It’s was a very busy September for us at the Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center. We wrapped up the month with our 5th Annual Blue Ridge Mountain Mudurance and it kept us out of the office and on the course the week before for marking, flagging, and an overall setup of the course as a whole. Not that the event has passed and everything has been broken down and returned to our amazing sponsors and our storage unit for another year, we’re ready to dive head-first into the month of October and there’s no better weekend.

This weekend is the 49th Annual Page County Heritage Festival! If you’re a short drive or weekend trip away from the beautiful Shenandoah Valley and were thinking about taking a short trip somewhere this weekend, we encourage you to visit Luray & Page County for this annual event. Held every Columbus Weekend, the Page County Heritage Festival celebrates fall and all that that entails. From homemade apple butter, jams, jellies, and local honey to chicken and dumplings, BBQ, and many more ways to celebrate the flavor of fall, the festival always seems to be greeted with misty, overcast and chilly mornings highlighting the season. More than just food, there are hundreds of crafters and artisans who bring their talents in the form of products to buy and demonstrations, such as the Luray Potterylady, blacksmith guild, woodworkers, basketweavers, carvers, knitters, and more. My family and I always bring some extra cash to do a bit of shopping for birthdays and the holidays because it’s one of the best places to find a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted piece that will be as special and unique as the giftee. The festival runs both Saturday and Sunday and is a treat for both locals and visitors to the area with just a nominal fee to get in.

This month I’m also very excited about the Page Valley Arts Council’s art exhibition “COLOR,” which has officially opened at the Warehouse Art Gallery. Showcasing a variety of mediums, including watercolors, photography, sculpture, and so much more,  from artists in and around the valley, the show continues all month long and is a wonderful excuse to revisit the warehouse for your 1st, 2nd, or 10th time.

As October’s biggest holiday is Halloween, there are a variety of events in the county and downtown areas to celebrate this holiday with festivities for kids, adults, and families as a whole. Not right in Luray-Page, the Shenandoah Caverns’ museum, American Celebration on Parade, begins hosting their American Fright Night on the weekends. And, while you may find masques and the giant parade floats scary enough in the dark, that’s not all that will await you around every bend. A truly unique and terrifying way to enjoy a good haunt this season, Shenandoah Caverns and their staff enjoy the event and all the locals and visitors who come for a scare.

If you’re bringing the whole family for a little extra decor and trick-or-treating with a few less scares, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park goes all out each season with their Halloween-themed weekends. From werewolves to witches to vampires and more, Yogi provides families with daily wholesome fun including pumpkin painting, hayrides, and more before the chance to get decked out in this year’s costume for an extra chance to trick-or-treat amongst the campsites.

Whether it’s the season, the arts, the holiday, or just a chance to get away into nature or for some outdoor recreation, Luray-Page has everything you want and need this October for your day trip, weekend, or extended stay in the Shenandoah Valley. We look forward to seeing you here! Check out our calendar of events as you plan your trip or download and print our monthly calendar for ease of access. And, as always, we’re just a phone call or email away if you need us!

Happy Fall Yall,

Katie Long
Communications & Marketing Coordinator
Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce