Go Ghostbusting
<lst>Hauntings 2006
16 Loudoun St.
Leesburg, VA 20175
703-777-7427
<bt>A part of the Loudoun Museum's Halloween program, the Leesburg Hauntings ghost tours run Oct. 27-28. 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 $20 for adults and $15 for museum members.
<ro>Family Fun at the Fair
<lst>Loudoun County Fair
Loudoun County Fairgrounds
P.O. Box 4100
Leesburg, VA 20177
703-777-3835
<bt>From barbecue dinner to livestock auctions to side-saddle horse riding to tug-of-war to carnival rides to bingo to a professional rodeo, the Loudoun County Fair is an enjoyable time for all.
The fair will take place this year at the Loudoun County Fairgrounds, from July-24-29.
A complete list of events can be found at www.loudouncountyfair.com.
<ro>Celebrate the Celtic
<lst>Potomac Celtic Festival
525-K East Market St., No. 295
Leesburg, VA 20176
703-938-9779
<bt>This summer festival (held June 17 and 18, at Morven Park) features continuous live ethnic music and dance on multiple stages, a craft market, Celtic living history demonstrations, import and specialty vendors, Scottish games, pipe bands, poetry readings and storytelling, authentic Celtic foods, language workshops and much more.
For more information, go to www.potomaccelticfest.org.
<ro>Get Ready for Some Football
<lst>Redskins Park
21300 Redskin Park Drive
Ashburn, VA 20147
703-726-7411, training camp hotline
<bt>Attending a training camp practice at Redskins Park in Ashburn has been a treat available to fans since the team moved its home base to Loudoun.
This summer, specific practices will be open to the public, with Fan Invitations, downloadable from the Web site. The schedule has not been released as yet, but updates are available at www.redskins.com.
Admission and parking is free and fans are permitted to bring coolers, drinks (non-alcoholic) and cameras for still photography. Video cameras are prohibited.
<ro>Catch the Buzz
<lst>Loudoun Beekeepers Association
540-751-0071
<bt>Based in Leesburg, the Loudoun Beekeepers Association offers classes on beekeeping, as well as various member and nonmember functions.
For more information, call LBA president Billy Davis at 540-751-0071 or go to www.loudounbee.org.
<ro>Take a Ride
<lst>Georges Mill Farm Bed and Breakfast
11867 Georges Mill Road
Lovettsville, VA 20180
540-822-5224
<bt>Georges Mill consists of a Civil War-era stone home nestled on a 100-acre farm located in the Short Hill mountains. Enjoy fishing, antique shopping and quiet walks through woodland paths.
Adding to the get-away, bed-and-breakfast feel of Georges Mill, patrons may take guided horseback riding tours at Georges Mill Farm & Stables. Highlights include viewing the gap in the Short Hill mountains where Virginia and Maryland are joined together by the Potomac River.
To set up a tour, call 540-822-4110 or go online to www.georgesmill.com.
<ro>Learn to Farm
<lst>Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum
21668 Heritage Farm Lane
Sterling, VA 20164
703-421-5322
<bt>Located in Sterling's Claude Moore Park, the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum is dedicated to collecting and exhibiting objects, documents and photographs related to agricultural and rural life in historic Loudoun.
Hours of operation are Tuesdays-Saturdays, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays, from 12-5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for children 2-12. The museum is also home to a variety of farm animals during the summer and has annual events, such as the Spring Farm Tour and the Agricultural Awareness Day Poster Contest.
More information can be found online at www.loudounfarmmuseum.org.
<ro>See the Sights
<lst>Rust Sanctuary
802 Children's Center Road
Leesburg, VA 20175
703-669-0000
<bt>Rust Sanctuary is an Audubon Naturalist Society sanctuary. The property includes a manor house and 68 acres of land budding with nature trails and picnic tables. In total, the sanctuary protects six kinds of habitats, including wildlife gardens, meadows, hedge rows, mixed hardwood forest, pine plantation and a pond.
Further information on Rust Sanctuary and other local sanctuaries can be found at www.audubonnaturalist.org.
