This is an extra-long edition, because this weekend is packed with fairs and festivals, so they get their own section below. Waterford opens its village for three days, Brambleton's Oktoberfest is free to walk into and ten minutes from home, and the State Fair of Virginia is in its last days. Closer to home, Venardos Circus plays its last shows in Ashburn.
The 5-second plan
Friday to Sunday, about 30 minutes away: the Waterford Fair, where one ticket gets you in all three days.
Through Sunday, in Ashburn: Venardos Circus's last shows at Loudoun Station, animal-free, from $19.95 for kids.
Saturday, ten minutes away: BRAMtoberfest is free to walk into, kids' ride bracelets cost less online, and there's a 21-and-over beer and wine garden.
Saturday, about 20 minutes away: downtown Leesburg has up to 150 show cars by day and yacht rock at Tally Ho at night.
Pumpkin patch this weekend? Pumpkin Village and Cox Farms sell weekend tickets online only, so buy before you drive.
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Editor's Pick
One Waterford Fair ticket gets you in all three days, and the homes on tour change each day. The 82nd fair brings juried artisans demonstrating their crafts, traditional music and local beer and wine, and children can follow a cryptogram trail around the village to earn badges. Parking is free in the meadow lots, with shuttles running all day. There are no ATMs, so bring cash.
Fri–Sun 10/2–10/4, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. · $20 advance plus fees, $25 at the gate; $20 seniors 65+, military and ages 13–21, advance or gate; free 12 and under with a paid adult · ~30 min, village of Waterford, 40222 Fairfax St · All ages, service dogs only
Fairs, Festivals & Fall
Saturday alone has BRAMtoberfest, Vienna's Oktoberfest and Douglass Legacy Day, and the state fair's last days run through Sunday.
Fairs and festivals
Take a free shuttle or ride the W&OD to Vienna's Oktoberfest. Entry is free, and there are no festival parking lots. Expect three music stages, a free kids' zone on the Town Green and a global food court. Shuttles leave from Vienna Metro North, James Madison High School and Ayr Hill and Dominion, and there's a bike-and-park stop where the trail meets Church Street.
Sat 10/3, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; shuttles 10:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m. · Free entry; drinks $8 a ticket or four for $30 · ~30 min, 131 Church St NE, Vienna · All ages; organizers ask you to leave dogs at home
Haunts and Halloween
Fields of Fear tickets are online only, $45 this Friday and Saturday. Cox Farms after dark: one run each through the Dark Side Hayride, the Cornightmare corn maze and The Forest. If you want an earlier entry time, the farm suggests arriving by 7. It isn't recommended under 12, and anyone under 14 needs an adult.
Fri 10/2 and Sat 10/3, 7:30–11 p.m., last entry 10 · $45 both nights; under 2 free · ~30 min, 15621 Braddock Rd, Centreville · Teens and adults
Milltown Haunt opens for the season on Friday, $40 a ticket. Cash at the booth avoids the online service fee, but Fridays and Saturdays are the busiest nights, so buying ahead guarantees your date. A $5 midway-only ticket skips the haunted attractions.
Fri 10/2–Sat 11/7; Fri–Sat 7–11 p.m., Sun 7–10 p.m.; gates 6 p.m. · $40 general, $55 skip-the-line, $5 midway only; online adds a service fee · ~35 min, 13936 Milltown Rd, Lovettsville · Teens and adults; under 16 with an adult
Pumpkins and corn mazes
Pumpkin Village and Cox Farms sell weekend tickets online only, so buy before you drive. Pumpkin Village charges $14.95 on Wednesdays and $24.95 on weekends, and
Cox Farms prices each date separately and warns that busy days sell out.
Temple Hall and
Great Country Farms still sell at the gate.
Pumpkin Village daily except Tue, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Mon–Thu, to 6 p.m. Fri–Sun; Cox Farms Thu–Mon, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. · Pumpkin Village $24.95 weekends, $19.95 weekdays, $14.95 Wednesdays; Cox Farms $15–$30 by date, $30 this Saturday and Sunday; both free under 2 · ~20 min, 19246 James Monroe Hwy, Leesburg; ~30 min, 15621 Braddock Rd, Centreville · All ages
This Weekend
Saturday centers on downtown Leesburg, with the car show by day and yacht rock at night, and Sunday belongs to the Ashburn fire station.
