8th Annual SCI Goat Party, October 21, 2017

 

                         Leslie Edmundson

                        3037 Halfway Road

                      The Plains, VA 20198

                     Phone: (540) 687-8871

 

 

We're getting ready for the next annual SCI Goat Party on the third Saturday of October (October 21st) 2017 in Northern Virginia.

It's SO FUN! The main point of it is that breeders get to meet up, newbies get to meet the breeders, and we all learn a LOT from each other. As San Clemente Island goat breeders tend to be a rather eclectic group, we try to cater to everyone so that everyone has a great time.

The party will be held at the SCI Goat Association's Humble Headquarters (Leslie Edmundson's place), in Northern Virginia, 50 minutes west of Washington DC. The party is from noon until late. Official toasts at 2pm.

Food
It's kind of potluck, but if it's too much then don't worry! Lots of us like cheese and fruit and wine, though. If you need vegan or halal, we can do that with a little forewarning. 
We'll have the BBQ going.
NO NUTS, PLEASE! We have allergies here, and guests with extremely serious nut allergies.

Children
Our tiniest future breeders are very welcome! If it's nice out they can play in the creek or the stream, so please bring mud clothes, and perhaps a change of clothes. You'll need to watch the little ones around the cliff, creek, pond, and sneaky donkey. We will also have a WOMEN ONLY NAP ROOM for nursing mothers and napping little ones and sleepy women. Daddies-in-charge can get an alternative room for baby needs.

Goat Trades and Sales
There will be loads of opportunities for goat trades and sales. However, all sales occuring at the Goat Party are by prearrangement with the breeder only. There will be a few goats for sale on display, but you'll have to talk to the breeder about them. 
If you're interested in buying a goat, we'll have breeders coming in from all over the country. 
Jerry Gauquie, Tom Couch, Leslie Edmundson, and Chris Gisewhite will be at the party, but need advance notice if you'd like to buy a goat from them!

Local Attractions
The Goat Party is held at Little River in The Plains, Virginia, which is in the Piedmont region of the Shenandoahs. We're 50 miles west of Washington D.C.

3½ miles from Little River is the town of Middleburg, which hosts LOTS of really nice antique shops and boutiques, a nice café with outdoor seating, and a few restaurants. Middleburg is also a foxhunting hub, so if your dog is leashed and well-behaved, he's welcome anywhere in town (except the Safeway). If you like horses, this horse-and-hound area is a great place to pick up some deals on tack and dressage/hunt/whatever gear, new or used. 

If you go 3½ miles in the OTHER direction from Little River, you'll end up in the town of The Plains. Blink and you'll miss it. But it has a few restaurants that are as good as they come. The Front Porch, Rail Stop, and Girasole are all in The Plains.

How to Get to the Goat Party
First of all, cell service stops within half a mile of the house, so you can't call us for clarification.
We're on Halfway Road, but the road changes names 3 times and it's not well labelled, so ignore the signs when you get close.
When you arrive, park on the grass just inside the gate and walk up the driveway if you're up to it. Parking near the house is reserved for people who have disabilities or who can't walk up the driveway easily.

Coming from West Virginia: Get to Winchester Virginia. Take Hwy 50 east towards DC. As soon as you get into the town of Middleburg, go right on The Plains Road—it's the first real choice you'll have once you see any commercial buildings. Once you're on The Plains Road, Go about about 3½ miles. When you see sign for Halfway, watch for farm on left with 4-board black fencing, pond in front, black mailbox labelled "3037". Ignore gate keypad, open fence manually. Park on the grass.

Coming from DC down Hwy 50: Take 50 west towards Winchester. Go toward the end of the town of Middleburg. Left on The Plains Road at the end of the town of Middleburg. When you see sign for Halfway, about 3½ miles, watch for farm on left with 4-board black fencing, pond in front, black mailbox labelled "3037". Ignore gate keypad, open fence manually. Park on the grass.

Coming north on I-81 Near Front Royal Virginia, take I-66 heading east toward DC: Exit at The Plains. At end of ramp, go left (north) about 2½miles toward the town of The Plains. When you get to The Plains, you'll hit a t-junction at the Stop sign. Take a right. Then take an almost immediate left between the BP station and the bank. It's called Loudoun Avenue there. Keep on that road, over the tracks, past the signs advertising upcoming wineries. STAY ON THAT ROAD. Watch the yellow lines so you don't turn off (as many do). As soon as you cross a bridge over a creek, you're there. The creek is the south border to our place. On your right is 4-board black fencing, pond in front, black mailbox labelled "3037". Ignore gate keypad, open fence manually. Park on the grass.

Coming from 495: Get on I-66 toward Richmond Virginia heading west away from DC. About 20 minutes past Manassas, Exit at The Plains. At end of ramp, go right (north) about 2½miles toward the town of The Plains. When you get to The Plains, you'll hit a t-junction at the Stop sign. Take a right. Then take an almost immediate left between the BP station and the bank. It's called Loudoun Avenue there, but it might not have a sign. Keep on that road, over the tracks, past Robert Duvall's longhorns, past the signs advertising upcoming wineries. STAY ON THAT ROAD. Watch the yellow lines so you don't turn off (as many do). Go about 3½ miles (feels like 5). As soon as you cross a bridge over a creek, you're there. The creek is the south border to our place. On your right is 4-board black fencing, pond in front, black mailbox labelled "3037". Ignore gate keypad, open fence manually. Park on the grass.

Coming from Hwy 29 Exit near or in Warrenton and find 17 toward Winchester: When you get to the corner of Great Meadow on 17 (where they have twilight polo and the Virginia Gold Cup), take a right on Old Tavern Road. Go about 7 miles, (you'll go under I-66), to the town of The Plains. When you get to The Plains, you'll hit a T-junction at the Stop sign. Take a right. Then take an almost immediate left between the BP station and the bank. It's called Loudoun Avenue there, but it might not have a sign. Keep on that road, over the tracks, past Robert Duvall's longhorn cattle, past the signs advertising upcoming wineries. STAY ON THAT ROAD. Watch the yellow lines so you don't turn off (as many do). Go about 3½ miles (feels like 5). As soon as you cross a bridge over a creek, you're there. The creek is the south border to our place. On your right is 4-board black fencing, pond in front, black mailbox labelled "3037". Ignore gate keypad, open fence manually. Park on the grass.

Leslie can't wait to see you!