Loudoun Now
HOME HOLIDAYS
Stay local this season and experience the magic of Loudoun’s historic towns, special holiday events and joyous moments with family over craft beverages and local fare. Go to visitloudoun.org or scan the QR code
ART SCENE
Loudoun
GET OUT LOUDOUN
Get Out Loudoun is distributed monthly to entertainment, tourism, & hospitality venues throughout Loudoun County. For the latest news on the music & arts scene and other community events, go to getoutloudoun.com.
CONTRIBUTORS
Douglas Rogers
Norman K. Styer
William Timmie TO ADVERTISE
Susan Styer at 703-770-9723 or sales@loudounnow.com getoutloudoun.com
Leesburg’s Lassiter Alley continues to grow as a local art showcase with the addition of new works by Danielle Ferrin and Ennedi Shtanko.
HISTORY
Oatlands is always a destination during the holiday season. This year, decades of fashion sense are on display along with the classic Christmas decorations.
TUNES
Get Out Loudoun’s best bets for December. 14 18
For years, singer/songwriter Dave Mininberg has been sharing songs of life in Key West with audiences around Loudoun. Now, he’s ready to make the move.
WINE
Wine wasn’t part of the landscape when Casey Luther was growing up in Loudoun County. Now, she is among the community leaders helping to share the industry’s story.
HOLIDAYS AROUND THE TOWNS
Parades, tours and Santa visits: Loudoun’s towns roll out special holiday experiences.
YEARS IN BUSINESS
Loudoun County is a special place because of the contributions from its small businesses and entrepreneurs. In this issue, we celebrate their successes.
BEST BETS
LOUDOUN'S Hidden Holiday Gems
BY DOUGLAS ROGERS
Late one Monday evening last year I was walking to my car parked on a quiet Leesburg side street when I stumbled on a surreal sight: in the pink-lit ground floor room of a historic home, a dozen couples were swing dancing to Big Band jazz. For a second I thought I was hallucinating. Had I been transported to 1950s New York or New Orleans? Neither, as it happens. The party was a weekly swing dance class hosted by Dance Kings.
group classes, they also offer private lessons and host events at wineries and breweries. Coming up this month: Jingle Bell Swing at Creek’s Edge Winery; Sips & Dips at Kalero Vineyard and Family Holiday Dance Party at Solace Brewing Company. They will also host a Valentine’s Day event at Boxwood Winery in 2026.
Loudoun is full of surprises and hidden gems. Dance Kings is the Leesburg business of husband-and-wife pro dancers April and Adam King where they teach everything from swing and salsa to Dominican bachata. Besides
“We love being out in the community creating unique experiences,” April said. “We try to make dancing approachable and affordable, whether it’s for a date night, a wedding or if you just want to meet fun people and learn something new.”
Dance Kings is not the only creative hidden
Visit Loudoun
Dance Kings on West Market Street in Leesburg.
Visit Loudoun
gem to seek out this holiday season.
StageCoach Theatre Company has been producing family-friendly stage plays and murder mystery dinners in Loudoun since 2011.
“If you want a break from the hustle and bustle, we’re the place to laugh, gasp and escape – no passport required,” Owner-Producer Jerri Wiseman said..
What’s on the holiday calendar? “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” is on at StageCoach’s Black Box theater in Ashburn from Dec 5-23, while the dinner theater production of “The Most Murderous Time of the Year” takes place Dec. 5-21. An interactive murder mystery where the audience helps the players solve a murder that takes place during an awards ceremony. The show will also be at various Loudoun locations including Oatlands Historic House & Gardens, Ambiance Restaurant and Casanel Vineyards. If you miss the murder
mayhem over the holidays, buy a loved one tickets to “Happy Birthday, You’re Dead” from January to February.
Talking of hidden gem gifts, if you find yourself shopping in Middleburg this season, take a stroll down quiet Madison Street off bustling, boutique-lined Washington Street. Located in a beautifully restored 1790s building, Middleburg Books is a cozy literary haven perfect for classic novels or children’s books. Right next door meanwhile is Raymer’s Homemade Candies, the homemade artisanal chocolate store of ex-NFL star Cory Raymer and his wife Cayce. Pick up a box of assorted chocolates, truffles, sea salt caramels or chewies to go with that literary classic under the tree.
Happy Holidays!
www.visitloudoun.org
Leesburg’s Lassiter Way
Grows as Arts Corridor Ferrin, Shtanko Add Their Visions
BY WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@Loudounnow.org
Continuing to fulfill a vision launched in 2018 with a tribute to longtime arts advocate Gale Waldron, two new murals have been added to Leesburg’s Lassiter Way.
The alley features several murals on the wall of the Town Hall parking garage. Added to those are two new artworks on the roadway. The trompe-l’oeil-style murals were created by Danielle Ferrin and Ennedi Shtanko as part of a project sponsored by Leesburg Movement, the town’s Main Street organization.
The murals, located at both the alley’s Loudoun and Market Street entrances, are intended produce a 3D effect. At the
Loudoun Street entrance, Ferrin’s mural depicts a nature scene featuring a variety of flowers, butterflies flitting about the foliage, and a tree stump that could make a decent seat. At the Market Street entrance, Shtanko’s mural depicts a stairway traveling down “into the heart of Leesburg–” encircled by a portrayal of the Blue Ridge Mountains and grape-laden vineyards.
