Get Out Loudoun for Sept. 2023

GET OUT LOUDOUN

Get Out Loudoun is distributed monthly to entertainment, tourism, and hospitality venues throughout Loudoun County. For the latest news on the music scene and other community events, go to getoutloudoun.com.

CONTRIBUTORS

Paul McCray

ON THE COVER

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TUNES

After gaining attention on the national stage, SHAED is looking forward to performing in Leesburg, where the trio began its musical journey.

BREWS

TO ADVERTISE

Susan Styer at 703-770-9723 or sales@loudounnow.com

getoutloudoun.com

10 20 22

The strength of Loudoun’s brewing industry was on full display amid a record number of entries into this year’s Virginia Craft Beer Cup contest.

HISTORY

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Four decades after he aided in the defeat of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, the Marquis de Lafayette returned to the U.S. for a celebrated tour. Two hundred years later Loudoun remembers that visit.

HAPPENINGS

The county’s fall festival season opens as Bluemont celebrate village life on the mountain and two towns open the taps for Oktoberfest events.

BEST BETS

Get Out Loudoun’s top picks for September.

Dana Armstrong Renss Greene

Norman K. Styer

Photo by Nicole Mago SHAED on stage at FedEx Field during a June 2022 concert.

The Wailers will return to the Tally Ho Theater on Sept. 13th.

Celebrate Latin Flavors this National Hispanic Heritage Month

BY DOUGLAS RODGERS, VISIT LOUDOUN

One afternoon in 2016, strolling downtown Leesburg, I stumbled on a cozy new taco joint that had just opened. It was called Señor Ramon Taqueria and at a corner counter inside, team members were making the most delicious, freshest, purest Mexican street tacos I’ve ever tasted. There was carne asada (steak), chorizo, lamb and chicken options; toppings of cilantro, guac and pickled onions; enormous mortars of freshly made salsa to help yourself from if you needed more heat. I was hooked. It turned out chef-owner Damian Dajcz hailed from Argentina, not Mexico. This explained The Patagonia, my favorite taco on the menu—a juicy carne asada, shredded cheese, guac and chimichurri combo. Regardless, Señor Ramon was so good it came as no surprise when it not only relocated to the vastly larger space at the corner of Loudoun and King Street but also expanded to open in Sterling, partnering with Crooked Run Fermentation.

What is perhaps surprising is that in the years since, Leesburg and wider Loudoun have become a mecca for deliciously authentic Latin American food. This National Hispanic Heritage Month it’s worth visiting a few of the hottest spots, several of which are in walking distance of each other in Leesburg.

Ramon needs no further praise but a block away is the newest taco kid on the block: La Taqueria. The brainchild of Ana Reyes and her husband Herydan Maza, it’s billed as “authentic tacos and

beer” and the bright décor—colorful Frida Kahlo and skeleton tchotchkes—and simple menu instantly transport you south of the border. There are five taco options, gringas (soft flour tortillas filled with cheese, meat and pineapple) and hearty pambazos—tortas filled with potato, chorizo, lettuce, sour cream. Pop open an icecold Modelo and soak up the scene.

A short walk further south is another gem: Los Tios Grill, the Salvadorian meets Tex-Mex restaurant on the ground floor of the Market Station complex. On top of quesadillas, enchiladas, burritos and sizzling hot fajitas, the restaurant is known for its bucket-sized margaritas. Further afield, and switching countries, we come to my new favorite: Colombian’s Place, located at The Dell (formerly Chefscape) in the Village at Leesburg. Here, Colombian native Javier Galvis dishes up the street food of his homeland from a simple kiosk. The beef empanadas are a delicious snack, the chorizo arepa (stuffed cornmeal cakes served with cheese and a pork sausage) is a spicy starter but the highlight is the Chicharron con Patacón—a slab of crispy pork belly served with fried plantains. Sit on the benches in the hall and you’ll feel like you’re in a park in Bogotá.

These spots just touch the surface of course. Create your own food trail and treat your tastebuds.

Salut!

Chef Damian Dajcz serves up a creative assortment of tacos at his Señor Ramon restaurants in Leesburg and Sterling.

SHAED PREPS FOR HOMETOWN SHOW WITH NEW MUSIC

BY DANA ARMSTRONG

Electronic dream-pop trio SHAED is best known for their multi-platinum single “Trampoline” and collaborations with artists like ZAYN, Sting, and Steve Aoki. But less known is that significant chapters of SHAED’s musical journey occurred in Loudoun.

Twin brothers Spencer and Max Ernst from Silver Spring, MD, met McLean native Chelsea Lee in high school. What started out as a friendship grew into a relationship between Chelsea and Spencer, and all three connected over their shared love of music to form a band.

“We started playing shows with us three, which was in 2012, under a different name. Before SHAED, we were The Walking Sticks. [2013] was right when we changed from more of a folk/Americana thing into an electronic-leaning sound, and our first electric show was actually at the Tally Ho,” Max said.

