Herb Fest, tractor show, free movies headline upcoming week

By Josette Keelor -- jkeelor@nvdaily.com

The fourth Virginia Herb Fest will bloom in Warren County this weekend, the Massanutten Antique Tractor & Gasoline Engine Club will hold its 23rd Annual Show in Woodstock, and, rounding out the week on Thursday, the 2012 Movies on the Mall will raise its curtain at the Frederick County Courthouse in Winchester.

Attracting visitors from all around Virginia and from four other states, Virginia Herb Fest has been growing bigger with each year, according to its founder, Billie Clifton, who owns Sunflower Cottage in Reliance.

The three big events will be a presentation by the Hillbilly Day Lily Farm and a workshop on outdoor entertaining by The Miller House, both on Saturday; and Clifton's The Magic of the Still on Sunday, which will teach viewers how to distill essential oils.

Repeat programs include cooking demos by One Block West's Ed Matthews and by Smoky Creek Trading Post's Steve Unger.

"Ed is always a favorite, One Block West, always," Clifton said. "Everything just stops."

"And we have some fantastic new vendors and some repeat vendors from past years," she said.

A $5 admission fee allows visitors for both days, and children ages 12 and under get in free.

Nature's Common Sense, Hints for Health and God's Scent will have booths beside vendors of plants, food, herbal remedies, gardening supplies, nature photography and products from live animals.

"What I insist upon is that they are making the product that they bring to use," Clifton said.

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, and High Tea, which includes soup, finger sandwiches, baked scones, canapes and a fruit or pasta salad, will be served throughout the day.

"We're filling up fast," Clifton warned, suggesting making a reservation for tea. The cost is $20 per person, or $15 with a reservation.

• The Massanutten Antique Tractor & Gasoline Engine Club Inc. will present its annual tractor show today through Sunday at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds in Woodstock. Featured will be a raffle to win a 1968 Massey-Furguson 135 Deluxe Gas Tractor, a craft and flea market, a farm equipment assignment auction and events for children.

  Displays will include antique farm tractors, gas engines and farming equipment.

  Events begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free, and the public consignment auction will begin at 5 p.m. today.

  For more information, visit www.massanuttenantiquetractor.com

• On Thursday, Movies on Mall will return for a summer of movie magic, beginning with "Gnomeo and Juliet" on the lawn of the Frederick County Courthouse at dusk -- about 8:45 p.m. Other movies planned for Thursday nights throughout the summer are "The Adventures of Tin Tin," "Puss in Boots," "Hugo," "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," "Zookeeper," "Dolphin Tale," "Tangled," "Bedtime Stories" and "Smurfs."

  Admission is free and open to the public. Come early to get a good spot and remember to bring a chair and blanket. Snacks will be for sale.

  For more information, call 662-4946 or visit www.oldtownwincesterva.com