainment on weekends. The Leesburg Animal Park is located at 19270 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg. Admissions are $7.95 for children (2-12) and seniors, $9.95 for adults. Free for children under two. Group rates are $6 with a 10-person minimum on Wednesday, Thursdays, and Fridays. Wild Wednesdays offer $2 off all admission rates, not valid with other offers. Ride passes, $12, and pony rides, $3, are also available. Hours are Fridays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesdays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit www.LeesburgAnmialPark.com or call 703-433-0002. For a list of animals at the park, check out www.leesburganimalpark.com.

Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, has the following ongoing story times: Baby lapsit, ages 0-18 months, Mondays, 10 a.m. and Saturdays, 11 a.m.; Toddler Story Time, 18-24 months, Tuesdays and Thursday, 10 a.m.; Terrific 2s, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:45 a.m.; Preschool story time, 3-5 years, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.; Family story time, 2-5 years, Saturdays at 10 a.m.; Musical Story Time, Fridays, 10 a.m. Call 703-737-8100.

Oatlands Plantation. 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg. Open April through December. Features afternoon teas, daily tours, and special events. National Historical Landmark. Hours, Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sundays, 1-5 p.m. Admission $10 adults, $9 seniors/students, $7 for gardens and grounds only. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas. Call 703-777-3174 or visit www.oatlands.org.

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 or 703-779-7941.

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