Local fall activities to enjoy
The Central Virginia area is full of fun events and experiences waiting to be attended. Here are five fall activities within driving distance of campus happening over the next few weeks.
Sinkland Farms’ 33rd annual Pumpkin Festival
This family tradition taking place every weekend until Nov. 3 features exciting activities like live music, food trucks and arts and crafts vendors. USA Today ranked the Sinkland Farms pumpkin patch third in the country and its corn maze as sixth in the nation. Participants can visit farm animals, walk through the 5-acre corn maze and partake in hayrides to the pumpkin patch. Horseback trail rides are also available. Musicians perform live music on weekends from 1 to 4 p.m. Sinkland Farms is open Friday through Sunday for six weekends each season. On Fridays, the farm is open from 4 to 8 p.m. with limited activities, but from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, all activities are available. Admission costs $12 on Fridays and $15 on weekends. Sinkland Farms is located at 3060 Riner Road in Christiansburg.
Lynchburg Film Festival
According to Lynchburg Living, “The Lynchburg Film Festival will premiere 20+ new independent films from a wide range of cultures and genres” Oct. 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. This is a free event that Future Contingents is presenting in partnership with James River Arts at the Academy Center of the Arts on 600 Main St. in Lynchburg. The festival will show films from countries all over the world, and it will also feature four films that were produced here in Lynchburg.
Illumination of the Bridge
As a century-long tradition, the arch under the Natural Bridge has been illuminated by lights the last Saturday of every month starting in April. The Oct. 26 showing from 8 to 10 p.m. will be the last of this season, making it worthwhile. The bridge is a 200-foot arch, with dozens of lights coloring it from above and below. The trail beyond the Natural Bridge will be closed during this period, but the visitor center and the rest of the trail will remain open until 10 p.m. Tickets cost $6 to $9 and remain on sale until 9:45 p.m.
Amazing Great Pumpkin Race
This event, which is Lynchburg’s fall take on the Amazing Race, begins Oct. 26 at 10. a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. Teams of up to five people will walk through Riverside Park and its trails to take snapshots at specific locations. The team that submits all qualified snapshots first will take home the prize, which is a free one-day pass at Rise Up Climbing for each team member. Teams must register by Oct. 22.
Flower Arranging 101: Autumn Bouquets
Rylee Ames from Flowers by Rylee will teach participants how to create their own fall bouquet Nov. 6 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. This event will be held at The Flour District at 2204 Bedford Ave. in Lynchburg.
“You’ll start by picking your preferred stems, learning their names, and then, Rylee will teach arranging basics to help you craft an unforgettable bouquet with wrap and finishing ribbon,” according to lynchburgvirginia.org.
All materials will be provided through the course, and people of any skill level can participate. This class costs $55.
Hooker is a lifestyle reporter for the Liberty Champion.