🚨 Spotted in Winchester: Bugs, Events, and Adorable Pets.

My fellow Winstigators,

Chances are you’ve seen them around town. They’re pretty, they look harmless but they need to be exterminated. They first appeared in Winchester around 2018 and show no signs of slowing down.

The season for Spotted Lanternflies has started.

The Spotted Lanternfly, native to China and Vietnam, made its way to the United States in 2014, first appearing just outside Philadelphia. This invasive pest feeds on the sap of more than 70 plant species, including valuable fruit trees and hardwoods. Their feeding weakens plants, causes them to ooze sap, wilt, and in some cases, die. For those in agriculture, these insects are a serious threat—Penn State University estimated $99 million in statewide agricultural losses in 2019 alone due to their damage.

With no known natural predators in North America, Spotted Lanternflies are spreading quickly. They’re usually found on tree trunks and branches but they can also lay their eggs on hard surfaces like rocks, cars and outdoor yard equipment. If you see one, do your part and squash it—they don’t bite or sting humans, so there’s nothing to fear.

Pet Adoption!

Check out doe eyed Coco, caught-in-the-act Celia, happy guy Bernie and the inquisitive Halo.

Events and happenings in Winchester and the surrounding territories:

Wednesday, July 16th

Vault & Cellar, Middletown - Whiskey with Dan! Double Feature Edition, 6pm

North Warren Fire Station 10, Front Royal - Swing Into Fun: Front Royal Swing Dance Nights!, 7:30 pm

Movementation, Winchester - Women’s Qigong Class at Bowman Library, 5:30pm

Kimberly’s, Winchester - Wine Class: Australia and New Zealand 5:30-6:30pm

Edinburg Mill Restaurant, Edinburg - Old Hill Cider Dinner, 6pm

Front Royal Cardinals, Front Royal - Front Royal Cardinals Vs Woodstock River Bansits, 7pm

Shenandoah Valley Axe Throwing Co, Front Royal - Music Bing & Trivia Night Every Wednesday, 6pm

Blue Wing Frog, Strasburg - Shenandoah Poetry Collective, 6pm

Fauquier Co Fair, Warrenton - 75th Annual Fauquier Co Fair, 2pm

Stover Hall, Luray - It's Music Bingo Night at Stover Hall (in Luray, VA)!, 7pm

Mt. Defiance Cidery and Distillery, Middleburg - Bingo Night, 6pm

Bridgeforth Stadium, Winchester - Royals vs. Strasburg Express, 7pm

HEART NET, Romney - HEART Net Amateur Radio Meeting, 7pm

Thursday, July 17th

The Catamount Lounge, Front Royal - Mike Hasty Trio @ The Catamount Lounge, 8pm

On Cue Sports Bar & Grill, Front Royal - Karaoke Night @ On Cue, 7:30 pm

Erika Marie Ceramics, Berryville - 4 Week Beginner Handbuilding Class, 6pm

The Homestead Farm at Fruit Hill Orchard, Winchester - Bluegrass on the Farm, 6pm

Brickhouse Bar and Grill, Front Royal - Open Mic @ Brickhouse Bar & Grill (hosted by CBD), 7pm

Hibachi Fresh, Front Royal - Live Music with Gunner Heath, 6pm

Glen Burnie Garden Club, Stephens City - July Picnic!, 6pm

Bowman Library, Stephens City - Sunset Series: The Fly Birds * Sponsored by Blue Ridge Agents Insurance, 6:30 pm

Winchester Brew Works, Winchester - Bingo Night @ WBW, 6:30 pm

Friday, July 18th

317 Main Street, Berryville - Clarke County Farmer’s Market, National Ice Cream Day 8 am-noon

Murphy Beverage Co., Winchester - Wine Tasting 5-7pm

Shenandoah Music Festival, Woodstock - Gaelic Storm, 8pm

Drum Orpheum Rehearsal Hall, Winchester - Quentin Walston Trio, 7:30 pm

Shenandoah Music Festival, Woodstock - The Motortown All-Stars, 8pm

Bright Box Theater, Winchester - The Joshua Tree - THE NATION'S PREMIER TRIBUTE TO U2, 8pm

Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester - July Yoga in the Gardens, 9am

Lark Brewing Company, Aldie - Beer Choir: Summer Sing-In 2025, 6pm

Shenandoah Conservatory, Winchester - Little Women (multiple dates and times)

Discover Strasburg, Strasburg - Front Porch Friday with The River's Edge!, 7pm

Briedé Family Vineyards, Clear Brook - Wine Trivia Night at Briedé Family Vineyards, 6pm

Touch of Texas, Bunker Hill - Ladies Night, 8pm

West Oaks Farm, Winchester - Farm Concert: Hot Fun Band, 7-10pm

Bear Chase Brewing Company, Bluemont - Friday Night Live at Bear Chase Brewing Company, 6pm

Vintage Barrel, Luray - It's Trivia Night at The Vintage Barrel (in Luray, VA)!, 7pm

