The Big Apple Circus presents the World Premiere of Dream Big at Dulles Town Center near Washington DC this fall. For 34 years the Big Apple Circus, New York’s original one-ring circus, has been entertaining audiences of all ages under its Big Top by presenting world-class circus artistry where no seat is more than 50 feet from the ring. Let your imagination soar and summon the most amazing acts — A juggler with a suit to fit his sweet feats of fancy handiwork! A mechanical doll who comes alive in a sinuous balancing act! Spirited horses, frolicsome dogs, and a capybara and porcupine to perk up the sawdust party! Audacious acrobats who astound with athletic grace! Comical conjurors with magical moments of grand illusion! The aerial daring of the trapeze flyers! A singing Ringmistress and the Big Apple Circus Band creating the ringing melodies of memories to last!  And Grandma, apogee of comical aspiration and mirthful joy!

Dates: September 22 – October 10, 2011

Location
Dulles Town Center
Routes 7 and 28
Dulles, Virginia

Tickets
Tickets for Dream Big start at $15 and are available online at www.bigapplecircus.orgor by calling (888) 541-3750. The Circus Box Office at Dulles Town Center will open Tuesday, September 20th; hours are Tues–Fri, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sat–Mon, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Big Apple Circus Performers From Around the Globe

From the US, International Clown Hall of Fame inductee Barry Lubin, and his unforgettable clown Grandma in a farewell tour as star of the Big Apple Circus

From Colombia, the astonishingly talented Flying Cortes return to the ring in a breath–taking trapeze routine with startling, soaring leaps and flips

From the US and Holland, Scott Nelson and Muriel Brugmanmake a lovable and mischievous magician and assistant duo, sparking laughter with their hilarious manikin act

From Russia, with extreme elegance and pinpoint poise, Anna Volodkomesmerizes audiences as she twists up and falls down the aerial rope

From the US, the beautiful Jenny Vidbelpresents fiery Arabian horses and playful pooches, with a surprise or two to keep it lively

From Russia, the extraordinary Dmitry Chernovenigmatically juggles around the ring in an intriguing and innovative routine

From China, the Shandong Acrobatsare a spectacularly talented group who surprise audiences with their eleven–man human juggling show

From Switzerland, the spellbinding solo hand balancer Melanie Chycaptivates the audience with her fantastic flair

From the US, the brilliant Jenna Robinson hosts the circus with sweet style and splendid spirit

Free Admission. In traditional Bavarian fashion, Fredericksburg comes together under TWO big tents in September to celebrate the 9th Annual Oktoberfest! Family fun with sing along, stein holding contest, Oompah music, ginger bread walk. Authentic Oktoberfest Beer from Blue & Gray Brewing.

Lee’s Retreat Brewpub prepares a wide varity of authentic, delicious German foods and pastries. Free fall crafts table for the kids. Free samples of Blue & Gray Oktoberfest beer while it lasts. Beer for sale in 12oz or 16oz mugs, or 33.8oz (maas) commemorative stein. (Sign up on brewery homepage for 1/2 off coupon) Friday: 4-10pm keg-tapping ceremony and OOOmpah band Saturday: Early bird special 11am beer and brat $5! 12:00 LOW’n'BROWS band OOOMPAH! Sing-along for prizes. 1:30 German Shepherd Exhibition Spotsylvania County K-9 Unit. Pretzel making. Stein holding contests!

Spotsylvania County Business Park

3300 Dill Smith Dr

Fredericksburg,  VA 22408

Saturday, September 24, 2011 (11:00AM-8:00PM)

http://www.blueandgraybrewingco.com/Events.cfm

 PROST!

The National Book Festival, an annual event held each September on the National Mall in Washington, DC, is a celebration of the joy of books and reading is sponsored by the Library of Congress and gives attendees the opportunity to visit with more than 80 award-winning authors, illustrators and poets who will talk about and sign their books. National Book Festival Pavilions are set up for Fiction & Mystery, History & Biography, Children & Teens, Poetry, and Home & Family. In 2011, for the first time, the National Book Festival will be a two-day event. Two new genre pavilions will be added: Urban Fiction and Graphic Novels. The theme of the 2011 National Book Festival will be “Celebrating the joys of reading aloud.

The Library of Congress Pavilion features a variety of interactive family-centered activities about the importance of lifelong literacy, cultural preservation, and preserving digital culture. At the National Book Festival, visitors have the opportunity to learn about the reading programs and resources in libraries across the country. Representatives from every state and territory welcome families and children interested in that state’s writers and reading programs.

Dates and Times
September 24-25, 2011
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, 1 to 5:30 p.m.