Ferrin said she grew up in a “one stoplight town” in Minnesota and was raised on theater and arts. Her parents were the creative type, always making crafts with their kids or building tipis to spend time in the woods. Ferrin’s father also built their house.
“I have that creative engineering kind of in
my blood,” Ferrin said.
She took an interest in cartooning and pottery classes and learned under a range of great teachers. A memorable one was Mr. Zeller, who she called “magnificent.” A professional watercolorist, he taught Ferrin how to take her work to the next level. She won exhibitions in high school, often drawing animals in great detail.
In college, Ferrin double majored in English and communications, leading her to a creative PR career. Doing a promotion for an ice cream business in Minneapolis one day, the company sought to buy cow sculptures as promotional pieces. Ferrin wanted to make one, but was told she couldn’t as a member of the PR company.
After she quit the job, she heard the ice cream business was looking to rework the cows to represent different flavors. Ferrin leaped at the opportunity.
“That led to many, many years of public art sculptures in Minnesota,” she said.
Ferrin moved to Ashburn 14 years ago, counting herself lucky to have a home next to 45 acres of undeveloped farmland.
“I feel at home in nature, and I just know that it’s a really big gift to have that in the middle of Ashburn,” Ferrin said. She noted how rare having access to the natural environment is in the area.
Ferrin channeled her love of nature into her
ART FROM PAGE 6
Lassiter Way piece. Bouncing ideas in her head, she decided Leesburg’s Flower and Garden Festival made for perfect subject matter.
“It’s unexpected to see gigantic flowers in the middle of an alley that really has no nature around it,” she said. “It’s just transporting it to be seen more every day.”
Shtanko’s artistic journey started at a young age, but was cut short when a fourth grade art teacher ripped a pencil out of her hand, and chastised her for “doing it wrong,” she said. She dropped the paint brush for a long time thereafter and enlisted in the military at 17.
Adjusting to civilian life, Shtanko worked as a legal assistant and later went into social work before returning to art. Before starting her own business, Shtanko often escaped to art to deal with work stresses.
When she began her art business, Studio Sasquatch, Shtanko signed every piece with a sasquatch instead of her name. She said she was wary of using her own name after what happened in fourth grade.
For her Lassiter Way piece, Shtanko tried to immerse herself fully into the Town of Leesburg, pulling inspiration from history. After driving an hour and a half to the town, she surveyed the painting environment through a chilly downpour. Shtanko then went to Rust Library.
Sinking her teeth into Leesburg history books, Shtanko found herself entranced by the story of the Battle of Ball’s Bluff. The call for artists asked what makes the town beautiful, so Shtanko couldn’t focus purely on the battle. Her art style, which she describes as “a mashup of Bob Ross and Shel Silverstein,”
lends itself to nature scenes. Thinking about Loudoun County wine culture she opted to depict vineyards.
Shtanko’s original design united the two ideas, but also featured as many grapes as there were casualties in the Battle of Ball’s Bluff. The idea was rejected, leaving her discouraged at first.
But Shtanko’s years as a solo artist left her with resilience. She went to work to perfect a resubmission. She added a warped staircase.
“I’m not kidding you, it was due August 1. I submitted it like August 1—down to the hour, essentially,” Shtanko said.
It paid off, and in late October, Shtanko began her piece, listening to Rihanna’s “Umbrella” for “around nine hours,” she said. But when she finished, Shtanko didn’t sign with a sasquatch.
She wrote her name.
Learn more about Ferrin’s art at funplacesdesign.com. Learn more about Shtanko’s work at studiosasquatch.art.
Read their full artist profiles at getoutloudoun. com.
The “Finery & Festivity: Garments from the Oatlands Collection” exhibit will be on display at the Oatlands mansion during the holiday season.
Finery & Festivity:
Oatlands Showcases Vintage Dresses During Holiday Exhibit
BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org
The Oatlands manor house is decked out for the holidays as the staff at the National Trust for Historic Preservation property prepares for its popular season of tours and teas. But visitors this year will find something special on display.
As part of the “Finery & Festivity: Garments from the Oatlands Collection”
exhibit, dozens of historic dresses have been brought out of storage to display in rooms throughout the mansion to highlight the evolution of fashion and taste across generations.
The stories told at Oatlands cover a period from 1798, when George Carter inherited 3,400 acres and established a plantation, to 1965, when the Eustis family donated
Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now
HISTORY FROM PAGE 10
THE STORIES TOLD AT OATLANDS COVER A PERIOD FROM 1798, WHEN GEORGE CARTER INHERITED 3,400 ACRES AND ESTABLISHED A PLANTATION, TO 1965, WHEN THE EUSTIS FAMILY DONATED THE PROPERTY TO THE NATIONAL TRUST.
A photo shows Margaret Eustis in her 1931 wedding dress, which is on display as part of Oatlands’ Finery & Festivity exhibit.
the property to the National Trust.
The exhibit includes reproduction pieces— including a recreation of the gown worn by Louise Corcoran Eustis in her striking 1859 portrait displayed in the foyer—and artifacts including Margaret Eustis delicate 1931 wedding dress, and an 1881 wedding dress donated by the descendants
HISTORY CONTINUED ON 12
“MOST
OF THE DRESSES ACTUALLY ARE PERIOD DRESSES, BUT NOT FROM THE EUSTIS FAMILY, THEY’VE BEEN DONATED OVER THE YEARS BY A NUMBER OF PEOPLE."
