Newtown Heritage Festival returns to Stephens City
Newtown Heritage Festival kicked off in Stephens City yesterday with the marquis events set for today.
The Newtown Commons open at 10 am with food, craft vendors, and the Festival HQ.
History lovers should check out the Newtown History Center which will be hosting four other local museums or take a free guided trolley tour of the town.
Tickets through the HQ are free but required due to limited seating on the trolley.
Live music starts at noon with the Newtown String band and continues into the evening with Gunner Heathe, A Little Too Serious, and Dunlap & Mabe.
The festival parade starts at 2 pm and will shut down a portion of Route 11 for the duration of the event.
If heading to the festival earlier, do not park along Main Street or you will be towed before the parade.
The festivities will conclude at 9 PM with a bang thanks to a fireworks display.
For a full list of events, click here.
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Virginia Wine and Craft Festival returns to Front Royal
The 35th Annual Virginia Wine and Craft Festival returns to downtown Front Royal today from 11 AM to 6 PM.
Main Street will be closed during the event from Royal Ave to Blue Ridge Ave.
Chester Street will also be closed from Main St to 2nd St.
In addition to the wine and ciders available for tasting and craft vendors, there will also be two stages for live music and a variety of food vendors.
Tasting admission costs $35 but entrance to the festival to enjoy the rest of the activities is free of charge.
For more information on the festival including wine and cider vendors and performers, click here.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Mayfest takes over Strasburg
Strasburg’s Mayfest is in full swing!
The action kicked off yesterday with the festival’s marquee events scheduled for today.
The fun starts with a Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast and continues at 10 am with the start of the GUI ESports event and the opening of the Kids Zone and vendor areas.
Live music will be playing all day on the Square starting with DJ Tony Knave followed by Souled Out at 7 pm.
The Duck Race starts at 2 pm at the Pavilion.
The Parade will follow at 4 pm and follow King Street between N Massanutten and Capon Street.
Some new additions for this year’s Mayfest include hot dog and cupcake eating contests as well as free shuttles to additional parking at Strasburg High School.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Middletown announces New Year’s plans
The Town of Middletown announced their new family friendly event, First Night Middletown.
The celebration will take place at the Town Office on New Years Eve from 6 pm – 9 pm.
The event is in partnership with the Winchester Model Railroad Club which is moving their headquarters to Middletown and helping to rebuild the B&O Railroad Station.
Visitors will get a glimpse at the new station as the top floor of the office will feature model, operating railroad layouts.
There will also be kids activities, magical performances from Kevin Owens and live music.
Old Town Winchester announced earlier this year that their annual First Night celebration will no longer take place.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Blandy Farm celebrates changing Ginkgo Grove
The State Arboretum of Virginia at Blandy Farm is celebrating GinkgoFest tonight from 5:00-7:00 pm.
Their 3.3 acre collection of 300 trees is the largest grove in the United States and currently in its most vivid golden color.
There will also be live music, food and drinks, Plein Air Art in the Grove, and staff on hand to educate about the history and growth of Ginkgos.
The lighting will be perfect during this time for photography but bring a flashlight for your walk back.
They will also have shuttles from the parking lot to near the Ginkgo Grove .
The trees emit a stinky fruit so it’s recommended to wear plastic coverings over your shoes to not bring the smell home.
Tickets are available here but visitor’s are still welcome during Blandy’s regular public hours.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
47th Shenandoah Valley Apple Harvest Festival returns
The 47th Shenandoah Valley Apple Harvest Festival is back at the Frederick County Fairgrounds from 10 am to 5 pm today and tomorrow.
Saturday will feature events like the Classic Car and Hot Rod show from 11 am to 3 pm and the apple pie baking contest at noon.
All weekend there will be live music, kids activities like inflatables, a petting zoo, and pony rides, and everything apples, from apple butter to apple dumplings.
Admission is $10 and free for kids under 10, law enforcement, and military.
Proceeds benefit the Rotary Club of Winchester’s local charities.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
WoodsTACO Street Taco Festival returns
WoodsTACO Street Taco Festival takes over downtown Woodstock today from noon to 5 pm.
The third annual competition will welcome eight professional and four amateur teams including last year’s winners.
Mary’s Botanitas and Flour & Water Co. were last year’s professional category winners.
The Padilla’s took the crown in the amateur categoty.
The event is free to attend.
Tasting ticket holders will sample and vote on the different entries.
Additional tacos will be for sale for those not participating in judging.
They will also have live music from Junkfood and Ali’s Folklore Mexicano dancers.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Sunflower Festival returns to Luray
The 3rd Annual Page Valley Sunflower Festival is tomorrow from 10 am to 4 pm at Ralph H. Dean Recreation Park.
The event is part of a partnership between the Page Alliance for Community Action, the Town of Luray, Luray Downtown Initiative, Page County Farmers Association and Page Valley Art Council.
The 1k fun run through the sunflower fields begins at 10 am then enjoy the rest of the day of fun which will include hayrides to the sunflower fields, a petting zoo, live music, and specials throughout downtown Luray.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
SVSGEA Steam Show is back in Berryville
The Shenandoah Valley Steam and Gas Engine Association Steam Show is back in Berryville this weekend.
The festivities started yesterday at the Clarke County Fairgrounds and will continue through Sunday with activities for the whole family.
This year will feature Oliver tractors, Galloway engines, and White trucks.
There will also be live demonstrations, craft and food vendors, and live music from Bryan Sheppard tonight.
This evening will also include the always popular horse pull competition.
Tomorrow will be the second tractor pull of the weekend, with the first having taken place on Friday.
Children under 12 are free and can compete in the pedal tractor pull each day of the show at 2 pm.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Christmas in July in the Shenandoah Valley
It’s Christmas in July around the Shenandoah Valley!
The Merchants on Main are hosting the festivities in Front Royal with deals in many of the businesses downtown, live music, and a surprise you will have to be there to see.
There will also be a visit from Santa Clause at the Gazebo starting at 11 am.
Frederick County Parks and Recreation are getting in the holiday spirit as well with a showing of The Grinch at Clearbrook Pool.
The movie will begin at 7 pm and only credit cards will be taken at the gate.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.