Wine, Oysters, and…STRATFORD!!
By K. Ross
Now the kids are heading back to school, that means fall is just around the corner! And you KNOW what that means…cooler weather, changing leaves, pumpkin everything, cozy sweaters, and of course…FALL FESTIVALS!!
So, let’s kick off the season with one that I recently heard about that immediately caught my attention…the Stratford Hall Wine & Oyster Festival!
Have you heard of Stratford before? Because I have to be honest…I had NOT! Not until a friend told me about this festival, and after hearing “wine” and “oysters” in the same sentence, I thought…OK, tell me more!! LOL
Turns out, Stratford Hall is this beautiful historic spot located along the Potomac River, and it is home to the Stratford Hall Wine & Oyster Festival. This year, the festival is happening September 19th and 20th, which sounds like the PERFECT way to kick off fall!
And let’s talk about what’s waiting for you…WINE!!
The festival will feature tastings from more than a dozen Virginia wineries. YES PLEASE!! And if wine isn’t your thing, there will also be distilleries and beer available for the 21+ crowd.
Then there are the OYSTERS!!
Fresh coastal oysters, wine, beautiful scenery…I mean, does it get much better than that?! Grab some friends, spend the day outside, sip, snack, wander around and just ENJOY!
And it’s not just about the wine and oysters. There will be live music, artisan booths, food trucks, family fun, car shows and more. So, this really sounds like one of those festivals where you can wander around, find something yummy, listen to some music, do a little shopping, and just soak up that early fall feeling.
One thing I really love about this idea is that you don’t have to make it a big, complicated weekend. You can simply grab a few friends, pick a day, and GO!
Saturday’s festival runs from 10 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday is 11 AM to 4 PM. And if you want to make a whole day of it, your ticket also gives you access to the festival activities, Visitor Center, Gift Shop, gardens, and select Great House open-house hours.
And here’s another little bonus…Stratford Hall is a historic property with 1,800+ acres, gardens, nature trails, and views of the Potomac River. So, you’re not just going to a festival…you’re getting a little history, a little scenery, a little food, a little wine, and hopefully A LOT of fun!
Honestly, I’m already thinking this sounds like the perfect “girls’ day,” date day, or just a “hey, we survived getting the kids back to school, LET’S CELEBRATE!” kind of day.
So, if you’re looking for something fun to put on your fall calendar, this one definitely caught my attention.
Stratford? Check.
Wine? Check.
Oysters? CHECK!!
Beautiful fall setting? CHECK!!
Friends, food, music and a little time away from the everyday craziness? YES, YES, YES!!
So, thank you to my friend for introducing me to Stratford…I had never heard of it before, and now I’m thinking, “Where have you been all my life?!”
Maybe this is our sign to kick off fall with a little wine, a few oysters, and a whole lot of FUN!
See you at the festival…CHEERS to fall!!
