Events in Charlottesville & Central Virginia This Weekend (Aug. 17-19)

Monday-Saturday, August 13-18
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY FAIR
The L.A. Times calls this "One of America's best County Fairs" and it's known as the largest agricultural fair in Virginia! The Rockingham Fair is a special treat, worth the drive, to experience the charm, agricultural pride and beauty of the Shenandoah Valley. Be sure to check their online schedule for the packed schedule of events. Wednesday is Youth Day and Saturday is Family Fun Day with special discounts. Rockingham County Fair Grounds. Directions: I-81 to exit 240 (Mt Crawford), North Rt 11. exhibit and show times vary (see website). $Admission varies $2 - $5 (discounts for special days). All ages welcome. Email: rockfair@rica.net. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 540-434-0005.

Wednesday-Sunday, August 15-19
POWHATAN COUNTY FAIR
Come out to one of the longest running fairs in Virginia. A new attraction this year will be a lawn mower race sponsored by the Virginia Lawn Mower Racing Association. Other activities include rides for all ages, games and souvenirs, pony rides, yummy food, and exhibits. Powhatan County Fairgrounds. Directions: 4317 Anderson Hwy, Powhatan, VA 23139. For more info call: 804-598-9808.

Friday, August 17
FRIDAYS AFTER 5
Charlottesville Downtown Pavilion; Skip Castro Band, show begins at 5:30pm.

Friday, August 17
PUBLIC NIGHT AT THE UVA OBSERVATORY
UVA McCormick Observatory, Charlottesville. Three telescopes at the McCormick Observatory offer amazing views of our galaxy (weather permitting) while astronomy staff and graduate students answer questions. A slide show and tour are also provided. McCormick Observatory. Directions: From Emmet Street (Rt29) near UVA and Ivy Rd (Rt250) turn onto McCormick, follow signs up the hill. 9 to 11pm. $free. All ages welcome. Email: jdh7h@virginia.edu. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/924-7494.

Saturday, August 18
2ND ANNUAL BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN MUSIC FEST
Wintergreen Performing Arts. Come for the day – enjoy a celebration of music that has echoed throughout the Blue Ridge – get ready to tap your toes and clap your hands – let the fiddles and banjos begin! The program features legendary old-time music pioneer and founding member of the New Lost City Ramblers Mike Seeger. There will be jamming throughout the day and the Fest will conclude with a jam session with all performers on stage. Evans Center. Directions: Wintergreen, VA. 11am to 7pm. $15 adults, $5 for ages 6 through 17, free under 5. All ages welcome. Email: info@wintergreenperformingarts.org. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/325-8292.

Saturday & Sunday, August 18-19
HUGE INDOOR SALE
Virginia Discovery Museum, Charlottesville. Decorating your child's room or a classroom? Come to the Virgina Discovery Museum's garage sale and get exhibit pieces at discount prices! Fabrics, large exhibit pieces, light fixtures, and more will be for sale. Water Street Parking Garage. Directions: 513 Water Street. 7am to 3pm. All ages welcome. Email: vdm@ntelos.net. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/977-1025.

Saturday, August 18
3RD ANNUAL CARL TRIBASTONE MEMORIAL 5K RUN/WALK
Bring the family and join in the annual fun run to benefit organ donation/transplantation. Come out and raise money for a terrific cause! Forest Lakes South Pool/Clubhouse, Charlottesville. 7:30am. $15, $20 on race day, ($50 per family maximum. All ages welcome. Contact: Angela Thompson. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/973-4599.

Saturday, August 18
BACK-2-SCHOOL BASH
National College, partnering with several local agencies, is hosting a back-2-school bash! Swim bands will be given to the first 150 guests, food will be catered by Big Jim's Catering and there will lots of prizes and giveaways. This event is free to the public. Washington Park & Pool, Charlottesville. Directions: Corner of Preston Ave and 10th Street. 11am to 3pm. $free. All ages welcome. Contact: Andrea D. Copeland. Email: acopeland@national-college.edu. For more info call: 434/295-0136.

