Loudoun Now
SEPTEMBER 2026
Fall Into Loudoun
Crisp cool air; early morning mists; green fields offset by explosions of burnt yellow and salmon red…Loudoun is glorious in the fall. Add in artisan fairs, farm tours and harvest dinners, this is one of the most unforgettable seasons of the year.
Scan the QR code and start planning your fall getaway today!
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SEPTEMBER 2026
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Inside: GET OUT LOUDOUN Get Out Loudoun is distributed monthly to entertainment, tourism, & hospitality venues throughout Loudoun County. For the latest news on the music & arts scene and other community events, go to getoutloudoun.com.
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HISTORY
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PROFILE
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TUNES
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HAPPENINGS
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BEST BETS
CONTRIBUTORS Christian Thompson Douglas Rogers Norman K. Styer TO ADVERTISE Susan Styer at 703-770-9723 or sales@loudounnow.com getoutloudoun.com
SEPTEMBER 2026
Since 1872, families in the western Loudoun villages of Howardsville, Rock Hill, and Willisville have gathered on a ridge near Bluemont to worship and build community connections. Their descendants are working to keep that tradition going.
With a Nashville contract and a new EP, Loudounraised singer/songwriter Sela Campbell is continuing on her musical journey without compromising on her classic country passions.
The Crossroads Music Festival returns to downtown Leesburg with a day of music that includes Sister Hazel and a talk by The Cure co-founder Lol Tolhurst.
The sport of kings returns to Morven Park this month for an upscale Sunset Polo Invitational World Cup event that combines star power and international competition.
Get Out Loudoun’s top picks for September.
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LOUDOUN’S VISITORS:
The Rural Experience Explorer A 2026 LOUDOUN COUNTY VISITOR PROFILE STUDY COMMISSIONED BY VISIT LOUDOUN AND CONDUCTED BY FUTURE PARTNERS IDENTIFIED FIVE DISTINCT “TRAVELER TYPES” THAT SHAPE LOUDOUN’S TOURISM ECONOMY. BETWEEN STORIES OF LOCALS AND THEIR LOVE FOR LOUDOUN, THIS MONTHLY COLUMN WILL HELP YOU EXPLORE THE COUNTY THROUGH THE EYES OF THOSE PERSONALITIES.
half-day and full-day floats.
BY DOUGLAS ROGERS Visit Loudoun
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he boat eased on the current towards overhanging trees on the south bank. Guide Scott Penn cast his fly, the rod’s line forming a perfect arc against the sky. He explained casting technique – all elbows and wrists – to his two guests. A little further on, on a wider section of water, he cast again, this time towards a felled branch mid-river. Within seconds, in a frantic swirl and splash, a fish took the bait and the rod bent double. Penn reeled in his catch – a 2-pound smallmouth bass – speckled skin glistening in the sunlight. The setting could have been a trout stream in Colorado – big sky, cool water, riverbank leaves turning to gold – but it was in fact a stretch of the Potomac River between Lucketts and Ashburn where Penn’s company, Scott Penn Fly Fishing, operates guided 4
“It’s such a beautiful river, the fishing is great and you make incredible memories,” he said. Aside from the fishing, Penn also interprets the river for guests on his excursion, pointing out trees, plants and some incredible birdlife - ospreys, hawks, eagles – as well as talking about the history of the river. Fly-fishing is a perfect activity for The Rural Experience Explorer, but the personality of this traveler is also drawn to Loudoun’s rich equestrian and agricultural heritage. This traveler comes for multiple days, packing in activities and spending more than other visitors who come to the destination. Because days are busy, we take this traveler from the water to the equestrian center at Salamander Middleburg, which has 14 horses stabled on property for guests and mem-
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bers of the public who book in advance. The Countryside Group Trail is a perfect leisurely one-hour exploration of rural Middleburg on wooded paths, or there’s a longer Stone Wall Private Trail Ride for more experienced riders: a personalized guided journey down some of Middleburg’s iconic stone-fenced county lanes past grand country estates and horse farms. As for Loudoun’s agricultural heritage, the traveler should visit one of our many family-run agribusinesses. At Blooming Hill Lavender Farm outside Purcellville, tour scented gardens flowering with 1,000 lavender plants and purchase lavender-infused products such as candles, soaps, creams and even coffee. They serve tea and scones, too. Over at historic Georges Mill Farm outside Lovettsville meanwhile stock up on farmmade gelato and goat’s cheese – chevre,
feta, Eula blue, cavalry ash – in the rustic honor system store and stroll the grounds for a glimpse of the Kroiz family’s large herd of Alpine dairy goats. Don’t overdo it on the cheese though because this traveler likes a long, indulgent dinner. Magnolias at the Mill in Purcellville is a farm-to-fork favorite set in a beautifully restored grain mill (try the seared scallops with corn soubise), while the ultimate long dinner is the five-course tasting menu at Restaurant Foraged. at Patowmack Farm where new chef-owner Chris Amendola uses produce from the farm’s gardens and forests in dishes such as mushroom ragout with truffle aioli and wild catfish with braised greens and confit turnip. Happy exploring! www.visitloudoun.org
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ART SCENE
Puppo’s Symphony in Green Exhibit opens at Arts Club of Washington
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he works of Leesburg-based oil painter Sabina Puppo are featured in a solo exhibit, Symphony in Green, at the Arts Club of Washington through Sept. 24.
she sees a kinship between Monroe’s life on the land and her own paintings, which explore humanity’s enduring relationship with the natural world.
