Send announcements or events, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102 or e-mail <a href="mailto:loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com">loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com</a>. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call 703-917-6454.
<cal1>Wednesday/Oct. 8
<cal2>TEDDY BEAR PARTY. 4 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Bring a favorite teddy to a party at the library. Ages 3-6. Registration begins two weeks before the program. Sign up at library.loudoun.gov or 703-737-8100.
HALLOWEEN SUPREME. 4-5 p.m., Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling. Ages 4 and up. Includes Halloween fun. Cost: $9, with all supplies included. Preregistration required, call 571-258-3500.
RUST RAMBLES. 10-11:30 a.m., Rust Nature Sanctuary, 802 Childrens Center Road, Leesburg. Spend a morning meandering through the meadows, forests and wetlands with a naturalist. Adults and older children. Free.
<cal1>Thursday/Oct. 9
<cal2>CASINO TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing; lunch on own. Cost: $8 for members, $10 for nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
TREE-RIFFIC FALL. 9:30-11 a.m. or 12:30-2 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal's Gap Road, Sterling. Ages 3-6. Explore the beautiful leaves, nuts and seeds and animals getting ready for winter in the forests. Cost: $10.50. Call 571-258-3700.
FIRE SAFETY. 4 p.m., Rust Library, 34D Catoctin Circle, Leesburg. In recognition of Fire Safety Week, two firefighters will talk about fire safety and show what they wear when fighting fires. Ages 3 and up. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
BOOK SIGNING. 6-8 p.m., Oatlands, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg. The Journey Through Hallowed Ground and Oatlands host a talk and signing by National Geographic photographer Kenneth Garrett on the newly published book, "Journey Through Hallowed Ground: Birthplace of the American Ideal." Free and open to the public, but RSVP by Oct. 2 to Jaime McClung at 540-882-4929 or jaime@jthg.org.
FROGSHACKLE OPEN HOUSE. 2:30-3:30 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. All ages can discover a treasure trove of objects from nature. Free; no registration required. Call 571-258-3700.
<cal1>Friday/Oct. 10
<cal2>TEEN CENTER. 7-10 p.m., After-Hours Teen Center, Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Features art night. All teens attending the teen center must have a permission slip, signed by a parent or guardian, on file. Download the permission slip at http://library.loudoun.gov go to Teen Scene, Events, Hanging Out Rocks. For middle schoolers.
FROM SWANN'S CASTLE to Governor's Mansion: Exploring an Old Southern Estate. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. Learn Morven Park's history from 19th century plantation to early 20th century hunt country estate and working farm. Guided tours include exhibits, carriage collection, Confederate huts and outdoor walk around property. Cost: adults $5, children $1. Meet at Coach House Visitors Center. Call 703-777-6034.
BABYPACKING. 9:30-10:15 a.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Walk outdoors with your baby as a naturalist leads the group on a nature adventure. No unregistered siblings. Cost: $5.25 per child. Call 571-258-3700.
NATURE BUDDIES. 10:45-11:30 a.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Toddlers explore nature with an adult. Discover the trees, birds and ponds of the park relating while focusing on a tree theme. No unregistered siblings. Cost: $5.25 per child. Call 571-258-3700.
<cal1>Saturday/Oct. 11
<cal2>COLUMBUS DAY PARADE. 10 a.m., Sterling Park. 27th annual Columbus Day parade staged by the Good Samaritan Council 6175, Knights of Columbus. Participation open the community including bike riders, marching bands or other musical groups, organizations, antique cars, military units, youth groups, floats, athletic leagues and school groups. Parade begins at Park View High School and travels down Laurel Avenue to Sterling Boulevard to Holly Avenue and ends at the Knights of Columbus Barn. Includes refreshments for participants at the barn. Contact Steve Rogers, 571-333-7787 or Don Harris, 703-729-3340.
FALL FESTIVAL. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Waterford. Joshua's Hands' annual festival. Includes food, children's crafts, games, pony rides, lunch and auction. Free, auction benefits the nonprofit Joshua's Hands. Visit www.JoshuasHands.org or call 540-540-7827.
CANCER WALK. 5:30 p.m., Ida Lee Park, 60 Ida Lee Drive, N.W., Leesburg. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's National Capital Area Chapter's Light the Night Walk to raise money to help cure blood cancers. Cost: $25 participant donation is recommended. Call 703-960-1100 or visit www.lightthenight.org/nca.
