50+ things to do in the Lynchburg area this fall

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- Fall Farm Fest, 3 to 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 1 to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through the month of October at Five Blessings Farm, 4875 East Ferry Road, Gladys. Includes pony rides, pumpkins, hot dogs, hayrides, bouncers, chips, petting zoo, pumpkin painting and drinks. The cost is $10 for children, $4 adults.

Oct. 3

- Clifford Ruritan Sorghum Festival, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine, at the Ruritan Club, 755 Fletchers Level Road, Clifford. This year, dozens of jousters from across the Commonwealth will come together to vie for the Virginia State Championship. Hot sandwiches, Brunswick stew, beverages and desserts; old-fashioned sorghum syrup and apple butter cooking and sales; fresh local produce, crafts, art, collectibles, gifts, jewelry and quilts; kids’ activities; Volkswagen car club show; a Civil War re-enactors campsite; and entertainment by The Little Mountain Boys, Profitt & Sandidge, the Dance Team from the Amherst Dance Academy, Blue Ridge Star Square Dancers, and others. No admission charge; however, parking fee of $5 per car and $1 for motorcycles. Lawn chairs are welcome, but no pets. Proceeds benefit local community charities. For more information, call (434) 946-2208 or e-mail sorghumfestival@gmail.com.

- Tomahawk Elementary School Fall Carnival, 155 Bee Drive, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wristbands available for $10 a person for children (ages 4 to 18) for unlimited games, visit with the “Balloon Man,” hairspray booth, face painting, tattoos, use of assorted inflatables and a chance to visit with Southpaw from the Lynchburg Hillcats. Other features not included in the wristband cost are assorted food items, Bingo games, cakewalk and hayrides. There will also be a silent auction with assorted donations from area restaurants, sports teams, spas, craft supplies and more.

- Jessi’s Fest, a fundraising event for a 3½-year-old who has cancer, will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Appomattox Moose Lodge, U.S. 460 West. The event includes a yard sale featuring clothing, books, furniture, appliances, a bake sale, silent auction including prints of artwork by Daniel Trout, live music, Teddy Spaghetti the clown, face painting and inflatable.

- Heritage United Methodist Church fall festival, 582 Leesville Road, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Includes giant indoor yard sale, trash and treasure tables, breakfast biscuits, hot dogs, soft drinks, Brunswick stew, bake sale, jewelry, household items, furniture and more.

- United Methodist Women of Timberlake United Methodist Church will hold their annual fall bazaar from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 21649 Timberlake Road. Crafts, baked goods, cookbooks, homemade vegetable soup will be sold. Proceeds support various mission activities.

- Chestnut Hill Baptist Church fall festival, 5225 Fort Ave., 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Children’s games, crafts, face painting, yard sale, Brunswick stew, barbecue, hot dogs, and door prizes.

- Ember Fest 2009, 3:30-8:30 p.m., Courtland Field, Appomattox. Music by the Worx band, dancing, 50/50 raffle, barbecue cook-off, Toddler Fun House and Dolphin Bounce, and various food vendors. Admission, $5 per person 13 and older, 12 and under, no charge. Bring lawn chairs. No coolers or pets.

- Memorial Christian Church, 615 Perrymont Ave., dinner of chicken or ribs at 6 p.m. Bake and craft items also available.

- Beulah Baptist Church fall festival, 528 Leesville Road, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Games, crafts, food, inflatable moonwalks, pie eating contest, gas buy down (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.), Heritage Drum and Flag performance (noon), Magic by Matt (3 p.m.) and chili and Brunswick stew dinner at 5 p.m.

- St. Paul’s Mission, 2009 Kenmore Road, Amherst, and Monacan Indian Nation will hold its homecoming bazaar. Buffet lunch, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; scholarship auction, at 1 p.m. Also: crafts, baked and canned goods, quilts, and the Monacan Indian Museum will be open all day.

- ‘Vettes on the Point, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Parkway Marina, Smith Mountain Lake. Hourly door prizes, silent auctions, Bedford Hospice House Car Raffle, games, entertainment, music and more. Proceeds benefit Bedford Hospice House. For registration forms, e-mail votp@jnjvette.com

- 2009 Apple Butter festival, Flippin-Seaman, 5529 Crabtree Falls, Tyro, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pick your own pumpkins, children’s games, food, crafters, corn maze, and a clown. Call (434) 277-5824.

Oct. 4

- Clifford Ruritan Sorghum Festival, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. See Oct. 3.