“We had a headline show there, and we were used to playing three-hour cover shows so we thought it was appropriate to do a three-hour original set/cover set hybrid,” he said.

“It was a really long show,” lead vocalist Chelsea added with a laugh.

But even before their Tally Ho sonic breakthrough, the band members had other connections to the area.

Chelsea started voice lessons at 15 with Loudoun/DC singer Mary Ann Redmond and honed her songwriting skills with the help of Hamilton-based singer/songwriter and producer Todd Wright. In 2010, when Chelsea was still a solo artist, she asked Max and Spencer to sing backing vocals for a performance at the Leesburg Courthouse.

Little did they know that experience would come full circle. SHAED headlines BENEFIT’s Crossroads Music Festival, a showcase of the DC region’s songwriters, with a free concert on Friday, Sept. 15 at the Leesburg courthouse where they performed years ago.

SHAED returns to the stage as highly successful artists. The band gained traction by playing in DC clubs, including their favorite venue the 9:30 Club. After the astronomic success of singles “Trampoline” and “Lonesome,” the group toured with Bishop Briggs, played at music

festivals across the country, and released their first full-length album, “High Dive.” In June 2022, they opened for H.E.R. and Coldplay at FedEx Field.

Even with all these experiences, they are excited to return to Leesburg—not just for the festival, but for its food and wine scene. Since the band members are based in DC, they come to town a couple times every summer to try out the wineries and explore the downtown businesses, including one of their favorite spots.

“Oh my gosh, they have a New York [Sour] that’s like a red wine on top of a Manhattan and it’s phenomenal—recommend it very highly at the King Street Oyster Bar,” Spencer said.

This is the fourth year that nonprofit coalition BENEFIT will host the Crossroads Music Festival in downtown Leesburg. Following SHAED’s Sept. 15 show, 33 local musicians will perform sets across 12 stages on Sept. 16 from 5-10 p.m. All proceeds from the event benefit Loudoun-based charities.

“We love a hometown show. We haven’t played a hometown show in a bit, and this was for a really great cause, so we wanted to do it,” Chelsea said.

“And we love supporting the other local musicians that are coming up in the area. It seemed like a great opportunity to give back,” Max said.

Their headline show also gives SHAED an opportunity to debut new music. For the past year, the band has been writing and recording music with the goal of releasing another album. They tease the new songs that bring back more of the three-part harmonies they focused on in their early days as a band. Plus, they have new thematic material to explore in their lyrics.

“Chelsea and I had a daughter. Her name is June, and she’s a year and a half,” Spencer said. “For the first year, [it was] me, Max, and Chelsea—June’s in daycare now—but every day she was just hanging around, bopping around, listening to us write music, and I think that her presence was definitely an inspiration on the next batch of songs.”

“I feel like we went into parenthood being really afraid that it was going to affect us making music and being able to travel and do all that. But

CROSSROADS MUSIC FESTIVAL RETURNS DOWNTOWN SEPT. 15-16

In its fourth year, BENEFIT’s Crossroads Music Festival is expanding to two days, with SHAED, a multi-platinum Washington, DC-based trio, opening the event with a special Friday night concert.

Held Sept. 15-16 at venues throughout downtown Leesburg, the festival raises funds for nonprofits serving the Loudoun County community. This year, 33 musicians and bands will be performing original music on a dozen stages.

BENEFIT is a nonprofit coalition of musicians and community leaders uniting people with music to raise funds and awareness for other nonprofits serving Loudoun County. BENEFIT awarded grants totaling $25,000 to eight nonprofits from the proceeds of its 2022 Crossroads Music Festival.

“We are thrilled that we are able to expand the festival to two evenings of live music performances and that we have SHAED joining us to perform on Friday evening,” BENEFIT co-founder and president Ara Bagdasarian said. “We have such great talent in our region, and it’s wonderful to be able to highlight all these musical artists at an event that supports our Loudoun community. SHAED’s roots are in the DC, Maryland and Virginia area, and we’re excited that a music group from our region that has received international acclaim will be performing at our event.”

The Friday, Sept. 15, segment of the festival will start at 7 p.m. on the lawn at the Loudoun County Courthouse in downtown Leesburg. The show is a free concert. No smoking, coolers, alcoholic beverages, or pets will be allowed on the grounds.

On Saturday, Sept. 16, performances will be held on 12 stages at 11 different venues in downtown Leesburg from 5-10 p.m. Each artist will perform a 60-minute set.

This year’s performers include Big Bad Juju, Laurie Blue, The Lenny Burridge Band, Sela Campbell, Bob Crerie Band, Cycle J, Connor Daly, Ben Demase, Chris Ellinghaus Music,

SHAED FROM PAGE 7

honestly, it’s been so much fun having her. In her first year, we were travelling to all these festivals. She was coming with us everywhere. It’s been a really good vibe having her in our little crew,” Chelsea said.

