Our natural world is full of fascinating plants, animals, and water all in different landscapes. These create ecosystems where everything lives and thrives. When you learn about what’s supposed to be there, you’ll know if something is missing and what you can do about it. It all starts with observations!

As part of this year’s national Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend, kick off this weekend of discovery with self-guided activities and a free Virginia State Parks parking pass (available through your local council). Find your nature connection, and earn a Girl Scouts Love Virginia State Parks patch* while also meeting the requirements to earn the Daisy “Animal Observer”, Brownie Legacy Badge “Bugs”, Junior “Flower”, or Cadette “Trees”. You can also work towards the Ambassador “Water” and Senior “Sky” badges.

*Patches will be mailed after September 30, 2024.

On Friday evening, put your observation skills to the test with a ranger-led hike as part of our Twilight Hike Series. Embark on an easy/moderate guided hike that winds through lush forests, open fields, and picturesque meadows. Please dress for the weather, wear proper footwear, and bring water. Leashed pets are welcome. Learn more about our Twilight Hike Series at https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/event?id=2024-02-14-15-09-14-210918-2lp.

Please note: Parking fee is waived for Girl Scouts with parking pass; otherwise, $10/car parking fee.

More info:  540-592-3556, [email protected]

Lost Mountain Entrance.

Explore an enchanting evening amidst the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains as the sun sets and the world transitions from day to night! Embark on an easy guided hike that winds through lush forests, open fields, and picturesque meadows. Experience the magic of twilight as the landscape transforms under the fading light and wildlife becomes more active during this mystical time of day.

Please dress for the weather, wear footwear appropriate for hiking, and bring water/snacks. Leashed pets are welcome on all hikes.

Additional dates and times:

Oct. 11, 2024. 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 15, 2024. 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

$10/car parking fee.

More info: 540-592-3556, [email protected]

Join us in celebrating local agriculture and culinary art at Ovoka Farm’s Pasture to Plate: Farm Tour and Tasting Dinner!

Experience the rich history of the Ovoka Farm Estate, ride along in the haywagon for an up-close look at our Wagyu cattle operations, all while sipping local wine and soaking up stunning views of the farm and surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.

Following the tour, enjoy a four-course, open air farm dinner featuring our renowned Ovoka F1 Wagyu Beef, local produce, and expertly paired Virginia wines. The culinary experience will be curated by local chef Ellie McMillen, and will feature a seasonal menu that highlights the best of Virginia’s harvest season flavors. Dinner will be accompanied by a live performance from local musicians.

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet your farmers, connect with the land, and experience artful farm-to-table dining at Ovoka Farm.

Saturday, September 14th

5:00 – 8:00 pm

Ovoka Farm

$175 + tax and gratuity

Ticket price includes wine pairing. This event is rain or shine, no refunds. No pets allowed.

Come enjoy the challenging routes of Sky Meadows State Park and Valley View Farm, home of the Gnarled Orchard. These courses are knotty, knot nice at the farm as they are a mix of cross country, trail, and hills! To see what else Valley View Farm has to offer, visit https://www.valleyviewva.com/.

Runners receive: A glass of cider, wine, or mead from Valley View, Finisher’s Medal, Technical (Drifit) Event Shirt, & A Chip Timed Event. Runners may also redeem their drink ticket for sweet cider, juice or soda.

Walkers and leashed pets are welcome to attend this event. Now offering a virtual run option for those who cannot make it on race day. You will receive a medal. For more details or to register, please visit Bishop’s Events online at https://bishopsevents.com/event/2024-valley-view-hard-cider-challenge-5k-10k-half/.

Registration Fees
5K – $35, until August 31 ($40)
10K – $50, until August 31 ($55)
Half – $70, until August 31 ($75)

***Price will increase on race morning by $5 for each distance.

Proceeds benefit Paws for Purple Hearts (https://pawsforpurplehearts.org/)

More info: 540-592-3556, [email protected]

It’s time to race! Join us for the 1st annual Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day 5K benefiting the Virginia Irish Dance Association. USATF certified course!

Picnic Area.

Take into your heart the peace of wild things. Absorb the transformative words of writers who love the wild, read aloud by two Virginia Master Naturalists. The walk will be taken in silence, at a slow pace. This guided three-tenths of a mile gentle walk will meet at the Sensory Explorers’ Trail in the picnic area and will last approximately one hour. This program and the Sensory Explorers’ Trail are accessible for the blind and visually impaired.

For more information on the Virginia Master Naturalists please visit http://www.virginiamasternaturalist.org/ .

The Sensory Explorers’ Trail is open for self-guided walks daily for people of all ages and has adaptations for the blind and visually impaired. To learn more about this feature visit https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/sky-meadows#recreation .

$10/car parking fee.

