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Find the Festivity with these Eight Front Royal Holiday Traditions

11/28/2021

 
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There’s something about the traditions of a small-town Christmas that are especially magical. If you’re looking to fill the season of joy with some small-town festivity, plan a visit to Front Royal. You’ll find every weekend packed with holiday fun! Join our small community, support local business, and experience the magic of Front Royal’s holiday traditions. Read on to discover the best of Front Royal’s holiday celebrations this year.

1. Start out Right with Pancakes
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​The first Saturday of December starts the season off with a bang! Head to Warren County High School on December 4, and enjoy a drive-thru pancake breakfast sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Front Royal. You can support a great cause, and fuel up for your day at the same time! But don’t head home yet! There’s plenty more on Front Royal’s Calendar today!  
 
2. Celebrate with the Town at the Front Royal Christmas Festival and Parade
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A beloved annual tradition, the Front Royal Christmas Festival and Parade is scheduled for December 4. It’s a great time to be on Front Royal’s Main Street! Enjoy an afternoon of live performances, a free Christmas movie showing, and more. The parade starts at 4 p.m., so you can watch the best of Front Royal roll by, including many of our favorite local businesses and organizations. Do some Christmas shopping beforehand, or grab some gourmet coffee or baked goods to enjoy while you watch.
 
3. Main Street Holiday Lights
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Front Royal’s picturesque holiday lights traditionally come on at the end of the Christmas Festival. Stick around to watch the ceremony, or come back any evening during the holidays and enjoy the display in the Main Street area.
 
4. Christmas Classic Showings at Royal Cinemas
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If you miss the movie showing at the Christmas festival, no worries! Come back to Royal Cinemas any weekend in December to enjoy the screening of a Christmas Classic! It’s a great way to relax and get in a festive mood after a day of shopping, exploring the town, or outdoor adventure.
 
5. Bring Refinement to your Holiday at the Blue Ridge Singers Holiday Concert
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If you’re looking for the place where fine arts and Christmas festivity meet, check out the Blue Ridge Singers Holiday Concert. Coming to Front Royal on Friday, December 10, this local group performs challenging choral music in a way that will leave you enchanted and looking for more!
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6. Explore our Christmas Market
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If you’re a lover of Christmas Markets, you won’t want to miss Front Royal’s! The Front Royal Indoor Market on December 12, will be the place to finish up your holiday shopping! Check out local vendors, enjoy blacksmithing, stained glass making, and other crafts, and maybe even run into Santa Claus!
 
7. Watch the Band Play in the Holidays!
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Another Front Royal Favorite, the American Legion Community Band Concert is a free show to put you in the holiday spirit. If the sound of the band is what tells you it’s the holidays, you won’t want to miss this one! 
 
8. Enjoy some Holiday-Flavored Ice Cream
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It’s never too cold for ice cream! If you need your taste buds to remind you that it’s the holidays, don’t forget to stop by Spelunker’s! This local legend has some of the best burgers and fries around, but their frozen custard is truly out of this world. Their holiday custard flavors are highly anticipated, and for good reason! Upcoming delights include Candy Cane Blast, Caramel Sweet Potato, Peach Pecan, and Eggnog. Check their facebook page for a full schedule of flavor-of-the-day offerings. Don’t leave a stop at Spelunker’s out of your day in Front Royal!
 
With a calendar full of quintessential holiday events, great Christmas shopping options, and delicious ice cream to top it all off, Front Royal is a great place to celebrate the holidays! Plan your holiday outings in Front Royal now! Maybe you’ll find a new tradition that’ll keep you coming back year after year. 

“Keep the Music Alive!” Appaloosa Music Festival Returns to Front Royal, VA

7/6/2021

 
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Appaloosa Roots Music Festival
Have you been wondering where you can:
  • Enjoy live performances from folk, Americana, and Irish musicians?
  • Savor a full weekend of wholesome, family friendly fun?
  • Camp under the stars at Skyline Ranch Resort in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley? 
  • Experience the best of Front Royal’s local beers, wine, food, and crafts?

​Find it all at Appaloosa Music Festival, Front Royal Virginia, August 13-15! 

​COVID-19 restrictions are lifting, and musicians everywhere are ready to get back together with their fans! If you’re ready to enjoy music and fellowship again, it’s time to book your tickets for Appaloosa Music Festival 2021. A weekend at this extraordinary music festival will leave you with memories for a lifetime!

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Photo Credit: Craig Spiering
The Appaloosa Story: Bringing the Folk Music Crowd Home to Front Royal
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Appaloosa all started in 2014 with the D.C. area folk rock band, Scythian. They’d played for crowds around the world, but they were ready to spend less time touring, and more time close to home. Founding band members and brothers, Dan and Alex Fedoryka, realized that the solution lay in their own hometown: Front Royal, Virginia. With its proximity to Skyline Drive and the idyllic Shenandoah Valley, its supportive team of local artisans, and its genuine small-town atmosphere, Front Royal had incredible potential. It was the perfect setting for a folk, Americana, and Irish music festival that would bring in musicians and fans from all over the country. And so, Appaloosa Music Festival was born.
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Scythian
Now in its seventh year, Appaloosa’s explosive growth has proved the Fedorykas right about the Front Royal community and the irresistible draw of their music-making. With annual line-ups featuring little known but soon-to-be famous musicians. Appaloosa has claimed its reputation as the festival where fans can enjoy intimate performances from excellent musicians. There’s so much fun to be had that the crowds have kept growing year after year!  