TREASURES SALE. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Cascades Village Seniors, 46565 Harry Byrd Highway. Yard and craft sale featuring handmade items, floral arrangements, jewelry, candles and more.
FOLK-ROCK CONCERT. 5-7 p.m., Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills St., Great Falls. The Jim & Ashley Cash Band of Potomac Falls will perform at the second annual Moon on the River Concert. Bring blankets, flashlights, food and bug spray. Cost: $10, on sale at 4 p.m. on the day of the show.
JOUSTING CHAMPIONSHIPS. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Mt. Zion Old School Baptist Church, 40309 John Mosby Highway, Aldie. Includes jousters from Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania charging down an 80-yard track and trying to lance rings of varying sizes. Bring chairs, no seating available. Free. Rain date Oct. 12. Visit www.nationaljousting.com.
STERLINGFEST. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Activities for all ages. Visit www.sterlingfoundation.org or call 703-430-9480. Rain date Oct. 12.
STEEPLECHASE RACES. 11 a.m. gates open, 1 p.m. races start, Morven Park International Equestrian Center, 41793 Tutt Lane, Leesburg. Day of family-friendly steeplechase races, also includes the Family Fun Fair with activities and treats. Cost: advance general admission $30 per car; race day general admission $10 per person. Call 703-777-2414.
BIRDING BANSHEE. 8 a.m., Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, between The Woods Road and Goose Creek. Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and the Friends of Banshee Reeks for the monthly bird walk. Bring binoculars. Contact Joe Coleman at 540-554-2542 or jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org.
OPEN HOUSE. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Sterling Volunteer Rescue Squad, 104 East Commerce Street, Sterling. Includes activities and demonstrations and more. Contact www.sterlingrescue.com.
COFFEEHOUSE SERIES. 8 p.m., Unitarian Church of Loudoun, 20460 Gleedsville Road, Leesburg. Larry Burnett, founding member of ‘70s acoustic pop-rock group Firefall will play the Shenandoah Coffeehouse Series. Bring a favorite coffee mug; coffee and other refreshments provided by the event hosts. Cost: $12. Visit www.shenandoahacoustics.com.
<cal1>Sunday/Oct. 12
<cal2>PLANT EXCHANGE. 2 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. 15th annual Fall Seed and Plant Exchange, bring extra seeds, bulbs, plants and cuttings to exchange. Call 703-430-2136.
POKER RIDE. 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Morven Park International Equestrian Center, 41793 Tutt Lane, Leesburg. Tri-State Riding Club is sponsoring its second annual fun Poker Ride. 50 percent of the registration fees go to Morven Park International Equestrian Center in support of its horse facilities. Participants have up to four hours to ride their own horse through well-marked trails while playing a game of five-card draw poker by collecting cards from dealers stationed along the ride. Cost: $30 per horse in advance, $35 day of the event. Registration form and waiver found at http://www.milesofsmilestraining.com/SignUp08.pdf. Call 540-882-3697 or e-mail nagridr@hotmail.com.
TRAVEL THROUGH TIME in the Winmill Carriage Collection. 1-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. Take a guided tour through a collection of 19th century horse-drawn vehicles, including coaches, sleighs, carts, buggies and a hearse from the 1800s. Cost: adults $5, children $1. Meet at Coach House Visitor Center. Visit www.morvenpark.org or call 703-777-6034.
CANOE AND WINE TOUR. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Tarara Vineyard and Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg. Go on a four-and-half- to seven-mile canoe paddle and finish with a wine and cheese tasting. Cost: $95 per person, $85 per under 21. Call 703-771-7100 or visit www.tarara.com for tickets.
DOG DAYS. Noon-4 p.m., downtown Leesburg. Includes vendors, information booths, dog cooling stations, demonstrations and contests for the cutest dog, "ugliest" dog and dog/owner look-alike with all proceeds benefiting the attending animal care, welfare and rescue organizations. To enter contests, mail appropriate photos to The Old Country Peddler, 3 North King St., Leesburg, VA 20176. Visit www.meetmedowntown.org.
<cal1>Monday/Oct. 13
<cal2>FROM SWANN'S CASTLE to Governor's Mansion: Exploring an Old Southern Estate. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. See Oct. 10 item for details.