The Arts Club is located in the Timothy Caldwell House, once the residence of President James Monroe, just blocks from the White House at 2017 I St. NW. The exhibition is curated by Brandon Fortune, chief curator emerita of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. It includes more than 20 original oil paintings inspired by the colors, textures, and quiet beauty of the natural world.
“As an immigrant, I’ve always loved what this country stands for: the freedom to dream big, reinvent yourself, and build a creative life,” Puppo said. “To share this work in the home of one of America’s founders, at this moment in the nation’s history, means a great deal to me.”
The exhibition arrives during the 250th anniversary of American independence, and its setting carries real meaning for Puppo. Born in Uruguay and now based in Leesburg, 6
Puppo’s paintings are built through sgraffito, a technique in which she draws back into wet oil paint to reveal line and texture beneath the surface. Rolling hills, deeply rooted trees,
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SEPTEMBER 2026
ART SCENE FROM PAGE 6
wandering streams, and quietly present wildlife populate her canvases, each one a layered, hand-worked landscape rather than a single view. Loudouners may know Puppo’s work through her Leesburg’s Heart public art sculpture on display at the Thomas Balch Library. She said the Arts Club exhibition marks an opportunity to bring artwork rooted in Virginia’s landscape—and in places beyond—to one of the capital’s most distinguished cultural venues. Puppo plans to donate proceeds from the exhibit to Earthjustice, a public interest environmental law nonprofit.
G E R M A N & AU S T R I A N Wine Dinner
An elegant five-course meal paired with selections from Germany & Austria’s most distinctive wine regions.
Thursday, September 24 6:30 PM Reservations required $175 per person, all-inclusive
Learn more at sabinapuppo.com.
magnoliasmill.com/special-events
DodonaManor GEORGE C. MARSHALL’S
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Autumn Lights by Dezica Mirelez
‘Becoming’ Exhibit by Dezica Mirelez
VISIT THE HISTORIC HOME OF
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he Art Advisory Committee and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services presents the ART CONTINUED ON
SEPTEMBER 2026
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General George C. Marshall Nobel Peace Prize laureate and architect of allied victory in World War II TOURS AVAILABLE FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY
312 EAST MARKET ST, LEESBURG VA 20176 | georgecmarshall.org
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HISTORY
Efforts to Preserve Historic Church Bolstered by Registry Recognition Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now
The Austin Grove Church near Bluemont was erected in 1911 to serve a congregation that began worshiping together in 1872.
NORMAN K. STYER
nstyer@loudounnow.org
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ince 1872, African-American families in the western Loudoun communities of Howardsville, Rock Hill, and Willisville have gathered on a ridge near Bluemont to worship and build community connections.
Now, a new generation of community leaders is working to acquire and preserve that meeting space, the Austin Grove Church. The property served as a school for Black children from 1872 until the 1940s and was used as a Methodist church until a consolidation of three area churches resulted in ending service there a decade ago. Recently, members of the congregation, including several descendants of the families who founded and built the church, gathered 8
to celebrate the display of a Loudoun Preservation Society Heritage Register marker on the stone building, which was built in 1911 and named. The recognition of the building’s historical significance is important to the group, which has formed the Austin Grove Preservation Foundation with the goal of buying the property from the Methodist Church and continuing its role as a worship and community center. “We’ve been trying to raise funds to purchase the church so that we can continue its legacy and its heritage,” Foundation President Ron Lincoln said. He said the group set up a booth at last year’s Bluemont Fair on a whim, not really
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SEPTEMBER 2026
HISTORY FROM PAGE 8
