Community Events Calendar – October/November

This monthly calendar listing is prepared by the USAG Fort Lee Public Affairs Office. The inclusion of off-post events is meant to encourage Team Lee members – particularly those new to the area – to go out and explore the many historic, recreational and entertainment activities offered throughout Central and Southeast Virginia. The Army does not promote or endorse the associated sponsors, organizations or businesses. The full schedule of Family and MWR activities is available at lee.armymwr.com or on the Digital Garrison app. Community groups seeking volunteer support from Fort Lee can submit a request to susan.n.garling.civ@mail.mil.

Harvest-Ween in Hopewell | Oct. 28

With a goal of giving Tri-City-area residents a fun-start to Halloween weekend, the Hopewell Downtown Partnership has organized its first-ever Harvest-Ween festival. Planned activities include a Sidewalk Crawl and Costume Contest from 5-7 p.m. in the 200 block area of East Broadway; trunk-or-treating starting at 6 p.m. in the 217 E City Point Road parking lot; and a free 7 p.m. showing of the Halloween movie “Hocus Pocus” at 113 Hopewell Street. Guests are encouraged to visit, shop and dine at the many downtown businesses supporting the event.

Halloween Spooktacular Family Concert | Oct. 30

The Richmond Symphony is presenting a special Saturday concert featuring music selections from hit movies like “Black Panther,” Pixar’s “Coco,” “Harry Potter” and many others. It will take place at Dominion Energy Center, 600 E Grace Street, Richmond.  A pre-concert festival starts at 10 a.m. and the performance begins at 11 a.m. Ticket prices vary depending on seat location. For further information and reservations, visit richmondsymphony.com. Proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test will be required for entry into this venue.

Halloween Bash and Costume Party | Oct. 30

Dress in your scariest, most ravishing or funny costume and come to the HideAway club for this fun and festive annual celebration. Doors open at 6 p.m. The evening will feature a costume contest, door prizes, music and drink specials. There is no cover charge and all community members are welcome. The HideAway is located on 5th Street, adjacent to the Outdoor Recreation facility. For further info, call 804-734-1755.

Newcomers Orientation | Nov. 1

Service members, civilian employees and their spouses are invited to this monthly briefing in the Soldier Support Center auditorium, starting at 2 p.m. Participants will learn about various installation activities including the Exchange, Child and Youth Services, Safety, Housing, FMWR and others. All participants are required to follow COVID-19 safety protocols. For further info, call 804-454-5719.

Money on the Move Class | Nov. 2

The Army Community Service Financial Readiness Program hosts this free in-person training session every first Tuesday of the month from 9-11 a.m. in Room 125 of the Soldier Support Center. Topics include financial entitlements and major costs associated with PCS moves. Seats in each class are limited, so pre-registration is advised. This training is mandatory for E-4 and below and O-2 and below. For more information and signup, call 804-765-3800.

Thrift Savings Plan Webinars | Nov. 2-29

Learn detailed information about TSP, the Defense Department’s premier retirement savings program, during a series of online presentations available throughout this month at tsp.gov/webinars. Class topics include an introduction to TSP (Nov. 2, 10 a.m.); TSP contributions (Nov. 4, 1 p.m.); TSP early to mid-career (Nov. 9, 9 a.m.); TSP death benefits (Nov. 9, 1 p.m.); and numerous others. Visit the website for a full class schedule and registration. Informative videos also are available on YouTube at TSP4gov.

Quilting in Virginia | Nov. 2

A special presentation on the history of quilting in Virginia from colonial times to present day is set for Nov. 2, 10 a.m., at the Chesterfield County Museum, 6813 Mimms Loop, Chesterfield. Cathy Chase, owner of Busy Bea LLC, Chester, is the presenter. Signup is required as seating space is limited. For details and registration, call 804-768-7311.

New Parent Class | Nov. 3

“What to Expect Now That You’re Expecting” is a free class presented by the Army Community Service Family Advocacy Program in building 1231, Mahone Avenue. The session, starting at 1 p.m., will cover body changes during pregnancy, financial considerations, labor and delivery, what dads need to know to support mom, and more. To register for the class, call 804-734-6381.