“Being a mom has made everything so much better. I feel like a lot of women, in particular in the music industry, are kind of told that it’s hard once you have a child and that same pressure is not on the husbands or male partners. But it’s been really, really fun and we’ve been having a blast. And I think it’s made us better overall, which has been great.”

In addition to the three-part harmonies and new themes, fans can look forward to hearing even more unique sounding synthesizers and layers within their songs. The band members produce their own music and record in their humble home studio setups.

“A fair amount of foundation for the songs is all three of us in different rooms, but recording at the same time. Like Max is playing piano upstairs, Chelsea’s in our spare bedroom singing, and then I’m in the other studio playing acoustic guitar and doing those things without a metronome so you kind of get that live feel of just us three,” Spencer said.

That means their hometown concert will be the perfect time to hear an exclusive, live preview of SHAED’s next era of music. And there is a good chance fans and fellow Crossroads performers could see the band members out and about at the other shows Sept. 16.

“We’re going to make a whole day out of it,” said Max. “We’re going to get there early, and we’re definitely going to hang out and listen to music.”

SHAED’s free concert starts at 7 p.m. on Sept. 15 at Leesburg Courthouse. Ryan Wright opens. Festival pass, performer lineup, schedule, and venue information for BENEFIT’s 2023 Crossroads Music Festival can be found at CrossroadsMusicFest.org.

Eternal Moon, Favorite Child, Frayed Knots, David Goodrum, Downe Lands, Andy Hawk, Rob Hoey, Intellect, Julia Kasdorf Duo, Lil’ Maceo, LK3MY5T, Juliana MacDowell, Lucas Mason, Mike McCabe, Dave Mininberg , Mintons Academy of Music, Mission Road,Penelope Lyla, The Plunge, The PUSH, The Ragweeds, Max Redding and The Dogwood Gospel, Sheltered, Summer & Eric, and the Chris Timbers Band.

Passes for the Saturday evening segment of the festival may be purchased for $20 in advance online at CrossroadsMusicFest.org or for $30 at each performance venue during the festival.

With the purchase of a festival pass, attendees will receive a wristband at check-in. Wristbands will provide attendees access to Sept. 16 eventday specials at participating music venues and a collectible 2023 Crossroads Music Festival T-shirt (T-shirts will be available while supplies last).

Passes are not required for entry at any venue participating in BENEFIT’s 2023 Crossroads Music Festival. However, proceeds from festival pass sales benefit area charities.

“We are so excited about the continued expansion of Crossroads Music Festival,” BENEFIT co-founder and vice president Amy Bobchek said. “Growing to a two-day event with more venues and artists than ever before means we can make this year a record-breaker for fundraising. We want to engage the community in supporting local nonprofits, shine a light on the incredible musicians who are performing this year, and continue to create a culture of giving here in Loudoun."

Festival sponsors include Toth Financial, Keane Enterprises, Loudoun Now, Music Planet Radio, Risr Media, SoundView Services, Birkitt Dental, Apple Federal Credit Union, Coldwell Banker Realty – Leesburg, ProJet Aviation, Greensorb, Loudoun County Department of Economic Development, and Leesburg Arts & Cultural District. Where’s the Music? and the Town of Leesburg Department of Economic Development are co-presenters of the Friday night event.

Festival pass, performer lineup, schedule, and venue information for BENEFIT’s 2023 Crossroads Music Festival can be found at CrossroadsMusicFest.org.

CROSSROADS MUSIC FESTIVAL FROM PAGE 7

Loudoun’s Attractions

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

LOUDOUN MUSEUM

With a collection of more than 8,000 artifacts, the Museum tells Loudoun’s story from pre-1600 up until today, with a selection of special exhibits featuring the history of Virginia Wine, the Early Republic era, and the County’s role in the US Civil War, along with a timeline of Loudoun County history. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for upcoming events and public programs!

16 Loudoun Street SW Leesburg, Virginia 20175 (703) 777-7427 • loudounmuseum.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

OATLANDS HISTORIC HOUSE & GARDENS

The 415-acre Oatlands estate, owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, offers tours of the historic mansion, extensive gardens and outbuildings that include the oldest standing greenhouse in the South. Exhibits focus on the lives of the Carter and Eustis families who building the estate, as well as the lives of enslaved people who lived and worked there.

20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg, VA 20175 703.777.3174 • oatlands.org

Loudoun Brewers Win Again at Virginia Craft Beer Cup

BY RENSS GREENE

Loudoun County brewers again made a strong showing in the annual Virginia Craft Beer Cup, the largest competition of its kind, hosted at Old Ox Brewery in Ashburn.

It was also another record year for the cup, according to contest organizers, with Loudoun brewers competing in the largest field yet. A record 125 breweries competed, according to the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild, including 35 new participants, with 471 beers entered.