—Lori Kimball , Oatlands Director of Programming and Education
Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now
A recreation
of Rebecca Dulany of the Oakley estate in Fauquier County. There also is a dress designed by the great-granddaughter of Edith Eustis, Wendy Pepper, whose fashions gained national attention on the first season of “Project Runway.”
“Most of the dresses actually are period dresses, but not from the Eustis family,” Oatlands Director of Programming and Education Lori Kimball said. “They’ve been
A pair of 1920s-era dresses from the Oatlands collection provide a Downton Abbey vibe in the special holiday exhibit.
donated over the years by a number of people. We have a lot but we have very few that are specific to the people here.”
Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now
Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now
of the gown worn by Louise Corcoran Eustis in her striking 1859 portrait displayed in the foyer of the Oatland mansion as part of the Finery & Festivity holiday exhibit.
HISTORY FROM PAGE 12
Each room where the dresses are displayed has a printed narrative describing their significance. On Wednesday, Dec. 10, fashion historian Kelly Wenner White will offer two guided tours exploring how the clothing depicted in Carter and Eustis family portraits and the dresses on display reflect changing tastes, artistry, and social life across generations. Tours will be offered at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., with advance reservations required.
Other holiday programs at Oatlands include festive traditional English teas offered during weekends and two candlelight tours on Dec. 20 with the Pickwick Singers
caroling in period attire and Dec. 21 with a piano performance on the manor house’s Steinway.
For more details and tickets, go to oatlands.org.
Living the Life of His Songs
MININBERG PLANS KEY WEST MOVE
national airplay.
BY NORMAN K. STYER GetOutLoudoun.com
Fans of singer/songwriter Dave Mininberg are familiar with his tales— sometimes reverent, sometimes humorous—of life in Key West, FL. Starting next month, those wanting to hear those tunes will have to find him there, likely playing in a Front Street bar.
The former Loudoun County Public Schools teacher broke into the trop rock scene in 2017 when his tune “Jimmy Buffett Didn’t Write This Song” garnered
Two years ago, Mininberg retired from the classroom to pursue his songwriting career full time. That led to many trips to Nashville for writing and recording sessions and gigs in Key West playing festivals and bars. But mostly, he performed at local wineries and breweries, becoming one of the most familiar faces in Loudoun’s music scene while building a reputation as a creative songwriter, engaging storyteller, and in-demand live performer.
TUNES FROM PAGE 14
Now it is time to dive even deeper into the musical life he has created.
Starting in January, Mininberg—along with his dog, Ranger—plans an extended stay in Key West where he has gigs booked through May. He may stay longer if things pan out in the southernmost musical city.
He’ll be taking along some of his newly released or recorded songs, including “Keep On Keeping On,” “If You’re Looking for Paradise, I’ve Got the Keys” and “My Dog Ate My Weed.”
“I’ll be definitely be there for five months, and there’s a good chance I’ll come home maybe for a month or two, but I might be going back down and making it my permanent residence,” he said.
“I’LL BE DEFINITELY BE THERE FOR FIVE MONTHS, AND THERE’S A GOOD CHANCE I’LL COME HOME MAYBE FOR A MONTH OR TWO, BUT I MIGHT BE GOING BACK DOWN AND MAKING IT MY PERMANENT RESIDENCE.”
—Dave Mininberg
Before making the trip south, there are a few more local shows planned, including a songwriters night Dec. 18 at Novaviva Farm Brewery and Winery and the final performance of the year Dec. 27 at Quattro Goombas Brewery.
Learn more at davemininberg.com.
Contributed
Dave Mininberg and Ranger
CAPTURING THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT IN SONG
BY NORMAN K. STYER GetOutLoudoun.com
It is the season when familiar holiday songs fill the airwaves. There are more than 100,000 recorded versions of “Silent Night” and more than 700 versions of “White Christmas” have been released in the past 50 years. The most popular carols will be on repeat all month long.
Every once in a while, a new tune breaks into the rotation. Ken Hoyne, an Ashburn psychologist and life-long musician, just released his contribution.
“It’s Christmas Time” revisits the emotions of a child hoping to catch a glimpse of Santa arriving on Christmas Eve and offers a broader wish that the spirit of joy could last all year round.
“I’ve never written a Christmas song before, and the Christmas song is kind of interesting because it’s like I collaborated with the kid in
me,” Hoyne said. “I’ll probably never do this again. The kid had a lot of say in how this song went.”
Is there a special challenge in writing a holiday song?
“It wasn’t daunting at all. It had to do with an attempt on my part, when I was a young kid, to see Santa with my own eyes, to see if this was real,” Hoyne said. “And for me, it set into motion a lifelong interest in figuring out what’s real and what isn’t, and collaborating with other people to help them to do the same. So, the Christmas song has a light touch to it, but there’s a serious undercurrent to it that has to do with figuring out what’s true and what isn’t true in myself and what’s true and what isn’t true for other people.”
Hoyne is a transplanted New Jerseyite, following his family to Ashburn last year. To
TUNES CONTINUED ON 17
record the song, he returned home to put the creation in the hands of Marc Ribler, a singer/songwriter well known for playing in Little Steven Van Zandt’s band, at Asbury Park’s Dug Deep Studio.
