The chill is in the air, grapes are being harvested and the wine will be flowing. Now what does this have to do with Virginia State Parks? It almost time for the Caledon Art & Wine Festival onSaturday November 5, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Each year, on the first Saturday in November area artisans and wineries celebrate autumn on the lovely lawn at Caledon Natural Area.
Looking at the menu board make me hungry!
For many years now I have enjoyed helping the staff and Friends of Caledon Natural Area plan and implement this event. All artisans are hand picked by committee; select wineries receive an invitation from the committee. The careful section of vendors is to assure the event is the best we can offer to our visitors.
Winery inside of Visitor Center
The Friends of Caledon, volunteers and staff spend hours putting up tents, decorating the visitor center and festival grounds. We also create an alfresco dining area complete with table linens and seasonal decorations to complement the wonderful hot food available. All the proceeds raised from the Art & Wine Festival go to the park for educational programming. Last year the funds from the silent auction helped to build an ADA accessible trail in the park complete with a water feature.
The event has been a success every year and the weather, for the most part, has cooperated. Although one year is was very cold, the Alpaca gloves, hat and scarves sold out but people still had a great time.
This year wineries include Vault Field Vineyards.
Cooper Vineyards
Vendors under the tent
Get a jump on your Holiday shopping from incredible artisans; hand made jewelry, pottery, wooden items, stained glass, paintings, photographs, pen & ink, breads, birdhouses, quilts, herbs, sauces, potions and lotions! Hannah Janney from Pottery by Hand will be demonstrating how to use a potter's wheel. She will also be doing a painting project with the children.
Hayrides!
Take a hayride to the Potomac River through a Virginia old growth hardwood forest. You never know what kind of wildlife you will see along the way! The picnic shelter will be available, and the gift shop and visitor center will be open. Admission is free to the festival. There will be a tasting fee of $10 (21 & over ID required), includes commemorative wine glass with Virginia State Park's 75th Anniversary logo. Coolers, outside food and alcohol are not permitted within the festival grounds.
Boyd's Hole along the Potomac River
When: Saturday November 5, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Caledon Natural Area
11617 Caledon Rd.
King George, AV 22485
(540) 663-3861
Directions: Caledon is located in King George County between Fairview Beach and Owens, 23 miles east of Fredericksburg on Route 218. From Fredericksburg, take 218 East for 23 miles. Caledon is on the left. Or you may take Rt. 3 east 18 miles to a left onto Rt. 206 for six miles, then turn left onto Rt. 218 and go about one mile; Caledon is on the right. From U.S. 301 (MD), turn right onto Rt. 206 for four miles to Rt. 218, then west about one mile.
Drive Time: Northern Virginia, 1 hour 45 minutes; Richmond, 1 hour, 30 minutes; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, 3 hours, 30 minutes; Roanoke, 6 hours, 30 minutes.