Five Loudoun breweries took home medals in that crowded field. Four of them—Dirt Farm Brewing, Lost Barrel Brewing, Harvest Gap Brewery and Black Hoof Brewery—are regular award winners at the cup. But this year, Loudoun Brewing Company joined the county’s award winners, in the brewery’s first year entering the contest.

Loudoun Brewing’s Polished Foxx saison placed

third in Belgian ales, a category that this year encompassed a range of styles.

Owner and head brewer Phil Fust said it’s a beer made to accompany fine foods. It’s named for Chef Erik Foxx-Nettnin, the former Magnolias at the Mill chef who goes by the Polished Foxx in his catering business.

“If there is an elevated place for beer, that’s definitely where that beer is supposed to be,” Fust said. “Not just run of the mill, it’s got some coriander and orange peel, some very different flavors, not a simple beer to make. And apparently the crowd went wild.”

Under Fust, Loudoun Brewing always offers an eclectic mix of drinks. Current offerings range from a blueberry seltzer cocktail, to a saison with some spice called Jalapeño Business, to reliable favorites like Phil’s Pils pilsner. And since he started making beer at Loudoun Brewing in 2017, he said

Photo by Renss Greene

Loudoun Brewing Company owner and head brewer Phil Fust with his latest creation, Obvious Antidote extra pale ale. Loudoun Brewing entered the Virginia Craft Beer Cup for the first time this year, taking home a medal for the Polished Foxx saison.

the brewery has produced more than 500 beers. But he said he’d never joined the Virginia Craft Beer Guild or competed simply because the business has kept him busy.

“I hadn’t joined the guild initially because I didn’t think I had time to give back to them,” he said.

He’s no less busy now, but said he found time to get involved, including with new pending legislation that would allow breweries to do their own distribution up to a limited amount—a potential game-changer for small breweries like Loudoun Brewing. And he said now that he’s joined and competed, it was well worth it. “It’s encouraged me to go after it even more,” he said.

Polished Foxx, which will soon return with the cooler weather, is not Fust’s only collaboration outside the tasting room. He also created and brews the tangerine pale ale sold exclusively—and quickly—at the Tarara Summer Concert Series and said he’s working on a beer for suicide prevention awareness with domestic violence nonprofit LAWS.

Keeping Tarara concertgoers stocked with beer has kept him so busy that this year he hasn’t had as much time for his typical experimentation. But he said he’s just created a new beer, an extra pale ale named Obvious Antidote, and he’s “very freaking happy with it.” In fact, he’s already called his shot— “we’ll win more in ‘24, there’s not any doubt.”

“If this beer doesn’t win a medal in ’24, I’ll be staggered,” he said.

That will put him in good company, in a county that always brews up winners.

This year, Dirt Farm showed off its unconventional stylings, winning first place in fruit for its Peachy Mother Pucker, and second place in alternative grains or sugars for its Honey Helles. Lost Barrel Brewing put in a strong performance in IPAS, bringing home the first-place prize in double IPAs for its Stratazacca Double IPA, and second place in hazy IPAs for its Lost Barrel Hazy IPA. And Barnhouse Brewery placed first in monastic ales with the Barnhouse X and took home an honorable mention in international lagers for its Morning Wood.

They were joined by Harvest Gap Brewery, third in pale European lagers with Devil Dog Helles; and Black Hoof Brewing, third in smoke with its

Morning Fog Rauchbier.

And the newest entry to Loudoun’s craft beer scene, Prince William County-based Water’s End Brewery which just opened a new location in Village at Leesburg, took home a second-place prize for its Grand Cru barley wine.

The Virginia Craft Beer Cup is the largest state competition of its kind in the United States.

“I am thrilled to welcome an increase in participation in this year’s competition, a testament to a growing industry in Virginia,” craft beer cup Head Judge Charlie Harr stated. “This year’s competition brought new breweries and veterans together across all styles for continued high-quality pours. Congratulations to the winners who entered the cup and continue pushing the craft brewery industry to new heights and making Virginia the great beer scene that it is!”

“Despite a tough year economically, the Virginia Craft Beer Cup competition demonstrates the resilience of Virginia’s independent craft beer industry,” Virginia Craft Brewers Guild President and CEO Brett Vassey stated.