“I guess what surprised me a bit was how the child came out, which was actually important, because the kid in me was so involved in it. But I also managed to bring the adult in me into the mix,” Hoyne said. “The last verse was more the adult in me: What is Santa all about?
“What I think we tend to miss, all of us, especially as kids, is that we’re thinking Christmas, and Santa is about the gifts we get. But when you think about Jolly Old Saint Nick from my perspective and what makes the dude so jolly it’s the emphasis on the giving. And you could argue that he has a pretty damn good
“It’s Christmas Time” and other recordings by Ken Hoyne are available on the music streaming sites. TUNES FROM PAGE 16
idea about what we want and what we need,” Hoyne said. “I think we get a lot of invitations to not pay attention to that sufficiently with ourselves and with one another. What do we really want? What do we really need, as opposed to what we think we want and need. All of this went into the song.”
Hoyne regularly writes and records music but hasn’t yet joined Loudoun’s music scene.
“I actually don’t have the time. I’m a psychologist. But I’m thinking maybe this year. I’ve always wanted to do some cover tunes. I’m going to do a couple of cover songs. I have a rock song that I just recorded, then I’ll release an EP, and then maybe late next year, or the year after, I might start to gig out a bit.
“I CERTAINLY NEVER THOUGHT THAT MY WINE KNOWLEDGE WOULD EVOLVE TO THIS LEVEL, AND THERE’S STILL SO MUCH FURTHER TO GO.”
—Casey Luther
CASEY LUTHER:
BY NORMAN K. STYER GetOutLoudoun.com
Wine wasn’t part of the landscape when Casey Luther was growing up in Loudoun County. Today, she is among the community leaders helping to share the industry’s story.
In announcing the selection of Two Twisted Posts Winery’s tasting room manager as the Wine Ambassador of the Year, Visit Loudoun CEO Beth Erickson highlighted Luther’s “dedication to creating genuine, lasting connections between people and The Homegrown Ambassador Telling Loudoun’s Wine Story
WINE FROM PAGE 20
"HER ENTHUSIASM FOR LEARNING AND COLLABORATION HELPS SHAPE THE FUTURE OF OUR REGION AND REMINDS US WHAT MAKES LOUDOUN COUNTY WINE SO SPECIAL.”
the wines of Loudoun County.”
Her leadership has transformed the Hillsboro-area tasting room into a place “where guests don’t just taste wine—they feel part of the story behind it,” Erickson said. “Her enthusiasm for learning and collaboration helps shape the future of our region and reminds us what makes Loudoun County
wine so special.”
Luther remembers when visiting friends in the Between-the-Hills corridor “was like driving off the end of the earth to come out here.” Today, there are a dozen destination wineries in a 10-mile radius attracting visitors from around the country.
WINE CONTINUED ON 20
—Visit Loudoun CEO
Beth Erickson
Her introduction to the intricacies of wine came in college working in restaurants while studying journalism at Shepherd University.
“We always had wine educators come in and do tastings and give us descriptions of the wines,” she said. Later a neighbor recruited her to join the staff at Winery 32, now Droumavalla Farms Winery, near Lucketts.
“They were just getting opened and they needed people to work. Of course, nobody wanted to work on the weekend,” Luther recalled. “That was really when I started gaining lots of knowledge about wine.”
Two years later she followed that manager to Two Twisted Posts, shaving 40 minutes off her commute from Charles Town and helping to tell the stories of winemaker Theresa Robertson’s creations.
While viewed as a wine expert by the visitors who stop in, Luther is struck by how much there still is to learn.
“I certainly never thought that my wine knowledge would evolve to this level, and there’s still so much further to go,” she said. “You’re a lifelong learner or you’re never going to learn all 4,000 varietals that are all over the world. You hear new varietals of grapes every day that you’re not familiar with,” she said. “It’s fascinating to see the styles that people create. It’s like art almost.”
And, while Loudoun’s wine industry celebrated its 40th anniversary last year, Luther also is struck by the youth of the market.
“In 40 years of making wine, there’s still first-generation winemakers everywhere. We’re just learning,” she said.
“If you think about people like Theresa, for example, here. They opened in 2014. Her first harvest was in 2011. Now we’re in 2025 and she’s only made wine 14 times,” Luther said.
And while Loudoun is winning medals for high quality wines, she sees a lot of opportunity for that to improve with experience and as growers experiment with nontraditional grapes that thrive in the climate.
“We have these winemakers starting out, and they’re in their first harvest, second, third harvest. It’s their first or second, third time making wine, and they’re doing pretty good. … We’ll start seeing a lot more varietals, I think, in the next 20 to 30 years and the wines are just going get better as you have second and third generation winemakers,” she said.
In the tasting room, Luther greets visitors from all over the country. Some are brought to the area by the history of Harpers Ferry or Gettysburg—tourists often surprised to find wine country nearby. Others are on day trips from Pennsylvania or DC or the Eastern Shore. Some are looking for alternatives to New York’s Finger Lakes wine scene and exploring south to Loudoun and Charlottesville. Some are stopping in on their way back from a visit to Sweet Run State Park just up the road.
Sometimes they just see the sign and decide to stop in. “We get a lot of people that
it’s their first time being at a winery ever.”
