Fall events, Halloween events; fun for all during October in the Valley

From the Fall issue of 7Bends of the Shenandoah Valley magazine…

Here is just a sampling of what’s going on during the weekends  in October in the Shenandoah Valley, and nearby Northern Virginia:

Weekend of Oct. 3

**Oktoberfest – Strasburg
Come celebrate in the Town of Strasburg for the town’s annual Oktoberfest. This festival celebrates our town heritage and the peak of the fall foliage in the Northern Shenandoah Valley. Take a hike along the new Riverwalk, a 1.5 mile trail that runs along the Shenandoah River. Traditional beverages, activities for children and adults, food, music, and more. A Business Expo will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. A street dance will begin at 7 p.m. Off I-81, Exit 298 & 296 – on Washington Street off (in the old town lot.) Call (540) 465-3187, or visit their web site.

**24th Annual Country Fair/Auction – Bristow
A day of family fun, auctions and entertainment to benefit Youth For Tomorrow. The host of the event is Joe Gibbs, YFT Founder and Chairman. It runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., ande benefits Youth For Tomorrow, residential youth home and private school for at-risk teenage boys and girls.
The location is at the Youth For Tomorrow Campus, on Linton Hall Road, in Bristow, VA. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 16 and under. Ages 3 and under are free. No pets. Call (703) 368-7995, or visit their web site.

**Fall Color Weekends
Veramar Vineyard – Clarke County
Take a drive to the mountains and enjoy the festive fall colors of Clarke County, and the Shenandoah Valley. Take advantage of special prices on some of your favorite wines, as well as holiday gift specials. Whisk the family to the Blue Ridge Mountains to taste our award-winning wines. Running every Saturday in October from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (540) 955-5510, or visit their web site.

Weekend of October 10

**Sixth Annual Vesuvius Heritage Day – Vesuvius
Join family and friends on October 10, as they celebrate in this charming old community located 2.5 miles from MP27 of the Blue Ridge Parkway on West 56, or on Exit 205 from Interstate 81. The Festival is celebrated throughout the entire community with yard and bake sales, antiques, music and arts and crafts. Come early for breakfast or enjoy a vast array of country cooking throughout the day. Sponsored by the Vesuvius Community Association and partnered with the O. Winston Link Museum staff, historical displays depict the Village’s rich history in mining, farming and the railroad. Located on the Historical 1776 Bike Trail, the scenic beauty of the area attracts both bicyclists and motorcyclists and those that desire to just kick back and relax awhile. Running from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Community Building, church grounds and throughout Vesivius. Call (540) 377-5861.

**Morven Park Steeplchase, A Loudoun Tradition – Leesburg
The Morven Park Steeplechase is Northern Virginia’s family-friendly steeplechase. Come, relax, get away from the crowds. Enjoy a superb day of hospitality. Finest Steeplechasing conditions with outstanding viewing hills. Family Fun Fair- Youngsters will enjoy the races, and also the petting zoo, duck pond, pony rides, and moon bounce. At noon, don’t miss the  popular “Family Course Walk,” led by Middleburg Jockey Gregg Ryan. Gates open at 11 a.m.. Post time is 1:30 p.m. Call (703) 777-2890, or visit their web site.

The estate, 1,000 acres just west of Leesburg, Virginia off Rt. 7 on Old Waterford Road, was home to two governors: Thomas Swann, a governor of Maryland in the 19th century, and Virginia’s reform governor Westmoreland Davis.

**Apple-Grape Harvest Festival – Mount Jackson
The Mt. Jackson Chamber annually hosts this event which showcases one of the main railroad depot locations during the Civil War. Nestled in the middle of the Shenandoah Valley, a state historical marker was recently erected north of town to commemorate the hospital which treated soldiers from both the North and South. The festival boasts streets lined with Arts & Crafts vendors, a selection of food to satisfy everyone’s taste, and exciting events, such as hot air balloon rides, square dancing, wine tasting, and helicopter tours. As you stroll down Main Street you will also be accompanied by the music of the many bands and performers set up for your listening enjoyment. Free. Call (540) 477-3275, or visit their web site.

