While May is the unofficial opening of summer, this year it might have the woeful distinction of the highest gas prices in history. With so many feeling the pinch of higher priced everything, we present for you some inexpensive day trips to the Blue Ridge along with free or nearly free budget options. If a vacation is not in your budget, day trips can be ideal to explore all the events going on in and around the Blue Ridge. Most of the events below are within an hour or two drive from Alexandria. Some are free and most charge nominal admission.
Take to the Skies
Like antique planes? Enjoy hot air balloon rides or watching pilots put their small planes through daredevil stunts in the skies? The Flying Circus Airshows are held Sundays every weekend in Bealeton. Plane rides are available as well. On a budget? Watching is your cheapest option: the balloons and planes are still pretty cool to watch with both feet on the ground. The action starts at 2:30 PM, for details call (540)439-8661.
Going to the Dogs
Who doesn’t love a Labrador retriever? Come watch some eager young performance Labs and other retrievers at the Rappahannock River Retriever Club's AKC Hunting Test May 10-11 at Shady Grove Hunting Preserve in Remington. Admission is free, but spectators are asked to leave their dogs at home—only retrievers competing in the trial are allowed on grounds. Field trials are the oldest AKC recognized performance events for dogs. Hunt tests are similar, but require less intense training at the beginner levels especially. The dogs—mostly Labs but a few Golden and Chesapeake Bay retrievers along with less common breeds such as flat coated and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling retrievers—are judged on ability to remember the location of fallen game and obedience to the handler to take direction in the field to pick up hidden game. Shady Grove also has a sporty clays range for anyone who wishes to test their shooting ability. Directions and information can be found at www.shady-grove.com.
Purebred dogs of all breeds will compete at the Mattaponi Kennel Club AKC breed and obedience show at the Prince William County Fairgrounds on Rt. 234 between Manassas and Gainesville on May 17. Dog shows an ideal place to research different breeds if you’re thinking of getting a puppy in the future. Most exhibitors are also breeders and are happy to let you meet their dogs and explain to you the characteristics of their breed of choice. Dogs compete for best of their particular breed and then go on to show in groups—sporting, toy, herding, etc. Group winners compete at the end of the day for the coveted Best In Show award. Obedience trials are also held in which purebred dogs compete for performance titles. The show starts at 8 a.m., admission is $3.
The manison at Morven Park, is open to the public. Its 1200 acres host a dog show for hounds on Memorial Day weekend, also the opening of the Museum of Hounds and Hunting officially opens coinciding with the Virginia Foxhound Show. In addition to foxhunting memorabilia, the museum features an exhibit of favorite equine artist Paul Brown, which opens to the public at 5 p.m., Saturday, May 30. Hounds of all types – foxhounds, beagles and bassetts – parade in the ring and on the lawns on the 30th and 31st. For information, call 703/777-2414.
And they're off
Few events signal springtime like thoroughbreds jumping over fences at speed in steeplechase or point to point races. For many, the can't miss, chi chi, horse event of the season is the Virginia Gold Cup steeplechase on May 3. However, advance ticket sales are a must to do this event on a budget (1-800-GOLD CUP). For the seriously budget minded, you can always stay home, watch the Kentucky Derby on TV and take in the Bull Run Hunt point to point the next day, Sunday May 3. There, for a fraction of the cost of the Gold Cup but a slightly longer drive, you can enjoy an up close and personal view of the horses—maybe even meet some of them and their jockeys. General admission starts at $10; Brandywine park is about an hour and a half from D.C. Take 66 west to 29 south at Gainesville, when you get to Culpeper take Rt. 15 south, the race course is 4 miles south of town.
More Horses and Farms
Begun decades ago as a church fundraiser, the annual Hunt Country Stable Tour is your ticket to get in the prettiest horse farms in Middleburg and Upperville. The farms open their doors (well, their barn doors) to the public on Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. Featured are breeding farms, training farms, hunt stables, even jousting and polo. You can pack a picnic or buy one at the church in Upperville. To get a map and a ticket that will get you in all the farms ($25 per person) go west on Rt. 50 through Middleburg to Upperville. Trinity Episcopal Church is on your right. Tickets can also be purchased at the farms themselves. May 24 & 25, Hunt Country Stable Tour, Upperville/Middleburg area, $25/person, www.middleburgonline.com/stabletour, 540/592-3343. Don’t forget, while you’re in the area, to stop by Sky Meadows, the state park just west of Upperville, for the Delaplane Strawberry Festival, Sky Meadows State Park, Delaplane, (small admission charge), information at (540)592-3556.
More Barns
Loudoun County’s annual Spring Farm Tour is May 17-18. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., about a dozen privately-owned farms will be open on this free, self-guided tour. Pick-your-own strawberries and herbs are some of the attractions featured. Many have baby animals, from llamas to goats to sheep to calves to colts. For more information including a brochure with map and directions, call the Loudoun County Department of Economic Development at 703/777-0400 or visit their website at www.rural-loudoun.state.va.us. Fauquier’s small farm tour is the third weekend in May, with vineyards, horses, cattle, sheep and goats on display along with herbs, annuals and perennials, 3rd Weekend: Piedmont Small Farm Festival, Archwood Green Barns, The Plains, www.fauquierag.com, 349-5314.
Every Weekend in May
Farmers’ market season, which shuts down in winter, has started up again, with several good ones around the hunt country. In Warrenton, it’s held on Wednesday and Saturday mornings starting at 7 a.m. in Old Town Warrenton. From 66, take 29 south into Warrenton & follow signs to downtown & the farmers’ market. Middleburg has one too, for late risers theirs starts at 9 a.m. Saturdays, behind the post office. Rt. 50 west into Middleburg, turn left at the light, go one block and turn right, the market is one block on your right. One of the hunt country’s largest is the Farmer’s Market at Archwood Greens; this one is right off I-66. It’s open Sunday afternoons from 1 – 4. Take 66 West to The Plains, the green barns are immediately on your right after the exit ramp. All feature scrumptious baked goods, local fresh produce, jams, jellies, crafts, plants, herbs, and more.
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