National Book Festival Location
National Mall, between 9th street and 14th Street

2011 National Book Festival Authors

• Children’s Pavilion- Harry Bliss, Calef Brown, Carmen Agra Deedy, John McCutcheon, Tomie dePaola, Joe Hayes, William Joyce, John Bemelmans Marciano, Dorie McCullough Lawson, Sam McBratney, Julianne Moore, Jon J Muth, Chris Van Dusen
• Teens Pavilion- Cassandra Clare, Susan Cooper, Sarah Dessen, Jack Gantos, Gordon Korman, Uma Krishnaswami, Patricia McKissack, Shelia P. Moses, Kadir Nelson, Katherine Paterson, Gary D. Schmidt, Brian Selznick, Rita Williams-Garcia
• Contemporary Life Pavilion- Joel Achenbach, Amy Chua, Leon Fleisher (with Anne Midgette), Joshua Foer, Jessica Harris, Marc Kaufman, Hoda Kotb, Jim Lehrer, Siddhartha Mukherjee, Sylvia Nasar, Sarah Vowell
• State Poets Laureate Pavilion - Dolores Kendrick (DC), Kelly Cherry (Virginia), Stanley Plumly (Maryland), Wes McNair (Maine), Carol Muske-Dukes (California)

• Fiction & Mystery Pavilion- Sherman Alexie, Russell Banks, Louis Bayard, Steve Berry, Jennifer Egan, Margaret George, Laura Lipmann, Gregory Maguire, Terry McMillan, Toni Morrison, Sara Paretsky, Esmeralda Santiago, Neal Stephenson
• History & Biography Pavilion- Eric Foner, Adam Goodheart, Maya Jasanoff, David McCullough, Candice Millard, Kristie Miller, Edmund Morris, Carla L. Peterson, James Swanson, Douglas Waller, Isabel Wilkerson
• Poetry & Prose Pavilion- Michael Cunningham, Rita Dove, Dave Eggers, Claudia Emerson, Mary Gordon, Terrance Hayes, Garrison Keillor, Yusef Komunyakaa, Linda Pastan
• Yardley raphic Novels Pavilion- Allen Say, Richard Thompson
  • The Cutting-Edge Pavilion- Kimberla Lawson Roby, Kia DuPree, Eric Jerome Dickey
  • Family Storytelling Stage - Angela Farris Watkins, Bob Shea, Cedella Marley, Daniel Kirk, Dr. James Billington, Ellen Sabin, Jane O’Connor, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, John Rocco, Josh Lewis, Julianne Moore, Lauren Myracle, Lisa Yee, Loren Long, Mac Barnett, Mark Pett & Gary Rubenstein, Matthew Reinhart, Michael Buckley, Tom Angleberger, Tom Lichtenheld, Wally Amos, Disney Junior’s Choo-Choo Soul with Genevieve, Hip Hop Harry, Justin Roberts & the Not Ready for Naptime Players, Moona Luna, The Okee Dokee Brothers

For more information, visit the Library of Congress website.

Let out your Inner Lucy or Ricky! This is the original Northern Virginia Wine Country “stomp like Lucy” event. Lucy / Ricky / Fred / Ethel costume contest! Competitive grape stomping at its best! The defending champs from last year should be back so come on out and let’s see what your feet can do Babalu!

LUCY STOMP REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

Click Here for Registration Information

There Are Only a Few Spots Left – So Don’t Wait,

Register Now for the Sept 24 Lucy Stomp!

The Stomp Begins Around 12pm!

What IS the actual Plane Pull?
A benefit for Special Olympics Virginia, the pull is a fun team competition to see which group can pull a 164,000+ pound Airbus the fastest.  Teams are made up of 25 members, who all line up adjacent to a huge rope attached to the aircraft.  The starter signals when to start and starts the stopwatch.  After the team pulls the aircraft 12 feet, the stopwatch stops and the elapsed time is recorded as the team score.

It’s more than just a Plane Pull!  An entire festival has grown up around the competition, and features a wide range of events and activities for the entire family.  Come check out the car show, aircraft displays, exhibitor areas, games, & rides in the Kids Zone sponsored by the Loudoun Hounds, live music, concessions and more!  There’s even a School Bus Pull for the kids… so gather your friends and family and make a day of it!