<ro>Hit the Ice
<lst>Ashburn Ice House
21595 Smiths Switch Road
Ashburn, VA 20147
703-858-0300
<bt>For those looking to hit the ice for some skating, the Ashburn Ice House features two professional-sized ice rinks, professional-style locker rooms, a pro shop, state of the art sound and lighting, a mezzanine/viewing lounge and a video arcade. Open public skating, lessons, camps, clinics and hockey sessions are held throughout the year.
Check out www.ashburnice.com for the latest schedule of events and skating hours.
<ro>Collect Some Crafts
<lst>Annual Autumn Arts & Crafts Festival
21544 Old Vestals Gap Road
Sterling, VA 20164
703-444-1275
<bt>This second-year event will be held at Claude Moore Park and the Lanesville Heritage area in Sterling, Sept. 9. It will feature 100 or so crafters selling handmade jewelry, baskets, wood items, candles and more. New this year is a children's craft area. Entertainment will be provided by the band October Skies. Tours of the Lanesville House are also being held. Food and live musical entertainment will be provided. Admission is free.
<ro>Become a Green Thumb
<lst>Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival
703-777-1368
<bt>Downtown Leesburg is turned into a botanical paradise as 100 vendors offer landscape displays with designers on hand, fresh flowers, trees, shrubs, garden sculptures, arts and crafts, fountain displays and more.
Food and other entertainment is offered, as are activities for kids. Next year's festival will be, April 21 and 22, 2007. There is a $3 suggested donation.
For more information, go to www.idalee.org.
<ro>Fresh Off the Farm
<lst>Loudoun Farmers Markets
703-777-0426
<bt>The six Farmers Markets in Loudoun County provides and guarantees 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, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Virginia Village Shopping Center; Middleburg: Saturdays, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Marshall Street; Purcellville: Thursdays, 4 p.m.-7 p.m., 21st Street; Sterling: Wednesdays, 4 p.m.-7 p.m., Briar Patch Park; South Riding: Saturdays, 2 p.m.-5 p.m., Town Center parking lot.
<ro>For the Young
<lst>Loudoun Youth Fest
1 Harrison St., fifth floor
Leesburg, VA 20175
LYI@loudoun.gov
<bt>Held for the first time this year at Ida Lee Park in Leesburg, the Loudoun Youth Fest is planned by teenagers, for teenagers. Designed as a fun way to get important information out teenagers about issues from drunk driving to safe sex to education, this youth festival does it all. This year's event included performances from local dance groups and musicians, an art competition, a rock climbing wall, a sumo wrestling ring and a three-on-three basketball tournament. Plans are underway for next year's event and those involved hope to make the event even bigger and better. Visit www.loudounteens.org for all updated information.
<ro>Take to the Trail
<lst>Washington & Old Dominion Trail
21293 Smiths Switch Road
Ashburn, VA 20147
703-729-0596
<bt>Stretching from Purcellville in the west to Alexandria in the east, the W&OD Trail stretches 45 miles in length and takes the name from the railroad that ran in the area from 1859-1968.
The recreational trail is well-suited for walking, hiking, biking, jogging, inline skating, while equestrians may ride a parallel trail that stretches from Purcellville to Vienna.
For a map, mileage chart and more information on the trail, go to www.wodfriends.org.
<ro>Get Out of Doors
<lst>Algonkian Regional Park
47001 Fairway Drive
Sterling, VA 20165
703-450-4655
<bt>Situated by the Potomac River, Algonkian Regional Park offers a variety of activities for everyone. Families often gather at the park to vacation in a Riverfront Cottage or spend the afternoon at the Downpour Water Park.
The 18-hole, par-72 golf course is a main attraction, as well as the driving range and the miniature golf course. Picnic shelters may be rented for parties or for a lunch in the outdoors. The park includes a two-mile nature trail, which is known to have great birdwatching and a playground for children.