We also want to give a huge shout out to this year's line-up @YoungDubliners, @dustbowlrevival, @brooklynyarn, @AZTECSUNBAND, 
@BillandBelles Arbo @bendavidwarner, @AbigailDowd, His & Hers, The Moores, The Wilson Springs Hotel, Honeyday, Jesse Eastman, Low Water Bridge Band, Cake for Dinner.
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So Many Stars in the Valley
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Appaloosa has hosted everyone from GRAMMY winners to future grammy winners and has developed a reputation for being a festival where you can find the next big artist. From major acts to the next big name, you'll find them here!
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Appaloosa and the Front Royal Community
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Main Stage - Photo Credit: Rob Laughter
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Appaloosa Music Festival is a genuine a grassroots effort, with local talent lending a hand from all around the Front Royal area. Whether it’s the music you’re hearing or the drink in your hand, it probably hails from not too far away! In addition to the local musicians in the lineup, Front Royal’s food vendors and beverage brewers pitch in to provide authentic local refreshment for fans. With local arts and crafts on sale too, it’s a full immersion experience into Front Royal talent. Even the main stage is locally sourced, lovingly crafted by Front Royal based Strong Oaks Woodshop with reclaimed wood from old Virginia barns.

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Appaloosa Volunteers
​“Music among friends”
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Scythian’s motto is “Music among friends,” and that’s the kind of feel that audience members can enjoy at Appaloosa. It’s a friendly, wholesome, country atmosphere. The young adult crowd can have a few drinks and some fun, but the festival was also specifically designed with families in mind. There’s truly something for everyone here!
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Roots music festival in the Shenandoah Valley
The festival grounds include a FREE kids zone, with face painting, bouncy houses, games, and everything you need to get your whole family into the festival feel. There’s even a dedicated stage with special performances and workshops just for kids. And parents can enjoy fantastic family packages with free admission for all kids 12 and under and a dedicated family camping area.
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Kids Zone - Photo Credit: Danielle Lussier

​Appaloosa is such a good fit for families, that it’s becoming nationally recognized. The festival has been one of five festivals nominated for best family-friendly festival at the Festx awards in Las Vegas. Fellow nominees included the nationally known Austin City Limits and Jazz Fest New Orleans.

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Appaloosa 2019 - Photo Credit: Craig Spiering
Appaloosa Accommodation
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Appaloosa Music Festival is three days long, and spending time outdoors in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley is part of its draw. If you want to get the complete experience, consider the camping options available right on site at Skyline Ranch Resort. You’ll be able to relax at your tent while listening to the music, spend more time with friends old and new, and fully immerse yourself in the great outdoors of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. ​

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Skyline Ranch Resort
With a variety of tent sites and RV hookups available, you can choose an option that suits your comfort level and your budget. And if you’re not up for camping, but don’t want to miss a second of the festival, don’t worry! A limited number of VIP packages include Skyline Ranch Resort’s comfortable chalet accommodations. 
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Skyline Ranch Resort Map - Appaloosa
We are also offering a special discount at the beautiful Blue Ridge Shadows Holiday Inn and Suites. Click here to check out the discount and availability. We're super grateful for their support!
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Blue Ridge Shadows Holiday Inn and Suites
Tickets!

If you don’t have a whole weekend to spare, no problem. You can purchase tickets by the day as well.
 
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Various Food Vendors
So buy your tickets now, and come on out for Appaloosa Music Festival this August 13-15. The COVID-19 lockdowns were particularly tough for musicians, and attending Appaloosa is one way to support folk music and local businesses while having a great time. Please share this post and let’s all work together to “Keep the Music Alive” because #​VirigniaisforMusicLovers!!
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Virginia is for (Appaloosa) music lovers!

Nine Essential Summer Experiences in Front Royal

6/19/2021

 
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Shenandoah River- Cindy Rodney
Whether it’s relaxing by the pool with a cool drink, enjoying a cookout with friends, or spending time with kids on summer break, we all have our favorite summer activities. But there are certain adventures that scream “summer” like no other! We call them essential summer experiences!
 
We’ve rounded up a list of nine essential summer experiences that you can enjoy in Front Royal, Virginia. So whether you’re looking for a way to entertain your kids or just yourself, read on! You’ll discover the best of the summer experiences that await you. Give them a try, and you’ll find some new traditions that’ll have you coming back year after year (or maybe multiple times in the same year!).