Friday
Five DC Improv comics play Tally Ho, from $28.09 all in. Nelson Fuentes hosts Bill Monaghan, DLO, Amber Hendrix and Haywood Turnipseed, and the balcony two-tops have already sold out.
Fri 10/2, doors 6:30 p.m. · $28.09–$42.82 a seat, fees included · ~20 min, 19 W Market St, Leesburg · All ages
Saturday
Up to 150 show cars park on downtown Leesburg's streets on Saturday. The 38th Leesburg Car Show raises senior scholarships for Academies of Loudoun students. Spectator's Choice voting closes at 3, and awards follow at 3:30 at King and Market. Downtown streets close from 9 a.m.
Sat 10/3, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., welcome at noon; rain date Sat 10/17 · Entrance by donation, no set price · ~20 min, downtown Leesburg around King and Market Streets · All ages
Ride the ladder truck at Leesburg's fire station on Saturday, or stay for lunch at Lucketts. Both volunteer stations run tours, put their trucks on display and give fire-safety demonstrations. In Leesburg, park in the shopping center behind the station, because there's no parking at the fire or police station.
Sat 10/3; Leesburg 11 a.m.–2 p.m., Lucketts 10 a.m.–2 p.m. · Free at Lucketts; no charge posted in Leesburg · ~20 min, 61 Plaza St NE, Leesburg; ~25 min, 42429 Lucketts Rd, Leesburg · All ages
Vanish's 5K costs $44.30 through Friday and $49.64 on race day. A new course around the farm brewery, with a 1-mile race for anyone not up for three.
Sat 10/3, 10 a.m. · 5K $44.30 through Fri 10/2, $49.64 race day; 1 mile $33.63, then $38.96 · ~20 min, 42245 Black Hops Ln, Leesburg · Runners; 1-mile option for families
Yacht rock in downtown Leesburg on Saturday night. Thurston Howell play Toto, Steely Dan and Hall & Oates. General admission doesn't promise a seat, and the VIP tables have sold out.
Sat 10/3, doors 7 p.m. · $28.09 general admission, $68.82 VIP seated, fees included · ~20 min, 19 W Market St, Leesburg · All ages
Sunday
Ashburn's volunteer fire station opens its doors Sunday afternoon. Station tours, the trucks on display, equipment demonstrations and fire-safety lessons for every age. Park at Cedar Lane Elementary and take the shuttle.
Sun 10/4, noon–4 p.m. · No charge posted · In Ashburn, 43765 Ashburn Volunteer Plaza; park at 43700 Tolamac Dr · All ages
A 5K at Oatlands you can run in a saree. Sportswear is just as welcome. It raises awareness of breast cancer, and children 7 to 12 run free alongside a registered adult.
Sun 10/4, 9 a.m. · $38 plus a $4.17 sign-up fee, ages 13 and up; free for ages 7–12 with an adult · ~25 min, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Ln, Leesburg · Ages 7 and up
All weekend
Sunday is Venardos Circus's last day at Loudoun Station. The show is animal-free and Broadway-style, under a real big top, and doors open an hour before each show.
Wed 9/30–Fri 10/2 at 7 p.m.; Sat 10/3 at 11 a.m., 2 and 5 p.m.; Sun 10/4 at 2 and 5 p.m. · General admission $28.95 adult, $19.95 child 3–12; Premier Gallery $39.95 and $28.95; VIP stageside $59.95; free under 3 on a lap · In Ashburn, 43751 Central Station Dr · All ages
Family
For small kids, Saturday has an Encanto sing-along in Purcellville and Sunday has reading with therapy dogs at Cascades.
Broadlands Live! brings Legal in the District to Hillside Park on Friday. Classic party songs, modern rock and Top 40 from a band of veteran D.C. musicians, with A Southern Fish Fry and Robeks on site, or bring a picnic. It's free and open to everyone; BYOB for 21 and over with ID, no glass, no pets.
