SKY MEADOWS STATE PARK

11012 Edmonds Lane Phone: 540-592-3556

Delaplane, VA 20144 www.virginiastateparks.gov

FALL PROGRAM CALENDAR

September – October – November

SEPTEMBER

Saturday, September 4

The Secret Life of Owls from 3:30 to 8:30 PM

Discover some unique qualities of owls with a close look at some live owls found in the area. Then, investigate the
diet of owls by dissecting their pellets. Afterward, take a hike in search of these nocturnal hunters. Finally, wrap up the
evening by trying to find an elusive “owl” in a unique nocturnal game of hide and seek.
 “Owls of Virginia” live owl presentation with the Raptor Conservancy of Virginia, from 3:30-5:00 PM
 Owl pellet dissection from 5:15-6:00 PM
 Owl prowl from 6:00-8:00 PM
 Owl call game from 8:00-8:30 PM

Sunday, September 5
Music in the Park from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.
Enjoy a picnic in the park as you listen to local musicians play a variety of music from this area.

Kids’ Stuff: Buggin’ Around from 2:00 to 3:00 PM.

Today’s theme will be on bugs and why they’re not so scary.

Saturday, September 11
A Day of Service from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Come to the park for a day of volunteering. Help the park with special projects like painting, repairs to historic garden fence,
and other miscellaneous projects.

Woodland Wonders! from 1:00 to 3:00 PM.

Join Fauquier County Forester Joe Rossetti to learn about the forest ecosystem and why it is so important to our
health.

Wildlife of Virginia from 3:30 to 5:00 PM.

Join a naturalist from the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center to meet some local wildlife. Find out what their needs are and
what makes them so special.
Fee: $2.00/person

Astronomy for Everyone from 7:30 to 10:30 PM.

Find out about U.S. space research, take a sky tour and look for deep space objects through large telescopes. This
program is offered in partnership with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, the Albert Einstein Planetarium and the Northern
Virginia Astronomy Club. If the sky is cloudy, only the NASA/JPL program will be presented and the gates will close at
10:00 PM. Bring your children 1/2 hour early for a special “Junior Astronomer” activity. Parking: $5/vehicle

Sunday, September 12
Bat Walk from 7:00 to 8:30 PM.
Join a ranger to look for these flying mammals as they wake and start their evening bug hunt. Uncover some of the
myths about these mysterious creatures. Meet at the Turner Pond parking area north of the main park entrance.
 Forward March from 1:00 to 3:00 PM.
Can you imagine having to carry everything needed for 3 days or more and having to march for 10-15 miles a
day? If not, come spend some time with our Historic Interpreter as he portrays a Civil War Soldier.

GPS in the Park from 3:00 to 4:00 PM.

Learn to use a GPS! Geocaching is a fun way to enjoy park trails. Come and learn how to use them and what they
are all about as you take a practice hike with our Interpreter.

Saturday, September 18
Beautiful Birds! from 8:30 to 10:30 AM.
Take a walk with Ray Smith from the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia. Learn about bird identification and
find some of the birds that reside at Sky Meadows.

Skulls & Skins from 1:00 to 2:00 PM.

Come look at the skulls and pelts of some creatures commonly found at Sky Meadows and see what you can learn.

What is Penmanship? from 2:00 to 3:00 PM.

With the advent of computers and iphones we rarely pick up pens anymore. Come try your hand at a “system of
practical penmanship”, with our interpreter and maybe you too can have an elegant, signature like John Hancock’s!

Sunday, September 19
Music in the Park from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.
Enjoy a picnic in the park as you listen to local musicians play a variety of music from this area.

Exploring the History of Sky Meadows! from 2:00 to 3:00 PM.

Find out about the history of Sky Meadows State Park from local historian & Park Interpreter Budd Reitnauer.

Saturday, September 25
Life on the Farm from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.
Experience & observe what daily life may have been like on a 19th century Fauquier farm. Join our living
historians as we step back in time.

Full Moon Walk from 7:30 to 9:00 PM.

