By Rae Alberts
Correspondent
Fun fact of the week: High-heeled shoes were originally worn by men! They were originally invented to keep mounted soldiers’ feet in the stirrups, circa Persia in the 10th century. This translated into heels being a symbol of power and authority; the male aristocratic population of Europe adopted the heels not long after. King Louis XIV is famous for wearing red high heels. He even passed an edict in 1670 stating only nobility could wear heels. It wasn’t until 1730, when heels were adopted into womens’ fashion, that men began abandoning the practice.
April is a busy month for Palmyra and our neighboring counties. There’s a full roster of fun and exciting things to do!
Now open until October 27, the Fluvanna Farmers Market is back! Located right outside of the Ace Hardware store in the Crofton Plaza, right outside the main gate to Lake Monticello, the Farmers Market is open every Sunday from 11a.m. to 2 p.m. It showcases fresh, local produce and meats as well as handcrafted arts and crafts. Food trucks and live music provide lunch and entertainment. On April 21, there will even be lobster dishes such as lobster bisque, seafood tacos, and more, courtesy of Cousins Maine Lobster.
If you’re looking for a nice day of relaxation, Loving Arms Care is offering a Health and Wellness Fair for spring on April 24 at 10 a.m. Find out more online!
April 27 will be jam-packed with events to attend. The Fluvanna SPCA is offering a drive-through rabies vaccine clinic from 9 a.m. to noon at the Pleasant Grove Park. It’s only $10, and you stay in your car the entire time. Please make sure your dogs are on leash, and that your cats are in carriers–one cat per carrier. If you bring proof of previous vaccinations, you may get the three year vaccine for your pet; otherwise, it’s the one year vaccine. You can pre-register online or get a form from the FSPCA.
At 10 a.m. on April 27, the county of Louisa is celebrating its rich history with the Heritage Day Festival. This free event is put on by the Louisa historical society. Step back in time through living history demonstrations, including hearth-cooking, spinning, blacksmithing, and more! Children’s activities, craft and food vendors, music, and more will be available for all. Located at 214 Fredericksburg Ave in Louisa.
Also on April 27, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the Rivanna Conservation Alliance is offering a free Frog & Toad Night at the Scheier Natural Area. This is an exciting, educational time for all ages, where you can learn how to identify frogs, toads, and other pond critters. No flip flops, please! Old sneakers are preferable. A headlamp or flashlight, a camera, and curiosity are necessary. RCA will provide nets and identification materials. End the evening with s’mores around the campfire. Sorry, no dogs allowed (this is for the pond critters’ safety.)
Ending out April’s events is the California Tri Event in Lake Monticello. This is a national event, hosted across the country, and it comes to our lake on April 28t, beginning at 8 a.m. There will be seven Olympic distance events (Triathlon, Triathlon Relay, RunBikeRun, SwimBike, SwimRun, 1640 Yard Swim and 10K Run) and seven sprint distance events (Triathlon, Triathlon Relay, RunBikeRun, SwimBike, SwimRun, 400 yard Swim & 5K Run). A triathlon is swimming for a distance, biking for a distance, and then running at the end. The Triathlon Relay is two or three athletes combined to complete the triathlon. Typically, the swim and run distances are standard but the bike distance varies from race to race. Check out the course maps online for more detailed information. Cheer on these incredible athletes and enjoy the sunshine as you do!
Check back in later this month to find out more events!
