Fall festivals and activities abound in Rockbridge County

Bright foliage is the backdrop for autumn events and adventures in Rockbridge County. Autumn is the perfect time to enjoy a weekend getaway, festival, outdoor entertainment or other activities that you are looking for. Check out what’s coming up!

Virginia Military Institute Parades: Watch as the entire Virginia Military Institute Corps of Cadets march in full formation. It’s an impressive sight and one you can’t miss when in Lexington. October 7 at 4:35 pm, and October 28 at 4:35 pm. Info: calendar.vmi.edu/content.asp

Arts on Washington Block Party – Oct. 7: The streets of downtown Lexington will be filled with locally based arts events and displays from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Along with art, the local band “Greenhouse,” the fine wine of Rockbridge Vineyard, and fabulous food from local restaurants will combine for one fine night on the town. Several kids’ activities will be provided, including face painting, clay work, and sidewalk art. The various shops and galleries on the block will be open throughout the evening. Info: www.lexingtonbrick.com/block-party.html

Mountain Day – Oct. 8: Every October, on the second Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Buena Vista is the location for Mountain Day, an annual celebration of the culture, traditions, history and natural beauty of the area, the surrounding mountains and the Shenandoah Valley. It focuses on the traditional “lost arts,” with live skill demonstrations & informational displays, as well as arts & crafts, continuous live music and entertainment, a local history exhibit, antique farm machinery, children’s activities, food, fun, and much more. Admission is free. Info: celebratebuenavista.org/

Fairland Ferguson Trick Rider – Oct. 8: The Virginia Horse Center (VHC) is thrilled to be welcoming Fairland Ferguson to its historic facility for an afternoon filled with extraordinary entertainment. Spectators can expect to see an up close demonstration from the Staunton, Va. native and her amazing horses at 12:30 p.m., as well as join an exclusive question and answer session with her. Ferguson joined Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede while attending college. She worked with the group for six years, before touring with CAVALIA for six years and taking her talents to Australia for an entire year. For tickets and more information, visit www.facebook.com/events/760080014094900/

Wade’s Mill Apple Butter Festival – Oct. 22: Join us at Wade’s Mill from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the 21st annual Apple Butter Festival featuring foods, wines, music and crafts! Free admission. Take I-81 to exit 205, 4 miles west on Raphine Road. Info: www.facebook.com/WadesMill/

Baroque Equestrian Games 2016 Competition, Expo & Grand Gala – October 21-23: Join us for the 4th Annual Classical Horsemanship Competition, Expo and Gala. The schedule includes lectures and classes on ground work, classical schooling, mounted maneuvers, musical freestyles. Classes are in the East Complex of the Virginia Horse Show and are free and open to the public! Join us FRIDAY NIGHT, October 21, 2016, for an unforgettable evening of fun & frivolity, romance & revelry as the East Complex is transformed into a festival of equestrian enchantments. In keeping with the festivity of the Baroque Equestrian Games, we encourage everyone to come in costume (optional) as we roll out an extraordinary evening of magnificent horse breeds, equestrian talent, and must have products for the Classical Horse lover. On Saturday, October 22 at 7 p.m. the new Grand Gala “Angels for Children – The Magical Horse,” embraces the wonder and fascination that shines within every child. A truly magical evening unfolds the story of a beautiful, young unicorn who is being called to earth by the children of Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center to help them. Info: baroquegames.net/

Rockbridge Pumpkin Festival – Oct. 29: This family friendly event featuring a fall and holiday craft fair, entertainment throughout the day, a giant kids’ zone, great festival food, a community showcase, and of course . . . pumpkins! Watch pumpkins hurl through the air in our pumpkin chunkin’ contest. See scary, weird, funny, and amazing sculpted pumpkins at our carving contest. It’s a whole day of festival fun, all for the benefit of career and technical education programs in Rockbridge County Schools. Info: www.rockbridgepumpkinfestival.org.

To learn more about upcoming events in the Lexington/Rockbridge area, call (540) 463-3777 or visit www.lexingtonvirginia.com.