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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 Stone Tower Winery 19925 Hogback Mountain Rd., L’burg stonetowerwinery.com

35 Stonehouse Meadery 36580 Shoemaker School Rd., Purcellville stonehousemeadery.com

36 Sunset Hills Vineyard 38295 Fremont Overlook Ln, Purcellville sunsethillsvineyard.com

37 Terra Nebulo 39892 Old Wheatland Rd., Waterford terranebulo.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

42 The Wine Reserve at Waterford 38516 Charles Town Pike, Waterford waterfordwinereserve.com

BREWERIES

1 Adroit Theory Brewing 404 Browning Ct., Purcellville adroit-theory.com

2 B Chord Brewing Company 34266 Williams Gap Rd., Round Hill bchordbrewing.com

3 Barnhouse Brewery 43271 Spinks Ferry Rd., Leesburg barnhousebrewery.com

4 Bear Chase Brewing 33665 Bear Chase Ln., Bluemont bearchasebrew.com

5 Belly Love Brewing Company 725 E. Main St., Purcellville bellylovebrewing.com

6 Black Hoof Brewing Company 11 South King St., Leesburg blackhoofbrewing.com

7 Black Walnut Brewery 210 S. King St., Leesburg blackwalnutbrewery.com

8 Crooked Run Fermentations Central 22455 Davis Dr., Sterling crookedrunbrewing.com

9 Crooked Run Fermentations Market Station, Leesburg crookedrunbrewing.com

10 Dirt Farm Brewing 18701 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont dirtfarmbrewing.com

11 Dynasty Brewing Company 21140 Ashburn Crossing Drive, Ashburn 101 Loudoun St, SE, Leesburg dynastybrewing.com

12 Flying Ace Farm 40950 Flying Ace Ln, Lovettsville flyingacefarm.com

13 Harper’s Ferry Brewing 37412 Adventure Ctr. Lane, Hillsboro harpersferrybrewing.com

14 Harvest Gap Brewery 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro facebook.com/HarvestGap

15 House 6 Brewing 4427 Atwater Dr., Ashburn house6brewing.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

BREWERIES & WINERIES

1 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

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22 Old Ox Brewery Middleburg 14 S Madison St, Middleburg, VA

23 Solace Brewing Company 42615 Trade West Dr., Sterling solacebrewing.com

24 Sweetwater Tavern 45980 Waterview Plaza, Sterling greatamericanrestaurants.com

25 The Craft of Brewing 21140 Ashburn Crossing Dr., Ashburn thecraftob.com

26 Vanish Farmwoods Brewery 42245 Black Hops Ln., Lucketts vanishbeer.com

27 Water’s End Brewing 1602 Village Market Blvd SE #120, Leesburg watersendbrewery.com

28 Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery 38506 John Wolford Rd., Waterford wheatlandspring.com

4 Quattro Goomba’s Brewery & Winery 22860 James Monroe Hwy., Aldie goombawine.com

the nation ’s guest: Lafayette in Loudoun

THE LOUDOUN “COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENT”

After arriving in the United States in September 1824, Lafayette planned to see old friends and comrades from the army and visit sites of the battles where he fought. But he was inundated with requests from across the 24 states to visit cities and towns, including the Town of Leesburg. A group of prominent Loudoun men, taking the name “Committee of Arrangement,” gathered Dec. 14, 1824, to discuss extending an invitation to Lafayette. They adopted several resolutions:

“Resolved, That this meeting entertains the liveliest gratitude for the services of General Lafayette, the most profound respect for his character.”

BY PAUL MCCRAY

In 1824, excitement was building in the United States for a visit by the Marquis de Lafayette. General Lafayette, as he preferred to be called, was invited by American friends, and a resolution of Congress, to tour the country he aided during the Revolution. Escaping political turmoil in France attracted Lafayette to the idea of spending a year as the “Nation’s Guest.” Lafayette, a French citizen, believed in the American fight for freedom, and may have been further motivated to fight the British by the 1759 death of his father in battle against that country. He was offered the rank of major general in the Continental Army, and when he found that America lacked the funds to transport him across the Atlantic to join the war, he bought a ship and loaded it with guns, ammunition and other supplies. Despite little in the way of military experience, he was credited with excellent battle tactics, leadership and courage, helping to win the war for America. He was wounded at the Battle of Brandywine, but returned to service and was instrumental in the final campaign cornering Cornwall at Yorktown, ending the war.

“Resolved, That Messrs. Charles F. Mercer, Wm. T. T. Mason, and Lafayette Ball, be a committee for the purpose of waiting on General Lafayette, and of requesting him and his suit (his entourage) to honour this town by a visit, and by accepting its hospitality.”

These three men were well known and influential in Loudoun and beyond. Mercer was a member of Congress and the main force behind the C&O Canal. Mason was a nephew of George Mason and son of Thomson Mason, a signer of the Loudoun Resolves prior to the Revolution. Ball, who went by the name Fayette, was son of General Lafayette’s former aide-de-camp, Burgess Ball, and a relative and godson of George Washington, who gave him his name.

Another Committee resolution recommended the federal government recompense Lafayette for “…his early services, and unexampled sacrifices in the glorious cause of our independence, as may be worthy of his virtues, and of the gratitude of the freest and happiest people on earth.”