“You get a lot of out-of-towners who are doing probably three to five wineries,” she said. While part of the job is to offer a tasting and then encourage them to enjoy their next winery, they also promote other aspects of Loudoun.
“We’re so proud of this little area because we see how far it’s come, and there’s so much to do. We’re just educating people that these things are out here,” she said, often recommending horseback riding, fun hikes, or great area restaurants.
“We always encourage everyone to do a tasting and stay for a glass and then go on to the next vineyard, because everybody’s
so different, offering different experiences and different varietals. And then,” she said, “you encourage them to spread the word and bring friends when they come back.”
And for Loudoun’s Wine Ambassador of the Year, it helps to work in an industry that enjoys special relationships and collaboration.
“What is the most amazing thing about this business is the support that everybody gives. There’s like no competition, no animosity, nothing but nice things to say about your neighbors,” Luther said. “You just want to promote wine country and keep people coming. That’s such a nice sense of community.”
1 50 West Vineyards 39060 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg 50westvineyards.com
2 8 Chains North Winery 38593 Daymont Ln., Waterford, VA 8chainsnorth.com
3 868 Estate Vineyards 14001 Harpers Ferry Rd., Purcellville 868estatevineyards.com
4 The Barns at Hamilton Station 16804 Hamilton Station Rd., Hamilton thebarnsathamiltonstation.com
5 Bleu Frog Vineyards 16413 James Monroe Hwy, Leesburg bleufrogvineyards.com
6 Bluemont Vineyard 18755 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont bluemontvineyard.com
7 Boxwood Estate Winery 2042 Burrland Rd., Middleburg boxwoodwinery.com
8 Breaux Vineyards 36888 Breaux Vineyards Ln., Hillsboro breauxvineyards.com
9 Bozzo Family Vineyards 35226 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro bozwines.com
10 Cana Vineyards of Middleburg 38600 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg canavineyards.com
11 Carriage House Wineworks 40817 Brown Lane, Waterford chwwinery.com
12 Casanel Vineyards 17952 Canby Rd., Leesburg casanelvineyards.com
13 Chrysalis Vineyards 39025 Little River Turnpike, Aldie chrysaliswine.com
14 Corcoran Vineyards & Cider 14635 Corkys Farm Ln., Waterford corcoranvineyards.com
15 Creek’s Edge Winery 41255 Annas Ln., Lovettsville creeksedgewinery.com
16 Domaine Portier Vineyards 13235 Miltown Road, Lovettsville domainefortier.com
17 Doukenie Winery 14727 Mountain Rd., Hillsboro doukeniewinery.com
18 Droumavalla Farm Winery 14980 Limestone School Rd., Lucketts droumavalla.com
19 Eagletree Farm & Vineyards 15100 Harrison Hill Lane, Leesburg eagletreevineyards.com
20 Endhardt Vineyards 19600 Lincoln Road, Purcellville endhardtvineyards.com
21 Fabbioli Cellars 15669 Limestone School Rd., Leesburg fabbioliwines.com
22 Farm de Vine 15960 Short Hill Road, Hillsboro farmdevine.com
23 Firefly Cellars 40325 Charles Town Pike, Hamilton fireflycellars.com
24 Fleetwood Farm Winery 23075 Evergreen Mills Rd., Leesburg fleetwoodfarmwinery.com
25 Good Spirit Farm Winery 35113 Snickersville Turnpike, Round Hill goodspiritfarmva.com
26 Greenhill Winery & Vineyards 23595 Winery Ln., Middleburg greenhillvineyards.com
27 Hidden Brook Winery 43301 Spinks Ferry Rd., Leesburg hiddenbrookwinery.com
28 Hiddencroft Vineyards 12202 Axline Rd., Lovettsville hiddencroftvineyards.com
29 Hope Flower Farm & Winery 40905 Stumptown Road, Waterford hopeflowerfarm.com
30 Kalero Vineyard 36140 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro kalerovineyard.com
31 October One Vineyard 7 Loudoun St., SW, Leesburg Octoberonevineyard.com
32 Old Farm Winery 23583 Fleetwood Road, Aldie oldfarmwineryhartland.com
33 Otium Cellars 18050 Tranquility Rd., Purcellville otiumcellars.com
34 Petit Domaines
37938 Charles Town Pike, Purcellville thepetitdomaine.com
35 Stone Tower Winery
19925 Hogback Mountain Rd., Leesburg stonetowerwinery.com
36 Sunset Hills Vineyard
38295 Fremont Overlook Ln, Purcellville sunsethillsvineyard.com
37 Terra Nebulo
39892 Old Wheatland Rd., Waterford terranebulo.com
1 Adroit Theory Brewing 404 Browning Ct., Purcellville adroit-theory.com
2 Barnhouse Brewery 43271 Spinks Ferry Rd., Leesburg barnhousebrewery.com
3 Bear Chase Brewing 33665 Bear Chase Ln., Bluemont bearchasebrew.com
4 Black Hoof Brewing Company 11 South King St., Leesburg blackhoofbrewing.com
5 Crooked Run Fermentations Central 22455 Davis Dr., Sterling crookedrunbrewing.com
6 Crooked Run Fermentations Market Station, Leesburg crookedrunbrewing.com
7 Dirt Farm Brewing 18701 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont dirtfarmbrewing.com
8 Dynasty Brewing Company 101 Loudoun St, SE, Leesburg dynastybrewing.com
