Send announcements, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102 or e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, contact Matthew Razak 703-917-6457. For additional entertainment listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com, E section.
<cal1>Wednesday/Oct. 3
<cal2>Wool Gathering. 4 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St. Come and join a knitting circle. Bring your own needles and yarn. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Thursday/Oct. 4
<cal2>Fabulous Fall. 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Explore the leaves changing colors, the fruits and seeds everywhere and the animals munching down to prepare for winter. Ages 3-6. Cost: $10.50/child. Call 571-258-3700.
<cal1>Friday/Oct. 5
<cal2>Home Tour and Crafts Exhibit. 10 a.m.-p.m., Waterford. Virginia’s oldest juried crafts fair marks its 63rd anniversary this year when the Annual Waterford Homes Tour & Crafts Exhibit, also known as the Waterford Fair, returns. Advance tickets may be charged by phone through the Waterford Foundation office at 540-882-3085 or 882-3018 or online at www.waterfordva.org.
250th Anniversary Celebration. 6-9 p.m., offered by the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office in the historic Old Courthouse at the corner of King and Market streets, Leesburg. "Loudoun Records Start in the Courthouse." Visit www.loudoun.gov/clerk or call 703-777-0270.
After Hours Teen Center. 7-10 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Cascades. Gamer night for high-schoolers. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Book Signing. 6:30-8:30 p.m., Loudoun Museum's log cabin, 14 Loudoun St., S.W., Leesburg. Authors Noel Grove and Charles P. Poland Jr. will be signing copies of their book, "The Lure of Loudoun: Centuries of Change in Virginia’s Emerald County." The book is published by the Loudoun Museum in commemoration of Loudoun County’s 250th anniversary; sales benefit the museum. Call 703-777-7427 or visit www.loudounmuseum.org.
First Friday. 7-9 p.m. at Fitwize4Kids. For fourth and fifth grades. Riverside Presbyterian Church. To RSVP call Beth, 703-444-3528 or visit www.riversidechurch.com. Cost: $10.
<cal1>Saturday/Oct. 6
<cal2>Autumn Apple Festival. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Heritage Farm Museum, 21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling, Celebrate the American Fruit at the 3rd annual Autumn Apple Festival. Apple tasting, children’s activities and demonstrations of historic apple processing equipment. Wagon rides and live animals. Heirloom apple trees available for advanced orders and on-site purchase. Free with paid Museum admission.
Columbus Day Parade. 10 a.m., Sterling Park. The 26th annual Columbus Day parade sponsored by the Good Samaritan Council 6175, Knights of Columbus. Forms at Park View High School, then marches down Laurel Avenue to Sterling Boulevard to Holly Avenue to the Knights of Columbus barn.
Bluegrass Series. Doors open 6 p.m., music begins 7 p.m., Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road. Annual Lucketts bluegrass series featuring Mill Run and Springfield Exit; refreshments available at snack bar. Cost: $13. Call 703-771-5281 or visit www.LuckettsCommunityCenter.
Sterlingfest. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. The 20th anniversary celebration includes music, food, exhibits, children’s activities, community representatives and more. Visit www.sterlingfest.org or call 703-430-9480. Admission is free.
Book Swap. 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling. Trade books, books on tape or compact discs or VHS and DVD movies. Books and magazines in large print are especially needed. Call 703-430-6673. Admission is free.
<cal1>Sunday/Oct. 7
<cal2>W&OD Railroad. 2 p.m., Thomas Balch Library, 208 W. Market St., Leesburg. Paul McCray was manager of the W&OD Trail for 20 years before becoming operations director for the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. McCray will discuss how the railroad was started, its long history and why it played such an important role in the development of Loudoun County. Call 703-737-7195.
<cal1>Wednesday/Oct. 10
<cal2>Benefit Auction. Begins 5:30 p.m., Embassy Suites Dulles North. Loudoun Convention and Visitors Association's second annual benefit auction, Cruisin' the Caribbean-Steel Drums for Scholarship Funds. Cost: $25 per person, includes food and drinks, live band, live and silent auction. Benefits the association's scholarship fund. Call 703-771-2170, Ext. 17.
<cal1>Thursday/Oct. 11
<cal2>Casino Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing. Lunch on own. Cost: $7 members, $9 nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
<cal1>Friday/Oct. 12
<cal2>Open Skate Night, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Douglass Community Center, 405 E. Market St., Leesburg. Children and adults can bring their Rollerblades for a night of skating on the community center’s outdoor rink. Call 703-771-5913. Fee: $1.
After Hours Teen Center. 7-10 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Cascades. Candy bingo for middle- schoolers. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Fabulous Friday. 7-9 p.m. at Fitwize4Kids. For first-third grades. Riverside Presbyterian Church. To RSVP call Beth, 703-444-3528 or visit www.riversidechurch.com. Cost: $10.
<cal1>Saturday/Oct. 13
<cal2>Fall Craft Show. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Free admission and open to the public. Interested vendors, call Erik Onate, 703-430-2397, Ext. 123.
Yard Sale. 8 a.m.-noon, Crossroads Church, 43454 Crossroads Drive, Ashburn. Crossroads Mothers of Preschoolers will be holding a yard sale. Clothing, toys, books, videos, furniture, maternity, layette and other items will be available. All items will be half price from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
<cal1>Sunday/Oct. 14
<cal2>Open House. 1-4 p.m., Ashburn Fire and Rescue, 20688 Ashburn Road. Includes refreshments and entertainment. Free. Call 703-729-0006.
Book Signing. 2 p.m., Thomas Balch Library, 208 W. Market St., Leesburg. "Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Apparatus History," by Mike Sanders, covers the apparatus history of Loudoun County fire and rescue departments through approximately 200 black and white photographs. Sanders has been a volunteer firefighter and fire truck driver for the Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department since 1999. Call 703-737-7195.
