Get Out Loudoun for June 2023

Make memories in Loudoun this summer. From cultural events and live music to endless outdoor recreation opportunities, there’s no shortage of activities to keep you engaged and energized this summer season.

Scan the QR code to start planning!

Rock out at the Tarara Summer Concert Series

Watch Polo in the Park at Morven Park Catch a Loudoun United game at Segra Field Hang out at Bluemont Vineyard

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

Inside: 6

THE SCENE

For six weeks each spring, crowds flock to the fields at Wegmeyer Farms for strawberry season. It’s proving to be a hot ticket.

WINE

ON THE COVER

TO ADVERTISE

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

getoutloudoun.com

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Look for a lot more rainbow flags on display at Loudoun wineries this month as they celebrate inclusiveness with the Pride in the Vines campaign.

ON STAGE

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The Loudoun Symphony Orchestra teams up with the Ion Arena for a special concert featuring performance from some of the world’s top figure skaters.

OUTDOORS

Round Hill and Hillsboro are joining forces for this year’s celebration of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

BEST BETS

Get Out Loudoun’s top picks for June.

Dana Armstrong Alexis Gustin Norman K. Styer

Photo by Alexis Gustin

A pair of pickers display their work following a day at in the fields at Wegmeyer Farms.

The Legwarmers return to this year’s lineup for the popular Tarara Summer Concert Series.

Instagrammable Loudoun

BY VISIT LOUDOUN

Loudoun is glorious in summer. Cloudless blue skies, lush farm fields, seemingly endless views of mountains, valleys and vines. Add in historic villages and trendy towns lined with sidewalk cafes and al fresco bars, breweries and restaurants, and there are few more photogenic regions in America.

But in an age when we’re all photographers and Instagram is our gallery, where to go for the most unique and Instagrammable spots in Loudoun?

Well, start with a mind-blowing view. It is said that at Bluemont Vineyard high on the east-facing slopes of the Blue Ridge, you can see the Washington Monument on a clear day. Snap a shot of that fishbowl sky, Piedmont farms below, a glass of the Ascent red blend in your hand. It will look like you’re in the clouds.

Equally dramatic, but with rolling manicured lawns shaded by giant oaks, are the views from Bear Chase Brewery nearby. Take a shot of yourself on the Adirondacks at the edge of the lawn, open skies beyond, and a glass of the Kodiak Kolsch in hand. Don’t miss the bear’s paw logo on the glass in your photo.

For west-facing sunset views, make your way to the rocks at Bear’s Den Overlook, across Blue Ridge Mountain Road from Bear Chase. Part of the world-famous rollercoaster section of the Appalachian Trail, you are looking down on the Shenandoah River here as it winds its way through a dense green forested valley. Tag your pic #AT or #TheRollercoaster and hiking enthusiasts the world over will see it.

Ready to time travel? Loudoun is dotted with charming villages and historic rural hamlets that seem preserved in Aspic. Post a shot of yourself outside one of the Federal or Greek Revival homes in Waterford, a colonnaded Greek Revival mansion in tiny Unison or the stone 1807-built gristmill in Aldie and your followers will wonder what century you landed in. Then of course there are those trendy downtowns and atmospheric main streets everyone loves. Middleburg’s Washington Street is lined with chic boutiques befitting the bespoke horse country capital. Post shots of yourself trying on

the designer wear at Lou Lou’s, Chloe’s, Zest or Le Boudoir, or strolling past the stone-built Red Fox Inn or King Street Oyster Bar, shopping bags in hand.

County seat Leesburg meanwhile has its share of boutiques and bars but it’s also home to one of the most Instagrammed locations in Loudoun: Sagetopia’s turquoise-colored Discover the Charm mural on Liberty Street with its intricate depictions of historic Leesburg sites. You might also want to post a shot of the spectacular new Journey to Freedom mural on the wall of the Loudoun Museum just around the corner that depicts a Black 19th Century Loudoun landowner and ferry business operator taking a young Black boy across the Potomac.

As for refreshments on hot summer days, head to One Loudoun to post shots of the enormous ice creams at The Yard Milkshake Bar and the custom-made pops and Gelato from Fantasticks. Alternatively, take a picture of yourself on the Washington & Old Dominion cycling trail before replenishing with a cold beer on the deck at Old Ox Brewery in Ashburn just off the trail.