**Culpeper Airport Air Fest – Culpeper
Come out and view life from another angle – see Culpeper County from the air. Held at the Culpeper Re3gional Airport, this event has something for the entire family. Tour the airport and meet the pilots. Aircraft from restored antiques to modern jets will be on display. Activities for kids include free airplane rides for ages 8-17, demonstrations, arts & crafts, face painting and the model airplane simulator. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is completley free. Had to 12517 Beverly Ford Road. Call (540) 825-8280, or visit their web site.

**13th Annual Shenandoah Mountain Bike Festival – Stokesville
Held October 9 – 11, this Festival originated in 1997, and since has become a highlight of Virginia’s fall cycling scene. The Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition will be orchestrating the activities; it was created when the Shenandoah Mountain Bike Club and Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Club combined forces in 2007.

The trail riding around Stokesville and in the George Washington National Forest is beautiful and very challenging, expect plenty of fire roads, endless single track and big old fashion mountains. Giving back to the trails is a major focus of the Festival so there will be two trail work sessions. The trail work sessions are great opportunity for those wishing to learn about trail maintenance and wanting to give back to the trails we all use.

Plenty of fun activities for everyone around the campground including: frisbee golf, volleyball and horseshoes. Children of all ages will love the kids’ mountain bike loop set up around the campground. All riders are welcome; there is plenty of room for camping. Prices range from $15 for a single day to $60 for the weekend. Register at: Active.com, or call for more information: (540) 434-9943.

Weekend of October 17

**Fall Color Hike – Delaplane
Enjoy the colors of Fall during this hike at Sky Meadows State Park in Delaplane. Dress for the weather and experience nature as it gets ready for cold wather on this moderate/difficult 3-mile hike. The hike starts at 10:30 a.m. and is expected to last until about 1:30 p.m.

Rich in history, the park has rolling pastures and woodlands, scenic vistas and a look into a bygone era. Tour Mount Bleak House and see how a middle-class family of the 1850s lived. Nature and history programs are offered during the fall seasons. Primitive hike-in camping, picnicking and hiking are favorite activities in this peaceful getaway on the eastern side of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The park offers a bridle trail and serves as an access point to the Appalachian Trail. Call (540) 592-3556, or visit their web site.

**Fall Harvest Festival and Haunted Wagon Ride – Bent Creek
James River State Park
Get ready for fall food, live music and good old-fashioned fun for the whole family. Wagon rides to the Tye River Overlook are $3 per person or $8 per family. Don’t miss the face painting, candle dipping, the corn husking bee, pumpkin painting, butter churning, herbal butter tasting, apple pressing, a corn shelling demonstration, apple bobbing, sack races and corn husk doll making. Kids and adults will love the roaring bonfire at 6:30 p.m, followed by the haunted wagon rides at 7 p.m. At 7 p.m. (fee: $5). All festivities will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. at SHelter 4.

James River State Park, six miles down river from Bent Creek, opened June 20, 1999. The park has three miles of river frontage, 1,500 acres of rolling farm meadows, three fishing ponds, beautiful vistas, 15 miles of hiking trails and quiet forests.

The waters of the James have shaped life in this area’s past and will shape its future. Monacan Indians, the earliest known settlers, hunted, fished and traveled the river. In the early 1700s, the Cabell family settled along the river, cultivated the rich soils of the floodplain and shipped produce down river to Richmond. A flat-bottomed boat known as the bateau was invented and the Kanawha canal was built to make travel and shipping on the river easier. The James River brought people to this area, provided for their needs and helped them build a future.

The park offers opportunities to explore the wildlife and habitat native to the foothills of the Blue Ridge. Whether floating, fishing or hiking, you can enjoy breathtaking views found only at James River State Park. Call (434) 933-4355, or visit their web site.