Hike up to the Piedmont Overlook to view the moon. Take in the beauty of the Crooked Run Valley and listen for
evening wildlife. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes and a wind-proof jacket. (1½ miles, moderate) Fee: $3/person

Sunday, September 26
Meet the Beekeepers! from 1:00 to 3:00 PM
Enjoy learning the art of Apiculture (AKA Beekeeping). Meet Doug & Ramona Morris our local beekeepers. This
month learn about winterization of the hive and the who/what/where of propolis.

Olde Tyme Toys & Games from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.

How did children have fun in the 1800s without video games? Play with some old-time toys and find out. All
ages welcome.

OCTOBER
Fall Farm Festival Each full weekend in October! From 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Celebrate the fall harvest at Mount Bleak Farm. Each full weekend in October will feature live music, interpretive
programs, living history demonstrations, and old-fashioned children’s games. The pick-your-own pumpkin patch will be
open daily. Call the park for weekend program schedule, or visit www.dcr.virginia.gov.
 Saturday, October 9
Astronomy for Everyone from 6:45 to 9:45 PM.
Find out about U.S. space research, take a sky tour and look for deep space objects through large telescopes. This
program is offered in partnership with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, the Albert Einstein Planetarium and the
Northern Virginia Astronomy Club. If the sky is cloudy, only the NASA/JPL program will be presented and the gates will
close at 10:00 PM. Bring your children 1/2 hour early for a special “Junior Astronomer” activity. Parking: $5/vehicle
Sunday, October 10
Nature Photography Workshop from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM & from 1:30 to 3:30 PM
A hands-on class emphasizing photograph composition and artistry, how to use settings on the camera, and
incorporating tools for beautiful nature photography. Matthew Asai has been an avid photographer for over 35 years. His
photographs can be viewed at www.mattasai.com

Saturday, October 16
Meet the Beekeepers! from 1:00 to 3:00 PM.
Enjoy learning the art of Apiculture (AKA Beekeeping). Meet Doug & Ramona Morris our local beekeepers.
Learn about winterizing the hives with mouse guards and covers. Also learn about supplemental feeding.

Saturday, October 23
Full Moon Walk from 6:30 to 8:00 PM.
Hike up to the Piedmont Overlook to view the moon. Take in the beauty of the Crooked Run Valley and listen for
evening wildlife. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes and a wind-proof jacket. (1½ miles, moderate) Fee: $3/person

NOVEMBER

Saturday, November 6
Astronomy for Everyone: The Last Astronomy Night of 2010
From 6:00 to 9:00 PM.
Find out about U.S. space research, take a sky tour and look for deep space objects through large telescopes. This program is
offered in partnership with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, the Albert Einstein Planetarium and the Northern Virginia
Astronomy Club. If the sky is cloudy, only the NASA/JPL program will be presented and the gates will close at 10:00 PM.
Bring your children 1/2 hour early for a special “Junior Astronomer” activity. Parking: $5/vehicle

November 26, 27, & 28

Friday-Saturday-Sunday

Holiday House
And
Country Christmas

In partnership with:

Middleburg Creamery & Country Store

Aunt B’s
Fauquier County Quilters

Join us for a traditional “Country Christmas” with holiday music and stories. The historic Mount Bleak house
will be decorated for the season and unique homemade baked goods, jellies, ornaments, and gifts will be on sale
inside. Also, enjoy delicious hot food in our log cabin!
 Visitor Center and Gift Shop
Our Visitor Center is open seven days a week. Browse our selection of gifts and supplies, and take a walk through the history
and habitats of the park. Hours of operation are 11:00 AM till 5:00 PM Monday-Friday, 10:00 AM till 5:00 PM Saturday and
Sunday.
House Tours

Tour our historic Mount Bleak House, built in 1843, and find out what life might have been like for a middle-
class farm family during the mid-1800s. The house will be open for guided tours between 1:00 and 4:00 PM on
weekends and holidays, starting April 18.

Children in Nature Program TimeTravelers Program