More info: 540-592-3556, [email protected]

Lost Mountain Entrance.

National Public Lands Day is a call for all of us to restore and improve our public lands. Sky Meadows will honor our nation’s public lands by giving special care to the land adjacent to Gap Run, a stream which runs through the park. We will discuss the importance of protecting areas adjacent to fresh water sources, known as riparian zones. Participants will learn how to conserve and protect our water sources while helping to clear brush from the riparian zone along the Hayfield Trail.

All ages are welcome and no experience is required. Total hike to and from the work site is approximately 2 to 4 miles from the Lost Mountain parking lot. Tools will be provided. Dress for the weather and wear footwear appropriate for hiking. Bring work gloves, water, a snack (optional), bug spray, and sunscreen. Take pride in knowing you have contributed to helping the environment and enhancing the beauty of Sky Meadows.

You may also observe National Public Lands Day by participating in “Bike Your Park Day.” Bring (or ride) your bicycle to Sky Meadows State Park to explore our 9 miles of bike trails. The Adventure Cycling Association encourages you to take this day to explore and enjoy parks and public lands on bicycle!

Free – parking fee waived.

More info: 540-592-3556, [email protected]

The Rokeby Farm property has a long and storied history as an icon of the Virginia Piedmont. Operated today by the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, Rokeby is a place where agriculture, art, learning, and community thrive together in the beautiful countryside. We are thrilled to invite you to the first ever Rokeby Community Festival, where guests of all ages can get into the fall spirit with friends and family. Some highlights of the festival will include:

-A pickleball tournament on the Rokeby Airstrip, with both competitive and casual play from Pickle Me Silly
-Plant Sale
-Live music from local artists: Dylan Page & Friends, and Short Hill Mountain Boys
-Food trucks such as: Happy Family Ranch, Divine Swine BBQ, Fava Pot, Big Cheese Truck, and MooThru Ice Cream
-Local libations from: Slater Run Vineyards, Powers Brewery, and Wild Hare Cider
-Family fun activities such as: scavenger hunts, relay races, mazes, face painting, food demos, and more!
-Educational plant talks and field walks (wildlife garden, insect walk, tree talk, and chickens), plus vendor booth from our local partners such as: Gum Tree Farm, Sky Meadows State Park, Blandy Arboretum, VA Working Landscapes, Fauquier Extension/Master Gardeners/4-H. John Marshall Soil & Water, and Piedmont Environmental Council

Tickets and Registration:
General Admission tickets are available online ahead of the event for $10. Tickets will also be available day-of at check-in for $15. These tickets do not include registration for the pickleball tournament. Children 12 and under are free.

Pickleball Tournament tickets are available online ahead of the event for …. All pickleball tournament tickets include general admission to the festival.

The Oak Spring Garden Foundation is a legacy of the designer, horticulturist and philanthropist Rachel Lambert “Bunny” Mellon. Mrs. Mellon’s hope was that her extensive collection of rare books, artwork, and other materials relating to plants, gardens, and landscapes could continue to be used for education and inspiration.

Join us for an exciting pickle ball tournament, social play or training session as a part of our 1st Annual Rokeby Community Festival!

As a part of our 1st Annual Rokeby Community Festival, Oak Spring Garden Foundation is partnering with Pickle Me Silly to offer a Pickleball tournament with competitive and social open play.

Please read below to learn more about the qualifications for joining each round of pickleball play.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Rokeby Community Festival’s Pickleball Tournament, Clinic and Social Play will be held on a retired airstrip near the Biocultural Conservation Farm. The asphalt surface is flat and mostly smooth and offers beautiful views of the mountains and surrounding landscape. However, interested players should expect a less-than-perfect playing surface with small cracks and normal asphalt wear and tear. If you have any specific questions regarding the playing surface, please reach out to [email protected]

Competitive Tournament: 10:00am – 2:00pm

• Teams of 2 are invited to sign up for one of 32 slots for the official tournament play.
• Each team is guaranteed 3 games of pickleball.
• All players will need to bring their own paddles.
• To participate in the offical tournament, players must be 18 or older.
• Please note the tournament is co-ed and matches will be made based on each team’s level of proficiency, not age.
• The last day to register for the tournament is Saturday, September 21, 2024.

Individial Player Sign Ups

• Individuals seeking to join the competitive tournament that do not have a partner are welcomed to sign up for a waitlist.
• Oak Spring will match individual players into teams on a first come first serve basis. When players are paired, a staff member will reach out and invite both individuals to offically register for a slot in the tournamnet.
• Please note: Joining the wait list does not guarantee you that will be matched with a partner and be able to participate in the official pickleball tournament.
• If you are not matched by to a team by the last day to register for the tournament, we encourage you to purchase a general admission ticket for the Rokeby Community Festival and come show your support!

