EVENTS

A Feast of Fall Festivals

From oceanfront concerts to wiener dog races, Quidditch matches to hayrides, celebrate fall’s arrival with this flurry of festivals all over the state.

CENTRAL SEPT. 16-18

FIELD DAY OF THE PAST

Amelia: Tractor and truck pulls, living history displays and reenactments, antique farming equipment, and carnival rides. 804-741-8468, FieldDayofthePast.net

OCT. 7-9

DEVILS BACKBONE HOOPLA

Roseland: Live music headlined by Charley Crockett, craft beer, canned cocktails, and camping. 434-361-1001, DBBrewingCompany.com

OCT. 15

FESTIVAL OF GRAPES & HOPS

Petersburg: More than 40 Virginia breweries and wineries, local bands, and vendors in historic Old Towne. 804-733-8131, GrapesandHopsPetersburg.com

OCT. 15

SCOTT’S ADDITION PUMPKIN FESTIVAL

Richmond: Festive food and beverage, costume contests (for humans and dogs alike), and all things pumpkin. ScottsAdditionPumpkinFestival.com EASTERN SEPT. 17

GLOUCESTER WINE FESTIVAL

Gloucester: The Gloucester Chamber of Commerce’s premier annual event, held this year at Brent & Beckys’s Bulbs. *See our feature on page 112. 804-693-2425, GloucesterVaWineFestival.com

SEPT. 30-OCT. 2

NEPTUNE FESTIVAL BOARDWALK WEEKEND

Virginia Beach: Oceanfront concerts, more than 200 artisan booths, and an international sand sculpting competition. 757-498-0215, NeptuneFestival.com

OCT. 1

BACON, BOURBON, & MUSIC FEST

Smithfield: Breweries, distilleries, and wineries, a bacon bar, and cigar courtyard for smoking and sipping. 757-357-5182, SmithfieldVaEvents.com

OCT. 14–16

POQUOSON SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

Poquoson: A salute to the Chesapeake Bay featuring crafts vendors, a petting zoo, live music, and plenty of fresh seafood. PoquosonSeafoodFestival.com

Botanical haute couture by Françoise Weeks

GROW YOUR KNOWLEDGE

SAVOR THE EYE CANDY of Françoise Weeks’ foraged haute couture and Robert Llewellyn’s extraordinary microphotography—all botanically inspired. Both are featured at the Garden Club of Virginia’s Symposium 2022, Grow Your Knowledge, Sept. 20-21, at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond. Free and ticketed programs, open to the public, also include keynote speakers Thomas Woltz, acclaimed landscape architect with globe-spanning projects, and Shaun Spencer-Hester, granddaughter of Harlem Renaissance poet and Lynchburg gardener Anne Spencer. Plus, enjoy a botanical mixology event and a full-scale flower show in which horticulture, artistic design, and photography are integrated. Symposium.GCVirginia.org. —by Madeline Mayhood

Lovettsville Oktoberfest will be hosting wiener dog races. NORTHERN SEPT. 23-24

LOVETTSVILLE OKTOBERFEST

Lovettsville: Stein hoisting competitions, wiener dog races, Bavarian dancing, traditional German fare, and barrels of beer. 540-822-5788, LovettsvilleOktoberfest.com

OCT. 7-9

WATERFORD FAIR

Waterford: Contemporay craft artisans, living historians, a juried art show, historic property tours, and local libations. 540-882-3018, WaterfordFairVa.org

OCT. 15-16

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL

Manassas: Craft and food vendors, train rides, rock walls, live music, and of course, hot air balloon rides. 703-792-8420, VisitPWC.com OCT. 22-23

FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL

Mount Vernon: 18th-century farming, cooking, candle making, and textile production demonstrations, and beer tasting events with local breweries. 703-780-2000, MountVernon.org

Neptune Festival in Virginia Beach

SHENANDOAH VALLEY SEPT. 15-17

WATERMELON PICKERS’ FEST

Berryville: Bluegrass band and pickin’ contests, a beer garden, camping, kids activities, and plenty of juicy watermelon. 540-955-1621, WatermelonPickersFest.com

SEPT. 24–25

QUEEN CITY MISCHIEF & MAGIC

Staunton: Quidditch matches, butterbeer, and magical storefront décor make up this homespun Harry Potter-themed fan festival. QueenCityMagic.com

Quidditch at Queen City Mischief & Magic in Staunton Fresh roasted Virginia oysters are on the menu at the GMHS Annual Oyster Roast at the Inn at Warner Hall, Oct. 29.

OCT. 1

MOUNTAIN MAGIC IN FALL FESTIVAL

Buchanan: Small town America comes to life with antique car and tractor displays, bluegrass concerts, and Southern food vendors. 540-254-1212, TownofBuchanan.com

OCT. 15

FESTIVAL OF LEAVES

Front Royal: A Friday night downtown block party, hayrides, historical reenactments, and leaf peeping to celebrate the festival’s 50th year. FestivalofLeaves.org

SOUTHWEST SEPT. 24

BURKE’S GARDEN FALL FESTIVAL

Tazewell: Living history, crafts, historical exhibits, food vendors, and local produce. 276-970-3950, Facebook: @BurkesGardenFallFestival

OCT. 6-8

FIRST ANNUAL BLUE HIGHWAY FEST

Big Stone Gap: Inaugural bluegrass and roots music fest celebrating Blue Ridge heritage. 423-963-5090, BlueHighwayFest.com

PAWS ON THE RIVAH

Fall Oyster Roast at Warner Hall benefits shelter animals.

OYSTERS SERVED EVERY WHICH WAY—roasted, grilled, smoked, and just-shucked—will be on deck at the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society’s Annual Fall Oyster Roast at the Inn at Warner Hall, located on picturesque farmland at the head of the Severn River.

“We couldn’t be more excited for the return of our in-person event,” says the humane society’s CEO, April Martinez. Live music promises to set a festive mood, and a delicious array of seasonal side dishes and desserts, plus beer and wine are also on the menu.

This annual fundraiser provides life-saving programs and services that benefit the shelter’s homeless animals, including temporary shelter; adoption; transfer to adoption-guarantee partners through the Highway to Home program; low- and no-cost spay/neuter surgery through the Fixin’ to Save Spay & Neuter Clinic; and a Pet Pantry for pet owners experiencing economic hardship.

Fundraisers like the Oyster Roast ensure the GMHS “remains a beacon of hope and safe harbor for pets and people in need,” adds Martinez. An extra treat? A peek at shelter pets on parade. Oct. 29, 2:00-5:00 p.m. WarnerHall.com, GMHumaneSociety.org —by Madeline Mayhood

OCT. 14-16

ANTHEM GO OUTSIDE FESTIVAL

Roanoke: Bike rides, pro-athlete competitions, dog dock jumping contents, group runs, a BMX stunt show, and lots of live music. 540-343-1550, RoanokeGoFest.com

OCT. 22 BREW DO

Blacksburg: Sip through a selection of ales, lagers, pilsners, stouts, and ciders, with local food vendors and live music at Historic Smithfield homestead. 540-443-2008, BlacksburgBrewDo.com

SHARE THE DATE Tell us about your upcoming event, and we might share it here! Send an email to Editors@CapeFear.com with the subject line “events.” Include the event name, date(s), location, sponsor, admission price, contact info, and a brief description. Plus, submit your event to our online calendar at: VirginiaLiving.com/Events/Submit.html The Woodshedders perform at Watermelon Pickers’ Fest.