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By Katie Bianco, Stefanie Gans, Rachael Keeney and Michael Balderston
Sippin’ some adult apple juice
While visiting friends in June, I got the chance to check out Bold Rock Hard Cider in Nellysford, where we spent a majority of the day kicked back in Adirondack chairs taking in views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. One of my friends can’t get enough of their Blood Orange cider, and when I was there I enjoyed the classic Virginia Draft. The peach looks pretty tasty, too. Thanks to the Virginia Cider Festival taking place at the Fredericksburg Fairgrounds this Saturday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., I won’t have to travel as far to sample some of their other offerings, plus ones from more than 25 other producers. An apple a day keeps the doctor away, right? –RK // Fredericksburg Fairgrounds: 2400 Airport Ave., Fredericksburg; $30
Back on the field
The best day of the year during elementary school—often coming right around the end of the school year, fittingly—was always field day. Saturday’s Adult Field Day in Ashburn is getting me nostalgic for the games I played as a kid, like kickball and dodgeball, but also has me happy I’ve graduated beyond just those games and can enjoy other planned events like flip cup and more. I’ll pack some Capri Suns and be good to go for this all-day event. –MB // DC Prime Steaks: 20120 Lakeview Center Plaza, Ashburn; $60
Virginia Spirits Month and Catoctin Creek Distilling Company is on it
As much as I love stocking my bar cart with local booze and all of the amaro I can find, and then making my husband mix me a cocktail, sipping drinks in public crafted by experts isn’t so terrible either. Get on it this month as the commonwealth celebrates the spirits industry. This week Catoctin Creek is all over the place with events at its Purcellville headquarters, plus parties in Tysons Corner, Alexandria and Fredericksburg. –SG // Multiple events, and more here
Cheers to the weekend!
Although back-to-school time makes it feel like summer is over, the warm weather says otherwise. At the end of a long work week, I’m looking forward to finally getting out to Fridays at the Fountain. Sponsored by the Crystal City BID, it’s an outdoor event with a pop-up beer garden, wine and food from local vendors. Live music rounds out the evening. My husband and I can toast to the weekend while our cute kids bounce around a bit to the live music. Bonus: Fridays at the Fountain keeps going through Oct. 26, so there’s still plenty of outdoor fun to be had. –KB // 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington