Fall for Farmville: A September Giveaway

Each September in Farmville, the warm summer days gradually give way to the cooler embrace of fall. With the changing of the seasons comes an energy for new adventures and an opportunity to share the heart of Virginia with visitors seeking a breath of fresh air.

Why Farmville? If the name conjures up a simple farming town, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. While we have plenty of small-town charm, we also boast a vibrant culture, outdoor adventure, rich history and a unique shopping scene that makes us one of a kind.

Ready to come see for yourself? Enter our Fall for Farmville Giveaway for your chance to win an overnight stay package on Saturday, September 16 — plus breakfast, lunch and dinner for two; a ziplining adventure; and lots of other donated goodies from our local small businesses! The contest will be open August 23 through September 5, and the winner will be chosen on September 6, 2023. Read on to find out more about our September giveaway!

Giveaway has closed!

 

Unpack and Unwind

First stop on Saturday? The Holiday Inn Express & Suites, just minutes from downtown, marks the start of your overnight getaway. Check into your room where you’ll discover a comfortable retreat with lots of natural light, plus a curated basket of local gifts!

Throughout your stay, you’ll enjoy speedy Wi-Fi, a heated indoor pool, a fitness center and complimentary coffee and tea supplies. After you’ve dropped your bags, grab your gift cards for lunch, dinner and Main Street shopping and head downtown!

Squeaky’s Sammies is the Spot!

Farmville’s newest Main Street eatery, Squeaky’s Sammies, opened in June and has already made a splash with the locals! Grab a bistro table outside and peruse the deli menu, which includes fresh sandwiches and salads, a feature of the week and build-your-own options.

Recent favorites? The specialty sandwich “When Nature Calls” features fresh rye piled high with tuna salad, swiss, tomato and spinach and served hot or cold. “The Dog Days” salad starts with a base of fresh spinach, topped with strawberries, blueberries, pecans and feta and served with a side of honey-balsamic vinaigrette — yum!

After lunch, stroll through downtown and do some shopping at our Main Street storefronts. Wander through some of the revitalized tobacco warehouses that now encompass Green Front Furniture’s huge inventory of furniture, rugs and home decor. Make sure to stop by The Sleeping Bee before it closes at 4 p.m.! You can use your $20 gift card and purchase a keepsake to remember your Farmville weekend.

Capture the Past: The Dunnington Mansion Through Your Lens

Next stop? Manor Club Drive. Make sure you’ve got your camera in hand for a unique cultural dive: a narrated and visual presentation of the history of the iconic 1840s Dunnington Mansion, presented by John Plashal Photo at 4:00 p.m.

The best part of this experience? You can go at your own pace. Immerse yourself in the 8,500 square feet of this abandoned landmark, originally known as Poplar Hill, and use your artistic eye to capture both a storied past and a haunting present.

Want to brush up on your knowledge of the mansion ahead of time? Check out the website curated by the Dunnington Mansion Foundation for more about the mansion’s story.

Soak up Vineyard Vibes: The Virginia Tasting Cellar at Charley’s Waterfront Cafe

End your day at the Virginia Tasting Cellar and Charley’s Waterfront Cafe. Housed in a historic, pre-Civil War era building which once served as a tobacco warehouse and mule stable, the beautifully renovated tasting room and restaurant lie a block off Main Street right on the Appomattox River.

Both venues serve up delicious food until 8 p.m. Choose where you’d like to enjoy a date night for two with your $45 gift card! Grab a table on the tasting cellar’s patio overlooking the Appomattox River or dine in the warm pub atmosphere of Charley’s. You can’t go wrong!

Insider’s tip? If you decide to dine at the tasting room, enjoy live music til 7 p.m. Make sure to try out the patio porch swing bed, where you can lean back on a mountain of pillows, kick up your feet and sway in the breeze.

Enjoy a Slice of Americana: Walker’s Diner

On Sunday morning, it’s time for brunch! Check out of your hotel and take your Walker’s Diner gift card for two downtown to enjoy a laid-back atmosphere and homestyle cooking. From fluffy pancakes to buttery biscuits to good ol’ eggs and bacon, this small-town diner will have you feeling like family in no time.

A tidbit for history buffs: Since its inception as O’Neil’s Diner in the 1950s, Walker’s has earned its spot as a Farmville staple. Originally manufactured in Wichita, KS, this distinctive valentine diner made its journey to Farmville by rail. Like Walker’s, many valentine diners shipped across the country more than half a century ago remain in operation today.

Fly High: Ziplines and Aerial Adventure at Sandy River

Your final Farmville adventure? Get ready for a three-hour treetop escapade at Sandy River Adventure Park starting at 11:30 a.m.! Just minutes from Farmville, Sandy River boasts 20 ziplines and 60 aerial challenges — from swinging bridges to tight ropes. Choose from four escalating high-ropes courses, ranging from beginner to the challenging black diamond, and embrace an experience that takes you up into the treetops.

Curious about the peak challenges? Check out this video, which showcases the park’s most adventurous course, soaring up to 45 feet!

End on a High Note: Your Last Stops

Have a little extra time? Stop by the Longwood Center for Visual Arts and immerse yourself in the free exhibits. Discover African, American and Chinese art as well as contemporary and folk collections.

Before waving goodbye to our little town, hop across Main Street to snap a selfie at the iconic LOVEworks sign on the High Bridge Trail. Give us a tag and head on home, reinvigorated and refreshed by the seasonal charm of small-town Farmville, Virginia.

Enter to win our September Giveaway and revel in the beauty of Virginia’s heartland!