- Car Show & Cruise-In, the Amherst County Chamber of Commerce’s eighth annual event, noon to 5 p.m., John P. Hughes Motor Co., Madison Heights, (rain date Oct. 18). Free. Muscle cars, antique autos, trucks, specialty cars and, for the first time, motorcycles. Vote for your favorites. Trophies awarded. Food, beverages, popcorn and bake sale, Car Show T-shirts available. $10 registration fee per vehicle. Forms available at www.amherstvachamber.com or by calling 946-0990.

Oct. 6

- Fall Festival for local seniors sponsored by Campbell County Recreation Department and Campbell County Senior Centers, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Moose Lodge, Waterlick Road. Carnival games, prizes and senior center information; free. Tickets for carnival games will be sold at the festival site. Lunch is not provided, but chicken sandwich combos will be offered for $3.50 each.

Oct. 10

- The 37th annual Historic Appomattox Railroad Festival commemorates the Norfolk & Western railroad’s donation of the Appomattox Depot to the Town of Appomattox. The two-day festival (also Oct. 11), held on Main Street and the surrounding downtown area, features a parade, craft vendors, live bands, train exhibits, food and lots of family activities. For information, call (434) 352-8268 or visit www.tourappomattox.com

- 19th annual Virginia Wine and Garlic Festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Rebec Vineyards, 2229 North Amherst Highway. Includes food, wine, live entertainment, arts, crafts and more. Ticket information: 946-5168.

- Day at the Point, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Point of Honor, 112 Cabell St. Living history, Brunswick stew, barbecue, kid’s games and crafts, period music, a full-size batteau, more. Free.

- Big Otter Mill Harvest Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the site on Virginia 122 north of Bedford. Exhibits depicting early 20th-century crafts include quilting, basket weaving, soap making, ax-handle carving. Also antique cars, vintage machinery and hands-on demonstrations of apple cider press and butter churning. Brunswick stew available at 11 a.m. Vendors will sell Big Otter Mill memorabilia, produce, handcrafted cards and notepads. The Mill, listed on the National Historic Register, will be open for tours. Free; donations accepted.

- Salem United Methodist Church of Evington fall festival, Colonial Highway, 8 a.m.- 2 p.m., yard sale, hot dogs and barbecue available at 10 a.m. ham and chicken supper, 4:30-7 p.m.

- Family Festival Fun Day, Morgan Farms Pumpkin Patch, 2004 Tolers Ferry Road, Huddleston. Hayrides, livestock viewing, pumpkin picking, antique tractor pull at 11 a.m.

- Berean Baptist Church fall festival, 1400 Greenview Dr., 1-4 p.m. Music, drama, hayrides, free food, games, prizes, inflatables and face painting.

Oct. 11

- Historic Appomattox Railroad Festival. See Oct. 10.

- Virginia Wine and Garlic Festival, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Rebec Vineyards, see Oct. 10.

- Benjamin’s barbecue festival and yard sale, U.S. 221, Forest, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., music by T. Bone & The Kid. To reserve a space: call 534-6077.

Oct. 17

- Amherst County Apple Harvest Festival, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Amherst County High School. Crafts will be in the old and new gyms, cafeteria and parking lot behind the school. Also children’s games and activities, live entertainment, concessions, Brunswick stew, apple butter, and more. Free parking.

- Otter River Elementary School in Goode, will host its first fall festival, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Games, crafts, food and more.

- Grace Church fall festival, noon to 6 p.m., Timbrook Park. Games, live music, horse rides, food, chili cook-off and best apple dessert contest.

- New Hope United Methodist Church fall festival, 2918 Browns Mill Road, Rustburg. Country store opens at 10 a.m. with home-baked cakes, pies, fried pies, canned goods and other miscellaneous items. Brunswick stew, purchased as a meal or by the quart, available at 1 p.m. Hot dogs and other food items also available for lunch.

- Red Oak Baptist Church fall festival, 5422 Oakville Road, Appomattox, 1 p.m. Games, stew, music by Worm Patterson and All Problems Solved, auction by Matt English, and Illusionist John Phillips.

- Bountiful Blessings Festival, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Indian Hill United Methodist Church, Oxford Furnace Road. Brunswick stew ($6 quart, $3.50 a bowl including drink), bake sale, crafts, plants and grapevine wreaths.

- Apple Butter Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Flippin-Seaman, 5529 Crabtree Falls, Tyro. See Oct. 3.

- Walden Pond Fall Harvest Festival, 10 a.m.; food, games, and a variety of vendors. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Lynchburg Humane Society.

Oct. 18

- Amherst County Apple Harvest Festival, noon to 5 p.m. See Oct. 17.

Oct. 21

- Westminster Canterbury’s annual Food and Crafts Bazaar, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Commons. Food and crafts made by residents and employees.

