Saturday, October 18, 2008

What to do in the Valley this weekend ...

If you plan to visit the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding mountains this weekend, there is plenty to do! With daytime temps in the 50s and overnight temps in the 30s, we're expecting mostly sunny skies and low humidity. The wind is brisk today ... sweatshirt weather! Leaves are at peak (Thursday night's rain knocked many to the ground but there are still plenty of colorful trees) ... skies are clear and the mountains are beautiful.

Green Valley Book Fair runs every day through October 26, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Thousands of books at 60-90% off retail prices. I-81, exit 240, turn east and follow signs. Mt. Crawford (between Harrisonburg and Staunton).

Dayton Farmers Market is located on Rt. 42 west of Harrisonburg. Soft pretzels, food, coffee, bulk food shop, locally-made candy, other shops for those on your Christmas list.

Cestari (Chester) Farm Pumpkin Festival in Churchville 10 minutes west of Staunton continues this weekend and next weekend from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with the pumpkin patch, children's games, costume contests, farm animals, wagon rides, and more. Churchville, 3581 Churchville Avenue.

Staunton's Gyspy Hill Park Duck Pond will be the location of today's first ever Duck Pond Day from noon-9 p.m. The race across the pond begins as 12:30; prizes. Arts, crafts, face painting, pony rides, live entertainment at the bandstand. "The Mighty Duck" movie will be shown at 7:30. Cost for duck race is $10/one rubber duckie and $25/four rubber duckies. Proceeds are to bring the swans back to the duck pond. Located on Churchville Avenue in Staunton.

Apple Festival at Drumheller's Orchard in Lovingston in Nelson County. Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday Noon-5 p.m. Apples, applebutter, cider pumpkins, food, crafts, honey, country hams, musical entertainment, hay maze, hay rides. Located on Rt. 741 one mile behind Nelson County High School. (434) 263-5036.

Golden Kernel in Weyers Cave has free hay rides to the pumpkin patch today and Oct. 25 from 9-4:30. Antique tractor display, homemade donuts. Closed Sundays. I-81, exit 235, go east for 4.5 miles to Golden Kernel on left. (540) 249-4813.

This is just a small sample of everything that is available this weekend. Spend a weekend in the Valley, see the leaves, and enjoy the local festivals.

It's autumn in the Shenandoah Valley....

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