• *New This Year* All attendees 18 and over will receive a complimentary door prize ticket for chance to win:
• Two round triptickets to London on British Airways
• Two roundtrip tickets to Tokyo on ANA
• Two roundtrip tickets to London on Virgin Atlantic
• Two roundtrip tickets to EITHER Munich or Frankfurt on Lufthansa
• Two roundtrip tickets to Paris on Air Frace

• *New This Year* Take a ride on an historic Dulles Airport mobile lounge! This 15-20 min ride will give guests an insiders tour of Dulles Airport.  A great way to beat the heat! Tickets can be purchased at the Door Prize booth near the enterance to the festival.  Ridesare $1.
• Free Admission and Parking!
• Live music
• A Car Show, Aircraft Displays and Exhibitor Areas
• A Kids’ Zone sponsored by the Loudoun Hounds with free moon-bounces, obstacle course and fun activities

*New This Year* – Come check out the world famous, Famous Familia, pizza tossers from New York!  Sign up to participate in the Famous Familia pizza eating contest!

The 13th Annual Dulles Day car show to benefit Special Olympics Virginia is part of the Plane Pull Festival on Saturday, September 24 at Dulles International Airport.

Admission is free!  Come check out the cars, trucks and motorcycles on display and help decide the winners in five different categories.

Don’t miss this chance to get a good look at some unique aircraft!  On display will be World War II and Historic Aircraft, Military Aircraft, General Aviation Aircraft and Commercial Aircraft.  Pilots will be on hand to answer questions, and you can climb up for a good look into the cockpits of some of the following planes.

2011 Confirmed Aircrafts

C-5A “Galaxy”

UH-72A “Lakota”

A-10C

C-17

C-160, German Air Force

Customs Border Protection, UH-1H

P-51, “Quicksilver”

DC-3, “Flagship Detroit”

 A-26, “Spirit of North Carolina”

 Nakajima

 PBY 5A, “Catalina”

 B-25, “Panchito”

T-28 “Trojan”

L-5 Stinson “Gage Ann”

DHC-1″Chipmunk”

L-39 Albatross

BT-13A Vultee

T6G-Trojan

T6G-North American “Texan”

T6-14FTW

CH-47 Chinook

C-12

UC-35http://www.dullesday.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=117

Colonial Market & Fair

   MOUNTVERNON

September 17 & 18, 2011

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The annual Colonial Market & Fair at Mount Vernon features dozens of
America’s finest craftspeople and plenty of family fun! Colonial-attired
artisans demonstrate 18th-century crafts and sell traditional wares such as
baskets, woodcarvings, tin and ironwork, leatherworkings, weavings, furniture,
and much more. The event also features lively 18th-century entertainment
including music, fire-eating, sword-swallowing, puppet and magic shows, plus
hearty specialty food for sale onsite. This weekend only, Potomac River
sightseeing cruises, courtesy of Spirit Cruises and Potomac Riverboat Company,
are free-of-charge. The Colonial Market & Fair at Mount Vernon is included
in regular daytime admission: adults, $15.00; children ages 6-11, $7.00; and
children under 5 are admitted free.

Courtesy of Spirit Cruises & Potomac Riverboat Company

Departures at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., & 3:00 p.m.

P E R F O R M A N C E S C H E D U L E 

MUSIC AT THE CROSSROADS

All Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Martin Family Band

AT THE GENERAL’S TENT

11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . General Washington

All Day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Itinerant Band

ON THEMARKET SQUARE STAGE

9:30 a.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Punch & Judy: The James Rose Puppets

10:00 a.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. Bayly, Conjuring & Entertainments

10:30 a.m. . . . . . . Signora Carmella Bella, the Great Equilibrist & Juggler

11:00 a.m. . . . . . . . . . Dr. Balthasar, Miracle Medicine for Man and Beast

11:30 a.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Otto the Swordswallower

12:00 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Punch & Judy: The James Rose Puppets

12:30 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. Bayly, Conjuring & Entertainments

1:00 p.m. . . . . . . . Signora Carmella Bella, the Great Equilibrist & Juggler

1:30 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Balthasar, Miracle Medicine for Man and Beast

2:00 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Otto the Swordswallower

2:30 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Punch & Judy: The James Rose Puppets

3:00 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. Bayly, Conjuring & Entertainments

3:30 p.m. . . . . . . . Signora Carmella Bella, the Great Equilibrist & Juggler

4:00 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Balthasar, Miracle Medicine for Man and Beast

4:30 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Otto the Swordswallower

Dust off those boots, it’s time for our annual Old Fashion Barn Dance and Dinner. Join us on Saturday, September 17th. The Free State Ramblers  and dance caller will be keeping the beat while you are moving your feet. An all you can eat roast beef dinner with all the fixin’s will start at 5pm. Then at 7pm you will learn a few steps and what a dose se doe is then its boot scootin’ for the rest of the night. Adults $20 for dinner, dance, tour and corn maze, $12 for children under 12. Kid’s 3 and under can share a plate with adults. Dance only is $9 per person for all ages.  Call for group rates, bus parking available. Check website at www.cows-n-corn.com to purchase tickets in advance due to limited availability.