Oct. 24

- Bedford Hills Elementary School Fall Carnival, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Silent auction, games and prizes, haunted house, face painting, snow cones, hot dogs, pizza and more.

- Nelson County Day of Caring, Make a Difference Day event, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tye River Elementary School. Information about Nelson County community resources will be available through fun, free activities. Participants can also learn about the students’ El Salvador project to sponsor educational opportunities for improvised children. Smokey the Bear, the YMCA bouncy house, fire and rescue vehicles, face and fingernail painting, haunted house, blood sugar and blood pressure screenings, yard sale, food.

- Apple & Wine Tasting, sponsored by the Lynchburg Museum System, 2-5 p.m., Point of Honor, 112 Cabell St. Join orchardist and apple historian Tom Burford for an apple tasting featuring heirloom varieties, some of which are found in the recreated orchard. Tours of the house and orchard are included along with a wine and cheese reception to follow. $40 per person. Reservations required: 455-6226.

- A Brunswick stew and bake sale, to benefit the Network for Women in Crisis Shelter, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (stew will be ready around 11:30 a.m.) in the West Lynchburg Baptist Church parking lot, 3031 Memorial Ave.

- Faith Alliance Church Harvest Festival, 7808 Timberlake Road, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Live music, a bounce house, kids’ shows, face and nail painting, raffle prizes, free balloon animals, food, local produce, craft fair and bake sale. Craft vendors can call Charlotte McLinden at 525-1353 for more information. Proceeds donated to missions and to aid exploited women and children in Cambodia.

- Harambee, a festive fundraiser for the Legacy Museum of African American History, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Museum’s lawn, 403 Monroe St. Features a community drum circle, live music, and local food vendors. No charge; donations accepted.

Oct. 31

- Bethany United Methodist Church fall bazaar, 732 High Peak Road, Monroe, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Crafts, baked goods and flea market items. Lunch items, hot dogs, vegetable soup, dessert and drink, available at 11 a.m.

- Fray Educational Center craft festival, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Also includes food, children’s games, music, silent auction and more. Dress up for Halloween. Vendor information: 332-1180.

- Thomas Road Baptist Church Kids Karnival, 6-8 p.m. at the indoor track. Kids, up to fifth grade, can wear their favorite costume, and have fun with trunk–n-treat, giant inflatables, huge box maze, games and prizes. Free.

Nov. 7

- Fantastic Fall Bazaar, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Centenary United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 1501 Rivermont Ave. Holiday gifts and gourmet foods; curbside delivery available for pre-ordered Brunswick stew, frozen-entree casseroles, homemade spaghetti sauce, salsa, Mexican Wedding Cakes, and cookies. Also baked goods, crafts, silent auction, treasures, more. Breakfast and lunch served. Call 846-4601 for order forms to be returned by Oct. 20 or additional information.

- Gethsemane Baptist Church, 411 Blue Ridge St., will make Brunswick stew, available around 11 a.m. Also multi-family yard and bake sale begins at 8 a.m. Hot dogs also served.

- Marsh Memorial United Methodist Church fall festival and bazaar, 20348 Leesville Road, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Crafts, baked goods, yard sale items, Avon, Tupperware, Longaberger baskets, vegetable soup, hot dogs and drinks.

- Madison Heights Christian Church Fall Fling, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 149 Main St. Yard sale items, books, gift baskets, homemade baked goods, raffle items (including collectible dolls), hot dogs and chili beans.

- Amelon United Methodist Women fall festival, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 220 Amelon Road, Madison Heights. Pecans, baked goods, white elephant items.

- Temple Christian Church fall festival, Madison Heights, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Vendors, food, face painting, inflatables and more. For vendor information: 846-0024, ext. 302.

Nov. 14

- Fairview United Methodist Church fall festival, 3041 Campbell Ave. Stew, hot dogs, baked good and yard sale items.

Nov. 21

- Greenview Church of God fall bazaar, 2444 Greenview Drive, 8 a.m. to 2 pm. Ham and sausage biscuits for breakfast; hot dogs, pinto beans and homemade vegetable soup for lunch; yard sale items, crafts, homemade baked goods and strawberry preserves, holiday gift ideas and a silent auction.

- Rustburg United Methodist Church holiday bazaar, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Includes breakfast and picture with Santa at 9 a.m. for $5 (pre-register by calling 332-5454), local crafters, Brunswick stew, barbecue, yard and bake sale. Interested crafters should call 332-5454.

- Campbell County Rescue Squad Auxiliary fall craft/art show, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. inside the Campbell County Rescue Squad, 155 Rainbow Forest Drive. Also blood pressure screenings, and concessions of breakfast biscuits, hot dogs, and baked goods.