Finally, if it’s more upscale treats you’re after, the tacos, tapas and tequila-inspired cocktails at swanky La Prensa in Sterling make for mouthwatering images.

Don’t forget to tag all your images #Love Loudoun.

Happy snapping!

Photo by Douglas Graham

The view of the Loudoun Valley from the tasting room at Dirt Farm Brewing Company near Bluemont is on the list of the county’s favorite photo ops.

Vendors, Food Trail Talks

Local Beers & Wines Kids’ Activities Raffles & More!

MUSIC FESTIVAL FOOD

FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR!

ON HILLSBORO’S GAP STAGE

JUNE 30 The Darby Brothers

JULY 7 Born Cross-Eyed

FRIDAY NIGHTS

JUNE 30 - SEPT. 1

Lawn opens at 6 p.m. Local Beers, Wines & Great Food

JULY 14 Texas Chainsaw Horns

JULY 21 Dunlap & Mabe

AUG. 4 The Dara James Band

AUG. 11 Rick Reaves Jazz Band

AUG. 25

JULY 28 Jules & The Agreeables

SEPT. 1 Mostly Fab Scan

Strawberry Days

U-pick Farm has the Hottest Ticket in Town

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN

What does a pick-your-own strawberry farm in western Loudoun have in common with a pop superstar?

If you are like the thousands of people trying to get weekend reservations to Wegmeyer Farms to pick your own strawberries, you’ll understand why some have compared demand for those slots to getting tickets to pop star Taylor Swift’s Eras tour—even causing a website crash.

“Every day is a different day in the berry field. Every day has different supply based on the weather,” owner Tyler Wegmeyer said. “Berries ripen every day so we may be completely picked out one day but if we have 75-degree temps at night and we have good sunshine, the next day it is full of red berries. It’s that quick.”

Tyler and Harriet Wegmeyer began doing a reservation system for their U-pick farm in Hamilton during the COVID-19 pandemic to help customers feel safe. They limited the number of pickers and kept them spaced out in the fields. But he said they had been toying with the idea long before COVID made it necessary.

“We thought about it for years and didn’t have the guts to do it,” he said. “To be frank with you, it was just little bit out there, no one had done reservations like that anywhere.”

On a weekday afternoon, the farm is peaceful and serene, but on the weekends, Tyler said it gets crazy. He said before the reservation system they would have a train of cars lined down the road. He said he would have to drive his four-wheeler down the line of cars and tell people they couldn’t accept any more pickers. He said it was stressful not only to have to turn customers away that were coming to get an experience in his fields but also because the road was blocked and if there was an accident

Photo by Alexis Gustin

Tyler Wegmeyer looks through strawberry plants at his farm in Hamilton. Wegmeyer walks the fields every night to determine how many slots for U-pickers they should allow the following day.

no emergency vehicle could get through.

“It’s a great problem to have, right? That people want to pick our strawberries. But we also have a responsibility to make sure people are safe and there isn’t a mosh pit,” he said. He said they knew they needed to do something.

“The reservation system has been a game changer. It’s taken our farm to the next level,” he said. This year marks the farm's 15th strawberry year. The reservation system works by Tyler walking the field every night and making estimates as to how many people they can bring in the next day based on available berries. He said over the years he’s gotten pretty good at estimating the daily supply. Then they release that number of tickets or reservation slots around 6 p.m. for the next day. If you try to get weekday reservations and are on the website right at 6 p.m., to reserve a time for the next day its highly competitive, but he said if you wait just a little bit you will still get a spot and it won’t be as busy on the site. Getting a reservation to pick on the weekend is a different story and is usually highly competitive, selling out within minutes.

A reservation costs $30 and includes your first bucket of strawberries. He said most people will pick more so he estimates the slots conservatively to not release too many tickets. He said they want people to come and have the best experience possible and have access to hundreds of ripe, juicy berries right at their fingertips rather than searching row after row. He said the management of the field is important to him and he and his patch bosses make sure each picker gets the most out of their time there. Pickers are assigned their own row by the patch boss. It’s usually a spot that hasn’t been picked on yet that day. They are given a flag and when they pick all they want they put the flag in the spot they stop. The flag helps them know where that picker stopped and where the next picker can start.

“I love the strawberry. I’m very passionate about it. In the world there is a lot of negative out there and the strawberry field is a sanctuary, it’s about having a great time, it’s about positivity, the love of the berry and being outside in nature,” he said.