<cal1>Tuesday/Oct. 14
<cal2>MAD SCIENTISTS' CLUB. 7 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Explore scientific topics through recreational and informational activities. Ages 8-11. October: It's a Zoo in Here. Register online at http://library.loudoun.gov or phone 703-737-8100.
<cal1>Wednesday/Oct. 15
<cal2>GOLF FUND-RAISER. 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m., at Raspberry Falls Golf & Hunt Club, 41601 Raspberry Drive, Leesburg. The Loudoun Convention and Visitors Association Foundation is hosting a charity auction and golf classic fund-raiser. Day includes golf tourney and clinic, silent and live auction and a dinner. Call Wendy Ferrigno at 703-771-2170, Ext. 24 or visit www.LCVAFoundation.org to participate or sponsor.
SENIOR MOVIES. 1:30 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. See "Leatherheads," starring George Clooney and John Krasinski, rated PG-13, 114 minutes. Cost: $2, includes popcorn and soda. Call 703-430-2397.
MEET THE AUTHOR. 7:30 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Teens are invited to hear David Lubar, author and former video-game programmer, discuss his books and the process of writing. Call 703-737-8100.
MIDWEEK BIRD WALK. 8:30-11 a.m., Horsepen Preserve, borders the Potomac River immediately to the west of Algonkian Park. Join Joe Coleman and Linda Sieh for one of Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy’s free midweek walks. Registration required, contact Joe Coleman at jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org or 540-554-2542.
FUN WITH FALL. 3:30-5 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Children ages 6-10 can join a quest to find the perfect leaf to use in an art project. Cost: $10.50 per child. Call 571-258-3700.
<cal1>Thursday/Oct. 16
<cal2>BILINGUAL STORY TIME. 4 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. A Spanish and English story time presented by Barbara Davila. Recommended for ages 2-6. Check http://library.loudoun.gov.
RING DING SPIDER DAY. 4:30-5:30 p.m., Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling. Children ages 4 and up will make delicious spiders to take home for after dinner desert; chocolate will be used. Cost: $8 with $3 supply fee. Preregistration required, call 571-258-3500.
<cal1>Friday/Oct. 17
<cal2>TEEN CENTER. 7-10 p.m., After-Hours Teen Center, Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Features art night. All teens attending the teen center must have a permission slip, signed by a parent or guardian, on file. Download the permission slip at http://library.loudoun.gov go to Teen Scene, Events, Hanging Out Rocks. For high schoolers.
RUMMAGE SALE. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Morven Park’s Equestrian Center in Leesburg. 70th Annual Ladies Board Rummage Sale benefiting Ladies Board projects and the Ladies Board nursing scholarships. Admission is free during regular sale hours, but the doors will open one hour early Friday only, at 8 a.m., to those with tickets for this Early Bird Hour, which cost $5 per person and are needed for anyone 12 years old or older. Ticket proceeds benefit the Polly Clemens Nursery Fund. Includes silent auction Friday only, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Call 703-771-2985 or visit www.ladiesboard.org.
FROM SWANN'S CASTLE to Governor's Mansion: Exploring an Old Southern Estate. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. Learn Morven Park's history from 19th century plantation to early 20th century hunt country estate and working farm. Guided tours include exhibits, carriage collection, Confederate huts and outdoor walk around property. Cost: adults $5, children $1. Meet at Coach House Visitors Center. Call 703-777-6034.
<cal1>Saturday/Oct. 18
<cal2>COURT AND MARKET DAYS. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Downtown Leesburg. Celebrate the heritage of Leesburg with artisan demonstrations, re-enactments of court cases from 1750-1825, period entertainment and more. Includes children's activities, food vendors and live entertainment. Contact Ida Lee Park Recreation Center at 703-777-1368.
FALL FARM COLOR TOUR. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., locations countywide. Self-guided tour of vineyards, orchards, pick-your-own farms and the Heritage Farm Museum. Sponsored by the Department of Economic Development, visit the Web site, www.LoudounFarms.org, to download a brochure of participating locations and a map.
MUSEUM TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to tour the Newseum; lunch on own. Cost: $26 for members, $28 for nonmembers, includes transportation and admission. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
NOAA OPEN HOUSE. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., NOAA's National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington Weather Forecast Office, 43858 Weather Service Road (off Old Ox Road, adjacent to Dulles Airport), Sterling. Includes demonstrations, tours, exhibits, weather balloon launch and more.