<ro>Learn from a Master
<lst>Master Gardeners' Lunch-and-Learn
60 Ida Lee Drive
Leesburg, VA 20175
703-771-5150
<bt>Perfect for everyone from beginner to expert gardeners. Held every Tuesday between May and September, at noon, in the Ida Lee Demonstration Garden, this lunch-time lecture series is sponsored by the Loudoun County Master Gardeners. At each session a gardening expert will make a 20- to 30-minute presentation on subjects such as shade gardening, water gardening and harvesting herbs. Each presentation is followed by a question-and-answer session and a chance to get hands dirty. The series is free. For more information visit www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org
<ro>Get Mighty
<lst>The Mighty Midget Kitchen
202 Harrison St., S.E.
Leesburg, VA 20175
703-777-6406
<bt>Don't let the size of this 30-seat outdoor restaurant fool you, the Mighty Midget Kitchen is anything but small. Voted AOL City Guide's choice for Best Barbecue in the Washington, D.C., area this restaurant is the genuine article. Housed in an old fuselage the restaurant was opened in 1947 and was taken over by B'z BBQ Company in September 2000. Open Tuesdays through Thursdays, from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., with the option of staying open later, Friday's hours are advertised, from 11 a.m.-8ish p.m., and Saturdays it is open for lunch, from 12-3 p.m. and for dinner, from 5-9 p.m. On Sundays, go around noon because it is only open as long as there is food left to serve. All openings depend on the weather, so if it isn't nice out, they aren't there. For more information and a complete menu, visit www.bzbbqco.com
<ro>Play a Round
<lst>Local Golf Courses
<bt>Hit the links at any one of the county's public golf courses. In Sterling, visit Algonkian Regional Park where 18 holes cost between $26 and $32 and nine holes cost $16 to $20. Ashburn is home to the Brambleton Regional Park and Golf Course where residents can play 18 holes for $30 to $37 and nine holes for $18 to $24. Leesburg has three public courses to play on. The Goose Creek Golf Course allows weekday play for $23 to $40 and weekend play from $30 to $59. The Gary Player-designed Raspberry Falls Golf and Hunt Club offers 18 holes Mondays through Thursdays for between $57 and $78 with nine holes at $45 and weekend play Fridays through Sundays at $67 to $98 with nine holes costing $55. For something more inexpensive, the Westpark Golf Club green fees run $26 for weekday play and $40 for weekends and holidays. In South Riding, the South Riding Gold Club is open to everyone, but offers members preferred tee times. The green fees range from $42 to $64 on the weekdays and $64 to $79 on the weekends. Visit www.co.loudoun.va.us/business.golf.htm for more information.
<ro>Do-si-do
<lst>Bluemont Country Dances
250 South Nursery Ave.
Purcellville, VA. 20132
540-338-5025
<bt>Swing your partner round and round at the 100-year-old Purcellville Skating Rink. Bluemont brings big country bands and line callers to the wooden dance floor. Bluemont Country Dances are held every third Saturday of the month, October through May. The dances begin at 8 p.m., with a beginner's workshop at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $8 per person and $6 for Bluemont Friends, students and seniors. Visit www.bluemont.org/dances for more information.
<ro>Be Entertained
<lst>Sterling Playmakers
P.O. Box 1611
Sterling, VA 20167
703-437-6117
<bt>Spend an evening at the theater. From slapstick comedies to period pieces, the Sterling Playmakers offers something for everyone. The community theater group will wrap up its 10th anniversary season with shows like "Cinderella's Glass Slipper" and "1776." In fall 2006, the Playmakers will bring "Pride and Prejudice," "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," and the "Miracle Worker" to stage. The Playmakers not only entertain, but also educate the Sterling community through workshops on acting, hair and makeup, directing and producing and sound and lighting. Visit www.sterlingplaymakers.com for more information.
<ro>Get Rural
<lst>Loudoun Farm Tours
Department of Economic Development
1 Harrison St., fifth floor
P.O. Box 7000
Leesburg, VA 20177
703-777-0426
<bt>Twice a year, Loudoun County farmers open their farms to the public to give residents a taste of the rural life. Every year, the Spring Farm Tour is held the third weekend in May and the Loudoun Farm Color Tour is held the third weekend in October. Residents can visit local vegetable and fruit farms to learn how to care for their own plants or maybe buy something for their home. At horse and animal farms visitors have a chance to learn about the animals and meet the newest arrivals. The local vineyards offer tours and tasting for people to enjoy. Visit www.loudounfarms.org for more information and a list of participating farms.
