The Rapidan Register is happy to print nonprofit, organization, club and church events occurring within Orange and Madison counties. Listings can be submitted to news@rapidanregister.com. Please include a contact person’s name and email in case questions arise.
Thursday, July 3
PLAYIN’ IN THE PARK
Orange County Parks and Recreation will host its annual Playin’ in the Park Fourth of July celebration Thursday, July 3 at 5 p.m. at Booster Park. Enjoy live music by the Yurasits Family and Dave Goodrich and touch-a-truck. Food trucks will be on-site and fireworks begin at dark. Free admission; family-friendly event. Bring picnics, blankets and lawn chairs; alcohol prohibited. Pets must be leashed at all times.
Friday, July 4
MADISON COUNTY JULY 4TH CELEBRATION
The annual Madison County Fourth of July Celebration at Graves Mountain Farm and Lodges will be held July 4, 4-8 p.m. Admission is free; the Madison County Volunteer Fire Company will accept donations for parking. There will be food available, vendors, pony rides and more, plus fireworks at dark.
Sunday, July 6
OBC VBS
Orange Baptist Church, 123 W. Main Street, Orange will host Vacation Bible School July 6-10, 6-8:30 p.m. The theme is “True North: Trusting Jesus in a Wild World.”
Monday, July 7
OCL: SCHOOL AGE CRAFTS: MINECRAFT MOSAICS
Minecraft mosaics will be at the Wilderness Library Monday, July 7, Thursday, July 10 at the Gordonsville Library and Friday, July 11 at the Orange Library as part of the summer reading program. School age crafts, open to ages kindergarten through fifth grade, start at 2 p.m.
KIDS HEALTHY COOKING CLASSES
Orange County Virginia Cooperative Extension, Orange County Parks and Recreation and Orange County HCAT have partnered to present a series of free kids’ healthy cooking classes. Classes will be held: July 7, 10 a.m. to noon, veggie stir fry; July 14, 10 a.m. to noon, oatmeal banana pancakes; and July 21, 2-4 p.m., ground turkey bowls. Classes are free and will be held at Orange County Extension Office, 127 Belleview Avenue, Orange. Classes are open to ages 8-12 years old. Spaces limited; register online at www.orangecountyva.gov/ocpr.
Tuesday, July 8
MCL: UNCLE HENRY
Uncle Henry will be at the Madison County Library July 8, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. as part of the summer reading program. He will turn the library into a museum of sorts with his see and touch nature gallery. Henry and Leila will bring a display of more than 1,100 items including butterflies, mammals, fossils, sea life and more.
OCL: MAGICIAN JONATHAN AUSTIN
Magician Jonathan Austin will perform Tuesday, July 8, 3-4 p.m. at Locust Grove Middle School; Wednesday, July 9, 1-2 p.m. at Gordon-Barbour Elementary School and Wednesday, July 9, 3:15-4:15 p.m. at Orange Elementary School as part of the summer reading program.
Wednesday, July 9
AARP SMART DRIVING COURSE
An AARP Smart Driving Course will be held July 9, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Orange County Parks and Recreation Office. Learn driving strategies and possibly qualify for a multiyear insurance discount. AARP members save 20% on the cost of the course. The course is $20 for AARP members and $25 for non members. Bring your driver’s license and AARP card if applicable. Bring a bagged lunch, snack and drink. To register, contact OCPR at (540) 672-5435.
Friday, July 11
MUMC/RPUMC YARD SALE
The Madison United Methodist Church and Rose Park United Methodist Church will join together in a yard sale July 11-12, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. to fund outreach projects in the community.
Saturday, July 12
TRUCK AND TRACTOR PULL
The 51st annual Madison Truck & Tractor Pull will be held July 12 at the Madison Fairgrounds, 1110 Fairgrounds Road, Madison. Gates will open at 4 p.m. with the show at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15, cash only. Children 12 and under are free. For more information, call (540) 407-0952.
Monday, July 14
OCL: TEEN ART: BEDAZZLED BOOKS
Bedazzled Books will be Monday, July 14 at Wilderness, Thursday, July 17 at Gordonsville and Friday, July 18 at Orange as part of the summer reading program. Teen art sessions, open to sixth through 12th grades, start at 2 p.m. and are limited to 20 participants, first come, first served.
FC VBS
Freedom Church, 153 Byrd Street, Orange will host Vacation Bible School July 14-18 at 6 p.m. Open to children ages 4-12. Register online at https://findfreedomchurch.churchcenter.com/people/forms/970465 by June 30.