LAFAYETTE IN LOUDOUN CONTINUED ON 16

Photo: Library of Congress

Check out

Loudoun’s Dining

FORDS FISH SHACK

Consistently voted Loudoun residents’ favorite place for seafood, Ford’s offers fresh seafood in a family-dining atmosphere at three locations, as well as a catering arm and a food truck operation.

Ashburn-44260 Ice Rink Plaza, Ashburn, VA 20147 (571) 918-4092 • fords shshack.com

Lansdowne-19308 Promenade Dr., Leesburg, VA 20176 (571) 333-1301 • fords shshack.com

South Riding 25031 Riding Plaza, Chantilly, VA 20152 (703) 542-7520 • fords shshack.com

SPANKY’S SHENANIGANS

Known as one of the Loudoun’s favorite bars, Spanky’s Shenanigans is a popular destination from its morning breakfast menu to its ample roster of live music performers.

538 E Market St, Leesburg, VA 20176 (703) 777-2454 • spankyspub.com

LIGHTFOOT RESTAURANT

Inside an historic bank building in downtown Leesburg, the Zagat-rated Lightfoot provides both a ne-dining experience and a gathering place for locals. Executive Chef Ingrid Gustavson serves up American cuisine with southern and ethnic accents.

11 North King Street Leesburg, VA 20176 703-771-2233 • lightfootrestaurant.com

TUSCARORA MILL

Known by locals as Tuskies, the restaurant is located inside a restored 19th century grain mill in Leesburg’s historic district. Offering everything from locally sourced ne dining to a casual bar experience, it’s been a dining destination for more than three decades.

203 Harrison St SE, Leesburg, VA 20175 (703) 771-9300 • tuskies.com

LAFAYETTE IN LOUDOUN

FROM PAGE 14

LAFAYETTE COMES TO LOUDOUN

With Mason taking the lead, the three men visited Lafayette at his hotel in the City of Washington. Despite the accolades and appreciation presented to Lafayette by Mason, they were told his schedule would not likely allow him time to visit Leesburg.

The Loudoun newspaper, The Genius of Liberty, reported on Lafayette’s travels, some of which came close to Loudoun. But the Committee of Arrangement did not give up hope, and on June 28, 1825, learned the general wished to visit the three living ex-presidents from Virginia. Luckily, one lived in Loudoun: James Monroe, who served in the Revolution with Lafayette, and who left office earlier in the year. By July 12, the newspaper reported that Lafayette would come to Loudoun.

On Aug. 6, Lafayette traveled to Oak Hill, Monroe’s estate south of Leesburg, with President John Quincy Adams, the general’s son, George Washington Lafayette, and personal secretary August Le Vasseur. According to Le Vasseur, after President Adams paid the toll and the carriage started across the Potomac River bridge, they heard a shout and were chased down by the toll keeper who told the president he underpaid. At that point the man recognized Lafayette and said he shouldn’t have charged the toll and that “…all gates and bridges were free to the nation’s guest.” Lafayette said he was traveling privately and paid the remaining toll amount.

After a two-day trip, Lafayette and Adams arrived at Oak Hill and spent several days with Monroe, walking around his farm and enjoying his company. It was probably a welcome break from their hectic schedules of the past year with Lafayette traveling from town to town while Adams was campaigning and assuming the presidency.

On Aug. 9, a contingent of Loudoun militia arrived to escort the men to Leesburg for a daylong celebration. In attendance were members of the Committee of Arrangement, local politicians, prominent citizens of Loudoun and an estimated crowd of 10,000 people. Lafayette was honored with multiple speeches and toasts, but seemed most taken with the participation of local children’s academies.

Lafayette warmly greeted a former Revolutionary War soldier, James Crook, according to local lore, who had served with him at Brandywine and was

said to have assisted caring for him when the general was wounded.

In the evening, Lafayette and his entourage traveled north to Temple Hall for a reception held by William T. T. Mason and his wife. Mason’s two youngest daughters received an extraordinary honor when the three guests stood as their sponsors, or godfathers—Adams and Monroe for Mary Louise Mason and Lafayette for Mary Carroll, sometimes known as Mary Lafayette Mason. President Adams later expressed dismay at being placed in that position, but stood as sponsor or godfather, as requested. From Temple Hall, the men finished what must have been an exhausting day by traveling to Belmont, east of town on the Leesburg Turnpike and home of Ludwell Lee, Lafayette’s aide-de-camp during the Revolution.

LAFAYETTE’S CONCERN FOR ENSLAVED PEOPLE

At each stop in Loudoun, as in most southern cities during his tour, Lafayette was served by enslaved workers at farms, hotels and plantations. This experience likely disturbed him, as he was steadfast in his belief that enslaving other human beings was wrong. Lafayette was quoted as saying “I would never have drawn my sword in the cause of America, if I could have conceived that thereby I was founding a land of slavery.” After the Revolution, he wrote to George Washington suggesting they buy land together where Washington’s enslaved could work as free laborers. Washington indicated interest in the idea but deferred discussion until they could talk in person, which never happened. Lafayette later began this experiment on land he purchased in the French colony of Cayenne (present day French Guiana).

