SKY MEADOWS STATE PARK

11012 Edmonds Lane Phone: 540-592-3556

Delaplane, VA 20144 www.virginiastateparks.gov

Fall Program and Event Calendar

September – October - November

SEPTEMBER

Saturday, September 5

Harvest Time: Herbs & Veggies!

From 2:00 to 4:00 PM
Now is the wonderful time of year to gather favorite herbs and veggies and to
preserve them for future use. Join Master Gardener Paula Brownlee to learn
about all kinds of preservation methods in the garden and kitchen, and about
rooting some herb cuttings for a sunny window.

Full Moon Walk

From 7:15 to 8:30 PM.
Hike up to the Piedmont Overlook to view the full moon. Take in the beauty of
the Crooked Run Valley and listen for evening wildlife. Bring water and wear
sturdy shoes and a wind-proof jacket. (1½ miles, moderate) Fee: $3/person

Sunday, September 6
Old-Fashioned Toys and Games
From 2:00 to 3:30 PM.
How did children have fun in the 1800s without video games? Play with some
old-time toys and find out how to make an old-fashioned toy to take home. All
ages welcome. $2 material fee

Saturday, September 12
Habitat Hunt: Pond Prowl
From 10:00 AM to Noon
Find out what kind of neat things live on our fishing pond. Bring water and be
prepared to get MUDDY. Meet at the Turner Pond parking area north of the main
park entrance.
 Bat Walk
From 7:00 to 8:00 PM.
Join a ranger to look for these flying mammals as they wake and start their
evening bug hunt. Uncover some of the myths about these mysterious
creatures. Meet at the Turner Pond parking area north of the main park entrance.
Fee: $3/person

Sunday, September 13
Wildflower Walk
From 2:00 to 3:30 PM.
Get better acquainted with fall wildflowers and see the beauty of the season.
Bring water and wear sturdy shoes. Meet at the Bridle Trail parking area on the
eastside of Rt. 17. (easy-1 mile)

Saturday, September 19
You Can Get There from Here IV
From 2:00 to 4:00PM
Learn about land navigation and experience global positioning technology while
trying the “Field Course”. Traverse the one-mile route through scenic fields and
pastures. GPS units provided. Fee: $3/person

Flutter By, Butterfly

From 3:00 to 4:30 PM
Look for butterflies with volunteer naturalist Scott Baron. Enjoy the brilliance and
variety of Sky Meadows’ butterflies. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes. (easy- 1
mile)

Astronomy for Everyone

From 7:15 to 11:00 PM.
Find out about U.S. space research, take a sky tour, and look for deep space
objects through large telescopes. This program is offered in partnership with
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, the Albert Einstein Planetarium, and the Northern
Virginia Astronomy Club. If the sky is cloudy, only the NASA/JPL program will be
presented and the gates will close at 9:00 PM. Bring your children ½ hour early
for a special “Junior Astronomer” activity. Parking: $5/vehicle.

Sunday, September 20
Music in the Park
From 1:00 to 4:00 PM.
Join ever popular guitar and fiddle duo, Kitchen Gorilla, as they perform North
American and European folk tunes on the porch of the log cabin.
 Tyke Hike: What Whiff do you Sniff?
From 2:00 to 3:00 PM.
Bring your tyke for a walk around the park to discover some hidden and not-so-
hidden treasures. Use your nose to smell your way through the park.
Fee: $2/child

Saturday, September 26
Backpacking for Beginners: Planning Your Adventure
From 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.
The best trips are those that have all the wrinkles ironed out early. Knowing
where you're going, the lay of the land, entry & exit points all make for stress-free
hikes. Learn to take the steps to make your next wilderness venture a safe one
and learn how best to be best prepared for blisters, bug-bites, or even bear
encounters. Discover the importance of Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics and how
it applies to us all. (See Outdoor Skills Brochure for details)

Life on the Farm

From 1:00 to 4:00 PM.
Watch as history comes to life and join volunteers in historic attire as they
harvest the garden, preserve veggies, and cook on the hearth in the log cabin.

