Your Favorite Fall Festivals Are Back

HERE THEY COME:

YOUR FAVORITE FALL FESTIVALS ARE BACK

Written by Chelsea Moore

The return of fall ushers in a few of our favorite things: pumpkin spice lattes, apples, and fall festivals. Your favorite events are back this fall with some fun, new twists. We’ve compiled a list of a few you shouldn’t miss.

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LOUDOUN ARTS FILM FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER 10-19
50 West Vineyards in Middleburg, Va., and Artistic Fuel in Leesburg, Va.

In its second year, the Loudoun Arts Film Festival is shaping up to be a favorite fall event. The festival is hosted by the Loudoun Arts Council, 50 West Vineyards, and Artistic Fuel.

The 10-day, in-person event, offers four days of film screenings at Artistic Fuel in Leesburg and six days of drive-in showings at 50 West Vineyards, along with an art show, food trucks, wine, live music, and red carpet events.

“It’s a mixture of local and regional talent,” Kaeley Boyle, the festival director, said. “At the heart of it is the local business community coming together. It’s a collaboration between local businesses to get this off the ground, and it speaks to the community support in Loudoun County.”

Last year, the festival hosted anywhere from 70-100 guests per day. This year, they are prepping for significantly more attendees.

Boyle’s favorite part? “For me, it’s the community,” she said. “Last year, it was nice for us, with everything going on, to have something that was completely safe when we all needed something to look forward to. To see all the different films and build a sense of community around the arts is something I absolutely love.”

Want to find out more? Visit loudounartsfilmfest.com

ROUND HILL APPALACHIAN TRAIL FESTIVAL
SEPTEMBER 11-12
B Chord Brewing, Round Hill, Va.

Back for its second year, the Round Hill Appalachian Trail Festival celebrates Round Hill’s designation as an Appalachian Trail Community by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

With over 1,000 people at the festival’s inaugural event in 2019, this year’s festival has expanded into two days, making it an entire weekend of fun and education.

“The idea is to get people to care about the outdoors and green spaces and be more aware of them,” said Jody Brady, the festival’s director, and a Virginia Master Naturalist. “We do a lot of things that promote and protect the Appalachian Trail.”

There are 40 Appalachian Trail communities along the trail, which runs from Georgia to Maine. Others include Harper’s Ferry, W.Va., Berryville, Va., and Front Royal, Va.

“I believe in sustainability and being environmental stewards,” Brady said.
“What I love about [the festival] is the sense of community and the crosssection of people it brings together, everyone from people who have never walked on a trail to hikers.”

The festival is filled with live bluegrass music, food and ice cream trucks, non-profit organizations and workshops with topics like tick safety, trail cooking, and hammock camping. Attendees can play games, such as trail bingo and Appalachian trail trivia, and participate in a scavenger hunt and raffles. Kids will enjoy a giant inflatable slide, nature-inspired crafts, pony rides, and coloring pages.

Learn more about the festival at roundhillat.org.

BLUEMONT FAIR SEPTEMBER 18-19 Bluemont, Va.

The Bluemont Fair, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is back for its 51st year. This family-friendly event will feature live music, Colonia reenactors, a. petting zoo, craft and farming demonstrations, local art and authors,
a wine and beer garden, a blacksmithing demonstration, antiques and collectibles, a pie-baking and pickle-making
contest, and so much more.

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This year’s theme is “farmers’ markets,” which is designed to honor Western Loudoun’s rural heritage. The fair takes a “green” approach, encouraging recycling and reusable shopping bags. Recycling receptacles are placed throughout the fair, and recycled materials are used when possible.

A favorite event amongst locals, the Bluemont Fair serves as a welcome to fall. Step back in time and enjoy this day with both the young and old in your family.

Learn more at bluemontfair.org.

GOOSE CREEK ASSOCIATION’S FALL FESTIVAL
SEPTEMBER 19
Aldie Mill Historic Park, Aldie, Va.

Celebrating over 50 years of the Goose Creek Association, this new family-friendly festival will

have a little something for everyone. With a variety of environmentally based exhibits, live music, food trucks, and children’s games, attendees should come ready to learn and play.

For kids, the festival will host a face painting station, pumpkins, and educational wildlife exhibits with birds and reptiles. For art lovers, there will be a local art show and sale. For the foodies, there will be two food trucks, Hammerdown Barbeque and Nomad Provisions, and an ice cream truck.

Don’t miss this fun and free event to celebrate the Goose Creek Association, which is dedicated to protecting and preserving the environment in the Goose Creek Watershed in Fauquier and Loudoun counties. The event will run from 12– 4 p.m.

For more information, visit goosecreek.org.

MIDDLEBURG FILM FESTIVAL OCTOBER 14 – 17
Middleburg, Va.

Middleburg’s own film festival is just around the corner. With four days of films and conversations with filmmakers and actors, this event is not to be missed. “This year’s festival will feature a carefully curated slate of films including ‘Oscar buzz’ films, international features, fascinating documentaries, and independent gems you might not otherwise get a chance to see,” Susan Koch, executive director of the festival, said. “As in the past, there will be an emphasis on film music with concerts featuring renowned film composers and a conversation with women composers and songwriters.”

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The festival will look the same as previous years, with a few differences.

“One holdover from last year’s hybrid festival will be the pop-up drive-in in the lower parking lot of Salamander Resort,” Koch said. “Films will also be shown at various venues throughout the town of Middleburg. Conversations and special events will take place at Greenhill Winery & Vineyards, Boxwood Winery, and Lost Barrel Brewery.”

Proof of vaccination will be required for all attendees, and additional safety measures may be required (such as masks, reduced capacity at screenings, and proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours) to strictly comply with the CDC and State of Virginia health and safety protocols.

The schedule and film slate won’t be released until the end of September when individual tickets will be available. Advance ticket packages and passes became available in late August.

To learn more about the festival, visit middleburg film.org. ML

This article first appeared in the September 2021 Issue.