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April 2026

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Live Music in the Orchard: Her Checkered Past
Live Music in the Orchard: Her Checkered Past

Grab a glass and join us for live music by Her Checkered Past!

Join Anne O'Brien and Frank Bechter in the orchard for some live music that will warm your heart. This duo will keep you humming along to popular songs. The cider will be flowing so bring a thirst, and treat yourself to a little relaxation.

  • Light bites and hard cider will be available for purchase by the glass, bottle, or flight.
  • Outside food is welcome; feel free to bring a picnic!
  • ABC laws prohibit the consumption of outside alcoholic beverages
2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
 
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Annual Blossom Festival 2026!
Annual Blossom Festival 2026!
The 2026 Annual Blossom Festival returns this April 11th (aka, National Pet Day) to Albemarle CiderWorks. This is our yearly celebration of plants, pets, & the community!
 
Our Pet Parade (orchestrated by Caring for Creatures) is back & cuter than ever this year with a Spring Theme! 
 
We're calling all Ladies & Tramps to break out their bows and tutus for this puppy parade. For inspiration, think:  bunnies, bumblebees, butterflies, gnomes, flowers & vegetables, ect - all things cute & seasonal!

Enter your beloved pet into our pet parade this year for a chance to be in the cutest contest of the season, raise funds for Caring for Creatures, and potentially win a prize from local vendors! Last chance to register is 1:45pm. day of the Festival. 

This festival will be Saturday, April 11, from 12:00 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Join us for this pet-friendly festival hosted by Albemarle CiderWorks to support the local no-kill animal sanctuary Caring for Creatures.

You will find a wide variety of local vendors, pet outfitters, pet healthcare experts, live music, competitions, food trucks, and plenty of pet friendly activities.

all pets welcome to join our pet parade. Please ensure all animals are kept under control and/ leashed at all times.

Other Offerings from Caring for Creatures.

Dog park: Enjoy some time with your companions.
Pet toy give away: all contestants from the Pet parade will recieve a treat bag and a toy to play with in the dog park.
Bake sale: National Pet day themed ckaes donated by Albemarle Baking Company and Marie Bette Cafe & Bakery will be sold to raise money for Caring For Creatures.
The Pawfect picture: Photo opportunities against our Floral wall.

Live Music

Byron Massie: 12pm - 2pm
Byron
Massie is a singer/songwriter who was born and raised in Nelson County.  Byron was born into a family whose musical traditions go back generations and have helped shape the musician he is today.  He is almost always accompanied by his Dad, Billy, on the dobro. Together they provide a true instrumental harmony which allows you to melt into the stories created by the songs Byron has written.  They are humble, hardworking, and honorable, which is evident in their song selections.  If you’re looking for a laid back, heartfelt, and fun evening I would make it a point to come out and give these fellas a listen.

Mirabelle Metcalfe and Jordan Perry: 2.30pm - 4.30pm
Mirabelle and Jordan create a captivating blend of acoustic warmth and electric energy. Their setlists span five decades of sing-along and dance-along favorites—perfect for a lively night out or a relaxed evening with a drink in hand. Request a tune, tap your feet, and enjoy the effortlessly entertaining sound of this talented duo.

Food Truck
Rum Punch Caribbean cuisine, Authentic Caribbean Homestyle Cooking.

Local Vendors

Mountain View 3D - 3D printed toys and trinkets.
Weld & Wire Jewelry - Jewelry and bunny snuggling.

Sourwood Farm - Honey and hats.

RRHomestead - pet merchandise.
Cat Action Team - pet merchandise.

Schedule

All Day Activities on the lawn + Bake sale
12:00 – 1:30 Register for the Pet Parade.
1:45 – Final call to enter The Pet Fashion Parade.
12:00 – 2:00 Live Music in the Orchard with Byron Massie
2:00 – Pet Fashion Parade Judging.
2:15 – 2:30 – awards for the Pet Fashion Parade.
2:30 – 4:30 Live Music in the Orchard with
Mirabelle Metcalfe and Jordan Perry.
2.40 – Pet toy take away.