Since 1825, though many histories have been written about Lafayette’s tour, few mention his visit to Loudoun. But the people of this once rural, but now booming, county have not forgotten the man who might have been their most famous guest.

In preparation for the 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s visit, NOVA Parks this month will unveil a new Lafayette Trail historical marker at Temple Hall Farm Park. Learn more at novaparks.org.

Paul McCray, a 31-year Loudoun resident, managed NOVA Parks in Loudoun County for many years, and continues his work as a park historian. In 2011, he received a Thomas Balch Library History Award.

ART SCENE

Beyond the Fence by Lida Stifel

BYRNE GALLERY FEATURES STIFEL EXHIBIT

The Byrne Gallery in Middleburg will feature a selection of oil-on-canvas paintings by Lida Stifel during its “Indian Summer” exhibit throughout September.

Featuring her plein air technique, Stifel’s selections include landscapes, still lifes, and abstracts that illustrate the last brilliant colors of summer as the season fades into fall.

Stifel, of Montgomery, MD, attended The Corcoran School of Art studying with William Christianberry. She has exhibited her works across the U.S. for more than 40 years. She draws inspiration from the natural world and her farm provides scenes ranging from sweeping country landscapes to charming details of rural life. She has been selected to participate in more than 30 juried exhibitions and is a member of the Washington Society of Landscape Painters, the Mid Atlantic Plein Air Painters, and Oil Painters of America.

An artist reception will be held Saturday, Sept. 9, from 4 to 7 p.m. Both the exhibition and the reception are open to the public.

The Byrne Gallery is located at 7 W. Washington St. in Middleburg. It is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

WADDELL GALLERY FEATURES WATSON HARDWOOD EXHIBIT

The Waddell Gallery at Northern Virginia Community College Loudoun Campus will host Kent Watson’s solo exhibition “It Took A Long Time To Take This Shape: Digital Fabrication In Hardwood” through Oct. 2.

Watson’s works are digitally designed and 3D scanned on the computer before being machined into walnut with a CNC router, a type of robotic cutting machine. The work combines digital fabrication techniques with woodworking.

The Waddell Art Gallery, at 21200 Campus Drive in Sterling, is open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Learn more at nvcc.edu/ loudoun/artgallery.

A digitally fabricated walnut piece included in Kent Watson's exhibit at the Waddell Gallery

Tom Sweitzer heads to New York this month to perform his one-man-show “20 Seconds.”

SWEITZER TAKES SHOW TO OFF BROADWAY

As the co-founder and creative director of A Place to Be, Tom Sweitzer helps Loudoun youths find a sense of community, belonging and hope through music therapy and the expressive arts. Starting Sept. 10, he takes his own experience of an often-abusive childhood to the stage in New York City. His one-man show, “20 Seconds,” premiers Off-Broadway, Sept. 10 and continues through

Now

Oct. 22 at the Signature Theater.

Sweitzer developed the show, originally called “Meatballs and Music” in 2019, but performances were derailed by the pandemic. In 2022, Sweitzer won the best solo performance at the CapitalFringe Festival and was featured in New York in last October and December.

The show is built on his childhood in Altoona, PA, with his dying Italian mother and a schizophrenic father and finding solace in the music of the church across the street. The show is supported by Loudoun resident and philanthropist Teresa Wheeler, talent agent Penny Luedtke, General Manager Aaron Grant, and Director Jeremy Scott Blaustein, and a host of supporting producers, including Jacqueline B. Mars. For more information and tickets, go to 20secondsplay.com.

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Happenings

CELEBRATING LIFE ON THE RIDGE: THE BLUEMONT FAIR

The Bluemont Fair marks its 53rd year Sept. 16-17 when thousands of visitors will converge on the Blue Ridge mountain village for a community festival that includes crafts, music and food.

The fair is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 and Sunday, Sept. 17, rain or shine. Admission is $10 for adults with visitors 9 and under are free.

Among the fair highlights are the 30th annual Pickle-Making/Pie-Baking Contest, which takes place on Saturday at the E.E.Lake Store; local authors whose works cover a variety of topics for all ages will have copies of their books to sign and share; archeologist David Clark will highlight Loudoun’s ancient and historic heritage with interactive displays, demonstrations, and hundreds of hands-on artifacts; a petting zoo; and Indian village; beer garden; and a village-wide scavenger hunt.

The fair is sponsored by the Bluemont Citizens Association and proceeds go toward paying for the village’s street lights, providing student scholarships for local students, making improvements to the village’s historic buildings, supporting community beautification, and aiding neighbors in need. For full details go to bluemontfair.org.

