 Front Royal/Warren County Visitors Center The town of Front Royal may be small, but it’s anything but sleepy! With a full calendar of fantastic events, there’s always something exciting to do. Mark your calendar and make your plans to attend a fun-filled event in Front Royal this fall, starting this weekend! There’s something for everyone, from relaxing at a vineyard to throwing axes and stargazing. Check out Front Royal’s events calendar and see what’s in store for the glorious season of fall. September 2022 in Front Royal: Cars, Music, Axes, and History Front Royal’s fall events get started this weekend, with a jam-packed schedule of fun, education, music, and more.  Nations Capital Model T Ford Facebook Club First up, and lasting the whole weekend, the NCMTFC Tour is planned for the Front Royal area. If you happen to own an antique car, you’ll want to jump right in on this one. Imagine exploring the stunning Front Royal countryside by road, and taking your vehicle on the iconic Skyline Drive. With stops planned at fantastic Front Royal restaurants you’ll get to enjoy so much of what our town has to offer. This event is a great one for all car enthusiasts. If you’re not driving, check the itinerary and figure out where you can enjoy watching a parade of antique cars pass by!  Bel Air House - Home of Lucy Buck On the afternoon of September 24, history lovers should head to Bel Air house at 2 p.m.. Enjoy a tour of this local historic home, along with readings from the diary of Civil War era resident, Lucy Buck.  John Jackson Piedmont Blues Festival In honor of Public Lands Day, National Parks are offering free admission on Saturday, September 24. Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive. Take a hike, pack a picnic, go for a drive, and enjoy the day! Find out more details here.  Skyline Drive - Shenandoah National Park If Blues Music is your jam, make sure to be in the Front Royal area on September 24th. You can head to nearby Woodville and explore the John Jackson Piedmont Blues Music Festival. Spend the whole afternoon/evening relaxing with live music, book signings, food trucks, and more.  SVAXECO Grand Reopening September 24th is also the date of the Shenandoah Valley Axe Company’s grand opening celebration. Axe throwing is a fresh new entertainment trend that we’re so excited to see in Front Royal. Help Shenandoah Valley Axe Company celebrate making a fresh beginning in a new Front Royal location. There’ll be live music, mud trucks, a knife throwing demonstration, and more. And, of course, you can try your own hand at axe throwing.  Fox Meadow Winery Wine lovers won’t want to miss with Sunset in the Vineyard event at Fox Meadow Winery on September 24th. Sip on into the evening until 9 pm at this gorgeous vineyard, and enjoy live music.  Revitalize or Die - Civic Pride Workshop September is truly going out with a bang in Front Royal this year. After a weekend of fun, Front Royal residents should mark their calendars for the Civic Pride Workshop on September 27th. Noted speaker Jeff Siegler will help residents learn how to give the local community a boost. October 2022 in Front Royal October is a month when the crowds head to Front Royal to see the leaves change. Whether you live in Front Royal or are one of many planning a fall Front Royal trip this October, check out our events calendar to get the most from your time in Front Royal.  Homesteaders Conference 2022 - Warren County Fairgrounds The annual Homesteaders of America Conference takes place at Warren County Fairgrouds October 7 and 8. Noted homesteading speakers such as Joel Salatin, Justin Rhodes, and Shawn and Beth Dougherty will teach attendees how to take more steps to raise, preserve, and prepare their own food. Homesteading is a fast growing movement, and you’ll find plenty to interest you whether your efforts at food production are confined to your kitchen or include a few acres and some livestock.  Wings and Wheels - Front Royal Warren County Airport For thrills and fun, head to the Warren County airport for the Wings and Wheels event on the morning of October 8th. With planes, skydiving, cars, and more the Wings and Wheels event is a fun one for the whole family. Call 540-635-3570 for more information.  50th Anniversary of the Festival of Leaves - Front Royal, VA Front Royal has plenty of small-town festival fun in store this October, too. Head our way October 14th and 15th for the fiftieth annual Festival of Leaves. The excitement kicks off with a Friday night block party in Front Royal’s historic downtown. Come back any time on Saturday for fall festival fun, with craft vendors, live music, food drink, and family friendly activities.  Hometown Halloween - Front Royal Round your October out Front Royal’s Hometown Halloween celebration on October 29th. Enjoy an afternoon and evening of Halloween fun, with pumpkin painting, costumes, and more. Head back to Fox Meadow Winery in the evening for another Sunset in the Vineyard event.