He said the four to six weeks of strawberry season is a magical time of year, starting in early May and ending in mid-June.

New this year at the farm is the bakery run by Harriet. She said in the past they have always had strawberry glazed and cinnamon sugar donuts but this year they decided to expand their offerings by bringing in a strawberry cookie, a strawberry chocolate chunk muffin, strawberry pound cake, pie and croissants. They even stock Gruto’s soft serve, which uses Wegmeyer strawberries to make its strawberry ice cream.

“Everything we are baking celebrates the strawberry,” she said.

She said the bakery has been a huge success so far.

Tyler said so much so that he didn’t figure so much of his time would be spent baking until midnight. But he said they love being there and don’t want to disappoint the strawberry lovers.

“Strawberry season only happens for a short time, if you miss it you have to wait a whole other year to pick berries and get a strawberry cookie,” she said.

The farm operates three strawberry fields, two U-pick ones including at the home base in Hamilton, and Oatlands Farm and a third at Gilbert’s corner. Gilbert’s corner is usually for pre-picked berries for people who don’t want the experience of picking their own, Tyler said.

Next year, the Wegmeyers plan to open a fourth field in Lincoln, about a half mile down the road from their Hamilton farm.

Harriet said as part of that they are planning a huge festival next May to celebrate the strawberry and the village of Lincoln by bringing the community together. She said it will be a fun hometown festival filled with community, a pie eating contest, maybe an ice cream eating contest and art contest among other things.

Tyler said they plan to create a foundation leading up to the celebration to raise money for local organizations and offer a scholarship to high school students going into an agriculture field.

Pride in the Vines

WINERIES TEAM UP TO WAVE THE WELCOME FLAG

BY NORMAN K. STYER

When you drive by the Forever Farm & Vineyard or visit Two Twisted Posts Winery near Hillsboro the displays of rainbow flags are likely to catch your attention. This month, you’ll see more Loudoun wineries flying the LGBTQ+ welcome signs.

Fifteen wineries, with support from Visit Loudoun and the Loudoun Wineries and Winegrowers Association, are teaming up for a month-long Pride in the Vines campaign that celebrates inclusiveness.

The program builds on the work of three wineries that have hosting weekend pride promotions over the past three years.

Forever Farm co-owner Teri Riggs said she got the idea shortly after opening the Hillsboro-area vineyard in 2019.

“I had noticed that Two Twisted Posts always did something during Pride Month. Three years ago, I asked is it OK if we kind of send people back and forth between the two of us? So we did,” Riggs said.

Last year, she reached out to Bridgette Smith, the tasting room manager at Williams Gap Vineyard just down the road near Round Hill, and all

three wineries joined in the promotion last June. All three have ties to the LGBTQ+ community. Riggs’ son is gay and Two Twisted Post and Williams Gap are operated by lesbians.

During their review of last year’s event, they wondered if other wineries would be interested in joining. Riggs, the vice president of the wineries association, took it to her board.

“We ended up with 15 wineries this year, and more of them calling after I had printed everything,” Riggs said.

The discussion resulted in planning for a monthlong Pride in the Vines event that includes a passport program designed to encourage visitors to explore at least 10 wineries with prizes awards at the end of the month. Many of the wineries will have special pride programs—from drag show brunches to live music. National Taste of Rosé weekend, June 10-11, will be a particularly big time, with visitors earning double stamps for their passports.

“We're having LGBTQ+ and LGBTQ+ ally vendors, food, music, and then a portion of proceeds from our rosé sales for the whole month as well as from selling shirts will go back to an LGBTQ+ charity, which is Equality Loudoun,” Smith said of the programs planned at Williams Gap.

The goal of the program is to highlight the welcoming, inclusive atmosphere offered by Loudoun’s wine community.

Photo by Norman K. Styer Forever Farm and Vineyards co-owner Teri Riggs, left, and Williams Gap Vineyard tasting room manager Bridgette Smith are the organizers of Pride in the Vines campaign that will run throughout June at 15 Loudoun wineries.

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

WINE FROM PAGE 8

“The first thing I found when I started posting my flags was that people who were just driving down the road would say, ‘you know, it just feels so good to know that we're welcome here.’ And so many people will stop because they feel welcome and that's a big thing. I think it’s something that's almost subliminal that people don't realize—they're not sure where they're welcome. So we're trying to tell them that Loudoun welcomes you,” Riggs said.