Fri 10/2, venue opens 5 p.m., band 5:30 · Free · ~10 min, 43051 Waxpool Rd · All ages
Register your teen for Friday's Crow Party at Cascades. Dress-in-black night with goth crafts, and no teen gets in without a sign-up. A teen who hasn't verified ID this year needs a parent or guardian to come in once and show ID, which the Cascades front desk can do ahead of time. Teens arrive between 6 and 6:30.
Fri 10/2, 6–9 p.m.; arrive 6–6:30 · No charge posted; registration and a yearly parent ID check required · ~15 min, 21030 Whitfield Pl, Potomac Falls · Grades 6–12
Meet college admissions reps at Riverside High on Sunday, 3 to 5. It's LCPS's Dream Big! college fair. Student sign-up is encouraged but not required. A 2 p.m. session with George Mason, JMU, UVA and Virginia Tech has its own sign-up, one form per person, and closes when full.
Sun 10/4, 3–5 p.m.; info session 2–3 p.m. · No charge posted · ~10 min, Riverside High School, 19019 Upper Belmont Pl, Leesburg · High schoolers and parents
Nature journaling at Banshee Reeks, for anyone from 5 to 95. Register ahead with Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, which brings the supplies; bring a favorite notebook if you have one. You don't need to be an artist or a naturalist.
Sun 10/4, 2–3:15 p.m. · No charge posted; registration required · ~20 min, 21085 The Woods Rd, Leesburg · Ages 5 and up
What Actually Matters
On Tuesday, supervisors take up data center rules, and you can sign up by noon to speak by phone. Car tax is due Monday.
Ashburn's library takes new passport applications Friday afternoon, and staff take the photo. Bring a checkbook, because the State Department fee is check or money order only and can't go on the same check as the library's fee. It handles new passports only, so check the State Department site to see whether you can renew by mail.
Fri 10/2, noon–4 p.m. · Library fees $35 per application and $15 per photo; State Department fee for a passport book $130 age 16 and up, $100 under 16, check or money order only, one check per application · In Ashburn, 43316 Hay Rd · Anyone applying for a new passport
Car tax is due Monday, October 5, and paying late adds 10 percent. You can pay at loudoun.gov/PayMyBill, where an e-check costs nothing extra and cards carry a fee. The Treasurer's offices in Leesburg and Sterling are open 8 to 5:30 on Friday and Monday, and both have drop boxes.
Due Mon 10/5 · The amount on your bill; cards add a convenience fee · ~15 min, 46000 Center Oak Plaza, Sterling; ~20 min, 1 Harrison St SE, Leesburg · Anyone with a Loudoun personal property tax bill
Opening Radar
Registration Radar
i9 basketball goes from $169 to $189 after Friday, and pickleball sign-ups close Monday night.
Sign up for the Sprout 5K by Friday to be sure of a race shirt. The race is Sunday, October 25, at Clyde's Willow Creek Farm in Broadlands, with a 1K fun run straight after, and it raises money for Sprout Therapeutic Riding in Aldie. Every child 12 and under who runs gets a medal.
Shirt guarantee ends Fri 10/2; race Sun 10/25, 9 a.m. · 5K $30 plus a $3.10 fee, $20 for students 21 and under; 1K $20 plus a $2.40 fee; each $10 more after Oct 23 · ~10 min, 42920 Broadlands Blvd, Ashburn · All ages
Sign-ups for the Wellness Loudoun pickleball challenge close Monday night. Mixed doubles under the lights on Friday, October 9, gender doubles on Saturday, and a just-for-fun coed round robin that welcomes newcomers.
Registration closes Mon 10/5, 11:55 p.m.; play Fri–Sat 10/9–10/10 · $55 per player, plus a $5-per-event service fee · In Ashburn, Windmill Park, 21400 Windmill Dr · Brackets 2.5 to 4.0-plus; newcomers welcome in the round robin
i9 Sports basketball costs $169 through Friday, then $189. Five Saturdays at Virginia Academy, Nov 7 to Dec 5, for ages 5 to 12, with a
girls-only league at the same price and cutoff. The winter leagues and the girls volleyball league hold their early prices until October 9.
Pay by Fri 10/2 · $169 by Friday, $189 after, plus a $3 processing fee · In Ashburn, 19790 Ashburn Road · Ages 5–12
Ashburn Village swim lessons start with an assessment on Saturday. Any swimmer new to the program, or away from it for three months, has to take one before registering, members and non-members alike. Swimmers new to the Frozen Jets team, without Aqua Jets experience, assess on Sunday.