<cal1>Monday/Oct. 15
<cal2>Skyline Drive Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take trip to Shenandoah National Park to view the fall colors along Skyline Drive. Cost: $8 members, $10 nonmembers, includes transportation; park admission $8 per person or free with Golden Age or Access Passport. Pack lunch or purchase at Elkwallow Wayside. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
<cal1>Thursday/Oct. 18
<cal2>Skyline Drive Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take trip to Shenandoah National Park to view the fall colors along Skyline Drive. Cost: $8 members, $10 nonmembers, includes transportation; park admission $8 per person or free with Golden Age or Access Passport. Pack lunch or purchase at Elkwallow Wayside. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
After Hours Teen Center. 7-10 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Cascades. Halloween party for high-schoolers. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Saturday/Oct. 20
<cal2>Collection Event. 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Northern Virginia Community College Loudoun Campus, 1000 Harry Flood Byrd Highway, Sterling. Household hazardous waste collection event. Open to county residents only. Free. Visit www.loudoun.gov/oswm/hhw.htm for list of acceptable items or call 703-777-0187.
<cal1>Sunday/Oct. 21
<cal2>Theater Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to see "Dream Girls," at Toby's Dinner Theatre in Baltimore, Md. Cost: $51 members, $53 nonmembers, includes transportation, show, buffet lunch and tip. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
<cal1>Monday/Oct. 22
<cal2>Museums Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the Natural History, Gallery of Art, American Indian, U.S. Botanical gardens, air and Space and African Art/Freer/Hirshhorn/Sackler museums. Lunch on own. Cost: $8 members, $10 nonmembers, includes transportation with free admission. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
<cal1>Wednesday/Oct. 24
<cal2>Casino Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing. Lunch on own. Cost: $7 members, $9 nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
Wool Gathering. 4 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St. Come and join a knitting circle. Bring your own needles and yarn. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Friday/Oct. 26
<cal2>After Hours Teen Center. 7-10 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Cascades. Halloween party for middle-schoolers. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Saturday/Oct. 27
<cal2>Cyber Club. 6-10 p.m., Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling. Parents can take a break on Saturday night while the kids have fun with video games, recreational activities, movies and dinner at the C3 Cyber Club. The cost is $64 for one child and $35 for the second. Pre-registration is required. Call 703-430-6673.
<cal1>Wednesday/Oct. 31
<cal2>Halloween Dance Party. 2-4 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. 8th annual Halloween Party/Dance, includes prizes for costume contest, disc jockey Sky Dantinne, light refreshments and transportation afterwards. Cost: $2 per member, $4 for nonmembers. Call 703-430-2397.
<cal1>Friday/Nov. 2
<cal2>250th Anniversary Celebration. 6-9 p.m., offered by the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office in the historic Old Courthouse at the corner of King and Market streets, Leesburg. "Appreciation for Loudoun’s Veterans." Visit www.loudoun.gov/clerk or call 703-777-0270.
First Friday. 7-9 p.m. at Claude Moore Recreation Center. For fourth and fifth grades. Riverside Presbyterian Church. To RSVP call Beth, 703-444-3528 or visit www.riversidechurch.com. Cost: $10.
<cal1>Saturday/Nov. 3
<cal2>Museums Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery or visit the Spy Museum on own, cost about $15. Lunch on own. Cost: $8 members, $10 nonmembers, includes transportation with free admission to art museum. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
<cal1>Thursday/Nov. 8
<cal2>Casino Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing. Lunch on own. Cost: $7 members, $9 nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
<cal1>Friday/Nov. 9
<cal2>Fabulaous Friday. 7-9 p.m. at Claude Moore Recreation Center. For first-third grades. Riverside Presbyterian Church. To RSVP call Beth, 703-444-3528 or visit www.riversidechurch.com. Cost: $10. $10.
<cal1>Monday/Nov. 12
<cal2>Museum Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Quantco, to visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Lunch on own at museum. Cost: $8 members, $10 nonmembers, includes transportation with free admission. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
<cal1>Wednesday/Nov. 14
<cal2>Museums Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the Natural History, Gallery of Art, American Indian, U.S. Botanical gardens, air and Space and African Art/Freer/Hirshhorn/Sackler museums. Lunch on own. Cost: $8 members, $10 nonmembers, includes transportation with free admission. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
<cal1>Friday/Nov. 16
<cal2>Shopping Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Boyd's Bear Country, Gettysburg, Pa. Includes shopping at Boyd's and downtown Gettysburg. Lunch on own. Cost: $10 members, $12 nonmembers, includes transportation. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
<cal1>Saturday/Nov. 17
<cal2>Cyber Club. 6-10 p.m., Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling. Parents can take a break on Saturday night while the kids have fun with video games, recreational activities, movies and dinner at the C3 Cyber Club. The cost is $64 for one child and $35 for the second. Pre-registration is required. Call 703-430-6673.
<cal1>Wednesday/Nov. 28
<cal2>Casino Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing. Lunch on own. Cost: $7 members, $9 nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
<cal1>Monday/Dec. 10
<cal2>Holiday Lights Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to view the Pageant of Peace and visit the Mormon Temple grounds and visitors center. Lunch on own. Cost: $21 members, $23 nonmembers, includes transportation with free admission. Dinner on own at Union Station. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
<cal1>Thursday/Dec. 13
<cal2>Holiday Lights Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to view the Pageant of Peace and visit the Mormon Temple grounds and visitors center. Lunch on own. Cost: $21 members, $23 nonmembers, includes transportation with free admission. Dinner on own at Union Station. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.