The passport includes a history of the 1969 Stonewall riots that formed the foundation of the gay rights movement and Pride Month.

“It was very important to both of us that it was it was part of what people are receiving when they come to the wineries. It's not just a gay day; there's a reason behind this and it's something that at least the 15 wineries that are participating stand for and believe in, and want to put a focus on for the entire month,” Smith said.

“What all of this is about is educating people and making sure people know that there are

places that every single person is welcome, no matter what your beliefs, no matter what your political stance, no matter what your sexuality,” she said.

Passports may be picked up at the following participating wineries or at the Visit Loudoun office in Leesburg:

8 Chains North Winery

868 Estate Vineyards

Bleu Frog Vineyards

Bozzo Family Vineyard

Carriage House Wineworks

Fabbioli Cellars

Forever Farm & Vineyard

Good Spirit Farm

Hillsborough Winery

October One Tasting Room

Two Twisted Posts Winery

Walsh Family Wine

Williams Gap Vineyard

Wine Reserve at Waterford

Zephaniah Farm Vineyard

For more details, go to the “Events” section of the Loudoun Wineries and Winegrowers Association webpage, loudounwine.org.

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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 16

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

21 Old Ox Brewery 44652 Guilford Dr., Ste 114, Ashburn oldoxbrewery.com

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

23 Phase 2 Brewing 19382 Diamond Lake Dr, Lansdowne Phase2Brewing.com

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

25 Sweetwater Tavern 45980 Waterview Plaza, Sterling greatamericanrestaurants.com

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

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

28 Wheatland Springs Farm + Brewery 38454 John Wolford Rd., Waterford wheatlandspring.com

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

Loudoun Symphony Orchestra and ION Arena Collaborate for Ice on Fire

BY DANA ARMSTRONG

Loudoun Symphony Orchestra will be hitting the ice this month to play live alongside some of the world’s best ice skaters at ION Arena—including Olympian figure skater Gracie Gold.

The June 10 performance, titled “Ice on Fire,” will feature the LSO playing a selection of music with fiery, emotive dance themes. This extremely rare collaboration of live music and ice skating has been in the works since before ION International Training Center’s 2019 opening.

ION Chief Operating Officer Mitra Setayesh discovered the LSO through their regular performances at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Ashburn. She quickly became a fan and approached Michael Egan, the late president emeritus of the Loudoun Symphony, to offer the arena as a performance space for the orchestra.

At first, the idea of filling the 3,500-seat ION Arena with an audience was a startling proposition for Egan. But it was one they agreed

would be mutually beneficial for expanding the reach of ION and the LSO to both ice skating and classical music fans.

“When I took on this performance … I instantly saw a connection between the artistry and athleticism involved in ballet to ice dancing and ice skating,” said Hayden Denesha, LSO’s conductor for Ice on Fire, who also serves as musical director and conductor of Loudoun Symphony Youth Orchestra.

“Though I frankly don’t know really anything about ice skating, as a conductor working some with ballet in my background, I noticed crossover in the repertoire choices. When you turn on the Olympics and watch them, a lot of Olympic skaters will choose some of these pieces I have on our program.”

Pieces such as Danzón No. 2 by Mexican composer Arturo Márquez, the main theme from Chariots of Fire, the “Firebird Suite” from Stravinsky’s ballet (a favorite among the orchestra’s musicians), and more make the list.

Contributed

Romanian national champion Julia Sauter is among the roster of international skating stars slated to perform with the Loudoun Symphony Orchestra in Ion Arena’s Ice on Fire production.

True to form, the Russian Olympic team will skate to a collection of Tchaikovsky’s waltzes from the ballet Swan Lake. Plus, ice skaters from ION’s top ranked ice dance academy in the nation and members of the US Olympic team will perform choreographed routines to the orchestra’s live music.

The night is headlined by leading figure skaters Olympian Gracie Gold, “Quad King” Ilia Malinin (the first skater to land a quadruple axel), and Canadian champion skater Keegan Messing.

“A 60-piece orchestra in an ice rink is a pretty Herculean task, but we’re going to get it done and it will be good,” Denesha said.

He will be conducting the orchestra from a stage laid over the top of a portion of the ice.