9 Eleven Eleven Brewing Company 725 E. Main St., Purcellville bellylovebrewing.com
10 Flying Ace Farm 40950 Flying Ace Ln, Lovettsville flyingacefarm.com
Bluemont Station Brewery and Winery 18301 Whitehall Estate Lane, Bluemont bluemontstation.com
2 Hillsborough Brewery & Vineyards 36716 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro hillsboroughwine.com
3 Notaviva Brewery and Winery 13274 Sagle Rd., Hillsboro notavivavineyards.com 4 Quattro Goomba’s Brewery & Winery 22860 James Monroe Hwy., Aldie goombawine.com
38 Three Creeks Winery 18548 Harmony Church Road, Hamilton 3creekswinery.com
39 Two Twisted Posts Winery 12944 Harpers Ferry Rd., Hillsboro twotwistedposts.com
40 Village Winery 40405 Browns Lane, Waterford villagewineryandvineyards.com
41 Willowcroft Farm Vineyards 38906 Mount Gilead Rd., Leesburg willowcroftwine.com
BREWERIES
11 Harper’s Ferry Brewing 37412 Adventure Ctr. Lane, Hillsboro harpersferrybrewing.com
12 Harvest Gap Brewery 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro facebook.com/HarvestGap
13 Honor Brewing Company 42604 Trade West Dr., Sterling honorbrewing.com
14 Lark Brewing Co. 24205 James Monroe Hwy., Aldie larkbrewingco.com
15 Loco Lion 36577 Hesketts Lane, Hillsboro whitesferrymanor.com
16 Lost Barrel Brewing 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg lostbarrel.com
17 Lost Rhino Brewing Company 21730 Red Rum Rd. #142, Ashburn lostrhino.com
18 Loudoun Brewing Company 310 E. Market St., Leesburg loudounbrewing.com
19 Ocelot Brewing Company 23600 Overland Dr., #180, Dulles ocelotbrewing.com
20 Old 690 Brewing Company 15670 Ashbury Church Rd., Hillsboro old690.com
42 The Wine Reserve at Waterford 38516 Charles Town Pike, Waterford waterfordwinereserve.com
43 Walsh Family Wine 16031 Hillsboro Rd., Purcellville northgatevineyard.com
44 Williams Gap Vineyards 35785 Sexton Farm Lane, Round Hill williamsgavineyard.com
45 Zephaniah Farm Vineyard 19381 Dunlop Mill Rd., Leesburg zephwine.com
21 Route 7 Brewing 20051 Riverside Commons PL, Ashburn route7brewing
22 Solace Brewing Company 42615 Trade West Dr., Sterling solacebrewing.com
23 Stockyard Brewery 12428 Mountain Road, Lovettsville stockyardbrewery.com
24 Sweetwater Tavern 45980 Waterview Plaza, Sterling greatamericanrestaurants.com
25 Vanish Farmwoods Brewery 42245 Black Hops Ln., Lucketts vanishbeer.com
26 Water’s End Brewing 1602 Village Market Blvd SE #120, Leesburg watersendbrewery.com
27 Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery 38506 John Wolford Rd., Waterford wheatlandspring.com
28 Whites Ferry Brewery 42484 Whites Ferry Rd. Leesburg, Va. whitesferrymanor.com
hhholidayhappenings
AROUND THE TOWNS
The holiday season is a time for Loudoun’s towns to welcome visitors, share their traditions and history, and bring shoppers to their community’s small businesses.
That means a full slate of family activities on are the calendar—from parades to bazaars to craft workshops. And there will be more than a few opportunities to see Santa.
In Leesburg, festivities begin Saturday, Dec. 6, with the Mistletoe Market on the courthouse lawn. Organized by Leesburg Movement, the town’s Main Street program, the event features more than two dozen vendors from noon to 4 p.m. The day includes holiday entertainment, sweet treats, warm brews, and local, handmade gifts. Santa is scheduled to stop by from 1 to 3 p.m.
That evening, starting at 6 p.m., activities
shift to the Town Green where families will gather for a program of live music and treelighting ceremony with the Town Council.
That same weekend, on both Saturday and Sunday, the Ida Lee Park Recreation Center will be filled with vendors for the annual Holiday Fine Arts and Crafts Show.
Things ramp up the following weekend with the annual Christmas and Holiday Parade taking place on King Street starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13.
That’s also the weekend for the annual Jingle Jam at the Tally Ho Theater over three days, but if you don’t already have tickets, you’re out of luck—all three shows sold out weeks ago. See more at leesburgva.gov/events.
In Purcellville, the community will gather at Town Hall at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Dec. 5 for the tree lighting ceremony.
A full day of events is planned Saturday, Dec. 13, starting at noon with the Holiday Parade that will follow a loop around town starting and ending at Blue Ridge Middle School.
The Bush Tabernacle will feature a holiday market with local crafters and artiests along with a LEGO display from noon to 6 p.m.
The Loudoun Valley Community Center will offer an ornament making workshop in conjunction with the Purcellville Arts Council and the Train Station Advisory Board from 2 to 5 p.m.
After the parade, Santa plans to be at the Train Station from 2 to 5 p.m. to hear Christmas wishes and pose for photos.