With changing leaves, glorious fall colors, and fun events, fall is an exciting season in Front Royal. Mark your calendar so you don’t miss a moment in our favorite Shenandoah Valley small town!  Sand Volleyball Feeling the sand between your toes, enjoying summer breezes, and making memories with friends and family may sound like a vacation in paradise. But there’s a favorite summer sport that allows you to enjoy all of the above for free at community parks across America. We’re talking about sand volleyball. Read on for five reasons we’re recommending sand volleyball as a perfect pick for a summer sport, as well as tips on where you can play around Front Royal. 1. You Can Play Sand Volleyball in Bare Feet!  Barefoot Fun Playing Sand Volleyball Sand, bare feet, and the outdoors in summer just seem to go together as a combination that spells fun and relaxation. And going barefoot even has health benefits! No need to sweat in a hot pair of tennis shoes on the sand volleyball court! It’s a game that’s made for playing barefoot! Feeling the sand under your feet just adds to the fun! 2. Sand Volleyball is Perfect for Large and Small Groups  If you haven’t much volleyball experience, you may be envisioning a game that requires at least twelve players. But volleyball lovers will tell you that volleyball is actually much more versatile. Put just two or three players on each side of the net and you can enjoy a version of the game that might be even more fast-paced and exciting. Plan on fitting in some extra steps if you play this way! Large group, no problem! Sand volleyball is a great game for a party. Put as many as six on each side to play the game in its full form. Or you can easily rotate in a player or two to incorporate bigger numbers. For an even larger group, try planning a tournament! 3. Sand Volleyball Is Enjoyable at Many Different Skill Levels  Skill and Sand Volleyball Volleyball is one of those great games that can be played at many different skill levels and it’s still fun! If you’re a seasoned volleyball player, you already know how much fun it can be to play at a highly skilled level. But beginners can have a great time while learning the sport. Playing in the sand helps create a fun, relaxed atmosphere where new players can feel comfortable getting started. New to the game? Learning and practicing the simple volleyball passing sequence of bump, set, spike will help you enjoy the game more, play more strategically, and work well with your team members. See here for a simple explanation of this volleyball fundamental, or ask a more experienced player to teach it to you. 4. Sand Volleyball is Affordable  Affordable and fun! With prices rising everywhere in 2022, finding ways to have fun without spending a lot of money are even more exciting than before! Sand volleyball has to be one of the most affordable sports out there! With courts fairly easy to find in public parks, there’s often no fee to play, or only a small one. That means that so long as someone in your group already owns a volleyball, you can probably play for free! And even if you need to go out and buy a volleyball, you should be able to do it for under $30. 5. Sand Volleyball is a Great Way to Bring People Together  Summer fun - Sand Volleyball The perfect activity for a summer evening, sand volleyball is a great way to connect with others and make new friends. The atmosphere is casual and fun, and you’ll get to enjoy the camaraderie of being on a team. Take the socialization a step further by planning a picnic or cook out for after the game, or heading to get ice cream together. Sand Volleyball in Front Royal  Volleyball - Gertrude E. Miller Community Park If you’re interested in trying sand volleyball this summer, it’s time to find a great place to play! Front Royal’s park system has you covered with two fantastic options. Head to Gertrude E. Miller Community Park to find conveniently located sand volleyball right in the middle of town. The large complex has plenty of picnic shelters for a post-game cook out, as well as playgrounds for kids to enjoy.
For a less crowded option, try Burrell Brooks Jr. Community Park. The park is less extensive, but you’ll still find sand volleyball courts, a picnic shelter, and a playground for future volleyball stars to enjoy. Explore sand volleyball in Front Royal this summer, and discover all the fun that comes with this relaxing, budget friendly, barefoot and sandy summer sport.  Guest Post written by Warren Massey of Front Royal, VA. Twitter @ijustwant2ride and https://ijustwant2ride.com/ I have ridden along many national parkways including the Natchez Trace (TN/MS), Great Lake Seaway Byway (NY), Blue Ridge Parkway (VA, NC) and, of course, the Skyline Drive Parkway (VA). I have also attended multiple motorcycle rallies along the east coast including Daytona.  Outside of rallies, I have never seen as many motorcycles in one location as I do in Front Royal, Virginia. During motorcycle riding season, it is not uncommon to see hundreds of motorcycles in Front Royal, either singular or riding in large groups daily. You can see these large numbers of motorcycles passing through almost every day but especially on weekends. In my opinion Front Royal could be the motorcycle destination of Virginia much like Tail of the Dragon in Tennessee. Why are so many motorcycles passing through Front Royal? It is because the town is located at the northern terminus of Skyline Drive and about an hour from the nation’s capital. All these motorcycle riders are passing through the town on the way to Skyline Drive or to parts unknown as they leave the Parkway.  By just passing through Front Royal motorcyclists are missing out on opportunities for some great local rides and the great local flavor. For example, a rider can take a loop from Front Royal to Luray via Fort Valley Road. That ride would last about two+ hours, depending on stops, and would have you back in town by lunch time.  After lunch, mount the motorcycle and head south out of town to cross under Skyline Drive at it two gaps. But be careful, they are quite technical, and the northern gap is designated as a high crash area. Two+ hours later you will be back in town with enough time to get to dinner and a stroll along main street. After dinner, riders could visit the Virginia Beer Museum for brew and live music or Shenandoah Valley Axe Throwing for a unique activity or any of the many other venues in town. Front Royal has lots of hotels and restaurants and a main street that could be considered a throw-back to another era. Check out the movie theater that has a 1950’s vibe with a state-of-the-art projector and sound system.  Front Royal may be the gateway to Skyline Drive, but it should also be a destination at the start or end of your motorcycle ride. Stay a day or two, there are plenty of hotels and campgrounds, to explore both our local roads and our small-town atmosphere.