The foundation is working to keep the church active, offering twice-monthly Sunday services as well as hosting community events. County supervisors Laura TeKrony (D-Little River) and Sylvia Glass (D-Broad Run) joined in the marker unveiling ceremony and expressed support for the preservation efforts. “It’s so important that we preserve our historic resources. Churches were really the foundation of the community. This is where people gathered, and Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now The Austin Grove Preservation Foundation is working to keep the there’s so much history,” TeKrony said. historic church active with twice monthly worship services and other “I can’t wait to hear about the history community events. from each one of you, but I’m a big sure what would happen. By chance, they preservationist, and I am so pleased made connections recommending they apply that this is being preserved.” for Preservation Society grants, which are Glass noted that in travels with her father, awarded annually to support historic presera Baptist pastor, she sang in many small vation, rehabilitation, research, and education historic churches like Austin Grove and projects. “We filled out all the paperwork, knows the importance they play in keeping and we got a grant and here we are.” communities together. That support is just the start. Ultimately, it “I was speaking to the young lady right here may take $300,000 to $500,000 to acquire who talked about her family that helped to and restore the property. build the church, and it’s just wonderful that “We are trying to hold up. We’re looking for we’re here to celebrate that,” she said. angel donors, if anybody knows any, so we The ceremony was followed by a short can purchase it and keep it alive as we move service with singing and scripture readings, this journey forward,” said Foundation board and capped off with a concert by J. Johnson member Thea Thomas, a fourth-generation and the Gospel Creators. member of the church. “One of the things you’ll find when you Use of the property began with the concome here is that you might walk in as a struction of the wooden Rock Hill schoolstranger, but we hope you leave as a friend house built after the Civil War. The school and family. We want you to feel the love,” also housed church services until the stone Thomas said. church was built in 1911—115 years ago. Learn more about the church and the Austin At that time, the congregation changed its Grove Preservation Foundation at austinname from Rock Hill to Austin Grove to grove.org. honor then-pastor T.N. Austin. SEPTEMBER 2026
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HISTORY
Ebenezer Churches to Open for Tours
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n keeping with the celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary, the two Ebenezer Baptist churches and their cemeteries near Airmont will hold their annual fall homecoming event on Sept. 12 starting at 2 p.m. The public is invited to attend and hear Richard Gillespie, noted Loudoun historian, speak to the history of the two churches and the part each played in the Civil War. Tours of the two churches, which are no longer in use, will be offered. The small stone church often referred to as the “Old Ebenezer Church” was built between 1755 and 1769 on land once owned by Samuel Butcher Sr. It was intended as a place of worship for the Baptist denomination. Just outside this structure, and around 1842, the “new Ebenezer Baptist Church” was constructed for worshippers who shared a philosophy of belief referred to as “New School.”
Surrounding both churches are cemeteries dating back to 1793, and up to present day.
Oatlands Talk Explores the Story of Leo Plantation Oatlands will host Chrystal Gaskins and Kristie Kendall on Sept. 10 for a presentation on the lives of the enslaved at the Leo Plantation in Fairfax County. The grandson of Oatlands owner Robert “King” Carter, Robert Carter III inherited the land in 1732 and in 1791 signed a deed of gift to gradually free 500 enslaved individuals. He provided land and supplies to support the freed people the research by Gaskins and Kendall explores the lives of those impacted by the largest private emancipation in the nation’s history. The presentation is free and open to the public. Oatlands is located at 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane south of Leesburg. Learn more at oatlands.org.
A view of the “Old Ebenezer Church” and its historic cemetery located near the village of Bloomfield.
Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now
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SEPTEMBER 2026
LEESBURG
SEPT 18-19
LEESBURG
SEPT 18-19
LEESBURG
SEPT 18-19
presents
SEP TEMBER
18 & 19, 2 026
SONGS & STORIES INTERVIEW + BOOK SIGNING Lol Tolhurst co-founder
MUSIC SHOWCASES
DOWNTOWN LEESBURG, VA
Airmont Road - Chris Ellinghaus - Cross Cut Saw Dogs Of Puerto Rico - Domenic Cicala - Ethan & Julia - File A Complaint - friends with benefits Hunter Road - Intellect - Juliana Macdowell & marion sheaffer - JUMPTOWN - Laurie Blue Loudoun Jazz Ensemble - Mike McCabe - Mintons Academy of Music - Mt. Gribley - Piper Stewart Roam Like Ghosts - The Duskwhales - The Franklin Park Big Band - The Train Wreck Endings - Thomas Hinds - and Uncle Drew and the Scoundrels
FRIDAY NIGHT
’ MACEO LIL
CROSSROADSMUSICFEST.ORG Proceeds benefit charities serving children in Loudoun County
