Saturday, October 6, 2023
Local Government Meetings
Fredericksburg
Oct. 9 – Monday – Columbus Day
Oct. 9 – Monday – Economic Development Authority – 8:30 am – Executive Plaza, Third Floor – Agenda
Oct. 9 – Monday – Architectural Review Board – 7:00 pm – Agenda
Oct. 9 – Monday – Fredericksburg City School Board – 7:30 pm – Read More
Oct. 10 – Tuesday – City Council – 7:30 pm, Council Chambers – Agenda
Oct. 11 – Wednesday – Planning Commission – 6:30 pm – Agenda
Spotsylvania
Oct. 9 – Monday – Columbus Day
Oct. 9 – Monday – School Board Meeting – 5:30, Spotsylvania County School Board Room. – Agenda.
Oct. 10 – Tuesday – Board of Supervisors Meeting – 4:30, Holbert Building. Agenda and Agenda Packet.
Stafford
Oct. 9 – Monday – Columbus Day
Oct. 10 – Tuesday – School Board Meeting – 7:00 pm – Agenda
Oct. 11 – Wednesday – Planning Commission – Board Chambers
Fall Festivals and Events
by Caroline Murray
Editor’s Note: The following originally appeared in Fredericksburg Parent & Family.
Pumpkin Patches
Belvedere Plantation
Sept 16 – Nov 4, Thursdays and Fridays 10 am – 2 pm, Friday Evening 6 – 10 pm, Saturday 10 am – 10 pm, Sunday 10 am – 6 pm
This working farm celebrates the fall harvest time with pumpkin picking, bonfires, evening hayrides, and a cornfield maze! Other attractions include pedal tractors, pig races, a pumpkin mountain slide, barnyard animals, and the fun barn with giant rope swings. Food and other specialty items sold on the premises.
Where: 1401 Belvedere Plantation, F’burg, 22408. www.belvedereplantation.com
Braehead Farm Festival Weekend
September 30 – Oct. 30, Weekends.
Braehead Farm is having its annual Fall Festival Weekends in October! Hayrides through the decorated forest, interactive game within the corn maze, a sunflower walk for the little ones. Also, visit with the Great Pumpkin in the pumpkin patch sitting on his hay throne from 10 am – 1 pm and 2 pm – 5 pm.
Where: 1130 Tyler Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401. www.braeheadfarm.com
Cox Farms
Sep 16 – Nov 7, Times vary.
Hayrides, 5 giant slides, farm animals, rope swing, kid zone, pumpkins and more.
Where: 5621 Braddock Rd, Centreville, 20120. www.coxfarms.com
Great Country Farms
Apple Picking & Corn Maze, Daily September 1 – 30, Pumpkin Festival, Daily, October 1 – 31
Come celebrate with us and create an unforgettable experience picking pumpkins, cheering on the fastest piggie, doing some pumpkin munchin’ with P-Rex, getting lost in our corn maze and roasting marshmallows at the bonfire! Cider donuts, wagon rides, 5-acre play area, live music and more! Special events on weekends!
Where: 18780 Foggy Bottom Rd, Bluemont, VA. www.greatcountryfarms.com
Leesburg Animal Park Pumpkin Village Fall Fest
Daily, Sep 16 – Nov 4
Giant hill slide, wagon rides, spider web crawl, moon bounce, pirate play ship, pony rides, free apples & cider, camel rides, pedal carts and more! Ticket prices vary. Visit website for more info.
Where: 19270 James Monroe Hwy, Leesburg. www.pumpkinfestleesburg.com
Liberty Mills Farm
Sep. 9 – Nov. 11. Times vary.
Four Corn mazes, pumpkin patch (opens Sept 28), hayrides, games and more.
Where: 9166 Liberty Mills Rd., Somerset, 22972. www.libertymillsfarm.com
Miller Farms Market
Sept 16 – Oct 30.
Free Parking. Free Admission. Free Hayrides. Free Fresh Air! Pumpkin Patch opens September 30. Jack O’ Lanterns, Heirloom Pumpkins, Mini Pumpkins, Gourds, and Winter Squash to choose from. Giant Sand pile for the kids to play on!
Corn Maze $9/adult, $7/child weekdays, $10/adult, $8/child weekends.
Where: 12101 Orange Plank Rd., Locust Grove. www.millerfarmsmarket.com
Mt. Olympus Berry Farm
End of Sep – Nov.
