Local Events This Weekend, Aug. 24-26, 2007

Friday-Sunday, Aug. 24-26
STAUNTON MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Staunton Music Festival, now in its tenth season, has gained a reputation for its adventurous and innovative programming, unusual breadth of repertoire, and performers of international caliber. These events take place in various locations that highlight the natural beauty and historical significance of the city of Staunton, as well as its cultural vitality. Join the Staunton Music Festival in its summer celebration of these rich musical traditions! various locations. various. All ages welcome. Email: mailto:info@stauntonmusicfestival.com?subject=Staunton. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 540-885-7873.

Friday, Aug. 24
FRIDAYS AFTER FIVE
Charlottesville Downtown Pavilion, show begins at 5:30pm, all ages welcome. This week's band is Tom Principato, http://www.tomprincipato.com/. Tom Principato is one of the most unique guitarists around, combining his rich blues background with high-energy rock, and a highly charged, emotionally expressive delivery. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/245-4910.

Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 25-26
MONTICELLO TOURS FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES
These special guided tours of Thomas Jefferson’s house are designed for children ages 6 to 11. The 30-minute tours feature hands-on opportunities and provide a glimpse of what life was like for the children who lived at Monticello in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Register at Ticket Office. Monticello. Directions: Rt 20 South, then left on Rt 53, go 1.5 miles (on left). 10, 11, 12, 1, 2, and 3pm. $Included in price of general admission. Recommended for ages 6 to 11. Reservations are required. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/984-9822.

Saturday, Aug. 25
MONTICELLO SECLUDED FARM NATURAL HISTORY WALK
Stroll through the open fields and forests of Secluded Farm, just south of Kemper Park, learn and enjoy the sun-loving plants and summer wild flowers along the way. 9:30 a.m., Thomas Jefferson Parkway Trailhead. $10; reservations required. Information: (434) 984-9822. Web Site: http://www.monticello.org/

Saturday, Aug. 25
END OF SUMMER BASH!
Come out for the end of summer get together. The Charlottesville Parks and Rec department will offer free swimming from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. There will be food, inflatables, face painters and a movie. You may even get a golden ticket! Washington Park & Pool. Directions: Corner of Preston Ave and 10th Street. 5:30pm. $free. All ages welcome. Contact: Leslie Genson. Email: mailto:genson@charlottesville.org?subject=End. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/970-3298.

Saturday, Aug. 25
INSPECTOR WILD! WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE
Dive into the wet world of Wintergreen's streams and discover the animals that call the water home. Figure out why this water is so important to these animals, to us and to the mountain itself. Wear clothes and shoes that can get wet. 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. 9 to 11am. $10 members, $15 non-members. Recommended for ages 4 to 6. Email: mailto:info@twnf.org?subject=Inspector. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/325-8169.

Saturday, Aug. 25
MOVIES IN THE PARK
Come out for an evening full of fun! From 5 to 7pm families can swim at Onesty pool, enjoy the playgroud, the moon bounces or just take it easy and eat a picnic dinner. Meade Park . Directions: The corner of Meade Ave & Chesapeake St. Charlottesville, VA. 5 to 9:30pm. $free. All ages welcome. Bring a picnic dinner. Contact: Leslie. Email: mailto:genson@charlottesville.org?subject=Movies. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/970-3298.

Saturday, Aug. 25
RIVANNA RIVER CLEANUP
Thomas Jefferson Soil & Water Conservation District and Rivanna Conservation Society. Volunteers are needed and families are welcomed to help out at the 2007 Cleanup! Bring plenty of water and a hat and wear long pants. Bags and gloves are supplied. Rain date: Sunday, August 26. Milton Boat Landing, Raes Ford Bridge, Riverview Park, Palmyra Boat Landing, River stretches. Directions: Please contact for directions: On-the-ground volunteers contact Garnett Mellen 975-0224 or email garnett.mellen@vaswcd.org On-the-water volunteers contact Phyllis White 984-5678 or email phyllisdj@hotmail.com . 10am. $free. All ages welcome. Contact: Garnett Mellen. Email: mailto:garnett.mellen@vaswcd.org?subject=Rivanna. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/975-0224.

Saturday, Aug. 25
WILD! ADVENTURES: SPLISH SPLASH
Become a stream doctor as the group gives a Wintergreen waterway a health check-up. Do real chemical tests, capture stream critters and learn what the animals can tell us about their watery home. Wear clothes and shoes that can get wet. Trillium House. 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. 1 to 4pm. $15 members, $20 non-members. All ages welcome. Email: mailto:info@twnf.org?subject=Wild!. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/325-8169.

Saturday, Aug. 25
WILDFLOWERS IN THE WOODS AND WETLANDS
Ivy Creek Foundation and Virginia Native Plant Society.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. Ivy Creek Natural Area. Directions: Earlysville Road. 9am. $free. All ages welcome. Contact: Bruce Gatling-Austin. Email: mailto:programs@ivycreekfoundation.org?subject=Wildflowers. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/973-7772.

Saturday & Sunday, Aug. 24-25
5TH ANNUAL WINE HARVEST PREVUE & PERSPECTIVE
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM; Stanardsville. Visit Autumn Hill Vineyards and, under a tent in the vineyard, learn the decision making process about when to harvest. In depth discussion of growing quality grapes in Virginia. This is the time for technical information to be discusses and for serious questions to be answered. Vineyard discussion takes plae from 2p.m. to 3p.m. Enjoy wine tasting before and after the discussion. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy a day in the country. Reservations suggested. Rain or Shine. $7 includes souviner glass. Info: 434-985-6100. Web Site: http://www.autumnhillwine.com/

Sunday, Aug. 26
CHARLOTTESVILLE YOUTH TRIATHLON
A swim, bike, run combination race for ages 7-14. Distances vary by age. Every competitor earns a medal and there will be lots of cool prizes. Youths participate individually in this fast growing sport. Race director ensures staff presents a positive "everybody wins" atmosphere. Claudius Crozet Park. Directions: Crozet, Virginia. 8am. $35. Recommended for ages 7 to 14. Contact: Ragged Mountain Running Shop. Email: mailto:cvilleyouthtri@yahoo.com?subject=Charlottesville. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/293-3367.

Sunday, Aug. 26
SUNDAY FUN-DAYS FOR FAMILIES: TROPICAL BEACH BASH
Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, Richmond.On the fourth Sunday of each month, families can enjoy children's entertainment, gardening and activities in the Children's Garden. Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. Directions: Off I-95 1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond, VA. 5 to 8pm. $regular garden admission. All ages welcome. Contact: Beth. Email: mailto:bethm@lewisginter.org?subject=Sunday. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 804-262-9887.

Enjoy your weekend!
Karen
www.move2va.com