RESCUE EVENT. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., PetSmart, 46220 Potomac Run Plaza, Sterling. Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League (MAGDRL), one of the largest breed specific rescues in the North East, is hosting a meet and greet. MAGDRL helps find homes for abandoned or homeless Great Danes. MAGDRL will be at the Sterling PetSmart on the third Saturday of every month. Call Sterling PetSmart, 703-444-6500.
RUMMAGE SALE. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Morven Park’s Equestrian Center in Leesburg. See Oct. 17 item for details.
FAMILY STREAM DAY. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Loudoun Water, 44865 Loudoun Water Way, Ashburn. The seventh annual "Exploring Our Streams Day," planned by Loudoun Watershed Watch and co-hosted with the Loudoun Environmental Stewardship Alliance, kicks off with the grand opening of Loudoun Water's new Aquiary, an educational exhibit on water. Rain or shine. Visit http://www.loudounwatershedwatch.org/subitem4_9.html.
ALDIE FESTIVAL. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Village of Aldie, John Mosby Highway, Aldie. This 200-year-old village presents a harvest festival featuring food, entertainment, vendors, crafts, bake sales, grinding and blacksmithing demonstrations and more. Admission free; optional parking donation $5. Call 703-327-4060 or visit www.villageofaldie.com/harvestfest.htm
5K RACE. 9 a.m., Stone Ridge Village Plaza, 42010 Village Center Plaza, Stone Ridge. Run in the third annual Stone Ridge 5K Race for Education. Includes activities and prizes for all ages. Proceeds go to Dulles South public schools. Visit Web site for registration fees, www.stoneridge5k.org.
AVFRC FUND-RAISER. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, 20688 Ashburn Road, Ashburn. Holiday Shopping Spree, fund-raising event. Includes vendors and free drawings. All proceeds will go to support the Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company. Contact Tina Hoellerer at 703-342-8177 or tina@ashburnfirerescue.org.
DODGEBALL FUND-RAISER. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., at Diamond Sports Training, Sterling. The Help Madeleine Dodge It! Tournament to raise money for Madeleine Baet, 4, of Leesburg, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Anyone can participate, must preregister a team of six-eight players by Oct. 15. Team fees: ages 16 and under $150 per team; ages 17 and older $200 per team. Register by visiting www.helpmadeleinedodgeit.com. Contact Jennifer Mattingly at 703-729-2644 for additional information on the tournament. For additional information on the Baet family, contact Pamela Baet at 540-229-4092.
FIGHTING & FROLICKING: The Civil War Comes to Morven Park. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. Confederate soldiers and local civilians bring the Civil War to life in a recreated encampment from 1861/62. Visit replica log huts and see authentic objects of the time period. Watch demonstrations of musket firing, troops drilling and campfire cooking at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Cost: $5 per person, $1 per child 6-12, free for children under 6. Call 703-777-6034 or visit http://www.morvenpark.org.
LECTURE SERIES. 1-2:30 p.m., Smithsonian Naturalist Center, 741 Miller Drive, S.E., Suite G-2, Leesburg. Meredith Ferdie-Muth presents A Journey to the Coasts of Mozambique, Africa. Free and open to the public. No children under 10. call the Naturalist Center at 703-779-9712.
AUTHOR VISIT. 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., Loudoun Museum, 16 Loudoun St., Leesburg. Author Tim Lewis will read selections from his book, "The Virginiad," original poetry telling the history of the commonwealth. Call 703-777-7427.
BOLLYWOOD DANCE. 3 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Young performers from Cham Cham Payal Bajey International, in traditional Indian-style dress, will demonstrate Bollywood-style dance. All ages. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
LANESVILLE OPEN HOUSE. 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Discover the history of this National Register of Historic Places listed property. Free. Call 571-258-3700.
HALLOWEEN PROGRAM. 7 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Plantation Planter Lane, Leesburg. Legends from Morven Park includes costumed guides leading a tour around the gardens, grounds and buildings as they share unusual stories from the past and present at this historic site. Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for children under 12. Reservations required; call 703-777-6034.
<cal1>Sunday/Oct. 19
<cal2>FALL FARM COLOR TOUR. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., locations countywide. See Oct. 18 item for details.
NOAA OPEN HOUSE. Noon-5 p.m., NOAA's National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington Weather Forecast Office, 43858 Weather Service Road (off Old Ox Road, adjacent to Dulles Airport), Sterling. See Oct. 18 item for details.
