Weekend Roundup: The Loudoun Outdoors

By Ryan Lytle

Thursday, August 20, 2009

As the familiar sound of school bells ringing draws closer, take advantage of the summer weather by spending your weekend outdoors in Loudoun. From the Canine Companion Walk in Leesburg to the Lucketts Fair, there are endless possibilities for some outdoor fun this weekend.

Lucketts Fair

What began in 1972 has grown into a popular summer tradition in the town of Lucketts.

For two full days, the Lucketts Fair, being held at the Lucketts Community Center, will offer a variety of events for people of all ages.

Kids will be able to enjoy pony rides, petting zoos, face painting, hay rides and many more events. For the adults there will be everything from live music, jewelry demonstrations, fruit pie baking contests and, yes, all the food you could possibly hope for at a fair.

The Lucketts Fair will take place from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday.

The cost of admission is $5, but kids under the age of six get in for free.

The Lucketts Community Center is located at 42361 Lucketts Road, in Leesburg.

For more information on the fair, call 703-771-5281 or visit www.theluckettsfair.com.

Canine Companion Walk

In an effort to support the American Cancer Society, “Bark for Life” is a way for people to give back to a good cause while spending time with man’s best friend.

According to The American Cancer Society Web site, “Bark for Life is an irresistible way to ‘take a bite out of cancer’, smile, and make new friends canine and human.”

“We’ve been looking at creative ways to reach people and deliver our message,” said American Cancer Society Loudoun Community Manager Karen Maricheau. “That is to help cancer survivors and their families through our programs and services, as well as continue our funding for cancer research.”

There are many events for dogs - and their owners - to enjoy. Vendors will provide doggy nutrition seminars, demonstrations for obedience training and trivia games for dog owners.

For a first annual event, Maricheau said she hopes this will be something they can build on in future years.

“People are really excited,” Maricheau said. “They think it’s going to be really fun. From the feedback I’ve been receiving, there’s a lot of buzz around this.”

The event takes place Saturday starting at 10 a.m. at the National Conference Center, located at 18980 Upper Belmont Place, in Leesburg.

Registration is $25 and all the money raised goes to the American Cancer Society.

For more information on the event, call 703-938-5550 or visit www.relayforlife.org/wloudoun.

”Night Sounds” Campfire

On Saturday night, Claude Moore Park will hold an event that embraces all the favorite activities around a campfire, including stories, roasting marshmallows and making crafts.

“When people arrive, they’re going to get to make noisemakers that simulate animal sounds,” Claude Moore Park’s Dodie Lewis said. “We will have a participation story we read around the fire where people will get to use these noisemakers.”

The one thing the park asks for people to do is bring their own toasting stick for the marshmallows.

The event will take place this Saturday from 7:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Claude Moore Park, located at 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, in Sterling. Cost of admission is $4.

To register, call 571-258-3700.

Tagged: fair, Roundup

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