Events Search and Views Navigation
July 2016
Sunset Paddle
Join Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) for a Sunset Paddle on the Rappahannock River. Float in kayaks from Old Mill Park to City Dock and learn about local ecology and how the river has influenced American history. FOR provides kayaks and safety gear. The minimum age is 12 years and some paddling experience is helpful. The cost is $35 individual/ $105 per family of four ($28/$84 for FOR members). Log onto www.riverfriends.org/eventspage to purchase tickets. Call (540) 373-3448 for more information.
http://riverfriends.org/eventsAugust 2016
The Friends of Cedar Mountain Battlefield host 154th Commemoration of the Battle of Cedar Mountain.
Watch infantry and cavalry demonstrations. Events Saturday and Sunday starting at 10 a.m. Maryland Fife and Drum perform. Parking at Carver School with shuttle buses every 15 minutes. For information, contact dianewlogan@gmail.com or cell phone 540-718-1664
Farm-to-Table Dinner
The Farm-to-Table dinner features a menu of locally grown foods and locally raised meats.
http://www.madisonfarmersmarket.info/events.htmlMarsh Madness Paddle
Join Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) on an adventurous exploration of tidal marsh ecology, launching in kayaks from Hopyard Landing in King George County. As the tide comes in, trip leader Elysa Mills from FOR and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will lead a discussion on marsh habitat, plants and wildlife. Meet at Hopyard Landing at 8 a.m. The trip ends at noon. Bring lunch, lots of water, and sunscreen. Minimum age is 12. Back up date is the next day. $40 indiv/$120 family ($32/$96 for FOR members).
https://www.facebook.com/events/253941198275400/September 2016
Graffiti House Heritage Day
Celebrate the grand opening of the newly created 1860s hospital room. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Located at 19484 Brandy Road in Brandy Station. $5 per person suggested donation. Children 12/under are free. Includes speakers program, memorial for John Pelham, photo booth, lecture on Civil War medicine, Country Troubadours, “Army Enlistment” program for children. Food available for purchase. Visit www.brandystationfoundation.com or 540-341-7019.
Riverfest 2016
Enjoy all-you-can-eat Chesapeake Bay blue crabs, BBQ, catfish, and open bars at Friends of the Rappahannock’s annual gala. There is live music, a boat ride, and great auctions. Tickets sell out early and are sold only in advance. Early Bird tickets are $100 before Sept. 5, regular price $125.
http://riverfest.riverfriends.org/Rappahannock Farm Tour
The Rappahannock County Annual Farm Tour is a free, two-day, self-guided tour offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse of our working farms. Rappahannock County’s early settlers were small farmers; officially founded in 1833, it has long been deeply rooted in agriculture. The mission of the Rappahannock County Farm Tour is to present an unforgettable, educational and enriching experience of Rappahannock County’s (Agri)Culture.
http://rappfarmtour.orgOctober 2016
Fauquier County Fall Farm Tour
This year’s award-winning farm tour will be held on October 8, 2016. Self-driving tour. Visit any or all of the farms on the tour and enjoy pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, hayrides, corn mazes, tours, demonstrations, and farm machinery. For more information, call (540) 422-8280.
http://www.visitfauquier.com/event-calendars/all-eventsVirginia Outdoors Festival
The Virginia Outdoors Foundation presents the Virginia Outdoors Festival, celebrating our work to protect 800,000 of open space across Virginia over the last 50 years. The family-friendly event will feature a farmers’ market, guided tours of the preserve where the festival is located, a silent auction, food vendors, pumpkin painting, apple bobbing and a kids’ fishing tournament. Numerous demonstrations will take place at the event, as well as live music from Nashville’s Hadley Park, wearehadleypark.com. The festival will take place at the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve in Loudoun County from 11 A.M. to 3 P.M. on October 8. Admission is free for all ages
virginiaoutdoorsfestival.comRappahannock Fall Colors Float
Mark the change in seasons along the Rappahannock River with a fall paddling adventure in kayaks and canoes! Join Friends of the Rappahannock and Guide Brian Gudmundsson on an adventure from Hole in the Wall to Motts Run Landing on Saturday, Oct. 22. This trip is scheduled to put attendees on the river when the riparian vegetation is at its most colorful and beautiful. Along the way, participants will visit historic canal locks, observe wildlife and learn about river ecology. Dress for the weather! Bring lunch, snacks, and a water bottle. Minimum age is 12 years old. This is a strenuous event with moderate rapids and some paddling experience is needed. Your ticket includes boat and PFD. No personal boats allowed. Meet at Motts Landing at 9 a.m., we’ll shuttle to the put-in and be finished by 4 p.m. The cost is $50 for individuals/$150 for families of 3 or 4 ($40/$120 for FOR members). For more information and tickets, please log on to www.riverfriends.org/eventspage or call (540) 373-3448 x. 117.
http://riverfriends.org/eventsFall Colors Paddle
Mark the change in seasons along the Rappahannock with a fall canoeing adventure! Join Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) from Hole in the Wall to Motts Landing when the river is most colorful. Dress warmly, bring lunch and water. Minimum age is 12 years. There is moderate whitewater and this is a strenuous, back-country event. Meet at Motts Run Landing. $50 indiv/$150 family ($40/$120 FOR members)
https://www.facebook.com/events/968766036532293/Bat Talk
Bats Have Needs Too!
