WHY WE LOVE OCTOBER IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY!
FALL FOLIAGE FESTIVAL AND ARTS SHOW
The 51st Annual Virginia Fall Foliage Festival Art Show will take place on the downtown streets of historic Waynesboro, Virginia. The show features 150+ fine artists set in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. This exhibit is produced by Shenandoah Valley Art Center, a non-profit community arts organization, whose mission is to increase arts awareness and education while providing creative and economic opportunities for artists. This exhibit is consistently voted among the Best of Virginia and is the largest outdoor art festival in the Shenandoah Valley. Annually there are approximately 20,000 visitors.
CHILES ORCHARDS
For over one hundred years, the Chiles Family has been carefully tending their orchards. Beginning with a card table, cigar box, and roadside stand, the first generation of the Chiles Family farmers sold the fruit of their labors to neighbors and folks passing through. Since that time, the orchards have grown to become community favorites and destinations for visitors far and wide.
A day at the orchard is already a joy, and talented local musicians bring a whole new level of energy! You are invited to shop the Farm Market, pick seasonal fruit, and kick back with an ice cream cone or glass of Carter Mountain Wine to enjoy these wonderful performances.
Today, at one time or another, the third, fourth, and fifth generations of the Chiles Family can be found planting and pruning, managing the markets, overseeing harvests, or otherwise providing fresh produce to Central Virginia and beyond. When you visit, be sure to say hello.
WAYNESBORO FARMERS MARKET
The Waynesboro Farmers Market is a vibrant space that supports local farmers and producers while extending the benefits of local food to the community. Open May through October, every Saturday from 9am-1pm. Rain or Shine. Featuring locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, baked goods, crafts, and more. Shop in-person or online. Support the local farmers and get the best-tasting food you can buy! You must visit the market; it is truly a taste of Waynesboro.
MONSTER MASH 5K AT BOLD ROCK CIDER
October 28 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Get in the Halloween spirit and gather up fellow Bold Rockers that WILL RUN FOR CIDER! All participants get a performance event shirt, a custom finisher glass of Bold Rock, and a post-race party and awards ceremony with food for purchase from the Bold Rock kitchen. Teams are the way to go with Bold Rock swag for the biggest team and best team costume. Walker, stroller and Fido friendly. More event details and tickets.
GOAT YOGA AT STABLE CRAFT BREWERY
Sunday, October 22 at 1pm Be serenaded with Sunday tunes by Sean Patrick on the patio from 1pm-4pm. Join us for an afternoon at 2pm in the Riding Ring (Rain Location: Stables)! $30 Ticket includes instruction, cuddling with cute goats, a credit for your choice of beverage, and endless photo opportunities. Please bring a yoga mat and comfy clothes.
FALL BARN SHOW
P Buckley Moss Gallery / Meet the Artist in Waynesboro, VA!
This event will feature the new fall print release, “Afternoon Outing”. Preorders are now available by calling (540) 949-6473.
The artist will be available to collectors in her home, the Barn, on Friday, October 13th from 11:00am to 4:00pm. On Saturday, October 14th, the artist will be in the Waynesboro Gallery from 11:00am to 4:00pm. There are slightly shorter hours on Sunday, October 15th when the artist will be in the Waynesboro Gallery from 12:00pm to 3:00pm. Admission Free.
WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY AT BARREN RIDGE WINERY
Music & Happy Hour 4:00-6:00
Featuring music by Dianne Byrer performing acoustic pop covers as well as her own melodic and wistful original songs. Enjoy half-price glasses of wines from their Governor’s Cup gold medal-winning winery and gorgeous vineyard views too!
Follow in the pioneering spirit of their forebears as fourth-generation owners of the remarkable land in the Shenandoah Valley. James A. Higgs purchased St. James Orchard in 1934 during the precipitous Apple Boom. Where the winery now stands was once an apple shed where the apples were created before being distributed across the country until industrial-scale orchards, and the introduction of refrigeration changed the market. After that, the land lay fallow for many years, waiting to be reborn.
Despite the crumbling shed and fields running wild with bee balm and bramble, a second generation of Higgs envisioned a winery where friends old and new could gather, share in its spectacular beauty, and enjoy world-class wines.
RAVENS ROOST OVERLOOK
Easy access off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Beautiful (westward facing) views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and valley. Close to local breweries and wineries. Great picnic spot to catch a sunset after completing one of the many nearby hikes. Popular climbing spot. Iconic trees and rocky outcrops for photo ops.
This cozy little overlook is very simple to get to. If you are coming from I 64, after taking exit 99 towards Shenandoah National Park, turn right onto the Blue Ridge Parkway when the exit comes to a “T-stop”. From there, it’s 10 miles down the Parkway on your right. You will see a clearly marked sign for Ravens Roost Overlook. There is plenty of parking, a few picnic benches, and lots of spots to stretch out and take in the view.
Photo opportunities are endless. Most people shoot the tree to the left of the tree, but others prefer to be on the right to get some depth going into the valley with the little river passing through. There are plenty of options and room for creativity though — take your time with it as you will likely be one of the only photographers here if you go during the week. The A.T. and popular Humpback Rocks trail are within a few miles of this overlook.
HIKING TRAIL
Turk Mountain Trail is a beautiful 2.4-mile out-and-back trail near Crimora, Virginia. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and running, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are March through November. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash. A hike to the 2,981-foot summit of Turk Mountain that provides a wonderful view to the west.