Hey Winstigators,
Last weekend snuck up on me. Before I knew it, it was Friday evening and I had absolutely no plan for the weekend outside of Easter on Sunday.
I was standing in the kitchen with my wife on (who was working all day Saturday, so this was very much a me problem) and my son.
“You know…” she said, giving him the side eye, “there are…M-O-N-S-T-E-R—”
I cut her off. “Oh yes. Absolutely.”
I had actually included a link to the event in last week’s newsletter, so within five minutes my son and I had tickets and he was already asking what our “surprise” was for Saturday.
Monster Trucks.
Held at the Ruritan Fairgrounds in Clear Brook, the show was put on by Renegade Monster Trucks. I’ve been to exactly one monster truck show in my life when I was probably 8 years old. But for my son who is showing an interest in cars and trucks, this felt like a no-brainer.
To be clear, this wasn’t the major leagues of monster trucks.
No Bigfoot, no Grave Digger (the two trucks I can still name). No massive stadium production or backflips that defy physics.
But was it affordable? Yes.
Was it loud? Hell yes.
Was my kid on the edge of his seat the entire time? Absolutely.
Was it fun? Big time.
This was a “country fair” version of a monster truck show instead of a full-blown arena spectacle but it was still absolutely great. It’s a little rough around the edges, a little chaotic, and feels more like a local event than a polished production. It’s also extremely family friendly; there was an opportunity to ride in a monster truck before the show started and the crowd was invited to meet the drivers after.
The trucks still fly and do cool tricks. They’re still incredibly loud (if you go, bring ear protection). They do donuts and throw dirt high and far. And if you’re under the age of 10, it might as well be the greatest show on earth. And that’s all that really mattered; my kid had a blast.
Next time I see a Renegade Monster Truck show coming through the area I’ll be sure to include it again so you can check it out, too.
Homes Of The Week!
Events and Happenings in Winchester and the surrounding territories:
Friday, April 10th
The Taylor Pavilion, Winchester - Taylor Pavilion Phase 1 Ribbon Cutting, April 10, 11am - 1pm
Shenandoah Conservatory, Winchester - Away You Rolling River, Friday, April 10, 2026 7:30PM
540 Fitness, Winchester - Free Class Friday @ 540 Fitness, April 10, 5am - 7pm
Tally Ho Theater, Leesburg - The Pietasters at Tally Ho, 7 PM
Hollywood Casino, Charles Town - Collective Soul at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, 8 PM
River Creek Club, Leesburg - 2026 Power Up Women's Conference - Your Next Power Move, April 10, 6pm - 8:30pm
Clarke County Parks and Recreation, Berryville - Northern Shenandoah Valley Quilt Show - 2026, April 10, 10am - 4pm
Hope Flower Farm & Winery, Waterford - Tulip Party, April 10, 10:30am
Bright Box, Winchester - Monolith, Breach the Silence, Ladder Match - Heavy Metal Night @ Bright Box, April 10, 7pm - 11pm
Brunswick Main Street Farmers Market, Brunswick - 2026 Opening Day - Brunswick Main Street Farmers Market, April 10, 4pm - 7pm
Environmental Studies at Shenandoah University, Winchester - Shenandoah University Environmental Summit, April 10, 9:30am
Bad Habits Bar & Grill, Martinsburg - Punk in the Panhandle 2026 (Friday Tickets), April 10, 5pm - 11:30pm
Lost Barrel Brewing, Middleburg - Live Music by Alexander Kerns, April 10, 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Saturday, April 11th
The Winchester Book Gallery, Winchester - Author Event: Harmony Joy - Dark Nights of the Soul, April 11, 11am - 1pm
Johnson-Williams Middle School, Berryville - A Cosmic Concert, April 11, 4pm - 5:30pm
Shenandoah Conservatory, Winchester - Music without Borders, Saturday, April 11, 2026 7:30PM
The Winchester Book Gallery, Winchester - Author Event: Brian Gilmore - No More Worlds to Conquer, April 11, 2pm - 4pm
Winchester Regional Airport, Winchester - Valor 5K and Kids Mile, April 11, 8am
ShenArts Gallery, Winchester - ShenArts Scrap Fabric Collage class, April 11, 9am - 12pm
Adventure Enablers, Bentonville - 2026 Shenandoah Epic, April 11 - April 12
Moon Phased, Winchester - Spring Equinox Lunar Market at Moon Phased, April 11, 10am - 5pm
Ion International Training Center, Leesburg - Cars & Cigars SEASON OPENER at Ion! April 11th 2026, April 11, 2pm
Hollywood Casino, Charles Town - Anjelah Johnson Reyes at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, 8 PM
Alanwood Farm, Broad Run - Bluebell Trail Rides, April 11 - April 12
Berryville Main Street, Berryville - The Big Flea - Spring 2026, April 11, 8am - 3pm
Copper Fox Distillery - Sperryville, Sperryville - Pickin' & Shuckin' Oyster Roast & Pig Pickin', April 11, 1pm - 8pm
Morven Park, Leesburg - Spring Native Plant Sale at Morven Park, 9 AM
Hillbilly Heaven Bar and Grill, Berkeley Springs - Line Dance Night at Hillbilly Heaven Bar & Grill!, April 11, 7pm - 10pm
Wardensville Garden Market, Wardensville - April Second Saturday, April 11, 10am - 2pm
Backseat Events, Winchester - NICHOLAS PARÉ & THE JAGS, THAT ARENA ROCK SHOW at Backseat Event Center, April 11, 8pm
Callaway Classics, Marshall - Cars and Coffee (APRIL), April 11, 8am - 11am
Bear Chase Brewing Company, Bluemont - FABuLAR @Bear Chase Brewing Company, April 11, 1pm - 5pm
Sunday, April 12th
La Grange Family Farm, Stephens City - Lost Arts Festival 2026, April 12, 10am - 4pm
Shenandoah Conservatory, Winchester - Olga Kern, Sunday, April 12, 2026 2:30PM
George Washington’s Office Museum, Winchester - VA250: Guided Walking Tour of Revolutionary War Era Buildings, April 12, 2pm
The Winchester Book Gallery, Winchester - Author Event: Greg Kujala - Fifty Artists of the Shenandoah Valley, April 12, 12pm - 2pm
Stone Tower Winery, Leesburg - Stone Tower Winery - Michelle & Jason Hannan, April 12, 1pm
Piedmont Symphony Orchestra, Warrenton - PSO Live! Presents Raul Midón with the Piedmont Symphony Orchestra, April 12, 3pm
Barns of Rose Hill, Berryville - Winchester Jazz Collective: Celebrating Basie and Ella, April 12, 3pm
Lost Barrel Brewing, Middleburg - Masters Party @ Lost Barrel Brewing, April 9 - April 12
Tomahawk MX Park, Tomahawk - MDRA - Round # 1 at Tomahawk - MDRA and PAMX Series, April 11 - April 12
Breaux Vineyards, Purcellville - Paws and Paints @ Breaux Vineyards, April 12, 2pm - 4:30pm
4Js Farm and Brewery, Warrenton - Nashville Recording Artist:: James Tamelcoff at 4J’s Farm and Brewery, April 12, 2pm - 5pm
Wild Hare Cidery USA, Berryville - Standup Comedy at Wild Hare Cider (Berryville, Va), November 9 - April 12
Espresso Bar & Cafe, Winchester - Poetry Open Mics at Espresso Bar & Cafe, April 12, 1pm - 3pm
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Have fun out there!
