The Round Hill Appalachian Trail Festival toasts the beauty of the Trail with brews and bites, tunes and talks. Enjoy live music, trail talks, kids’ activities, food and vendors. Talk with reps from environmental/hiking groups and take part in hands-on learning from cooking to nature photography. At this free, family-friendly event, we’ll celebrate the A.T. and other outdoor opportunities in the area. Venue: B Chord Brewing, 34266 Williams Gap Rd., Round Hill, VA. For more info: www.roundhillat.org
The Round Hill Hometown Festival returns to Memorial Day weekend this spring. In addition to the parade and all the other activities around town, Round Hill Outdoors will have a tent with activities for all ages and ideas for connecting with the Great Outdoors. Save the date and see you on the “Best Day of the Year in Round Hill”!
Why does Round Hill have an A.T. art show? Since being designated as an official A.T. Community by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Round Hill is committed to promoting and protecting the A.T. and all the other beautiful green spaces that surround our town. Helping people see the beauty of this nature is part of our mission.
“I’m always inspired by the wealth of talent and creativity among our local artists of all ages,” says art show Director Susan Stowe. “They really captured the beauty of the A.T. and the wild nature all around us. Every year, the show keeps getting better.”
You can see this year’s art show in person or online:
View entries in the online gallery and video on thethis website.
The Round Hill A.T. Festival is sponsoring a “People’s Choice” competition. Visit the Arts Center or go online to select up to five works you think capture the spirit of the Appalachian Trail and the beauties of nature. What makes you want to “get outside”?
Send the name of the five works and the artists to our festival contact form. Winners will receive prizes from the festival, and the works will be featured in festival promotions.
Our 5th Annual Appalachian Trail Art Show is open! You can see works inspired by the A.T. and the beautiful nature in our own backyard submitted by 27 artists of all ages. You can visit our Art Show in person at the Round Hill Arts Center through March 20th or enjoy it online.
We will host a reception at the Arts Center on February 27th from 2pm-4pm and award prizes in 2 categories: Adult and Student. Winners will be selected at random. We would like to thank our generous donors Mod Pizza, the Round Hill Arts Center, and Williams Gap Winery.
The Round Hill Appalachian Trail Festival toasts the beauty of the Trail with brews and bites, tunes and talks. Expect a day of live music, trail talks, kids’ activities, food and vendors at the Round Hill Appalachian Trail Festival on Saturday, September 12th. Meet reps from ten environmental groups and hear tales from the trail. On Sunday, September 13th, sign up for an A.T. hike, learn how to set up a campsite, go on a scavenger hunt or join in other nature-themed activities. At this free, family-friendly event, the public is invited to celebrate the Appalachian Trail and other outdoor opportunities in the area. Location: B Chord Brewing Company, Round Hill, VA.
Round Hill Outdoors and the Town of Round Hill sponsored a virtual art show this summer showcasing works inspired by Virginia Native Plants and Animals. Everyone who entered will receive a packet of native wildflower seeds from Watermark Woods and a chance to win a. $50 gift certificate for Native Plants. The raffle winner will be announced on Friday, September 4th.
All entries appear below. Enjoy!