SEPTEMBER 2026
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WINERIES 50 West Vineyards 39060 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg 50westvineyards.com 2 8 Chains North Winery 38593 Daymont Ln., Waterford, VA 8chainsnorth.com 3 868 Estate Vineyards 14001 Harpers Ferry Rd., Purcellville 868estatevineyards.com 4 The Barns at Hamilton Station 16804 Hamilton Station Rd., Hamilton thebarnsathamiltonstation.com 5 Bleu Frog Vineyards 16413 James Monroe Hwy, Leesburg bleufrogvineyards.com 6 Bluemont Vineyard 18755 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont bluemontvineyard.com 7 Boxwood Estate Winery 2042 Burrland Rd., Middleburg boxwoodwinery.com 8 Breaux Vineyards 36888 Breaux Vineyards Ln., Hillsboro breauxvineyards.com 9 Bozzo Family Vineyards 35226 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro bozwines.com 10 Cana Vineyards of Middleburg 38600 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg canavineyards.com 11 Carriage House Wineworks 40817 Brown Lane, Waterford chwwinery.com
12 Casanel Vineyards
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17952 Canby Rd., Leesburg casanelvineyards.com 13 Chrysalis Vineyards 39025 Little River Turnpike, Aldie chrysaliswine.com 14 Corcoran Vineyards & Cider 14635 Corkys Farm Ln., Waterford corcoranvineyards.com 15 Creek’s Edge Winery 41255 Annas Ln., Lovettsville creeksedgewinery.com 16 Domaine Fortier Vineyards 13235 Miltown Road, Lovettsville domainefortier.com 17 Doukenie Winery 14727 Mountain Rd., Hillsboro doukeniewinery.com 18 Droumavalla Farm Winery 14980 Limestone School Rd., Lucketts droumavalla.com 19 Eagletree Farm & Vineyards 15100 Harrison Hill Lane, Leesburg eagletreevineyards.com 20 Endhardt Vineyards 19600 Lincoln Road, Purcellville endhardtvineyards.com 21 Fabbioli Cellars 15669 Limestone School Rd., Leesburg fabbioliwines.com 22 Farm de Vine 15960 Short Hill Road, Hillsboro farmdevine.com
Indicates Wineries that also offer beers
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23 Firefly Cellars
40325 Charles Town Pike, Hamilton fireflycellars.com 24 Fleetwood Farm Winery 23075 Evergreen Mills Rd., Leesburg fleetwoodfarmwinery.com 25 Good Spirit Farm Winery 35113 Snickersville Turnpike, Round Hill goodspiritfarmva.com 26 Greenhill Winery & Vineyards 23595 Winery Ln., Middleburg greenhillvineyards.com 27 Hidden Brook Winery 43301 Spinks Ferry Rd., Leesburg hiddenbrookwinery.com 28 Hiddencroft Vineyards 12202 Axline Rd., Lovettsville hiddencroftvineyards.com 29 Hope Flower Farm & Winery 40905 Stumptown Road, Waterford hopeflowerfarm.com 30 Kalero Vineyard 36140 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro kalerovineyard.com 31 October One Vineyard 7 Loudoun St., SW, Leesburg Octoberonevineyard.com 32 Old Farm Winery 23583 Fleetwood Road, Aldie oldfarmwineryhartland.com 33 Otium Cellars 18050 Tranquility Rd., Purcellville otiumcellars.com
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34 Petit Domaines
38 Three Creeks Winery
1 Adroit Theory Brewing 404 Browning Ct., Purcellville adroit-theory.com 2 Barnhouse Brewery 43271 Spinks Ferry Rd., Leesburg barnhousebrewery.com 3 Bear Chase Brewing 33665 Bear Chase Ln., Bluemont bearchasebrew.com 4 Black Hoof Brewing Company 11 South King St., Leesburg blackhoofbrewing.com 5 Crooked Run Fermentations Central 22455 Davis Dr., Sterling crookedrunbrewing.com 6 Crooked Run Fermentations Market Station, Leesburg crookedrunbrewing.com 7 Dirt Farm Brewing 18701 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont dirtfarmbrewing.com 8 Dynasty Brewing Company 101 Loudoun St, SE, Leesburg dynastybrewing.com 9 Eleven Eleven Brewing Company 725 E. Main St., Purcellville bellylovebrewing.com 10 Flying Ace Farm 40950 Flying Ace Ln, Lovettsville flyingacefarm.com
11 Harper’s Ferry Brewing 37412 Adventure Ctr. Lane, Hillsboro harpersferrybrewing.com 12 Harvest Gap Brewery 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro facebook.com/HarvestGap 13 Honor Brewing Company 42604 Trade West Dr., Sterling honorbrewing.com 14 Lark Brewing Co. 24205 James Monroe Hwy., Aldie larkbrewingco.com
37938 Charles Town Pike, Purcellville thepetitdomaine.com 35 Stone Tower Winery 19925 Hogback Mountain Rd., Leesburg stonetowerwinery.com 36 Sunset Hills Vineyard 38295 Fremont Overlook Ln, Purcellville sunsethillsvineyard.com 37 Terra Nebulo 39892 Old Wheatland Rd., Waterford terranebulo.com
BREWERY & WINERY 1 Bluemont Station Brewery and Winery 18301 Whitehall Estate Lane, Bluemont bluemontstation.com
2 Hillsborough Brewery & Vineyards 36716 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro hillsboroughwine.com
3 Notaviva Brewery and Winery 13274 Sagle Rd., Hillsboro notavivavineyards.com
4 Quattro Goomba’s Brewery & Winery 22860 James Monroe Hwy., Aldie goombawine.com