**Harvest Hayride
At Staunton River Battlefield State Park
Take a ride through haunted fields and the forest of fear. Enter a costume contest, play ghostly games and enter “The Maze of Madness,” if you dare. It’s only $5 per person, and children five and under get in free. Held at the Clover Visitor Center, this event will run from 7 until 11:55 p.m. Call (434) 454-4312, or visit their web site.

Weekend of October 24

**The Resurrection Haunted House & Trail – Maurertown
Shenandoah County Parks and Recreation is proud to announce that it will be once again hosting a haunted Halloween event. “The Resurrection” Haunted House & Trail will take place in October at the Shenandoah County Park; this year’s event will feature a haunted walking trail and haunted house. The events dates are Friday and Saturday, October 17 and 18; and Friday, Saturday, Sunday, October 23, 24, and 25. Opens between 7 – 7:30 p.m. each night. Price: $6/adult and $3/child (12 and under).

Tickets will be sold at the gate. At about 67 acres, the Park is situated along Route 11 in the SHenandoah Valley between Maurertown and Toms Brook. Bring out the kids and relax. Call (540) 984-3030, or visit: shenandoahcountyva.us/parks_new/facilities/shencopark.php

**Halloween Safari – Broad Run
Outdoor evening fun for kids and adults alike. See wildlife and attend a bonfire – comeplte with mar4shmallows. Join Bull Run Mountains Conservancy on a Friday or Saturday night for a hike through the Bull Run Mountains. Meet native “wildlife” that perform natural history skits and enjoy face painting, snacks, hot cider, a bonfire, and live music. Held from 7 until 9 p.m on October 18, 24 and 25.

**Arsenic and Old Lace
Theater Shenandoah – Edinburg
Located at the historic old Opera House at 107 Center Street, Theater Shenandoah is a non-profit (501(c)3) community theater serving the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Their mission is to provide a quality theater experience for participants and patrons in the Shenandoah Valley, performing musicals, drama, and comedy.

Accept a treat of a performance on October 23, 24 or 25 when you enjoy “Arsenic and Old Lace.”   This is a must-see, as last fall, the group’s rendition of “The Secret Garden” was a sell-out. For time and ticket information, call (540) 984-3972, or visit their web site.

Weekend of October 31

**Ghosts of Staunton Tours – Staunton
Does Mrs. Bagsby haunt the Belle Grae Inn located on Frederick Street? Does the spirit of Elmer Higgins wander the Daily Grind Building in search of his killer? Come and find out. Explore downtown Staunton on a 90-minute walking tour. The Tour offers many ghostly tales and experiences, along with historic facts of Staunton’s past. All guides are experienced paranormal investigators who will share some of their favorite investigative techniques in the field. Each tour provides a chance to get actual hands-on experience using paranormal equipment.

Presented by the Shenandoah Valley Paranormal Society, tickets can be purchased at the time of the event. Reservations strongly recommended. Runs every Saturday at 8 p.m. through Halloween night. Admission: Adult $10; 6 – 12 years old, $5. Call (540) 448-2743, or visit their spooky web site.

**DarkWood Manor Haunted House – Luray
Page County, VA

DarkWood Manor Haunted House will be open every weekend in October from 7 – 11 p.m. DarkWood Manor is a theatrical and interactive haunted attraction. For 8 years, DarkWood has combined movie quality sets and make-up to create a fun and frightening October event. Unlike traditional haunted houses, DarkWood Manor uses all orignial charcters and storyline. Due to the scary nature of this event, it is not recommended for children under the age of 10. LOcated at 104 North Hawksbill Street, the price is $10 per person. (On October 3, bring a can of store-bought food for the Food Bank, and get $5 off admission.)

Call (540) 743-2408, or visit their creepy web site.

Tags: family fun, Halloween events, October events, Shenandoah Valley