"I have played in venues ranging from small churches to some of the biggest theaters in the country, but an ice rink? That’s the most interesting by far,” said Nicholas Bulgarino, a trombonist for the LSO and player representative on LSO’s Board of Directors.

“There are a lot of challenges in performing in a space not designed primarily for an orchestra. Some instruments are very climate sensitive, as you can imagine. Everything in the venue will affect how we sound: the height of the ceiling, all the rigging and other audio equipment we will use, the number of people in the audience, and especially the ice.”

Although the stage on the ice will provide some insulation from the cold, orchestra members are already planning other ways to keep themselves in shape.

“Finding ways to keep our fingers warm enough to tackle some of the technical repertoire might be tricky. I plan to keep hand warmers in my pockets,” said Michelle Rippey, a flute and piccolo player and vice president of LSO’s board of directors.

“I suspect the audience energy in such a large venue will be thrilling for us. The opportunity to partner with professional ice dancers is very exciting and has the potential to really showcase the orchestra and expand our reach within the community.”

After nearly a year of back-and-forth meetings between the ION and LSO teams and count-

less hours of practice for both the ice skaters and orchestra members, all are excited to see this innovative show come to life.

“Overall, this is a massive community-wide collaboration, and there’s certain symbolism within that. Loudoun County has so much innovation in it from the school system to the tech industry to the arts, but I rarely see a lot of people working together to create something really big like this,” Denesha said.

“My thing as a conductor is what can we do to bring the community together and get more people interested in classical music? And if we show that classical music can be accessible to other mediums—whether it’s in the arts or athletics in the case of this one—that’s going to spark a curiosity that generates more listeners and enthusiasm.”

“Maybe it will generate the interest of some young people who want to pursue music and make it a part of their life.”

ION Arena and the Loudoun Symphony Orchestra’s show, Ice on Fire, occurs at 6 PM on Saturday, June 10. The address is 19201 Compass Creek Pkwy SE in Leesburg. For details and tickets, go to ionarena.com.

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

OUTDOORS

Celebrating the Appalachian Trail

Four years ago, the Town of Round Hill launched a day-long celebration of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail as part of a campaign to encourage residents to get outdoors more. This year, the Appalachian Trail Festival takes on a more regional feel with the Town of Hillsboro joining the project.

On June 10, the grounds around Hillsboro’s Old Stone School will feature live music, trail talks, kids' activities, food and vendors. Representatives from environmental/hiking groups—including the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, American Hiking Society, Sierra Club and the Appalachian Mountain Club—will be on hand to discuss their programs and other outdoors enthusiasts will offer handson learning from trail cooking to yoga for hikers. The concert lineup includes Mink's Miracle Medicine, Justin Trawick & the Common Good, and the Short Hill Mountain Boys.

Spanning 2,190 miles of mountain ridge lines from Maine to Georgia, the AT crosses 14 states—and generally tracks along Loudoun County’s western border, part of the popular “roller coaster” section of the trail.

The inaugural festival in 2019 celebrated Round Hill's official designation as an A.T. Community, recognizing the trail as a community asset and pledging to support ongoing Trail stewardship. Since then, Hillsboro and the village of Bluemont also have secured that designation.

A new feature this year will be a Friday evening talk by Jeff Ryan as part of the Hillsboro's Eat, Drink & Be Literary series at the Old Stone School. Ryan, the author of numerous books about America’s trails and public lands, will discuss the “Secrets of the AT.” The ticketed event will begin at 7 p.m. June 9.

Another addition to the event is “Wild Beauty,” an Appalachian Trail-Inspired Invitational Art Show, that displays Appalachian inspiration through the eyes of artists. Explore “Wild Beauty” through paintings, fiber arts, photography, ceramics and prints. Art will be available for purchase during festival hours, with the artists on hand throughout the day to talk about their work. Artists include Nick Garnhart, Jill Jensen, Joan Gardiner, Megan Caldwell, Amy Oliver, Kathleen Howsare and Johlene Hess.

For full festival details, go to roundhillat.org.

Happenings

The first match begins at 7 p.m. Spectators are encouraged to picnic and enjoy their beverage of choice on the terraced viewing area next to the arena.

General Admission car passes are $40 and special tailgate spots may be reserved. For the full schedule and tickets, go to PoloInThePark.org.