 Find the best local produce in Front Royal As gas prices continue to climb this summer, it’s a great time to appreciate all we have close at hand. Those in the Front Royal area have plenty of fun to enjoy without travelling too far, and in the summer there’s also lots of food being produced close to home. No need to buy in food from far away and pay for the costs of transporting it! Here at Discover Front Royal, we’re providing a guide to some of the fantastic local food that’s produced right in our area. Today, we’ve rounded up three local favorites that all begin with a “P”: peaches, peanuts, and . . . pies! Read on to learn more about these classic local foods, and how to enjoy them in the Front Royal area. Pick your Own Peaches in Front Royal  Pick your own peaches Biting into a delicious, juicy peach is one of the pleasures of summertime, and if you have a freshly picked, local peach in hand, it’s going to taste all the better. Virginia has a great climate for peach production, and has ranked as the fourteenth largest peach producer in the United States. In a rural area like Front Royal, it’s not too hard to find orchards with delicious fresh peaches ready to pick and eat! Peach season runs through July, August, and sometimes into early September, so most of the summer is a great time to eat fresh, local peaches. To pick your own peaches, head to one of Front Royal’s nearby fruit farms. Hartland Orchard is a popular option, and conveniently close to I-66. To get a bit more off the beaten path, try Valley View Farm. After peach picking, you can enjoy wine and cider tasting as well as exploring the extensive “locavore farm market" filled with local products. Hollin Farms is another great peach-picking option, where you can also pick in-season fresh vegetables. Stock up on summer garden classics like corn, tomatoes, beans, zucchini, peppers, and more, including some you may never have heard of. To ensure availability, always call ahead before heading out on a pick you own expedition. Front Royal’s Virginia Peanuts  Virginia peanuts, yum! From peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to roasted peanuts and peanut butter cups, it’s safe to say peanuts are a favorite staple of the American diet. But did you know that Front Royal’s own state of Virginia was the first known U.S. location where peanuts were planted, and remains one of the nation’s top producers of peanuts? First arriving in Virginia in the early 1900s, peanut plants thrived in Virginia’s warm summers and sandy, loamy soil. Today, Virginia’s peanuts are an exciting and delicious local product.  If you’re thinking of peanuts as a nut growing on a tree, think again. Despite their nutty name, peanuts are actually legumes that grow beneath the soil. In the Front Royal area, you can enjoy a close encounter with a peanut plant at Hollin Farms, where dig-your-own peanuts are typically available in September and October. Bring the kids for a fun and unique outing, and make some homemade peanut butter when you get home! To find Virginia Peanuts that you don’t have to dig up in Front Royal, check out the gift shop at the Apple House, where you’ll find shelves full of local products, including peanuts and lots more. Or explore Dusty’s Country Store where you’ll find delicious, small-batch made peanut butter made with peanuts from the great state of Virginia. Enjoy a Local Pie in Front Royal  Fresh baked pies at Down Home Comfort Bakery “As American as Apple Pie” is how the saying goes, and it’s true that pies are a classic favorite American dessert. During the summer and fall, using in-season fruit for a pie is a great way to make an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert, and give a fresh, local touch to your table. To make pie-making a snap, try this easy “no-roll” pie crust recipe. Make the crust right in your pie dish, add your filling, and you’ll be cooking up a delicious pie before you know it. Want the pie without the work? Find delicious local-made pies in Front Royal at Down Home Comfort Bakery. Freshly made with all-natural ingredients, Down Home Comfort Bakery’s baked goods are sure to put a smile on your face and leave your guests asking for more. There’s so much delicious local bounty to enjoy around Front Royal in the summer. Explore the “P’s” of local produce this summer and celebrate all that the great state of Virginia has to offer.
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August 2022
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