— The holiday season is almost upon us, and Middleburg is preparing to once again “wow” visitors and residents alike with its holiday spirit. This year’s festivities will kick off with the usual tree lighting at The Pink Box and Christmas in Middleburg parades, but also include a Charles Dickens-themed experience all month long in December.
The Dickens Christmas experience will include a theatrical performance, music, food, libations, a window-decorating contest for local businesses, Christmas trees throughout town, carriage rides, and more. You are sure to have a Dickens of a time this year in Middleburg!
The holiday celebrations were outlined as part of the Middleburg Business and Professional Association’s Biz Buzz networking event, hosted by The Middleburg Museum on Oct. 12th.
Fortunately, you don’t have to wait until December to have fun in Middleburg. The community calendar is chock-full of events throughout the fall to keep you busy, including:
- Middleburg Film Festival (Through Oct. 17): The film festival features a carefully curated selection of narrative and documentary films in intimate theatre environments, followed by fascinating conversations with world-renowned filmmakers, actors, and other special guests. Tickets can be purchased at middleburgfilm.org.
- Middleburg Humane Foundation Tack Sale (Oct. 17 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m.): Middleburg Humane’s annual tack sale to benefit their equine and livestock program includes everything you need from horse blankets to choose to water troughs.
- Foxcroft School’s Family Weekend (Oct. 22-24): This annual event gives Foxcroft families the chance to explore the school and the town of Middleburg.
- International Gold Cup at Great Meadow (Oct. 23): Race day activities include terrier races, shopping, hat contests, tailgate contests, and some of the best steeplechase racing you’ll find anywhere. Get your tickets now at vagoldcup.com.
- Dixie Rhythm at Emmanuel Episcopal Church Parish House (Oct. 24 | 3 p.m.): “At The Parish House” presents the Dixie Rhythm jazz band, performing on the porch of the Parish House. For over 20 years, the Dixie Rhythm band has delighted area audiences with their exciting Dixieland Jazz performances. To reserve a seat, or in the case of questionable weather, call 540-687-6297. There’s a $10 suggested donation, but no one is turned away; refreshments served. Laissez le bon temps rouler!
- McEnearney Associates Grand Re-Opening (Oct. 27): Join us for the re-opening of the McEnearney Associates office at 11 W. Washington St.
- Haunted Trail at Salamander Resort & Spa (Oct. 27-30 | 7-9 p.m.): This family-friendly 0.6-mile haunted trail will feature 10 actor scenes and is geared towards children ages 4-12. Children wanting to walk through the trail without the actors in the scenes can do that at 6:30 p.m. Last entry onto the trail is 8:30 p.m. sharp. Purchase tickets via eventbrite.com.
- Halloween Party at Salamander Resort & Spa (Oct. 29 | 7-10 p.m.): Calling all goblins and ghouls! After a spooky stroll through the Haunted Trail, join us in Salamander’s ballroom for a scary-good celebration! Feast on Halloween-themed dinner stations to kick-off your Halloween weekend. To reserve, please call 540-326-4070.
- Sunday Sketch at the National Sporting Library & Museum (Oct. 31 | 2-4 p.m.): Join artist Kim Richards for a SPOOKY Sunday Sketch! This free class is open to all ages and skill levels. Supplies are provided. Drop in or RSVP to vpeacock@nationalsporting.org.
- “Hot Dog, It’s Halloween!” at the Middleburg Community Center (Oct. 31): Middleburg’s traditional Halloween festivities return this year with a new perk: a raffle with prizes including a lunch or dinner for four at Gold Cup Wine Bar, a family pass to the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum, and gift cards from Playroom, Northwest Federal Credit Union, and Middleburg! The Middleburg Business and Professional Association will lead a children’s parade through town prior to the MCC opening. Raffle drawn after the parade.
The meeting also featured some local business news, including Boxwood Estate Winery taking home a gold medal at the Loudoun Wine Awards for their 2020 Rosé and a couple of new businesses in town: Ship Shape, a full-stack web app development firm offering co-working space (located in the former home of the Village Backsmith), and Tremolo Bar (in the former home of Greenheart Juice Shop). Additionally, MBPA will be sending out ballots this week to fill two vacant seats on the Board of Directors.
As usual, this Biz Buzz also focused on ways to help support the Middleburg community. The event highlighted The Middleburg Museum’s brick fundraiser, an opportunity to help fund the building of The Middleburg Museum with an engraved brick that will be placed on the museum grounds. Additionally, the meeting highlighted two Middleburg police officers facing health challenges: Lt. Shaun Jones, who was recently diagnosed with lymphoma (you can donate to Lt. Jones here) and Officer Tim Tharpe who has liver cancer and is in need of a donor (you can find more details here).
Be sure to mark your calendar for the next in-person Biz Buzz, which will be held Nov. 9th at Market Salamander and will be co-hosted by Market Salamander and Chloe’s of Middleburg.