EIN PROSIT: TOWNS CELEBRATE OKTOBERFEST

German settlers poured into Loudoun’s frontier countryside centuries ago. Today, area residents continue to toast their heritage with Oktoberfest celebrations in Lovettsville and Middleburg. Lovettsville, known as the German Settlement, traces its Oktoberfest traditions nearly 50 years. Today, the two-day festival is among Loudoun’s largest annual events. This year, it will be held Sept. 22-23, with events centering on the Town Green, but held throughout town.

In addition to beer and German cuisine, the festival features a slew of family activities, live music, a 5K race, and several competitions—not the least of which is the annual Wiener Dog races.

Go to lovettsvilleoktoberfest.com for a full schedule, lists of vendors, maps, and more as you plan your trip.

Middleburg celebrates Sept. 16 with festivities on South Madison and Federal streets from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The event features two biergartens, German-inspired food, a stein holding contest, art fair, car show, live music, interactive children’s

Photo by Renss Greene Paul Muirhead of the Catoctin Area Turners demonstrates his woodworking to the crowds at the 2022 Bluemont Fair.

Photo by Alexis Gustin Crowds gather in Lovettsville for the annual Wiener Dog races, a highlight of the town’s Oktoberfest celebration.

activities. Local bands Something’s Brewing and Blaskapelle Alte Kameraden will perform. The Art Fair will feature artwork from 25 local and regional artists. Oktoberfest beer from Old Ox Brewery and Lost Barrel Brewing, wine from GreenhillVineyards, Cana Vineyards, 50 West Vineyards, and Boxwood Winery, and cider from Mt. Defiance Cidery and Distillery will also be available for purchase. Regional artisans will display exhibits of fine art, pottery, jewelry, photography, wearable art and more. Learn more at middleburgvaoktoberfest.com.

A team pulls an 82-ton aircraft toward the finish line in the annual Dulles Day Plane Pull.

DULLES DAY FEATURES PLANE PULL COMPETITION

The public will be invited onto the grounds of Dulles Airport Sept. 9 to get a close-up look at aircraft and airport activities and to watch teams from around the region compete in the annual Plane Pull.

The Dulles Day Festival features a display of vintage, modern and military aircraft, a classic car show, fire truck rides, mobile lounge airport tours, community exhibitors, food and beverage sales and music performances.

The centerpiece of the event is the Plane Pull, which has raised more than $3 million to support Special Olympics since its founding in 1992.

The Plane Pull features teams of 25 people competing to pull an 82-ton FedEx Airbus A320 or United Boeing 757 airplane over a 12-foot course in the shortest time.

The free event has attracted crowds of more than 10,000 in past years.

Gates open at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 17 and close at 3:30 p.m. Upon arrival at the airport, follow the “event parking” signs.

Learn more at planepull.com.

File photo

GETOUT Best Bets

09.16.23

Barefoot & Sunshine

Saturday, Sept. 16

Flying Ace Farm

flyingacefarm.com

09.03.23

LoCo Fest

Saturday, Sept. 3, noon-9 p.m.

868 Estate Vineyards

868estatevineyards.com

More than 20 of your favorite bands perform on the 868 stage. This annual fundraiser has provided more than $40,000 in music equipment to Loudoun County musicians to keep live music going.

09.09.23

Billingsley

Saturday, Sept. 9, 5-8 p.m.

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery

vanishbeer.com

These three brothers grew up in the mountains of western North Carolina and perform songs with elements of funk, R&B, Jazz and rock—and best seen live to understand it all.

09.13.23

The Wailers

Wednesday, Sept. 13, 8 p.m.

Tally Ho Theater

tallyhotheater.com

Led by Aston Barrett Jr. the iconic reggae band recognized worldwide for their influence on the genre and their close association with the legendary Bob Marley, make another visit to Leesburg.

Dean Mattoon and Esme Alexis are native Iowans who formed their Americana/roots duo in New Orleans and tour nationally in their converted school bus.

Bruce in the USA

Saturday, Sept. 16, 6 p.m.

Tarara Winery

tararaconcerts.com

Bruce in the USA is a high-energy, note-perfect and visually accuate musical experience of a Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band show.

09.23.23

The Walkaways

Saturday, Sept. 23, 1-4 p.m.

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery

vanishbeer.com

The Arlington-based altcountry draw its influences from Americana, folk, roots rock, country, indie, and classic rock.

Lita Ford

Saturday, Sept. 23, 8 p.m.

Tally Ho Theater

tallyhotheater.com

Since playing lead guitar with the Runaways in the late 1970s, Ford continues to rock with a solo glam-metal career that included “Close My Eyes Forever,” the hit duet with Ozzy Osbourne.

09.30.23

The New Romance Saturday, Sept. 30, 6 p.m.

Tarara Winery

tararaconcerts.com

The Tarara Summer Music Series comes to an end with a dance-for-hours, sing-at-the-top-ofyour-lungs night of ’80s hits.