by Julie Reardon

Though at press time, warm spring weather is in hiding, by the time you read this it will truly be here in all its colorful glory. A teaser week of warm weather has the cherry blossoms in D.C. in an early full bloom, as are early daffodils and forsythia and a few early flowering trees in the Blue Ridge. There’s nothing like the green, green new grass framed by dogwoods and redbuds as the backdrop for an enjoyable day in the country. April is the month of garden tours, antiques and crafts fairs, horse racing over fences, and other outdoor activities.

Pack a tailgate and take in a spring race meet in Loudoun, Fauquier, Rappahannock or Culpeper counties in the coming weeks. April is when the upcoming stars of the steeplechase circuit really show their stuff. In addition to the Point to Point circuit (cheaper admission, closer to the action) there are several bigger, fancier meets including the Middleburg Spring Races or the annual see-and-be-seen affair where horses are secondary to the parade of people, the Virginia Gold Cup on May 4th. You might enjoy a horse show or event at Morven Park north of Leesburg, which has something going on each weekend in April. There’s a schedule on the website morvenpark.org

Antiquing and visiting craft fairs for finds is a favored pastime of visitors to the Blue Ridge. In addition to the many roadside shops, check out Culpeperpalooza April 17-20 at the Mountain Run Vineyard just south of town for crafts, music and tasty treats from local eateries. Info about tickets for one or all 3 days is on their Facebook page or website culpeperpalooza.com. A fun area favorite will be in Leesburg the weekend of the 20-21^st, the Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival for 2024. It’s like a giant street party in Leesburg and admission is free, open 10 am to 6 pm Saturday and Sunday. Whether your garden is big or small or you don’t even have one, this award-winning festival has become an annual rite of spring for many, showcasing beautiful flowers, plants and landscaping along with new gardening and outdoor living products and services. There’s rooftop beer and a wine garden, a landscape display contest, and all kinds of entertainment for all ages.

We all love being invited to see the homes and gardens of the rich and famous, and Historic Garden Week, an annual event every spring, has been having its garden parties showcasing the beauty of our state for over 90 years in April as the most beautiful gardens in the state open their doors to the public April 20-27 this year. These tours, ranging from walking, to guided, to driving to each, allow you an intimate look at the homes and gardens of some of the state’s most storied historic properties. Some of the finest houses and estates open their doors to the public. during historic garden week in Virginia mid-month. The daffodils and bulbs in bloom along with flowering shrubs and trees in the spring make even the plainest house come alive but the ones on the tours must be seen to be appreciated. Getting there in spring is half the fun as the fields are dotted with new foals and calves. Find a tour in hunt country or anywhere in the state on their website vagardenweek.org