18548 Harmony Church Road, Hamilton 3creekswinery.com 39 Two Twisted Posts Winery 12944 Harpers Ferry Rd., Hillsboro twotwistedposts.com 40 Village Winery 40405 Browns Lane, Waterford villagewineryandvineyards.com 41 Willowcroft Farm Vineyards 38906 Mount Gilead Rd., Leesburg willowcroftwine.com
BREWERIES
15 Loco Lion
36577 Hesketts Lane, Hillsboro locolion.com 16 Lost Barrel Brewing 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg lostbarrel.com 17 Lost Rhino Brewing Company 21730 Red Rum Rd. #142, Ashburn lostrhino.com 18 Loudoun Brewing Company 310 E. Market St., Leesburg loudounbrewing.com 19 Ocelot Brewing Company 23600 Overland Dr., #180, Dulles ocelotbrewing.com 20 Old 690 Brewing Company 15670 Ashbury Church Rd., Hillsboro old690.com
CIDERIES 1 Henway Hard Cider Company 18780 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont henwayhardcider.com 2 Loudoun Cider House 43376 Spinks Ferry Rd., Leesburg loudounciderhouse.com 3 Mt. Defiance Cider Barn 495 E. Washington St., Middleburg mtdefiance.com 4 Wild Hare Hard Cider Cabin 106 South St., Leesburg wildharecider.com
42 The Wine Reserve at Waterford
38516 Charles Town Pike, Waterford waterfordwinereserve.com 43 Walsh Family Wine 16031 Hillsboro Rd., Purcellville northgatevineyard.com 44 Williams Gap Vineyards 35785 Sexton Farm Lane, Round Hill williamsgavineyard.com 45 Zephaniah Farm Vineyard 19381 Dunlop Mill Rd., Leesburg zephwine.com
21 Route 7 Brewing
20051 Riverside Commons PL, Ashburn route7brewing 22 Solace Brewing Company 42615 Trade West Dr., Sterling solacebrewing.com
23 Stockyard Brewery
12428 Mountain Road, Lovettsville stockyardbrewery.com 24 Sweetwater Tavern 45980 Waterview Plaza, Sterling greatamericanrestaurants.com 25 Vanish Farmwoods Brewery 42245 Black Hops Ln., Lucketts vanishbeer.com 26 Water’s End Brewing 1602 Village Market Blvd SE #120, Leesburg watersendbrewery.com 27 Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery 38506 John Wolford Rd., Waterford wheatlandspring.com
28 Whites Ferry Brewery
42484 Whites Ferry Rd. Leesburg, Va. whitesferrymanor.com
DISTILLERIES 1 Catoctin Creek Distillery 120 W. Main St. Purcellville catoctincreekdistilling.com 2 Cool Spring Distilling
37871 Nicewarner Lane, Lovettsville coolspringdistillery.com
3 Flying Ace Farm
40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville flyingacefarm.com
4 Mt. Defiance Cidery & Distillery 495 E. Washington St., Middleburg mtdefiance.com
MEADERIES 1 Stonehouse Meadery
36580 Shoemaker School Rd., Purcellville stonehousemeadery.com
SEPTEMBER 2026 2026 SEPTEMBER
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PROFILE
Photo by Meg Reynolds
Sela Campbell’s Musical Journey Continues with New EP, Tour BY CHRISTIAN THOMPSON Get Out Loudoun
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or many, the success of the Loudounraised musician Sela Campbell might sound like something straight from a movie script. A young singer-songwriter, acoustic guitar in hand, hones her skills playing country music classics at local bars and breweries. She develops a local following, and while just a senior in high school, winds up making a high-profile television appearance on American Idol. Had the story ended here, Campbell would have still deserved respect, but if Hollywood
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ever decides to make a rock biopic about her musical ascent, that would only cover the film’s first act. The year 2026 has doubtlessly been a memorable one for Campbell. In May, she signed a deal with Leo33, a Nashville-based independent record label founded in 2023 by two veterans of Universal Music Group. Leo33 quickly made a name for itself with country musician Zach Top, who has received critical plaudits and a Grammy for his traditional approach to the genre. The signing gives Campbell, whose songs also display a reverence for the golden age of country, a solid chance to prove herself as another
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”
“TELL THEM YOU HAD A DIAMOND IN YOUR POCKET, BUT YOU WERE STILL PICKING PENNIES OFF THE GROUND.”
“Lovin’ Made Me Mean,” listeners got to hear what that vision might be. The six-track effort is loaded with country references that span nearly the full history of the genre. There’s a “From the moment I met the team, I knew laid-back groove that evokes the smokiness they saw music as more than just a song. of an old honky-tonk, a rebellious energy They cared about the story, the meaning, and that’s more in line with outlaw country, and a the person behind it,” she said. punchy production approach that renders it “They never approached me with the idea of modern and arena-ready. changing me as an artist. Instead, they saw Sela describes recording “Lovin’ Made Me what was already there and wanted to help me Mean” as a “journey of self-discovery,” which cultivate it, grow it, and bring my vision to life.” standout talent for the growing label. As Sela tells it, there’s been a mutual respect between herself and Leo33 since the beginning.