Saturday, August 18
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AT MAYMONT
Walk through the “Employees Only” door for a special peek at the inner workings of the Maymont Nature Center. Thirteen aquariums and more than 200 animals require more care than meets the eye. For ages 5 to adult; children must be accompanied by an adult. Register at the Visitor Center desk on the day of the program. Maymont Nature Center. Directions: 1700 Hampton Street, Richmond, VA. 1pm. $5/$4 for members. Email: info@maymont.org. Reservations are required. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 804-358-7166, ext. 333.

Saturday, August 18
WAHS FREE COMMUNITY EVENT
Western Albemarle High School, Charlottesville. Meet, Greet, & Tailgate with the varsity football players & cheerleaders. Free hotdogs, hamburgers & drinks provided (bring a side-dish & lawn chairs). FREE football and cheerleading clinics for kids! Western Albemarle High School. Directions: 5941 Rockfish Gap Turnpike, Crozet, VA. 4 to 7pm. $free. All ages welcome. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/823-8700.

Saturday, August 18
WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF MERIWETHER LEWIS
Walk at Ragged Mountain In the Footsteps of Meriwether Lewis Meriwether Lewis was born 233 years ago on this day at “Locust Hill” in Ivy not far from RMNA. His legendary explorations started as a child. Living close to the Ragged Mountains, he surely would have explored these hills. Walk with Ivy Creek guide and Lewis and Clark enthusiast Hugh Gildea on this history focused hike in the “Footsteps of Lewis.” Meet in the parking lot of RMNA. Ragged Mountain Natural Area . Directions: Reservoir Road. 9am. $free. All ages welcome. Contact: Bruce Gatling-Austin. Email: programs@ivycreekfoundation.org. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/973-7772.

Saturday & Sunday, August 18-19
FAMILY FLICKS AT THE PARAMOUNT THEATER
Will feature films "Shrek" and "The Sound of Music". The Paramount Theater, Charlottesville Downtown Mall. 7pm and 9pm on Saturday; 2pm and 6pm on Sunday. $6 for adults; $4 for kids 18 and younger. All ages welcome. Email: info@theparamount.net. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/979-1333.

Saturday, August 18
FAMILY FUN: AFTER DARK
Wintergreen Nature Foundation.This non-scary walk will help parents and children explore the world of the woods after dark. Simple activities will help us better understand the creatures that are active at night as well as our own responses to the dark. Bring a flashlight. Trillium House, Wintergreen, VA . Directions: I-64 west to Exit 107 (Crozet, Route 250). Take Route 250 west to Route 151 south, turn left. Follow Route 151 south to Route 664, 14.2 miles. 8 to 10pm. $10 members, $15 nonmembers. All ages welcome. Email: info@twnf.org. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/325-8169.

Saturday, August 18
JOHN PRINE CONCERT
Charlottesville Downtown Pavilion, 6:00pm. Doors at 6:00pm / Music at 7:00pm $49.50, $35.00, $27.50 *Plus $2.00 Facility Fee. It’s been nine years since John Prine – Grammy-winner, former mailman, iconic American songwriter, chronic dreamer, child of the Midwest, grandchild of Appalachia – made a record. And in that time, the man whose given us “Sam Stone,” “Speed of the Sound of Loneliness,” “Hello In There,” “Blow Up Your TV,” “Unwed Fathers,” “Ain’t Hurtin’ Nobody,” “Angel From Montgomery,” “Souvenirs,” “Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore” and “The Great Compromise” made a full-immersion commitment to living that precluded the watching-the-clock school of record making. Web Site: http://www.charlottesvillepavilion.com/

Sunday, August 19
WOODS AND WETLANDS WALK AT IVY CREEK
Walk with a member of the Virginia Native Plant Society to see the spectacular late blooming wildflowers of summer. Cardinal flower, boneset, and jewelweed are among the flowers that bloom in August at Ivy Creek. Meet in the parking lot. Ivy Creek Natural Area. Directions: Earlysville Road/Route 743. 9am. $free. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/973-7772.

Have a great weekend!
Karen
www.move2va.com