The day’s activities are capped with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board’s annual tour of the town’s best holiday light displays. A map of the must-see locations will be available to guide you. See more at purcellvilleva.gov/Holidays-in-Purcellville.
In Middleburg, the town will be full of visitors Saturday, Dec. 6 for a full day of holiday activities. At 11 a.m. the Middleburg Hunt takes to the streets, creating a spectacular sight as approximately 150 horses, riders in hunting attire, and dozens of hounds come through the town. The Middleburg Christmas
Parade begins at 2 p.m. as spectators line Washington Street to watch as an assortment of floats, antique fire trucks, animals, and musical groups march. Parking in town will be limited. Parking passes for shuttle service from Mickie Gordon Park and Lost Barrel Brewing are available for purchase at christmasinmiddleburg.org.
On Saturday, Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the town will host Jingle In The Burg. The festival on South Madison Street will feature carriage rides, carolers, dancers, street performers and a holiday market with local vendors. Members of the Shenandoah Valley Civil War Era Dancers will present Dance Like the Dickens. Students from The Hill School will present “St. George and the Dragon.” Tagragg Productions will feature a performance of “Beyond a Christmas Carol.”
On Saturday, Dec. 20, a Jingle Paws Parade will be held. Starting at 1 p.m. dogs and their humans will parade from the National Sporting Library & Museum through the downtown area with prizes awarded for the best holiday costume, best costume with a Middleburg theme, and best dressed dog and human pair. A “yappy hour” follows
on the Brick & Mortar patio with a photo booth and treats. Proceeds benefit the Middleburg Humane Foundation. See more at middleburgva.gov/holidays.
In Hillsboro, the town celebrated the season with the Dec. 6 concert by the Rick Reeves Jazz Band at the Old Stone School starting at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, Dec. 13, the town opens six historic homes, each decked out in holiday finery, for public tours to support the Hillsboro Preservation Foundation. Learn about the rich history of the area, the homes and their owners, while enjoying live music and good company. This year’s tour is partially out-of-town. Visitors will pick up their passes and tour booklets at the Old Stone School and can walk to in-town sites and then drive to tour locations in the immediate Hillsboro area. To reserve tickets and for more details, go to oldstoneschool.org.
In Recognition of... Years In BusIness
In every community, small businesses provide the economic foundation. That’s certainly true here in Loudoun County. In this special section, we celebrate the milestones of local companies big and small, and those celebrating decades (or centuries) of service or just getting started on their entrepreneurial journey. Join us in congratulating them next time you stop in for a visit.
Serving the Community Since 1770. Reestablished in 2015 to an elegant, picturesque setting for your next event.
66 YEARS 67 YEARS 64 YEARS
Started as Leesburg Motors as a Ford Dealership in 1958 then moved to Purcellville as H&H Used Cars in 1982. We have operated as an Independent Used Cars dealership since that time. We specialize in buying and selling quality used vehicles and customer service we also will sell your vehicle on consignment. We have truly enjoyed serving Loudoun County for the past 60 years.
Started as Leesburg Motors as a Ford Dealership in 1958 then moved to Purcellville as H&H Used Cars in 1982. We have operated as an Independent Used Cars dealership since that time. We specialize in buying and selling quality used vehicles and customer service we also will sell your vehicle on consignment. We have truly enjoyed serving Loudoun County for the past 60 years. 64 YEARS
Started as Leesburg Motors as a Ford Dealership in 1958 then moved to Purcellville as H&H Used Cars in 1982. We have operated as an Independent Used Cars dealership since that time. We specialize in buying and selling quality used vehicles and customer service we also will sell your vehicle on consignment. We have truly enjoyed serving Loudoun County for the past 60 years. 66 YEARS
Founded in 1961, the Fairfax Christian School is an award-winning, independent university-prep school serving students from four-year-old kindergarten through 12th grade. v 22870 Pacific Boulevard, Dulles, VA 20166 703-759-5100 admissions@studyfcs.com • fairfax-christian-school.com
(703) 314-5539 Office (703) 858-9108 kathyshipleyremax@comcast.net www.kathyshipley.com
kathyshipleyremax@comcast.net www.kathyshipley.com
703-729-0100
The Finer Points intimate knowledge of the industry and unrivaled attention to detail guides you every step of the way to help your vision come to life!
www.thefinerpointsllc.com info@thefinerpointsllc.com
Instagram: thefinerpointseventplanning Facebook: thefinerpointseventplanning
lh
loudoun happenings 12.2025 Get
JOIN THE CAST FOR THE CHRISTMAS MURDER MYSTERY
The Off Center Events team brings a hilarious whodunnit to the mountain on Friday, Dec. 12 to guide the audience in a performance of the “Christmas Murder Mystery.”
The story features quirky family drama and small-town chaos with all attendees serving
STAGECOACH OFFERS 2 DECEMBER PRODUCTIONS
The StageCoach Theatre Company is featuring two productions during December.
“The Most Murderous Time of the Year,” written by R. Aaron Thompson, will be performed Dec. 5-21 at historic venues, restaurants, and wineries around the county. Set during the West Coast Assassin’s Guild Annual Awards ceremony (the Wackies), debate erupts over who should get the Assassin of the Year prize when
as interactive characters working together to solve a murder. No specific acting skills are required. Those who sign up will receive an email or text the week prior to the event with their character assignment.