SUNDAY IN THE PRESERVE. 1 p.m., Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, between The Woods Road and Goose Creek. Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and the Friends of Banshee Reeks for a free informal, family walk around the preserve. Call the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve at 703-669-0316.
TRAVEL THROUGH TIME in the Winmill Carriage Collection. 1-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. Take a guided tour through a collection of 19th century horse-drawn vehicles, including coaches, sleighs, carts, buggies and a hearse from the 1800s. Cost: adults $5, children $1. Meet at Coach House Visitor Center. Visit www.morvenpark.org or call 703-777-6034.
BROTO ROY. 2 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Broto Roy will play the sitar and the tabla. Roy was born into a prominent musical family of Calcutta, India, where his great-grandfather was one of India’s greatest songwriters. All ages. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
HALLOWEEN PROGRAM. 7 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Plantation Planter Lane, Leesburg. See Oct. 19 item for details.
<cal1>Monday/Oct. 20
<cal2>READER'S THEATRE. 4 p.m., Rust Library, 30 B Catoctin Circle, Leesburg. A Reader's Theatre presentation of the Loudoun County Public Library One Book-One Community selection, "Nothing But the Truth" with professional actors Tim Jons, Stokes Tomlin and Carolyn Christensen.
FROM SWANN'S CASTLE to Governor's Mansion: Exploring an Old Southern Estate. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. See the Oct. 17 item for details.
ANIMAL TALK. 9:30-11 a.m. or 12:30-2 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Children ages 3-6 can discover the secret languages of wild animals. Cost: $10.50 per child. Call 571-258-3700.
<cal1>Tuesday/Oct. 21
<cal2>BILINGUAL STORY TIME. 6:30 p.m., Rust Library, 34D Catoctin Circle, Leesburg. Sing canciones, listen to cuentos and learn rimas in English and Spanish. All ages. Check library.loudoun.gov.
<cal1>Wednesday/Oct. 22
<cal2>CASINO TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing; lunch on own. Cost: $8 for members, $10 for nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
HONORING ECHO. 6:30-8 p.m., Dulles Airport Marriott. The special care planning team of the Washington Group is holding a reception to honor ECHO (Every Citizen Has Opportunities). Theme: Hail to the Redskins and includes drawings. RSVP 703-277-6762 or e-mail boravec@finsvcs.com.
<cal1>Friday/Oct. 24
<cal2>FURRY FRIDAY. 5-7 p.m., Sterling Community Center, 20 Enterprise St., Sterling. Once a month, animals from the Loudoun County Animal Shelter will be at the Sterling Community. Bring the whole family for a real "happy hour" with animals looking for new homes. Visit www.loudoun.gov/animals.
TEEN CENTER. 7-10 p.m., After-Hours Teen Center, Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Features Halloween dance party. All teens attending the teen center must have a permission slip, signed by a parent or guardian, on file. Download the permission slip at http://library.loudoun.gov go to Teen Scene, Events, Hanging Out Rocks. For middle schoolers.
FLASHLIGHT CANDY HUNT/COSTUME CONTEST. 6:30-7:30 p.m., Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling. Ages 2-12. Dress in costume and bring a flashlight to gather candy-filled Halloween eggs. Age groups are 2-3, 4-6 and 7-10. Prizes and games. Cost: $10. Call 571-258-3500.
<cal1>Saturday/Oct. 25
<cal2>APPLE FESTIVAL. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling. Fourth annual Autumn Apple Festival. Exhibit "Virginia Apples for Flavor: The Story of Hill High Orchards," see historic orchard tools at work, learn how to make cider, visit with local orchardists, browse locally made apple products, meet local farmers and learn about how to buy fresh and shop local. Cost: adults $5 and children $3. Call 571-258-3800.
ANNUAL BONE HUNT & COSTUME EXTRAVAGANZA. 10 a.m.-noon, Douglass Community Center, 405 E. Market St., Leesburg. Have your four-legged friend wear his/her best costume for great photo opportunities. Cost: $3 per dog. Call 703-771-5913.
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT. 7-9 p.m., Douglass Community Center, 405 E. Market St., Leesburg. All ages. Enjoy "Wallace and Grommit’s Curse of the Were-Rabbit" on a giant inflatable screen. Free. Call 703-771-5913.