Ostrich Fern, Manipulated digital photograph by Jody Brady
“Preying Mantis Drawing by Connie Condrell
Fern Photograph by Carol Clay-Ward
Showy Orchid, Drawing by Jody Brady
Red-bellied Woodpecker Photograph by Carol Clay-Ward
Monarch Chrysalis Photograph by Tim Smith
Virginia Bluebells, Photograph by Susan Stowe
Pop Art Monarchs, Manipulated digital photograph by Jody Brady
Barred Owl Photograph by Carol Clay-Ward
Turtle Photograph by Carol Dennis
“Pollination” Photograph by Carol Clay-Ward
Fritillary Chrysalis Photograph by Tim Smith
White-Tailed Deer in Winter Photograph by Susan Stowe
Chincoteague, VA Native Sand Crab Photograph by Carol Dennis
From the Naturalist’s Notebook Drawings by Jody Brady
Spartina Marsh Grass Photograph by Carol Dennis
“Toadus Berryvillius” (American Toad) Photograph by Jean Carrigan
“Hanging Out” Photograph by Duane Ebersole
“Your Feeder is Running Low” Photograph by Duane Ebersole
Swallowtail Photograph by Carol Clay-Ward
American Lotus, Purcellville, Virginia Photograph by Shannon Gilmore
“Backyard Butterfly” Purcellville, Virginia Photograph by Shannon Gilmore
“Reflection” (Round Hill, Virginia) Photograph by Shannon Gilmore
Monarch on Black-Eyed Susan Photograph by Carol Clay’Ward
“Swallowtail After the Rain” Photograph by Ashley Johnson
“Great Horned Owlet” Photograph by Jenny Erickson
“Jumping Spider” Photograph by Jenny Erickson
“Mountain Mint” Photograph by Jenny Erickson
“Trillium and Fiddlehead Ferns” Cast concrete (originally clay) sculpture by Wendy Pierce
“He Loves Me” Photograph by Ashley Johnson
“Black-Eyed Susan” Drawing by Isaac Johnson, Age 6
“Black Swallowtail” Drawing by Ellie Johnson, Age 4
“ImPRESSED by Natives” Pressed New England Asters, Wild Strawberry and Common Blue Violets with colored pencil By Ashley Johnson
There’s a new garden in town. Stop by the Town Office to see our Virginia Native Plant Garden. The garden was supported by the Town and installed by volunteers with Round Hill Outdoors, Virginia Master Naturalists and Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy.
Why plant “native”?
Do you like birds? Then you’ll want a host of caterpillars hanging around your house. Do you like to grow veggies? Then you’ll need a few bees in your neighborhood. Here in the U.S., we have a long history of importing plants from distant lands. Some to eat. Some for their looks. The problem is that these exotic plants and our vast expanses of lawn don’t support our bees, birds or other wildlife.
Even worse, some introduced plants are invasive in our environment. When a plant has few or no insects feeding on them or plants that can’t compete with them, they crowd out native plants. Think garlic mustard, multi-flora rose, barberry, Japanese stilt grass. Add to that all land going under development as shopping centers and housing developments, and we’ve lost a great deal of native habitat.
So, what can we do? Plant native. Birds and butterflies depend on native plans for food, shelter and reproduction. Our gardens can become sanctuaries for these critters. And that’s not the only benefit of going native. Plants that are naturally adapted to our local soils and climate, will need less fertilizer, water and pesticides–so they’re easier to maintain as they help reduce the chemicals introduced to our habitats.
Using native plants helps preserve the balance and beauty of our natural ecosystems. And it’s not hard to “go native.” Groups like Plant NoVa Natives and Audubon at Home offer abundant advice. Plus, many of our local nurseries carry a selection of Virginia native plants, and we even have an all-native nursery, Watermark Woods, near town.
The Virginia Native Plant Garden will be maintained by Round Hill Outdoors.
All ability levels and ages welcome! This is a great way to lend a hand to the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) in maintaining its trail network, including the A.T. — plus you’ll meet a lot of great folks. The best part is this trail work is close to home. We’re joining forces with the PATC Cadillac Crew is organizing this projects. Since this is their project, I’ll need RSVPs by 10/9/2019, as well as an email address + the type of work you can handle (easy, moderate, physically demanding). I’ll pass this information along to them. They will send out email updates and any special instructions (like what to bring).
The tasks will range from easy to physically demanding. Depending on how many people RSVP, the Cadillac Crew will expand the number of projects tackled that day.
Work is happening on both Saturday and Sunday. Please sign up for each day separately — so we have a headcount for each day.
“Join the Cadillac Crew as we continue a major relocation of the AT at Loudoun Heights. We will be building new tread and making gravel. Bring work gloves, lunch and plenty of water. Tools will be provided. We will be staying at the Blackburn Trail Center. Newcomers, families, and well behaved dogs are welcome to join us for one or both days. We will have potluck meals for Saturday evening and Sunday breakfast.”
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