Dinner and Discipleship | Nov. 3

The fall session of Dinner and Discipleship at Memorial Chapel continues each Wednesday evening through Dec. 8. The range of class topics includes Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, marriage care, a Great Truths of the Bible study and much more. The evening starts with a free dinner served at 5:30 p.m. Families are welcome. For further information and class signup, call 804-734-6494.

Civil War Roundtable Discussion | Nov. 4

Guest speaker Sarah Bierle will discuss “The New Market Campaign” from 7-8 p.m. at Pamplin Historical Park, 6125 Boydton Plank Rd., Petersburg. The Battle of New Market took place May 15, 1864. A larger Union force with the Army of the Shenandoah was defeated while confronting a smaller Confederate force of roughly 4,100 men. Historic roundtable discussions take place on the first Thursday of each month. There is a $5 admission fee for non-members. Visit pamplinpark.org for additional information.

Breakthrough Trail 5K | Nov. 6

The picturesque grounds of Pamplin Historical Park will be the settimg of this annual race that is open to all community members. Participants will enjoy the safety of a course run entirely on trails with no motor vehicle traffic. Prizes will be awarded to the top male, female and youth finishers in each age group. Race day registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with a start time of 9 a.m. The entry fee is $35 for adults and $15 for youths. The park is located at 6125 Boydton Plank Rd., Petersburg. For further details, visit pamplinpark.org or call 804-861-2408.

Oysters and Barbecue at Battersea | Nov. 6

An oyster roast and barbecue event will take place Nov. 6, 1-4 p.m., at Historic Battersea Plantation, 1289 Upper Appomattox Street, Petersburg. Guests can enjoy the featured fare fresh from the grill along with traditional sides, cornbread and a cookie or brownie desert. The event also will feature displays of classic British cars parked around the event grounds. Tickets are $40. For additional information, call 804-732-8972.

Prisoner of War Program | Nov. 6

Air Force veteran H. Lee Dixon will share what he has learned about the prisoner of war experience in Vietnam during a special presentation at the Magnolia Grange House Museum in Chesterfield. During his 26 years in uniform, Dixon served for just over a year in Vietnam and later with “Project Checkmate,” an innovative warfighting analysis group. The presentation starts at noon. Those interested in attending must sign up by 4 p.m., Nov. 3. Call 804-748-1498.

Women’s Self Defense Workshop | Nov. 6

This is an empowering self-defense class covering basic defensive moves and safety awareness measures. The content is appropriate for teen girls, adults and maturing women. Participants 13 and older are welcome. No prior martial arts skills are needed. The class is set for 9-11 a.m. at the Ettrick Recreation Center, 20261 Woodpecker Road, South Chesterfield. The cost is $30 per person. To register, contact Tiffani Davis at 804-706-2596.

Berkeley Plantation History Cruise | Nov. 7

A limited number of seats are available for a river cruise from Hopewell City Marina to Westover, and a historic visit to Berkeley Plantation in Charles City County. The trip will take place Nov. 7 from noon-5:30 p.m. Guests will be transported aboard a 40-foot covered pontoon. Scheduled activities during the Berkeley visit include tribal dancers, the playing of “Taps,” historic house tours and food vendors. Tickets are $35 each, or two for $50. If interested, send a text to 804-405-3459.

War Memorial Veterans Observance | Nov. 11

The 65th annual Commonwealth Veterans Day Ceremony begins at 11 a.m. in the Virginia War Memorial’s Heilman Amphitheater, 621 S. Belvidere Street, Richmond. The public is welcome to attend in person or watch a live broadcast at vawarmemorial.org or wtvr.com. There will be guest speakers, patriotic music and recognition of the winners of the VWM’s Veterans Day Student Essay Contest. For additional details, visit the memorial’s website.

Veterans Day Ceremony | Nov. 11

Chesterfield County is conducting its annual Veterans Day ceremony at the historic 1917 Courthouse, located at 10011 Iron Bridge Road. The free event starts at 2 p.m. Scheduled activities include the laying of wreaths at the Memorial Wall, the Thomas Dale High School Band performing patriotic songs, and the Chesterfield County Color Bearers and American Heritage Girls leading the Pledge of Allegiance. For further information, call 804-350-0156.