Pickleball Clinic: 2:30 – 3:00pm

• Players must be 12 and older to join the pickleball clinic. At check-in, minors will need to have their guardian present to sign a waiver.
• All players will need to bring their own paddles.

Open Social Play: 3:00 – 5:00pm

• Players must be 16 and older to join social play. At check-in, minors will need to have their guardian present to sign a waiver.
• Each player is guaranteed 2 games of pickleball.
• All players will need to bring their own paddles.
• Social play is co-ed, players will be matched according to level of experience.

Important Reminders

• All pickleball tournament tickets include general admission to the Festival.
• Pickleball tickets are non-refundable. In the event of inclement weather that prohibits pickleball play, there will not be a make up event. We invite all to join in on other Rokeby Community Festival activities.
• If you have any pickleball related questions, please reach out to Mike Rogers ([email protected]) at Pickle Me Silly, the manager of the tournament. You can direct all other questions to Oak Spring at [email protected].
• There will be water stations available but participants should be bring water, hats, suncreens, umbrellas and any outdoor gear.

The Oak Spring Garden Foundation is a legacy of the designer, horticulturalist and philanthropist Rachel Lambert “Bunny” Mellon. Mrs. Mellon’s hope was that her extensive collection of rare books, artwork, and other materials relating to plants, gardens, and landscapes could continue to be used for education and inspiration.

Main Street in Historic Old Town Warrenton transforms with arts, music, crafters, strolling entertainment and festival food during the 45th Annual Old Town Warrenton Fall Festival, on Saturday, October 5th, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

On Fall Festival Day, this rural county seat opens its streets to a wide variety of artisans and crafters exhibiting and selling handmade jewelry, fine arts, candles, tee shirts, wood furniture and stained glass goods from tents set up on Main Street. In addition, Festival visitors will find a variety of vendors showcasing their services and community causes as well as numerous food offerings from shaved iced to BBQ providing for a full day of fun, shopping, food and entertainment for all!

Rain or shine, the event draws approximately 20,000-25,000 people.

We are pleased to share our rich agricultural heritage with you on this award-winning Farm Tour. The refreshing sights, sounds scents and activities are sure to bring back fond memories … or create new ones to share and cherish!

The farm stops on the tour will be clearly marked with Farm Tour signs the day of the tour and may be visited in any order. Scheduling of special activities and locations with refreshments and other items for sale will be noted in the brochure.

The brochure announcing which farms are participating is coming soon!

If you have any questions, please contact  [email protected]

Historic Area.

The forge is fired up and the blacksmiths are hard at work showing off their skills. Members of the Blacksmiths’ Guild of the Potomac have set up shop in the forge, located behind the Dairy Barn in the Historic Area. See them fashion iron into helpful tools and kitchen items used around the farm. Purchase handmade goods made right on site. To learn more about the guild, visit https://bgop.org/ .

$10/car parking fee.

More info: 540-592-3556, [email protected]

Log Cabin in the Historic Area.

Follow your nose to the Log Cabin to see what is cooking on the hearth. Explore history through food and how it connects us to past generations. Explore farming practices of Virginians in the Crooked Run Valley and the influences of cooking traditions. Learn about the cooking methods of early European settlers and the African people who were enslaved here and were a part of life on this historic farm.

$10/car parking fee.

More info: 540-592-3556, [email protected]

Historic Area.

Discover our International Dark-Sky Park! Our evenings begin with a half-hour children’s “Junior Astronomer” program, followed by a discussion about the importance of dark skies and light conservation. Then join NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) Ambassadors for a presentation on the latest news in space research. Finish the evening by relaxing and enjoying the night’s beauty with the members of the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club (NOVAC) as they open their telescopes to public observation. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and/or blankets. Feel free to bring your telescope or binoculars for your own exploration. To learn more about NOVAC and other local astronomy offerings, please visit https://www.novac.com/wp/observing/ .

To expedite your payment process, we encourage you to pay ahead online at https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/daily-pass . The confirmation code must be presented at the gate. To learn more about the Virginia State Park Annual Pass, visit https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/passes .

Entrance gates close one hour prior to the program end time. Exit gates remain open.

$10/car parking fee.

More info: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/sky-meadows, 540-592-3556, [email protected]

Lost Mountain Entrance.

Explore an enchanting evening amidst the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains as the sun sets and the world transitions from day to night! Embark on an easy guided hike that winds through lush forests, open fields, and picturesque meadows. Experience the magic of twilight as the landscape transforms under the fading light and wildlife becomes more active during this mystical time of day.

Please dress for the weather, wear footwear appropriate for hiking, and bring water/snacks. Leashed pets are welcome on all hikes.

$10/car parking fee.