Hawks of Virginia
From 1:00 to 2:30 PM.
Join naturalist Kent Knowles from the Raptor Conservancy to meet some local
birds of prey. Find out what their needs are and what makes them so special.
Fee: $2.00/person

Sunday, September 27

Kids’ Stuff: Fine Feathered Friends

From 2:00 to 3:30 PM
Bring your youngster for a fun-filled fall afternoon with stories, games and crafts
related to our feathered friends. Fee: $2/child

OCTOBER
Saturday, October 3

Woodpecker Walk
From 3:00 to 4:30 PM
Join volunteer naturalist Scott baron for a walk through the Walnut Grove;
discover where the Red-headed Woodpeckers live and why birds are important
to the woodland ecosystem.
 Full Moon Walk
From 6:30 to 8:00 PM.
Hike up to the Piedmont Overlook to view the full moon. Take in the beauty of the
Crooked Run Valley. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes and a wind-proof jacket.
(1 ½ miles, moderate) Fee: $3/person

Saturday, October 10
Astronomy for Everyone
From 6:30 to 10:00 PM.
Find out about U.S. space research, take a sky tour and look for deep space
objects through large telescopes. This program is offered in partnership with
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, the Albert Einstein Planetarium and the Northern
Virginia Astronomy Club. If the sky is cloudy, only the NASA/JPL program will be
presented and the gates will close at 10:00 PM. Bring your children 1/2 hour
early for a special “Junior Astronomer” activity. Parking: $5/vehicle

Sunday, October 11

Old-Fashioned Toys and Games

From 2:00 to 3:30 PM.
How did children have fun in the 1800s without video games? Play with some
old-time toys and find out how to make an old-fashioned toy to take home. All
ages welcome. $2 material fee

Saturday, October 17
Historic Gardening
From 2:00 to 4:00 PM.
Take a step back in time and see what your great-grandparents might have
grown in their garden. Master Gardener Lynn Hoffmann will present some garden
designs for late 1800s and early 1900s kitchen gardens and home flower
gardens. She will also discuss what plants you can choose and how to grow
them to create a little nostalgia at home.

Saturday, October 24

Life on the Farm

From 1:00 to 4:00 PM.
Watch as history comes to life and join volunteers in historic attire as they cook
some delicious apples recipes on the hearth in the log cabin.
 Fall Color Walk
From 2:00 to 4:00 PM
Hike around the park with a Forester to take in the colors of the changing leaves.
Fee: $3/person

Fall Farm Festival

Each full weekend in October!
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Activities include:
• Pick your own pumpkins
• Musical performances
• Historical farm life demonstrations
• Wine-tasting
• Children’s games and activities

Saturday, October 31:

Halloween Spook-tacular! Ghosts, Ghouls, and Games!
From Noon to 6:00PM
Participate in our Nature Costume Party, join the trick or treat hunt, play old-
fashioned games and end the day with a haunted moon hike.

NOVEMBER
Saturday, November 14
Astronomy for Everyone
From 5:00 to 10:00 PM.
Find out about U.S. space research, take a sky tour and look for deep space
objects through large telescopes. This program is offered in partnership with
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, the Albert Einstein Planetarium and the Northern
Virginia Astronomy Club. If the sky is cloudy, only the NASA/JPL program will be
presented and the gates will close at 10:00 PM. Bring your children 1/2 hour
early for a special “Junior Astronomer” activity. Parking: $5/vehicle
 November 27, 28, & 29
Friday-Saturday-Sunday

Holiday House
and
Country Christmas
In partnership with:
Middleburg Creamery & Country Store
Piedmont Lace Guild
Fauquier County Quilters

Join us for a traditional “Country Christmas” with holiday music and stories. The
historic Mount Bleak house will be decorated for the season and unique
homemade baked goods, jellies, ornaments, and gifts will be on sale inside.
Also, enjoy delicious hot food in our log cabin!