BLUE RIDGE STUDIO ART SHOW
“A Mid-Summer Dream: Art by John and Lena Murray” will be held at the Blue Ridge Studio of Fine Arts June 14, 4-7 p.m. and June 15, 1-5 p.m. View new art by John and Lena Murray including oil paintings and terracotta sculptures. Refreshments will be served.
Tuesday, July 15
MCL: BRIGHT STAR THEATER
The Bright Star Theater will be at the Madison County Library July 15 at 11 a.m. as part of the summer reading program. Two plays–Pinocchio and Robin Hood–will be presented.
OCL: FANGS, FROGS AND MORE
Fangs, Frogs and More will be presented Tuesday, July 15, 3-4 p.m. at Locust Grove Middle School; Wednesday, July 16, 1-2 p.m. at Gordon-Barbour Elementary School and Wednesday, July 16, 3:15-4:15 p.m. at Orange Elementary School as part of the summer reading program.
Wednesday, July 16
MADISON COUNTY FAIR/PARADE
The Madison County Fair will be held July 16-19. Admission is $5 Wednesday and Thursday, $10 Friday and $12 Saturday. Children 10 and under are free. A weekly pass is available for $25. Armbands for rides are $25 Wednesday and Thursday, $30 Friday and $35 Saturday. The fair will kickoff Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. with the annual fireman’s parade. To enter a float, email tourism@madison-va.com.
Thursday, July 17
OCSO HOME RUN DERBY
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office will host a home run derby July 17 at Booster Park, 11177 Bloomsbury Road, Orange. There will be two divisions–kids at 4:30 p.m. and adults (men’s and women’s) at 6 p.m. The entry fee is $10 for children and $20 for adults; cash or check only. Children will have 20 swings each with the fence line adjusted per age group; no time limit; hitting from home plate. Adults will have 20 softball swings per participant; no time limit; hitting from home plate. Prizes include a championship trophy and a swag-filled gift bag for each division winner. Ballpark concessions will be available. Proceeds benefit the sheriff’s office community programs.
Monday, July 21
OGFC VBS
Oak Grove Fellowship Church, 1572 Aylor Road, Madison, July 21-24, 6-8 p.m. with dinner provided.
Tuesday, July 22
MCL: TRAVELIN’ JACK & CO.
Travelin’ Jack & Co. will be at the Madison County Library July 22 at 11 a.m. as part of the summer reading program. The folktales Christopher Hudert offers with puppets include a Jack tale, a slave-story song and a morality tale that reflect the traditional nature and humor of early American storytelling.
Wednesday, July 23
MCL: END OF SUMMER BLOWOUT
The Madison County Library will host its end of summer blowout July 23, 10 a.m. to noon as part of the summer reading program. Enjoy two giant water slides, snow cones, tattoos, face painting and a lot of fun.
Tuesday, Aug. 5
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office will host a National Night Out event Aug. 5, 5-8 p.m. at Hoover Ridge Park.
Saturday, Aug. 9
MCPS BACK TO SCHOOL CARNIVAL
Madison County Public Schools will host a back to school carnival Aug. 9, 9 a.m. to noon at the Young Farmer’s Grounds. Enjoy a fun-filled event to send students off into a wonderful new school year.
Saturday, Sept. 13
YOUTH RALLY FOR JESUS
The Youth Rally for Jesus featuring Kelly K will beheld Sept. 13-14 at Hoover Ridge Park. For more information, call Rapidan Baptist Church at (826) 248-0660.
Ongoing
TOPS
Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meets Mondays downstairs at Orange Baptist Church. Private weigh-in is from 3-3:30 p.m. followed by the meeting 3:30-4:30 p.m. First meeting free. Annual dues are $70, plus $1 per week.
SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE
Madison County Emergency Communications and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office are collecting donations of school supplies throughout the month of July. Supplies can be dropped off in the sheriff’s office lobby. Donations will be given to Madison County Department of Social Services for distribution to children in the county.
HUNTON HOTEL EXHIBIT
The Madison County Historical Society’s museum at 414 N. Main Street, Madison, announces a new exhibit featuring artifacts and photographs from the historic Hunton Hotel in Madison. The museum is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Mountain Museum at Criglersville is open Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Contact the society at (540) 395-5119 or madisonvahistory@gmail.com. Inquiries about rentals of the Kemper Residence may be left at the same number.
