If you find yourself a football widow or widower this time of year, there are lots of options to spend your Sunday afternoon, Monday night, Thursday night, or any other day of the week your partner’s favorite team is on.
Here are seven activities to try this football season.
Lavender Bees Paint & Sip at 8 Chains North Winery
September 22, 1–3 p.m.
Grab some fellow football widows and widowers for this paint and sip event at 8 Chains North Winery in Waterford. Art instructor Heather Connole will guide guests to create a scene of bees buzzing around lavender bushes. A glass of wine is included in the ticket price, and participants can bring their wine glass home as a souvenir. 38593 Daymont Ln., Waterford, $45
Visit the Virginia State Fair
September 27–October 6
While football blares from your family room at home, explore the Virginia State Fair with friends or family who also are not fans. For 10 days, enjoy concessions serving fried, sugary goodness like funnel cakes, savory corn dogs, or sweet and salty kettle corn. There are plenty of amusement park rides, animals and livestock, and more. The Meadow Event Park, 13191 Dawn Blvd., Doswell, $10.50, $22.50 for ride wristband, $20 for parking
Watch the Del Ray Halloween Parade
October 27, 2 p.m.
If you have little ones who would rather be out and about than inside watching football all day, this Halloween parade in Del Ray is a great option. The event is one of the community’s annual traditions. Costumed pets, babies, and strollers are welcome to march in the parade. There will also be a pet costume contest and a stroller decorating contest. Begins on Mount Vernon Avenue, south of East Bellefonte Avenue, free
Have Some Wine After Hours at Mount Vernon
October 4–6, 6–9 p.m.
If your football-obsessed loved one has a Sunday night game lined up the first weekend in October, grab tickets to Mount Vernon’s Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour. Bring a blanket and enjoy live music while you sample area wines. The historic area will be open for after-hours tours and concessions by the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant will be available. 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., Mount Vernon, $54–$64
Take a Cooking Class at Cookology
Cookology in Ballston has lots of cooking class options for football widows and widowers. There are classes on Thursday nights, including a Filipino-themed night on September 26 and a Seasonal Soups night on October 10. If your partner is an avid college football fan, try a Saturday class. Maybe a fall baking class on October 12 and (pumpkin cheesecake anyone?) or a Saturday night matchmaking class? There are also plenty of Sunday options for brunch fare on September 22, French food on September 29, and Inauguration delights on November 24. 4238 Wilson Blvd., Ste. 3110, Arlington
See a Fall Movie Release
Not into big on first downs or flags on the play? Catch the latest fall flicks instead. Theaters like the Angelika Film Center and the Alamo Drafthouse are screening autumn releases like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (out now) or Joker: Folie à Deux (out October 4). Angelika Film Center: 2911 District Ave., Fairfax; Alamo Drafthouse: 20575 Easthampton Plz., Ashburn; 15200 Potomac Town Pl., Ste. 100, Woodbridge
Check Out Peak Fall Foliage
According to Virginia State Parks, fall color in the area typically peaks between October 10 and 31. That just so happens to be prime football time. Great parks to check out the changing leaves include Monticello Park, a 15-acre park in Alexandria, and Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve in Leesburg. Monticello Park: 320 Beverley Dr., Alexandria; Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve: 21085 The Woods Rd., Leesburg
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
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