Pumpkin patch and hayrides. Free Admission
Where: 23298 Jeff Davis Hwy, Ruther Glen. www.mtolympusfarm.com
Round Hill Farm
Opens Sept 30 – Oct 30.
A tractor-drawn hayride carries your family or group to the Pumpkin Patch. Pick-your-own or select from pre-picked pumpkins at the farms open-air market. Other activities include the barnyard petting-zoo with more than 30 farm animals, two hay bale mazes, a corn maze, zip line, face painting, rope swings, pony rides, and picnic area.
Where: 6347 Everona Rd., Culpeper, 22701. www.round-hill-farm.com
Snead’s Asparagus Farm
Sep 23 – Oct 31.
This working farm has a huge pumpkin patch for pick your own. Other activities include pedal tractors, rope swings in the barn, hayrides, farm animals, a picnic area, and more!
$10/weekdays, $15/weekends
Where: 18294 Tidewater Tr, F’burg, 22408. 540-371-1070. www.sneadsfarm.com
Apple Picking
Carter Mountain Orchard. Open daily 9am – 6pm.
Pick your own in the orchard or buy pre-picked in the store. Apple Harvest Weekend Activities include hayrides, music, wine tastings, pumpkins and picnic area. Also available in the store: fresh baked apple pies, apple cider donuts, pumpkins and specialty crafts. Ticketed admission begins 9/17.
Where: 1435 Carter Mountain Trail, Charlottesville. www.cartermountainorchard.com
Grave’s Mountain Lodge
Oct 7-8, Oct 14-15, Oct 21-22. 10 am – 4:30 pm.
Pick your own in the orchards or buy pre-picked in the store. Other activities include hayrides, barnyard animals, hay mountain, hay maze and picnic areas. Tickets required. $5 for ages 15 & up, 15 and under FREE.
Where: 205 Graves Mountain Lane, Syria, 22743. www.gravesmountain.com
Great Country Farms
Currently open daily through Sept for apple picking.
Wagon rides to pick your own apple orchard.
Where: 18780 Foggy Bottom Rd, Bluemont, VA. www.greatcountryfarms.com
Stribling Orchard
Currently open Wed – Sun for apple picking.
Tours available for youth/school groups. Pick your own apples, farm animals, picnic area and bakery with cider, pies, local honey and more.
Where: 11587 Poverty Hollow Lane, Markham, 22643. www.striblingorchard.com
Hartland Orchard
Currently open through late Oct.
PYO apples and pumpkins, corn maze.
Where: 3064 Hartland Ln, Markham, VA. www.hartlandorchard.com
Fall Festivals
Apple Gala & Cider Festival @ Great Country Farms. Sep. 1-30.
Pick your own apples! Watch apple butter being made, wagon rides, cider pressing demos/tastings, pick your apples, kids craft station, rope swings, pedal carts, corn maize and more!
Where: Great Country Farms, Bluemont, VA. www.greatcountryfarms.com
Adventure Brewing’s Oktoberfest
Sep 16, 12 – 10 pm .
Join us for a fun-filled day of live music, dancers, vendors, food, events, competitions and beer. Family friendly event! Free admission!
Where: 33 Perchwood Dr, F’burg, 22405. www.adventurebrewing.com
Messick’s Farm Market Fall Festival
Weekends Sep 23 – Oct 29.
Lots of fun things to do at our Annual Fall Festival! Corn maze, bounce pillow, hayrides, pumpkin patch & SO much more!
Cost: Admission: $13/person; 3 & Under are FREE!
Where: 6025 Catlett Rd, Bealeton www.messicksfarmmarket.com
Culpeper Harvest Days Farm Tour
Sep 16, 17. 10 am – 4 pm.
Enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and taste of Culpeper County on farms in the beautiful Blue Ridge foothills. This free event provides a wonderful educational experience and includes a variety of hands on activities and demonstrations.
Where: The tour, a self-guided driving experience, can be started at the Welcome Center located at Culpeper Agricultural Enterprises on Route 29.
http://culpeperfarmtour.com
Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival.
Oct 1 – Oct 31.
Pick pumpkins, watch the pig races, get lost in the corn maze, roast marshmallows at the bonfire, hay rides, cider donuts, tractors and more!