Poplar Forest Wine Festival | Nov. 11

Eight Virginia-based wineries will participate in this annual event held at the historic Bedford County retreat where Thomas Jefferson once lived. Other festival activities include live music, a craft and farmers market, and on-site food purveyors with a wide selection of items to feed hungry visitors. The festival hours are 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. General admission tickets are $30 (or $15 for those not sampling wine). Children age 6 and under are admitted free. The event site is located at 1542 Bateman Bridge Road, Forest, Va. For further info, visit poplarforest.org.

‘A Christmas Story’ | Nov. 12-28

Funny, heartwarming and familiar are words commonly associated with this classic story being presented by the Theater Company at Fort Lee over three weekends in November. This well-known holiday favorite tells the story of 9-year-old Ralphie’s quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas, but everyone he asks insists, “You’ll shoot your eye out!” Friday and Saturday shows start at 8 p.m. Sunday performances are at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for youths, age 16 and under. For further information, call 804-734-6629.

Poplar Grove Luminary Event | Nov. 13

Spectators can witness the annual illumination of more than 6,000 graves at historic Poplar Grove National Cemetery on Nov. 13, 5:30-8 p.m. The candlelit luminaries are hand-placed by volunteers, including personnel from Fort Lee. Community members who want to visit the cemetery that evening can make a reservation at www.eventbrite.com/e/191895634007. Please note there is no parking available at Poplar Grove. Individuals can use the parking area at Richard Bland College on Johnson Road where a shuttle will take them to the cemetery. For further information, call 804-732-3531 ext. 203.

Play Auditions | Nov. 15-16

Volunteer performers are being sought for the Fort Lee Theater Company's upcoming presentation of "The Diary of Anne Frank." Director Amy Berlin is seeking two females, ages 13-18; 3 females, ages 30-55; 4 males, ages 35-65; and 1 male, ages 16-18. Auditions begin at 7 p.m. both evenings. Rehearsals will get underway immediately after casting. The actual performance is set for Feb. 4-20. For further information, call 804-734-6629.

Anger Management Class | Nov. 16

Presented by the ACS Family Advocacy Program, this one-hour session breaks down the process in which we allow ourselves to get angry, and teaches techniques to intercept the emotion before it becomes and impulsive behavior with irreversible consequences. The free class starts at noon in the ACS facility on Mahone Avenue. Participants are welcome to bring their lunch. For further info and signup, call 804-734-6381.

Retirement Planning Class | Nov. 18

The ACS Financial Readiness Program presents this class that offers financial preparation techniques for military and civil service personnel. Early retirement planning ensures individuals are investing in themselves and their future, and it provides an enormous sense of personal accomplishment. The two-hour presentation begins at 11 a.m. Participation is free; however, class sizes are limited so preregistration is required. For more info, call 804-734-6388.

Open Play Paintball | Nov. 20

Authorized Family and MWR patrons are invited to this special 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. event to be held at the Paintball Range adjacent to the Outdoor Recreation Center, building 15014, 5th Street. Players must be 13 years of age or older and those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The rental cost is $40, which includes a marker, air, facemask and 500 paintballs. For more information, call 804-765-2212.

Hopewell Kiwanis Wine-Tasting Festival | Nov. 20

Seven Virginia wineries will participate in this fundraising festival supporting youth education in the Hopewell and Prince George County areas. The event will take place from noon - 6 p.m. at the Beacon Theater, 401 North Main Street, Hopewell. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Call 804-571-1711 for additional details.

GardenFest of Lights | Nov. 22

The Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights is an annual Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden holiday tradition featuring dazzling decorative displays, model trains, holiday dinners and hot chocolate (for purchase), and more. The display opens Nov. 22 and continues through Jan. 9. The hours are 4-10 p.m. daily (except when closed on federal holidays). Ticket sales are online only and patrons must provide a 30-minute arrival window on the specified date of their visit. Additional details are provided on the venue’s website, www.lewisginter.org.

Foods and Feasts of Colonial Virginia | Nov. 26-27

This annual American Revolution Museum at Yorktown event takes participants on a journey of culinary practices in the 18th century. Visitors will learn about the typical fare served to colonial Soldiers; and how the bounty of a revolution-period farm made it from field to table. Activity hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $16 for adults and $8 for youngsters 6-12. To see the full schedule of Yorktown events and purchase admission passes in advance, visit historyisfun.org.