As summer comes to an end and the days become shorter and the nights cooler, Halloween cannot be far away. Fall holds so many lovely and sweet memories for me. As a child my father would rake all the leaves in piles around the yard, but I clearly remember my brother and all the neighborhood kids coming to our yard to play in those piles of leaves. We would jump in them and have leaf fights until my father came out of the house with multiple rakes for us to gather up all the leaves for a burn pile. We did not think about environmental impacts back then as we jumped around the fire with great delight. Oh, how much fun those days were for us.
Autumn puts me in mind of Halloween, my favorite holiday, and my Irish heritage traditions that surround this holiday. The Irish have strong beliefs in mystical and religious traditions. My grandmother would make an apple cider drink that filled the whole house with a charming and warm aroma. She would put out food for the souls that were walking around on All Souls Day—something my mother found terribly annoying as the local racoon would gladly eat the food offered. I guess his soul was satisfied. Halloween was an exciting time for me and my siblings. We loved Trick or Treating, but the real excitement came when we got home, and everyone opened their bags of candy. This is where I learned the skill of negotiation—trading candy with my brother. “You have a Hershey Bar. I will give you two Twix and three Smarties for your Hershey Bar”. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t, but it was fun to try.
Where I grew up there were no Halloween Parades. So, experiencing the Leesburg Halloween Parade for the first time in 1980 was a delight. It was the start of a new tradition for my husband and our sons, and now their children. For 69 years the Leesburg Kiwanis Club has hosted the Halloween parade that rolls through the heart of Leesburg. This year, it will be held on October 30. People line up on the street to see the fun floats, hear high school bands, and collect handfuls of treats handed out by parade participants.
Leesburg in Autumn has many different fun things to do. On October 24 there will be a spooky skate night at Douglass Community Center. The Loudoun Museum will hold their annual Hauntings tours October 16, 17 and 18, that include historic homes, businesses, and cemeteries. One of my favorite October activities is the Downtown Trick or Treat event on October 25. The Town closes King Street and customed kids are invited to roam the downtown businesses which hand out candy. Morven Park will be holding Horse Trials October 9 – 12 where you will be able to see Olympic level riding. Birch Tree Books is partnering with Black Hoof to have Banned Books Bingo on October 5.
Fall brings to mind pumpkin spice, apples, and warm soups. While visiting downtown Leesburg, you can grab a baked goodie from Mom’s Apple Pie to go with your pumpkin spiced latte from one of several great coffee shops. To warm you up, the Leesburg Diner offers a hearty bowl of chili or step into the Leesburg Wine Kitchen for a homemade pasta dish. Creative dishes and their well-loved tomato soup are on the menu at Lightfoot Restaurant that is housed in a former bank. Casual dining options range from classic American fare at Green Tree Sports Bar or Kings Court Tavern. It’s still Virginia oyster season and King Street Oyster Bar is a fun place to get a dozen or more while sitting in their front windows. Finish your day in Leesburg with a seasonal drink from Sidebar’s Night Shift lounge or Rebellion Bourbon Bar & Kitchen. Of course, don’t forget there’s ice cream and gelato shops for your sweet tooth. There are many more places in downtown Leesburg to experience fabulous food and drink. So, whatever you decide you want to do, Leesburg has lots for you to enjoy and experience. I hope to see you around Town!