Sat 10/3, 2–3 p.m.; Frozen Jets Sun 10/4, 12:30–1:30 p.m. · Assessment fee not posted; group lessons $63 a month for members, $79.80 for non-members · In Ashburn, 20585 Ashburn Village Blvd · Group lessons age 3 and up
Out & About
Book the wine-and-tapas tasting ahead, because it's capped at 50 guests.
Charity cornhole at Solace Brewing in Sterling, $125 for a team of two. The Loudoun Chamber's seventh annual tournament runs 4:30 to 6:30 after a 4 o'clock check-in, then a reception until 7:30. Net proceeds go to the Loudoun Chamber Foundation, which invests in local nonprofits, and anyone watching is asked for a $25 donation.
Fri 10/2, 4–7:30 p.m. · $125 a team of two; $25 suggested donation to watch · ~15 min, 42615 Trade W Dr #100, Sterling · Teams of two; all welcome to watch
Fifty seats for wine and tapas at Ashburn Wine Shop, $50 each. Wine director Mary Watson pours her own picks and Chef Sharon Smith makes small plates to go with them. It won't take walk-ins once it's full, so buy ahead.
Sat 10/3, 2–4 p.m. · $50 a person · In Ashburn, 44050 Ashburn Shopping Plaza, Ste 159 · Adults
A swing lesson, then a live big band until 9:30. April of DanceKing Studios teaches the basics from 6:30 and Swing Shift plays from 7:30, and you don't need a partner.
Sat 10/3, lesson 6:30 p.m., band 7:30–9:30 p.m. · $22 in advance, $25 at the door · ~15 min, Dreamscapes Performing Arts Center, 21014 Whitfield Pl, Sterling · Adults
Virginia's horror folklore, told over a pint at Crooked Run. A VCU lecturer who studies horror runs from colonial witchcraft to the Bunny Man and the Woodbooger.
Sun 10/4, doors 5:30 p.m., talk at 6 · $13.50 in advance plus fees; $17 at the door, $15 with a student ID · ~15 min, 22455 Davis Dr #120, Sterling · Adults
Save the Date
October's horse days each need something handled before you go, and the Monday holiday closes the libraries too.
Extra Credit
South Riding's community yard sale runs Saturday morning, with paper shredding at $5 a box. Sales run 8 to noon in driveways across the neighborhood, and the page has a printable list of homes taking part.
The shred is paper only, 9 to noon at the South Riding Center; the association doesn't say whether it's open to non-residents.
Sat 10/3, sales 8 a.m.–noon, shred 9 a.m.–noon · Shred $5 a box or bag, 2 for $7 · ~20 min, South Riding Center, 42420 Unicorn Dr · Bargain hunters and anyone clearing out paperwork
Ashburn Village takes paper, paint and electronics at the Lakes lot on Saturday morning. The first three cans of paint are free, then $5 a can, and the Sheriff's Office collects old prescriptions at the same stop. Ashburn Village's own community yard sale runs the same morning. Bring a valid ID, because the association requires proof of residency at drop-off.
Sat 10/3, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. · Paint free for 3 cans, then $5 each · In Ashburn, 44078 Cheltenham Cir · Residents; ID required at drop-off
Fireworks Pizza turns 20 with a ribbon cutting and happy-hour specials. The Loudoun Chamber cuts the ribbon at 3:45, and the happy hour starts straight after. No RSVP is listed, and the specials themselves aren't posted.
Thu 10/1, 3:30–4:30 p.m.; ribbon at 3:45 · No charge posted; specials not listed · ~20 min, 201 Harrison St SE, Leesburg · Anyone free on a weekday afternoon
Vote for the MANHATTAN SHORT winners from a seat in Purcellville, $10. About two hours of short films, and your ballot for best film and best actor counts toward the festival's winners.
Thu 10/1, 5 p.m.; Fri 10/2, 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.; Sat 10/3, 4 and 7 p.m. · $10; $8 seniors at the Friday 10 a.m. screening · ~30 min, 36441 Blueridge View Ln, Purcellville · 18 and over
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