It’s a bird, it’s a plane; no, it’s a hot air balloon
Millbrook, VA – Perfect for a day trip from D.C. or Northern Virginia …
Rain or shine, the famous Long Branch Historic House and Home 13th Annual Shenandoah Valley Hot Air Balloon, Wine and Music Festival will be happening this weekend - October 16, 17, and 18, 2009. Balloons will be launched weather permitting.
The hours of the Festival are as follows:
- Friday, October 16th – 4 pm to 8 pm
- Saturday, October 17th – 7 am to 4 pm
- Sunday, October 18th – 7 am to 4 pm
About the location:
Located at the foot of the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, just sixty miles from Washington D.C., and 20 minutes from Winchester, VA, the Long Branch Historic House & Farm is one of the most historic elegant manor homes in Virginia hunt country. Since the early 18th century, the rolling hills of Long Branch have been owned by a series of famous men: Lord Culpeper, Lord Fairfax, and Robert “King” Carter. A young George Washington helped to survey the property.
In 1986, Harry Z. Isaacs, a Baltimore textile executive, purchased the estate at public auction. His good taste, remarkable energy, and sizable fortune revitalized the historic house in less than three years. Before he died in 1990, Mr. Isaacs established a private non-profit foundation to manage the estate for enjoyment and education of its visitors.
Long Branch serves as a site for a wide variety of seasonal events in the Clarke County community, including educational activities, the annual Easter Egg Hunt, the Trout Fishing Derby, a Christmas Gala & Twilight tours and most notably, the Shenandoah Valley Hot Air Balloon, Wine & Music Festival. The property, with its outdoor terrace, has become a very popular site for weddings and other special events. In addition, the farm serves as a horse retirement facility with as many as 85 equine residing at the estate.
This Year’s Hot Air Balloon, Wine and Music Festival:
This weekend, in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz, children will be able to witness the last stop of the nationwide debut of the Wizard of Oz hot air balloon. In addition, there will be a Wizard of Oz costume contest at the Nalls Farm Market tent – in the Kiddie’s Korner.
Details about the hot air balloons:
Hot air balloons fly before sunrise and before sunset, weather permitting. Tethered balloons are operational weather permitting. For safety reasons, weather and wind conditions must be perfect in order for balloons to fly and/or tether.
Most, if not all, of the balloon flights this year will be quite short (less than two miles) with the intention of landing on the Long Branch property. If you are interested in reserving a balloon ride, email one of the following pilots for more information:
- Amy Goodyear - amyct2005 at yahoo.com
- Craig Korsgard – inflt2 at aol.com
- Mark MacSkimming – eagleA7 at aol.com
- Jan Miller – balloon at shentel.net
- Ty Parsons – par.ty99 at yahoo.com
Admission prices are:
Friday, October 16th – $5 per person
Saturday, October 17th – $15 per person
Sunday, October 18th – $10 per person
Wine Tasting – $10 per person
Historic House Tours – $5 per person
Admission is free for children 12 years old and younger
The Festival is held rain or shine. Balloons fly weather permitting.
Picnics are welcome. Some activities require a nominal fee to participate.
Here is the 2009 live music line-up:
- Friday, October 16:
The Shenandoah Sheiks – 5 pm to 8 pm
- Saturday, October 17:
No Drama – 12 pm to 2 pm
Souled Out – 2 pm to 4 pm
- Sunday, October 18:
Sunshine and the Rainmakers – 10 am
James Leva and Purgatory Mountain – 11 am to 12 pm
Nothin’ Fancy – 12 pm to 1 pm
IIIrd Tyme Out – 1 pm to 2 pm
Purgatory Mountain – 2 pm to 3 pm
Nothin’ Fancy – 3 pm to 4 pm
IIIrd Tyme Out – 4 pm to 5 pm
For antique car show enthusiasts, Yesterday’s Cruisers, Inc will also present the 12th Annual Balloon Fest Car Show.
Participating wineries include:
Barren Ridge Vineyards, Chateau Morrisette, Corcoran Vineyards, Gadino Cellars, Kluge Estate Winery & Vineyards, Horton Vineyards, North Mountain Vineyard & Winery, Peaks of Otter Winery, Philip Carter Winery, Rebec Vineyards, Inc., Rockbridge Vineyard, Stone Mountain Vineyard, Tarara Winery, Veramar Vineyard, Veritas Vineyard & Winery, Willowcroft Farm Vineyards, and Wintergreen Winery.
Directions:
- From Washington, D.C.: Go west on Interstate Route 66 to exit 23 and proceed on Route 17 north. Turn left on Route 50 at Paris. Just past Millwood, turn left on Route 624/Red Gate Road and proceed ½ mile.
- From Northern Virginia: Take the Capital Beltway to Interstate Route 66 west. Follow the directions above.
- From I-81: Take exit 313 and proceed approximately 13 miles on Route 50 east. Turn right on Route 624/Red Gate Road and proceed ½ mile.
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For more information, call (877) 868-1811. To see the full schedule of events for the weekend, visit the Festival web site.