Where: Great Country Farms, Bluemont, VA. www.greatcountryfarms.com
Stafford Family Fall Festival
Oct 7. 11 am – 4 pm.
Artisans, hay rides, inflatables, hay tower, toddler town, food trucks, games/crafts and our annual pumpkin derby & special musical entertainment.
Where: Pratt Park, F’burg. Free! Rain or Shine! www.staffordparks.com
Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour
Oct 6-8, 6 – 9 pm.
Enjoy live blues and spectacular views of the Potomac River while sampling wine from 20 Virginia wineries! Ticket prices vary. Buy early, event typically sells out.
Where: George Washington’s Mt. Vernon. www.mountvernon.org
Fall Festival @ Mountain Run Winery Oct 21, 12 – 7 pm.
Come out and enjoy some great Mountain Run wine and celebrate the harvest with us! Live music, vendors, food, lawn games. We have plenty to do for everyone (including the kiddos) so bring your lawn chairs and plan to stay awhile! Admission is free to the event and parking is $5!
Where: Mountain Run Winery, Culpeper. http://www.mountainrunwinery.com/events-2/event/fall-festival-and-craft-fair/
Annual Harvest Festival in Bowling Green
Oct 21, 9am – 4 pm.
Join us on Main Street for over 150 vendors, artisan crafts, food trucks, live entertainment all day, pumpkin painting, a petting zoo, car show, antique tractors, beer garden and more!
Where: Main Street, Bowling Green, VA www.townofbowlinggreen.com
Fredericksburg Fall Arts & Craft Festival
Oct 14 – 15.
The Fall Arts & Craft Festival will feature an exclusive blend of over 150 handmade crafters, designers, home décor, and custom jewelry. Browse the aisle ways for new jewelry, home decorations, or simply that art piece that draws your eye.
Where: Fredericksburg Conference Center https://www.fredericksburgconventioncenter.com/events/fall-arts-craft-festival/
Fall Harvest Family Days @ Mt. Vernon. Oct 21 – 22. 9am – 5pm.
Enjoy fall activities with the whole family at Mount Vernon! Take a horse-drawn wagon ride and play colonial games on the bowling green before heading to the Pioneer Farm to observe 18th-century demonstrations and greet General Washington. Find your way through a straw bale maze and listen to the Itinerant Band play colonial tunes. Sightseeing cruises will be free throughout the weekend.
Where: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, Alexandria. www.mountvernon.org
Harvest Fest Dia De Los Muertos
Oct 28. 10 am – 8 pm
Experience a cultural flair in the Garden and celebrate all that fall has to offer! This event has a festival vibe with live music, food, adult beverages, and family-friendly activities. The Bloemendaal House tent will feature Mexican food, so come hungry!
Where: Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, Richmond. https://www.lewisginter.org/event/harvestfest/
Belvedere Plantation Fall Festival Finale
Nov 4.
It’s your last chance to visit Belvedere Plantation before we close for the winter! And we have a great line-up of entertainment and activities — don’t miss our new Pumpkin Smash competition! Reduced Farm Admission! Included in Farm Admission are the Corn Maze, Fun Barn, Zipline, Ye Olde Barnyard, Pumpkin Mountain Slide, Jumping Pillow, Hayride, and Pedal Tractors.
Where: Belvedere Plantation www.belvedereplantation.com
Braehead Farm Fall Festival Weekends
Sat & Sun Sept – Oct 30; 9 am – 6 pm.
Hayrides, face painting, pumpkin patch, scavenger hunt, sunflower walk, visit with “The Great Pumpkin”, hay barn, corn pit, swings, farm animals and much more!
Where: 1130 Tyler St, F’burg. Cost: $14/person. www.braeheadfarm.com
Hanover Vegetable Farm Gourds, Goblets and Ghouls Festival
Oct 15, 16. 11 am – 6 pm
Boney is back for another fun time down on the farm this fall! With live music, wineries, cider, beer garden, 20+ vendors, hay rides, pumpkin picking, corn maze and lots of fun activities for the whole family!
Where: Ashland, VA. www.hanovervegetablefarm.com
Treats on the Streets
Oct 28, Costume Stroll 9:30, Trick or Treating 10 -12
Get in your Halloween costumes and head to downtown Fredericksburg for the annual Costume Stroll and Treats on the Streets.
Where: Downtown Fredericksburg, Meet at the VRE lot for the Costume Stroll
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