Do you know the only mammal that can sustain flight? It is the bat! Join Friends of the Rappahannock at Wild Bird Unlimited, 1937 Carl D. Silver Parkway, on October 30, for a day full of bat talks and fun. Friends of the Rappahannock’s Field Trip Coordinator, Taylor McConnell, will be giving a talk about bat needs and ecological role. Also, Madison Ryan, a certified Virginia Master Naturalist, will be talking about their importance and what is threatening their survival. Taylor’s talk starts at 1pm and Madison’s talk starts at 3pm.
March 2017
Plant a Tree!
Trees available. Culpeper Soil & Water Conservation District has trees available in the following varieties: American plum, indigobush, flowering dogwood, sugar maple, white oak and white pine. Reserve now! Pick-up is March 30 and 31 from 2-7 p.m. at the office in Culpeper. Call Stephanie at 540-825-8591.
April 2017
Earth Day at Little Washington Winery
Help us show some love to Mother Earth this weekend with organic and biodynamic wines, reusable wine bags, and a chance to help us plant a tree! So bring a picnic, buy a bottle of wine, and take home a little tree! (limit 1 per customer)
http://www.littlewashingtonwinery.com/June 2017
Civil War Paddle
Join Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) and National Park Service Supervisory Historian Greg Mertz Saturday, June 10, for a daylong canoe trip, highlighting many of the Civil War sites along the Rapidan River. We’ll float from Germanna Ford to Ely’s Ford, through rapids, past eagle nests and have lunch on a sandbar. Bring a bag lunch, sunscreen and plenty of water. Meet at the Ely’s Ford boat ramp at 8 a.m., 4.5 miles north of Route 3 on Route 610. We will arrive back at Ely’s Ford at approximately 4 p.m., depending on water flow. This trip fills FAST, so register early. Minimum age is 12 years and this is a strenuous event. The cost is $50 individual/$150 family ($40/$120 for FOR members). Please pre-register at http://www.riverfriends.org/event/civil-war-paddle/
http://www.riverfriends.org/event/civil-war-paddle/August 2017
National Honeybee Day
The bees are buzzing at Sky Meadows State Park. Meet our beekeepers Doug & Ramona Morris and the Beekeepers of Northern Shenandoah as they perform a honey extraction. Learn about beekeeping, honeybees and the Art of Apiculture. Support beekeeping and the Beekeepers of Northern Shenandoah by purchasing local honey from club members.
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/park-events-list?srchloc=SK&eventtype=all&BDate=02/25/2017&EDate=02/25/2018September 2017
National Public Lands Day
Sky Meadows continues a 300 year-old tradition of farming that depends on pollination. The butterflies, bees and birds that pollinate are declining. Join us to learn how Sky Meadows is teaming up in the fight to save pollinators by growing pollinator friendly plots. Help us continue our efforts by harvesting pollinator seeds to ensure the sustainability of these vital habitats. Also, find out how to take these ideas home and increase habitat for pollinators and conserve these species in your own backyard.
There is free parking/admission for this day. Be sure to wear proper shoes, sunscreen and bug spray, and bring plenty of water.
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/park-events-list?srchloc=SK&eventtype=all&BDate=02/25/2017&EDate=02/25/2018October 2017
Fall Farm Days: The Nature of Sky Meadows
During Fall Farm Days’ Nature Weekend, get in touch with nature and explore a managed landscape rich in biodiversity. Celebrate the beauty and diversity of the park through a variety of programs, demonstrations, and activities. Learn about Sky Meadows’ bluebird monitoring program, race wooly bear caterpillars, visit with Virginia Master Naturalists, Virginia Department of Forestry foresters and more.
In addition to nature-themed programs, we also offer Mount Bleak House tours, blacksmithing demonstrations, live music, a children’s play area, delicious food and drinks for sale, and, of course, the pick-your-own pumpkin patch.
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/park-events-list?srchloc=SK&eventtype=all&BDate=02/25/2017&EDate=02/25/2018March 2018
Rainforest Trust Meet-n-Greet
In honor of International Women’s Day, Rainforest Trust is unveiling its new Women’s Conservation League with a happy hour meet-n-greet at Old Bust Head on March 8 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Come on out and learn more about Fauquier County’s largest nonprofit that has already protected more than 18 million acres across the globe!
Everyone is welcome. We hope to see you there!
https://www.rainforesttrust.org/wcl/8th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival
Shake off the winter blues! Ski, climb, paddle and bike your way to adventure. Friends of the Rappahannock’s (FOR) 8th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival kicks off Saturday, March 31st, at UMW’s Dodd Auditorium in Fredericksburg. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the festival concludes at 9 p.m. FOR is a non-profit, watershed advocacy group in its 33rd year of protecting the Rappahannock River, from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay. Festival tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. School students are free of charge, college students free with ID. Tickets can be purchased online at www.riverfriends.org. For more information, call (540) 373-3448 or e-mail nick.cadwallender@riverfriends.org