In June, with the release of her debut EP,
SEPTEMBER 2026
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SisterHazel TUNES
(Photo credit: Paul Privette)
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Sister Hazel
riginating from Gainesville, Florida, Southern rock band Sister Hazel is made up of five skilled and experienced musicians. Their hit song “All for You” soared to the top of the adult alternative charts in the summer of 1997, driving their album to achieve platinum status. Since then, the band has established itself across rock, alternative, and country genres, with multiple entries on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart. Known for their dedication to fans, Sister Hazel was a pioneer in the themed cruise and desti-
nation event industry with the launch of “The Rock Boat” and regularly hosts unique fan-focused events such as the “Hazelnut Hang” and “Camp Hazelnut.” They also maintain a strong social media presence with over a million followers. Beyond their musical activities, the band is committed to charitable efforts through “Lyrics For Life,” a nonprofit founded by lead singer Ken Block, has raised over 5 million dollars by bringing together musicians and celebrities for concerts and auctions to support cancer research and patient care. •
SISTER HAZEL, THE CURE’S LOL TOLHURST
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Headline Crossroads Music Festival
“OUR VISION IS TO CREATE A CULTURE OF GIVING THROUGH THE POWER OF LIVE MUSIC. WE HAVE SPENT YEARS DEVELOPING A SYNERGY BETWEEN OUR AMAZING COMMUNITY OF MUSICIANS, OUR BENEFICIARY NONPROFITS, DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES, AND Music THE TOWN 4 BENEFIT’S 2025 Crossroads Festival OF LEESBURG TO GROW 2025 THE FESTIVAL TO NEW HEIGHTS. WE THINK THIS YEAR WILL BE THE BIGGEST AND BEST EVER.”
D
—BENEFIT president and co-founder Amy Bobchek
owntown Leesburg will be rocking this month as the Crossroads Music Festival returns Sept. 18-19.
Organized by BENEFIT, a coalition of area musicians and community leaders, the event is both a celebration of Loudoun’s live music scene and a fundraiser for community chari-
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ties. Since 2016, the festival has raised more than $135,000 for grants. This year’s event will have a different layout than in years past, with Friday night’s kickoff party to be held on the Town Green and the county courthouse serving as the main stage
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SEPTEMBER 2026
TUNES FROM PAGE 16
for Saturday’s performances, headlined by Sister Hazel. “We’re so excited to bring CMF to downtown Leesburg for the seventh time. This year guests can expect top-notch music from local, regional, and international favorites plus some new experiences,” BENEFIT president and co-founder Amy Bobchek said. Organizers say the new configuration is intended to open up space for more people to attend. Last year, Sister Hazel played during the Friday night kickoff before a soldout crowd at the Tally Ho Theater. This year, the Tally Ho stage will be used for a Saturday afternoon interview and book-signing with The Cure co-founder Lol Tolhurst and will serve as a backup Lol Tolhurst venue for the main stage performers in the event of rain. The festival is free, with tickets offered for premium access to the courthouse lawn and to guarantee a spot in the Tally Ho should the weather force a pivot indoors. In addition to main stage performances by Sister Hazel, the BENEFIT all-stars, Julian MacDowell and Marion Shaffer, Uncle Drew and the Scoundrels, and Piper Stewart, there will be SEPTEMBER 2026
20 other showcase performances in downtown venues. The showcase performers are donating their time and talents to support the fundraiser. North King Street in front of the courthouse will be closed to traffic on Saturday to create space for craft beer, wine, food trucks, merch vendors, and representatives of the nonprofits. “We’re really trying to drive more of a festival vibe and to get people out and about downtown Leesburg,” BENEFIT co-founder Ara Bagdasarian said.
weekend,” Bagdasarian said.
Friday night’s Rhythm and Brews kickoff on the Town Green will be headlined by sax sensation Lil Maceo along with deejay Intellect and Jumptown. “Everything’s all upbeat. Friday night’s going to be all about getting the vibe ready for the rest of the
The visit from Tolhurst will be a highlight for many. Bringing the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member to Leesburg builds on previous Crossroads appearances by Howard Jones and Andy Summers for intimate interviews. Tolhurst, who will publish his third book early next year, will share his story of the found-
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ing of The Cure with Robert Smith and his musical journey.
tion Foundation, Loudoun Youth, and Northern Virginia Diaper Bank.
This year, the proceeds from the festival will be distributed to five nonprofits serving kids and families in Loudoun: the Salvation Army, Dulles South Food Pantry, Loudoun Educa-
“Our vision is to create a culture of giving through the power of live music,” Bobchek said. “We have spent years developing a synergy between our amazing community of musicians, our beneficiary nonprofits, downtown businesses, and the Town of Leesburg to grow the festival to new heights. We think this year will be the biggest and best ever.”
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“WE’RE REALLY TRYING TO DRIVE MORE OF A FESTIVAL VIBE AND TO GET PEOPLE OUT AND ABOUT DOWNTOWN LEESBURG.” BENEFIT co-founder Ara Bagdasari
For the full schedule of performances and to purchase tickets, go to crossroadsmusicfest. org.
PROFILE FROM PAGE 15
can be heard right out of the gate with the opening track, “Diamond in Your Pocket.” “If she can take you, she can keep you cause I don’t want you anymore. Spare me the lies and my sweet time and I’ll show you the door,” she sings, declaring her independence as well as her confidence in her own self-worth. “Tell them you had a diamond in your pocket, but you were still picking pennies off the ground.”
that I couldn’t have imagined playing.” The seven-date tour will take her from Appalachia to the Black Hills of South Dakota, playing theaters and arenas that were built to house the larger-than-life personalities of superstars. It would be understandable if Sela was nervous about this test, but just like the film script would dictate, she is ready to seize the opportunity.