The program runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at Dirt Farm Brewery near Bluemont. Tickets are $30.
For details, go to linktr.ee/offcenterevents.
homicide detective Wesley Salad is knocked off and everyone takes credit. Ticket packages, ranging from $75-$85, include dinner.
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” by
Out
Barbara Robinson, features a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas program and is faced with casting the Herdman kids – probably the most inventively awful kids in history.
Performances run Dec. 5-21 that the theater company’s stage in Ashburn. Tickets are $25.
For details and tickets, go to stagecoachth.com
LOUDOUN SYMPHONY PRESENTS HOLIDAY FAVORITES
Gather with your family and friends for the Loudoun Symphony Orchestra’s holiday celebration that will warm heart and lift spirits.
This year’s program is packed with beloved seasonal favorites, from classic carols to popular holiday songs and orchestral showpieces, along with melodies that have become the soundtrack of the season from “Frozen” and “Sleigh Ride” to “The Nutcracker.”
Features soprano Millicent Scarlett who will perform beloved classics and the annual carol singalong.
Performances will be Dec. 6 at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Ashburn and Dec. 7 at Lightridge High School in Aldie. Tickets are $40.
For tickets and details, go to loudounsymphony.org.
ROSE MARIE BOGLEY: ELEGANCE ASIDE
The National Sporting Library is featuring an exhibit that showcases the Rose Marie Bogley Archives.
Donated by her daughter, Hilleary Bogley, and The Rose Marie Bogley Revocable Trust, the collection includes a trove of photos and awards amassed over six decades by the equestrienne. Among the selections on display alongside her 1981 National Horse Show trophy, is the portrait of Bogley riding Bankers Grey by Richard Stone Reeves, and objects on loan from her family. The photographs range from fox hunting trips in Ireland to horse shows in Southampton to carriage driving in Middleburg.
There are portraits of Bogely with Mamie Eisenhower, Rosalynn Carter, and Jimmy Carter during multiple White House visits, as well as photos of her playing golf with Sam Snead.
The exhibit continues through March 22. Learn more at nationalsporting.org.
Caption: Richard Stone Reeves’ 1970 portrait “Mrs. Rose Marie Bogley on Banker’s Grey” is among the collection now on exhibit at the National Sporting Library in Middleburg.
12.2025
Rick Reeves Jazz Band
Saturday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m.
Hillsboro’s Old Stone School oldstoneschool.
org
Get into the holiday spirit with an evening of toe-tapping jazz and festive cheer. Jingle, mingle and dance the night away with holiday Big Band favorites. $15.
E Street Shuffle
Friday, Dec. 19, 7 p.m.
Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater. com
In town from Asbury Park, the Bruce Springsteen tribute band will perform the full Born to Run album along with holiday favorites. $20.
A Celtic Christmas with Cassie & Maggie
Saturday, Dec. 20, 4 p.m.
Franklin Park Performing Arts Center franklinparkartscenter.org
Caleb Bailey and Paine’s Run
Saturday, Dec. 20, 7 p.m.
Lucketts Community Center luckettsbluegrass.org
Led by the “Virginia Storyteller,” this Shenandoah Valley-based band is gaining recognition at festivals and on the airways—marking them as rising stars in the bluegrass scene. $22.
12.19 12.06 12.20 12.20 12.28
Nova Scotian sisters Cassie and Maggie MacDonald blend of traditional and contemporary Celtic instrumentals and vocals with their intricate and percussive stepdancing style for this lively Christmas concert. $25
Kanin Wren’s Taylor Swift Experience
Sunday, Dec. 28, 7 p.m.
Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com
Kanin Wren brings all the magic of a Taylor Swift concert—the choreography, the costume changes, and the vocal styles— to the Tally Ho stage for an all-ages show that always sells out. $20.
Loudoun’s Attractions
CATTY CORNER CAFE
A place where cat lovers can come together, spend time in our cozy lounge, drink coffee, and get the chance to meet our amazing rescue cats. With the option of even being able to adopt and give them their forever home.
CATS - COFFEE - COOKIES
116 E. Market Street, Leesburg VA703-944-4158
cattycornercafe.com
DOUBLE X ARCHERY
Northern Virginia’s Premiere Archery Pro Shop and Indoor Range ARCHERY SERVICES - LESSONS - RENTALS
500 E. Market Street, Leesburg, VA 540-206-0041 doublexarchery.com
LOUDOUN HERITAGE FARM MUSEUM
Travel through time to meet the 10 generations of Loudoun County residents who built this county and left their mark on the land. Exhibits include a schoolhouse, general store, Native American artifact display and the American Workhorse Museum Collection.
21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling, VA 20164 (571) 258-3800 • heritagefarmmuseum.org
MORVEN PARK
Morven Park is a 1,000-acre historic estate on the edge of Leesburg that was home to Virginia governor and agricultural pioneer Westmoreland Davis. Tours of the Greek Revival mansion include 16th century Belgian tapestries, Spanish cassones, hundreds of silver pieces, Hudson River Valley paintings, and Asian treasures. The estate also features the Winmill Carriage Museum, the Museum of Hounds and Hunting of North America, formal boxwood gardens, miles of hiking and riding trails, and athletic elds. 17195 Southern Planter Lane Leesburg, VA 20176 703-777-2414 • morvenpark.org
9am-9pm
FRIDAY