POLO IN THE PARK RETURNS

In what has grown into a summer Saturday night tradition, Morven Park kicks off its Polo in the Park season June 3.

For seven weeks, visitors are invited to the historic 1,000-acre estate near Leesburg to picnic at the arena and cheer on the top polo players—including internationally renowned players Juan Salinas-Bentley, Doug Barnes, and Tareq Salahi and the Celebrity Cruises Polo Team—through two fast-paced matches.

“We’re thrilled to offer polo to the community again this summer,” said Stacey Metcalfe, Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation/Morven Park’s Executive Director and CEO. “Each year proves to be better than the last, and it has become the can’t-miss event and the best party in Loudoun. We are excited continue the tradition this year.”

On June 24, Morven Park hosts a special match between Team Morocco and Team USA, with Moroccan entertainment and crafts rounding out a night of nonstop action.

ARTISTS OPEN STUDIOS FOR 16TH ANNUAL TOUR

The Western Loudoun Art and Studio Tour, June 2-4, offers a weekend of art, shopping, and relaxation in the scenic countryside.

In its 16th year, the event features more than 40 artists showcasing their paintings, pottery, jewelry, photography, fiber, sculpture, and more. Artists will demonstrate their creative processes and have works for sale. The Franklin Park Performing Arts

Center near Purcellville will host five artists. Tour hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The event is free.

A complete tour guide and an interactive map of the locations are available at the tour website: wlast.org.

INNOVATIONS IN FLIGHT ON DISPLAY

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center on June 17 will feature more than 50 aircraft that demonstrate the engineering and design innovations that have taken place over the past century of flight.

Pilots will be available to share information about their vintage and modern aircrafts.

The one-day exhibit at the Dulles Airport facility is one of the museum’s most popular events. While admission is free, tickets are required in advance for designated touring time slots. Parking is $15.

For details, go to the “What’s On” section of the museum website: airandspace.si.edu.

UPPERVILLE HORSE SHOW CELEBRATES 170 YEARS

The Upperville Colt & Horse Show, the oldest such event in the United States, will mark its 170th year when the top riders and horses gather at the historic showgrounds near Middleburg June 5-11.

The show is a United States Equestrian Federation-designated World Championship Hunter Rider Show. Riders range from amateur to Olympic-level winners. The show draws an audience of 20,000 enthusiasts who come to see world-class riding and enjoy a week of activities that range from tailgating to equestrian art exhibits. The show ends with the popular main Grand Prix event, the $216,000 FEI 4* Upperville Jumper Classic presented by MARS Equestrian.

Admission and parking are free.

For full schedule of events and other details, go to upperville.com.

GETOUTBest Bets

06.10.23

Florida slide guitar player Bill Wharton plays the blues and cooks gumbo at every show. It's a soul-shouting picnic of rock and roll brotherhood.

06.17.23

KELLY BELL BAND

Saturday, June 10, 6 p.m.

Tarara Winery

tararaconcerts.com

The Baltimore blues band brings the party at every show.

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PAT TRAVERS

Monday, June 12, 8 p.m.

Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com

The powerhouse rock guitarist performs on the Leesburg stage just weeks before his induction into Nashville’s Rock Godz Hall of Fame.

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THE SAUCE BOSS

Friday, June 16, 6 p.m.

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JED DUVALL AT SIR PAUL

Saturday, June 17, 2 p.m. Two Twisted Posts Winery twotwistedposts.com

Jed Duvall performs as Paul McCarthy on the rock legend’s birthday.

LEVI STEPHENS

Saturday, June 17, 7 p.m.

Leesburg Town Green idalee.org

Stephens defies all expectations with his blend of soul, rock, folk, and R&B.

JOEL SHEWMAKE

Sunday, June 18, 2 p.m.

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery

vanishbeer.com

The Nashville-based singer/songwriter has penned tunes recorded by Brad Paisely. Trace Adkins, Gary Allen, and many others.

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LYNCH MOB

Saturday, June 24. 8 p.m.

Tally Ho Theater

tallyhotheater.com

Former Dokken guitarist George Lynch is one of the most recognizable names in heavy metal guitar with a career spanning more than 40 years and 30 albums.

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THE LEGWARMERS

Saturday, July 1, 6 p.m.

Tarara Winery

tararaconcerts.com

Remember the 80s? The Legwarmers relive them.