AIR AND SCARE. 4-8 p.m., Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly. Discover the strange and spooky side of aviation and space through many activities. Tickets free, $10 for parking. Call 202-633-1000 or visit www.nasm.si.edu/udvarhazy.
DOG SHOW. 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Oatlands Plantation, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg. Middleburg Kennel Club will be holding its 25th annual Dog Show with 2,000 dogs from 157 breeds from around the country. Do not bring pets. Cost: $5 parking fee. Visit www.MiddleburgKC.com.
LECTURE SERIES. 1-2:30 p.m., Smithsonian Naturalist Center, 741 Miller Drive, S.E., Suite G-2, Leesburg. Fred Diehl presents The Galapagos and Darwin-150 Years Later. Free and open to the public. No children under 10. call the Naturalist Center at 703-779-9712.
<cal1>Sunday/Oct. 26
<cal2>BATTLEFIELD ILLUMINATION. 7-8 p.m., Ball’s Bluff Regional Park, Ball’s Bluff Road, Leesburg. Witness the illumination of Ball's Bluff Battlefield in honor of the soldiers who lost their lives there. Free. Call 703-737-7800 or visit www.NVRPA.org.
HARVEST PARTY. 4 p.m., Sterling United Methodist Church, 304 East Church Road, Sterling. Celebrate the harvest with crafts, games, moon bounce and more. Children should wear their favorite, nonscary costume and bring a supervising adult. Free. Call 703-430-6455 or visit www.sterlingUMC.org.
<cal1>Monday/Oct. 27
<cal2>STORY TIME WITH JABBERU. 11 a.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Foreign language story time, expose children to other languages through interactive stories and songs. Ages 3 and up. Day's selection: Spanish language. Register online at http://library.loudoun.gov or phone 703-737-8100.
WOOLGATHERING. 6 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Bring own stitching project and gather to chat with friends. Ages 12 and up. Call 703-430-9500.
<cal1>Wednesday/Oct. 29
<cal2>BINGO TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Bingo World in Baltimore, Md.; lunch on own or bring bag lunch. Cost: $11 for members, $13 for nonmembers, includes transportation; purchase bingo cards at the door. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Thursday/Oct. 30
<cal2>MOVIE NIGHT. 7 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Watch "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," "You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown" and "Garfield's Halloween Adventure." Bring pillows, blankets and snacks. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
HALLOWEEN PARTY. 2-4 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Costume party includes disc jockey Sky Dantinne, light refreshments and snacks and transportation home. Cost: $3 for members in advance; $5 for nonmembers and at the door. Call 703-430-2397.
HALLOWEEN STORYFEST. 6:30-8 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Ages 5 and up. Sit by the campfire’s glow and listen to chilling stories of ghosts. Bring a toasting stick, marshmallows and hot cider provided. Cost: $6. An adult must accompany children. Call 571-258-3700.
<cal1>Friday/Oct. 31
<cal2>TEEN CENTER. 7-10 p.m., After-Hours Teen Center, Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Features Halloween dance party. All teens attending the teen center must have a permission slip, signed by a parent or guardian, on file. Download the permission slip at http://library.loudoun.gov go to Teen Scene, Events, Hanging Out Rocks. For high schoolers.
HALLOWEEN PARTY. 2-4 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Includes disc jockey, light refreshments, snacks and transportation. Wear costume. Cost: $3 for members in advance, $5 for nonmembers and at door. Call 703-430-2397.
ZOO TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the Smithsonian National Zoological Park; lunch on own or bring bag lunch. Cost: $9 for members, $11 for nonmembers, includes transportation. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Saturday/Nov. 1
<cal2>PAPER MODELERS CONVENTION. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Hampton Inn & Suites, Sterling. 11th annual International Paper Modelers' Convention includes displays and opportunity to swap, sell and buy models. Buffet dinner and auction of model kits at 7 p.m. Cost: admission free; table rental $35; buffet dinner and auction $40. Call 703-620-9720.
<cal1>Sunday/Nov. 2
<cal2>MONTHLY BREAKFAST. 8 a.m.-noon, Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, 20688 Ashburn Road. Breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, gravy and biscuits, hash browns, coffee and juices. Features monthly themes and Kids Activity Corner; apparatus bay area is open to children of all ages. Cost: adults $6, ages 3-8 $4, under 3 free and seniors $5. Call 703-729-0006.