1. Float, Float, Float your Tube!
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Tubing on the Shenandoah River
If you’re in the Front Royal area, you won’t want to let the summer go by without at least one adventure on the Shenandoah River! In our book, a river float trip is the number one most relaxing way to beat the heat and enjoy the river in summer. For tube rental, check out one of Front Royal’s own river outfitters, such as Front Royal Outdoors or Skyline Canoe Company. They have everything you’ll need for a river adventure, including shuttle service! And if you’re in search of a slightly more strenuous outing, you’ll find great canoeing options here too. Front Royal isn’t called the Canoe Capital of Virginia for nothing!
 
2. Wine, Cheese, and a Sumer Breeze
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Virginia is for Wine Lovers
For an elegant summer outing, a picnic at a winery is hard to beat, and Front Royal is fast becoming a wine lover’s dream destination. With scenic wineries all around, the only problem is deciding which one to visit. Fortunately, there are enough weekends in the summer that you’ll have a chance to try them all out!  Bring your own picnic and enjoy the finest in Virginia wines, against the stunning backdrop of the Shenandoah Valley.
 
3. Summer in a Cup or a Cone
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Ice cream, a favored summer treat!
​An ice cream outing is one of those summer experiences that delights young and old (and everybody in between!). Whether you’re taking a break in the middle of another adventure, or making a weeknight more fun with a quick outing, you can’t really go wrong with ice cream in the summer! Front Royal is home to several winning ice cream stands and parlors. Two top picks: The Apple House in Linden for a rustic country feel, or C & C’s Frozen Treats on Main Street for a small town ice cream vibe!
 
4. Cool Down in Town!
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Make a hot, sweaty day into a memorable moment by cooling off in Front Royal! Kids will love Front Royal’s own Splash Pad at Dr. Paul Seide Memorial Gardens. And if the splash pad doesn’t satisfy the water-lover within, no worries! Front Royal’s community pool is right next door!

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Splash Pad at Dr. Paul Seide Memorial Gardens
5. Take Me Out to the Ballgame!
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Hotdogs, sunflower seeds, and a great ballgame. It’s all you need to enjoy a summer evening in an all-American way. Front Royal’s Bing Crosby Stadium is the home of the Front Royal Cardinals, and a great place to enjoy a summer evening of baseball. Check the league schedule here to find a Cardinals home game that works for you.
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Bing Crosby Stadium
6. Grill and Chill
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Barbecue at the park
Merge two essential summer experiences into one by planning a cookout on the banks of the Shenandoah River. Shenandoah River State Park is the home of an extensive riverside picnic area, with plenty of charcoal grills available! Swim or fish, and then relax with some food hot off the grill. Don’t forget the watermelon!
 
7. Splash Around on a Swimming Hole Hike
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Waterfalls and swimming holes!
If outdoor adventures and hiking are your passion, give your hobby a fun summer twist by incorporating a swimming hole on your next hike. Overall Run Falls is a favorite waterfall destination in Shenandoah National Park. If you enter the park at Thompson Hollow Trailhead, you can hike towards Overall Run Falls and enjoy the swimming holes and waterfalls along the way. This area of the park is also accessible from the Mathews Arm Area off Skyline Drive, but expect a longer hike before you can cool off in a natural pool!
 
8. Pick Your Own Farm Fresh Fruit
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Fresh picked blueberries
It wouldn’t be summer without the juices of freshly picked in-season fruit running down your chin! From strawberries to blueberries to peaches, there’s always something to pick in a Front Royal summer! Stribling Orchard and Hartland Orchard are two of our favorite pick-your-own locations in the Front Royal area. Most pick-your-own farms restrict picking to ensure a continuous supply, so be sure call or check social media before you arrive to avoid disappointment! You can also check ahead to find out which fruit is in season. 
 
9. Appaloosa Music Festival
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Scythian - Appaloosa Music Festival
Mark your calendars for August 13-15! You won’t want to miss Front Royal’s own family friendly folk music festival. Popular D.C.-based Scythian Band has been hosting the annual Appaloosa Music Festival in Front Royal since 2014. Find camping, music workshops, local foods, local vendors, and a free kids zone, plus a great lineup of “roots music” bands from all over the U.S. And find it all right here at Front Royal’s own Skyline Ranch Resort! Buy your Appaloosa tickets today to make sure you don’t miss out on this unforgettable music festival! 

​There’s something to love about every season, but summer might be the one with the most potential for pure outdoor fun!
 Our essential summer experiences have an edge on making the most of this warm and sunny time of year. So get out there and have fun in the sun in Front Royal, Virginia.
 
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DIRECTIONS

To say all roads lead to Front Royal is not an exaggeration. From the numerous winding state roads lined with gorgeous fields and farms, to fast-moving multi-laned interstates, you’ll find an easy commute to our community. Once here, we can personalize all your travel needs. ​

​Front Royal/Warren County Visitors Center
414 East Main Street
Front Royal, VA 22630

Phone: 540-635-5788

Winter Hours:
Open Thurs. - Sun.
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

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Front Royal Trolley (PDF)
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ABOUT US
​
Front Royal/​Warren County is conveniently located within the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and offers numerous recreational activities, historical landmarks, and annual events in and around us. Visit Front Royal to find out why it’s the perfect location for your next family reunion, business meeting,  destination wedding, get-away weekend or ... new home!
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