“Nothing could have set me up for success better than growing up and gigging in These themes of self-discovery and maturity Loudoun County,” Campbell said. “To me, can be heard throughout the rest of the EP these are not just opportunities to perform. and display a young artist that’s ready to face It’s a chance to watch how these artists comthe world. mand a room, connect with audiences, and This month, Sela will do just that when she joins approach their craft.” Ashley McBryde and Tracy Lawrence on tour. It’s an attitude that shows how Sela Campbell “It is crazy to think that just a year ago I was made it to where she is today. It also shows playing the breweries and wineries in my that she’s not finished yet. hometown,” Campbell said. “Now, I’m finding Learn more at selacampbell.com and follow myself opening for artists I couldn’t have her social media to hear her latest songs. dreamed of or performing in huge venues 18
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3 Bands Lined Up for Bluegrass in the Gap Justin Trawick returns to the Gap Stage for Hillsboro’s annual bluegrass festival on Sept 19.
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fter wrapping up its summer concert series, the Town of Hillsboro continues to feature live music with its annual Bluegrass in The Gap event on Saturday, Sept. 19.
Presented in conjunction with the Hillsboro Preservation Foundation the event will feature three bands from 4 to 10 p.m. This year’s lineup includes performances by
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the Carroll County Ramblers, Karma Creak, and Justin Trawick and the Common Good. There also will be food trucks and a festival market with local vendors. Admission is free. Verandah and lawn picnic tables may be reserved. For more information go to oldstoneschool. org.
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loudoun happenings 09.2026 KIDS FEST PLANNED AT SEGRA FIELD Join Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services for a free family-friendly event at the fifth annual PRCS Kids Fest. The event will be held Monday, Sept. 7, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Segra Field parking lot near Leesburg. The free festival will include interactive activities for kids of all ages, moon bounces, foam bubbles, a petting zoo, food trucks, a DJ, a toucha-truck area featuring Loudoun County safety vehicles, and a variety of Loudoun child-focused businesses and delicious food for purchase. The program also will help kick off the celebration of 60 years of PRCS. The department was established in 1966. Segra Field is located at 42095 Loudoun United Dr. Learn more at loudoun.gov/KidsFest. DOG DAY AT THE POOLS Sept. 12 will be dog day at two public pools. The AV Symington Aquatic Center at Ida Lee Park and the Lovettsville pool will open for one last day to allow dogs to get in some laps and big splashes. In Leesburg, the dog swim will take place in two shifts, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Space is limited and pre-registration 20
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is required with a two-dog max, per person. The cost to attend is $5.00 per person. Walk-up registration will not be available. Those attending must be at least 12 years of age with dog handlers being 16 years or older. Learn more at idalee.org. No prior registration is required for the Lovettsville Community Center pool dog swim, which will run from 9 to 11 a.m. The fee is $5 at the gate. Participating dogs should have proof of vaccinations and licenses. BLUEMONT FAIR RETURNS FOR 56TH YEAR Bluemont will celebrate life on the Blue Ridge during its annual fall festival Sept. 19-20. The Bluemont Fair takes place throughout the village and attendees will have the opportunity to shop for juried crafts, quilts, and other goods. Culinary treats include food trucks, a bake sale, a gourmet coffee truck, the beer and wine garden, farm-fresh treats, and the ever-popular pickle and pie contest. Family activities include a free petting zoo and free face painting in the Children’s Fair section, as well as pony rides, a scavenger hunt, a rock-climbing wall, and more. Live music will be on offer throughout both days, with performances taking place on three different stages. The 2026 fair will also highlight elements of Loudoun County’s participation in the Revolutionary War with a museum exhibition entitled “The Revolution: An American Mosaic” at the Plaster Museum. Other traditional demonstrations include a blacksmith, beekeepers, model trains, and artisans. Admission to the fair is $10 (free for ages 9 and under). No pets. Learn more at bluemontfair.org.
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Out MORVEN PARK TO HOST SUNSET POLO INVITATIONAL WORLD CUP The International Polo Tour returns to Virginia on Sept. 19 for the IPT Sunset Polo Invitational World Cup. The IPT will face off against long-time ally Thailand in a cinematic White Lotusthemed evening. The evening will include a Celebrity All Star Polo Match featuring NFL and NBC/Bravo stars), Team USA vs Thailand, and the International Polo Tour Crypto Cup. Following the matches, an after-party will include an LED drone show and a Thailand
cultural fashion show. Proceeds from the event will support We Will Survive Cancer, which provides emotional and financial help to families battling cancer, including covering childcare, transportation, counseling, and household assistance. The event will be held at the Morven Park International Polo Club, 41580 Sunday Morning Lane near Leesburg from 4 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 19. For more information and details on ticket packages, go to sunsetpolo.tscheckout.com.