<ro>Spend a Day at the Park
<lst>Claude Moore Park
21544 Old VestalÕs Gap Road
Sterling, VA 20164
703-444-1275
<bt>Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, visit Sterling's Claude Moore Park. The 375-acre park offers residents 11 miles of hiking trails, as well as playing fields and the Loudoun Farm Museum. The park is home to the Sportplex, which includes four lighted baseball fields, three lighted softball fields, a lighted football field and a practice field. The park hosts a number of activities for Loudoun families, including an Ol' Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration, which includes crafts, face painting and food, an annual Autumn Arts and Crafts Show in September, Stories Around the Campfire in October and Holiday in the Park, which includes music entertainment, wagon rides and a candlelight tours of the historic Lanesville Heritage House.
Visit www.co.loudoun.va.us/prcs/parks/claude.htm for more information.
<ro>Show Off your Muscles
<lst>Dulles Day Family Festival and Plane Pull
Dulles International Airport Fed-Ex Terminal, behind buildings 5 and 6
Dulles, VA
703-359-4301
<bt>Each year, the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority Police Department challenges teams of family and friends to pull 150,000 pounds of machinery, at the Dulles Day Family Festival and Plane Pull at Dulles International Airport. Each team donates $1,000 to the Special Olympics of Virginia, to get the chance to pull an airplane. The team that pulls the plane the farthest, wins. The day also includes face painting, food, and a car show. Visit www.planepull.com for more information.
<ro>Unleash Your Inner Muse
<lst>Loudoun Academy of the Arts/Gallery 222
<lst>222 South King St.
Leesburg, VA 20177
703-777-5498
<bt>Feeling artistic? Visit Gallery 222, home to the area's leading artists. The gallery houses a variety of mediums including watercolor, drawings, photography, calligraphy and sculptures. Feeling really artistic? Take an art class at Loudoun Academy of the Arts, a school of fine arts instruction for artists of all ages and skill levels. The school offers classes, like oil painting, pastels, glass and ceramics, and all classes are taught by professional artists. Visit www.gallery222.com for more information.
<ro>Start a Tradition
<lst>Cut Your Own Christmas Tree
Loudoun County Farms
<bt>Start a new holiday tradition at one of Loudoun's 19 Christmas tree farms. Badlands, Creekview, Day Star and Great County Farms are a few farms that allow customers the option of cutting down their own Christmas tree. For a complete list of cut-your-own Christmas tree farms, visit www.loudounfarms.org.
<ro>Walk through History
<lst>Morven Park
The Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation Inc.
P.O. Box 6228
Leesburg, VA 21078
703-777-2414
<bt>This 1,200-acre, historic landmark estate of former Virginia governor, Westmoreland Davis (1918-1922), features tours, gardens, museums, a mansion first built in 1781, an equestrian center and steeplechase racing. The Museum of Hounds and Hunting is particularly interesting, as it serves as the repository of art, artifacts and literature on the sport of fox-hunting, as well as other paintings, photographs, music and books portraying famous hounds.
The park is open Fridays-Mondays, from 12-4 p.m. The price for tours of the mansion, museums and the Winmill Carriage Collection of various vehicles is $5 for adults and $1 for children ages 6-12. Special programs are held Saturday and Sunday by reservation.
More information on Morven Park can be found online at www.morvenpark.org.
<ro>Get Inspired
<lst>Designer Show House
P.O. Box 4270
15 North King St., Suite 202
Leesburg, VA 20176
703-777-7838
<bt>If you love interior decorating and want to see some of the best or get some ideas for your own home, the Designer Show House could be an inspiration. Presented by the Loudoun Arts Council, local designers compete every year for a room in the selected house. This year, the designers will by making over the Rust Manor House at the Rust Nature Sanctuary and combining modern designs with historical influences. After a summer of preparations, the show house will open Sept. 27 and remain open to the public until Oct. 15. For more information about the show house and a list of participating designers visit www.loudounarts.org.