 

 

12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
 
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Irish Music : Aaron Olwell & Friends
Irish Music : Aaron Olwell & Friends Enjoy this energetic and eclectic Irish jam session every 2nd Sunday of the month. Patrick & Aaron Olwell and friends play their fine renditions of traditional tunes all afternoon.Light bites and hard cider will be available for purchase by the glass, bottle, or flight.
Outside food is welcome; feel free to bring a picnic!
ABC laws prohibit the consumption of outside alcoholic beverages. *Musicians will setup in the Orchard Room during inclement weather.
2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
 
 
 
 
 
 
Live Music in the Orchard: C'ville Jazz Congregation
Live Music in the Orchard: C'ville Jazz Congregation

Join us for Cider and Jazz, oh yeah!

The C'ville Jazz Congregation is a collective of local musicians that have been playing together since 2005. In their duo configuration you will hear your favorite jazz standards in a new light as they explore the unbound freedoms that only the intimate conversations held in this smaller setting can produce." Join them at Albemarle CiderWorks for an afternoon of great cider and jazz.

2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
 
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Silent Book Club 4/19/2026
Silent Book Club 4/19/2026

Sip cider and read in quiet camaraderie. No assigned reading, no obligations. Bring your own book of choice. This is a free social event hosted in our Orchard Room.

We are excited to be Charlottesville's second chapter of Silent Book Club, an international organization bringing bibliophiles together.

From the official website of Silent Book Club:

"At Silent Book Club, there's no assigned reading. All readers are welcome—ebooks, audiobooks, textbooks, comic books... it's BYOBook. Friends and strangers gather at a set time and location, order food or drinks, share what they're reading, and settle in for an hour of silent, sustained reading. At the end of the hour, attendees can socialize—or not! 


Schedule:
12:30 Arrive early to order food/ drinks/ chat
1-2pm Reading
Afterwards: Mingle (or keep reading)

You can read about the experience in Cville Weekly's "Tried it in Cville Column" thanks to talented local journalist Kristie!

Upcoming Dates:
- Sunday, April 19th
- Sunday, May 24th
- Sunday, June 28th

12:30 pm to 3:00 pm
 
 
 
Cider Stories @ Sagebird
Cider Stories @ Sagebird

Cider Stories, Guided Tasting & Apple History
Join cider enthusiasts from Sage Bird and Albemarle CiderWorks as we turn our talk to "proper cider apples", their mark on modern day America, and humble beginnings, celebrating the Albemarle Pippin, Black Twig, Harrison, and Virginia Hewe’s Crab. Whether gaining popularity with political and royal figures or being a crucial element in America’s founding years, all the featured cider-making apples will offer you delicious intrigue with both their quality and history.

Location: Sagebird - 325 N Liberty St, Harrisonburg, VA 22802

Event Details
-$15 Guided Tasting & Food Pairing at 4pm, 5pm, & 6pm
-Insight & Stories of apple history with Guy Wallis from Albemarle CiderWorks
-Q&A

Featured Apple stories:
Albemarle Pippin
Black Twig
Harrison
Virginia Hewe's Crab

4:00 pm to 6:30 pm
 
 
 
Botanical Art Mini-Workshop - April Blooms
Botanical Art Mini-Workshop - April Blooms

Come and Join us for a miniture art workshop, Spring is a great time to draw and enjoy the vibrant colors of nature.

 

In this mini workshop, you will learning from Botanical Artist &Instructor Gail Goodrich Harwood:
- Study light and form.
- Practicing drawing techniques.
- Learn about the history of heirlooms.
- Experiment with toned drawing,
underpainting, layering colored pencils,
and burnishing.
- Plus a take home bottle of Goldrush or Arkansas Black.

All experience levels are welcome!

Saturday, April 25th, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm
Albemarle CiderWorks
2545 Rural Ridge Lane, North Garden, VA

Click here to reserve your space.

10:30 am
 
Live Music in the Orchard: Mojo pie
Live Music in the Orchard: Mojo pie

Grab a glass and join us for live music by Mojo Pie!

Mojo Pie was created when Susan Munson invited Frank Bechter to a songwriter's workshop, and they've been bringing harmonies to wineries, restaurants and events in Central Virginia ever since. Both have been featured artists in Charlottesville's First Night Virginia and Jason Burke's Six-Pack Songwriter Series. Together they make up 2/3 of the acoustic trio Oh Wow, Boy! Susan also rocks many a stage with Alligator, Jeebus, and Mama Tried, as does Frank with Das Homage, The Good Guys, and Her Checkered Past

2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
 
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