WATERFORD FAIR RUNS OCT. 2-4 The Waterford Fair is returning for its 82nd year on Oct. 2-4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Virginia’s oldest juried crafts fair offers visitors a opportunity to step back in time while experiencing fine crafts, original art, traditional music, historic home and garden tours, living history and family-friendly activities. A fascinating story being highlighted this year is of a 164-year-old friendship album belonging to Maranda Stewart Hough of Waterford, discovered by California content creator, Margarete Miller, in a thrift store for just $1.99. Miller will bring this remarkable piece of local history home to the Waterford Foundation, accompanied by a global community addendum that revives Hough’s 1860 tradition of collecting signatures and sentiments. Since 1943, the Waterford Fair, organized by the Waterford Foundation, has drawn visitors to one of the country’s most distinctive fall arts and crafts events. The fair offers tours of SEPTEMBER 2026
historic homes, buildings and gardens; historical interpreters, living historians, and talks on history, preservation and traditional crafts; and a variety of offerings from food trucks, local vendors and homemade baked goods stands, along with local beer and wine. For the first time, tickets will be all-weekend passes, permitting admission all three days of the fair. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. Learn more at waterfordfairva.org. `
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ART FROM PAGE 7
works of self-taught painter Dezica Mirelez this month at Gallery One in the Loudoun County Government Center. The solo exhibit, “Becoming,” will be on display through Friday, Sept. 25. Born and raised in central Indiana, Mirelez moved to Loudoun County with her family in 2012. Her artistic journey began two years ago, when an encounter with her favorite actor and musician inspired her to take a creative leap and try figure painting. From the outset, Mirelez gravitated to female subjects, especially teenagers and young adults. Drawing inspiration from her experiences as a mother and educator, she depicts women at transitional moments in their lives, when they are exploring newfound freedoms, contending with societal expectations, and mapping out their next steps.
“Becoming” considers this theme of self-discovery from multiple vantage points. Some of the women in Mirelez’s paintings look to the future with assurance, others are weighed down by their responsibilities and struggle to see a way forward. Several figures are clothed in white, suggesting innocence and vulnerability, while others wear boldly patterned fabrics that often signify an inner strength and acceptance but can also convey feelings of alienation. Gallery One, in the lobby of the Loudoun County Government Center, 1 Harrison St. in Leesburg, is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Learn more at onboard.loudoun.gov/ board/3496.
Leesburg Features ‘Art in Your Yard’ Showcase
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rt lovers are encouraged to explore the offerings of Leesburg artists during this year’s Art in Your Yard event.
Organized by the town’s Commission on Public Art, artists are invited to display or sell photography, paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, and other original works from the comfort of their own front yard from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12. Registration is open through Sept. 9 for anyone wishing to display their works or offer space for artists to do so. Host locations will be included on an online event map, allowing visitors to take a self-guided tour of participating locations throughout Leesburg. For details, go to leesburgva.info/ArtInYourYard26.
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best bets 09.2026 dozen other bands as the annual downtown festival returns. $25.
9.13
9.19
BLUEGRASS IN THE GAP
BLUE TAPESTRY Sunday, Sept. 13, 3 p.m. Franklin Park Arts Center franklinparkartscenter.org The duo VERONNEAU celebrates Joni Mitchell and Carole King, with selections from their iconic albums “Blue” and “Tapestry” tied together with stories about the songs, and the era. $20
Saturday, Sept. 19, 4-10 p.m. Hillsboro Old Stone School oldstoneschool.org The party returns to the Town of Hillsboro for an evening of Bluegrass featuring the Carrol County Ramblers, Karma Creak and Justin Trawick and the Common Good. Free
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9.13 HAMMERFALL Sunday, Sept. 13, 7 p.m. Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com The Swedish power metal band stops in Leesburg as part of its 2026 Freedom World Crusade across North America. $40 CROSSROADS MUSIC FESTIVAL Saturday, Sept. 19, 2-11 p.m. Downtown Leesburg crossroadsmusicfest.org Meet The Cure co-founder Lol Tolhurst and see performances by Sister Hazel and nearly two SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 2026 2026
THE REFLEX Saturday, Sept. 19, 6 p.m. Tarara Winery tararaconcerts.com Rock out to the hits of the ‘80s during what is expected to be the final show in the history of the 27-year summer concert series. $13.36
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OCT 2—4, 2026
MUSIC &
ENTERTAINMENT at the Main Stage
FURNACE MOUNTAIN / HOT CLUB OF BALTIMORE / ONE STREET OVER / THE PLATE SCRAPERS / COLLINS & VOCKE WITH GUEST ZACH LESTER / TESSA MCCOY AND THE STATE BIRDS
ONE TICKET. THREE DAYS. ENDLESS MEMORIES. 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM DAILY FREE Tickets Members & Kids (12U) waterfordfairva.org
Art & Images courtesy of Colleen Regan and Entertainers 24
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SEPTEMBER 2026