50/50 Taphouse, Winchester - Drag bingo at 5050 taphouse, 10pm

Lost Barrel Brewing, Middleburg - Live Music by One Blue Might at Lost Barrel Brewing, 5:30 pm

Goodstone Inn & Restaurant, Middleburg - Chef's Table Series: Brazilian "Four Hands" Dinner, 9pm

Box Office Brewery, Strasburg - Crosswinds at Box Office, 7pm

Shawnee Springs Market & Cannery, Winchester - Weekly Beer Tasting at Shawnee Springs Market, Senseny Road, 4pm

Saturday, July 19th

Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester - Antique & Modified Car Show, 10am

Great County Farms, Bluemont - Peach Fuzztival (all weekend)

Sunset Polo, The Plains - Disney Plus Party, Gates at 5:30

Warren Heritage Society, Inc., Front Royal - Backyard Decade Party - 80s Night! by Warren Heritage Society, 7pm

Bright Box Theater, Winchester - Strange Souls: The Doors Reimagined, 8pm

Wolf Gap Vineyard, Edinburg - Live Music with Girl Meets Boy 2-5pm

Fireman’s Field Park, Purcellville - Purcellville Wine and Food Festival, 2pm-8pm

Winchester Book Gallery, Winchester - Author Event: Janis Norton - What The Red Oak Saw 11 am-1pm

Bridgeforth Stadium, Winchester - Royals vs. Purcellville Cannons 7pm

Winchester Book Gallery, Winchester - Author Event: Joseph Kowalewski - 20/20 BLESSED MIRACLE: Finding Redemption in Recovery 2pm-4pm

Shenandoah Axe Co., Front Royal - Karaoke & Free Music Bingo, 6pm

Hollywood Casino, Charles Town WV - The Band Perry in Charles Town, 8pm

Winchester VA Parks and Recreation, Winchester - Fun in the Sun, 11:30 am

Cousins Maine Lobster (Washington DC), Purcellville - Cousins Maine Lobster🦞at The Purcellville Wine & Food Festival, 2pm

War Memorial Park, Martinsburg - Martinsburg Sprint Triathlon, 7am

Monumental Comedy DC, Delaplane - Comedy Night @ Barrell Oak Winery, 7pm

Bear Chase Brewery, Bluemont - Sela Campbell live at Bear Chase Brewery, 6pm

Vallery Hill Winery, Winchester - Liesl West Valerie Hill Winery Book Signing, 4pm

Sunday, July 20th

Stitch Needlepoint, Middleburg - Sunday Afternoon Stitch 2-4pm

Wolf Gap Vineyard & Winery, Edinburg - Robbie Limon at Wolf Gap Vineyard, 2pm

Cousins Maine Lobster, Woodstock - Cousins Maine Lobster🦞at Woodstock - Muse Vineyards, 12pm

Warren County Virginia Sheriff's Office, Front Royal - WCSO - Summer Ice Cream Social, 2pm

Bridgeforth Stadium, Winchester - Royals vs. New Market Rebels, 7pm

Chilly Hollow Brew Co., Berryville - Brewery Paint Day at Chilly Hollow with Easely Created, noon-2pm

Wolf Gap Vineyard, Edinburg - Live Music with Robbie Limon 2-5pm

West Oaks Farm Market, Winchester - Live Music: Lyndsie Nicholson, 1pm

The Catamount Lounge, Front Royal - Tarot Night, 5pm

Vibrissa, Winchester - 🔆 Scout Spark: A Sister Scouts Social, 4pm

Archwood Green Barns Farmer's Market, The Plains - Archwood Green Barns Farmers' Market 2025, 10am

Yoga Travel Heal, Winchester - SUP YOGA 1/2 Day Immersion, 9am

Lost Barrel Brewing, Middleburg - DOG DAYS OF SUMMER at Lost Barrel Brewing, 11am

Ledo Pizza, Winchester - ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT SPAGHETTI SUNDAYS AT LEDO PIZZA!, 11am

Monday, July 21st

Lark Brewing Co., Aldie - Bingo Night at Lark 🍻🎱, 6:30 pm

BikeWalk Winchester, Winchester - July TalkWALK - Northeast Winchester, 6pm

The River House, Capon Bridge - Yoga In The Gallery, 5:30 pm

Sage Herbal Consulting, Winchester - Feminine Wisdom Circle, 5:30 pm

Samuels Public Library, Front Royal - Music & Movement, 11am

Wolf Gap Vineyard, Edinburg - Celebrate Shark Week with the Great Whites of the Valley, noon-6pm

Easely Created Winchester, Winchester - "Shark Week" Art Camp at Easely Created, 10am

Tail Race Farm, Aldie - July 21st-25th Tail Race Farm Horseback Riding Camp, 9am

Tuesday, July 22nd

Honey & Hops Brew Works, Front Royal - Music Trivia Night 🎶, 7pm

Loudoun County Public Library, Purcellville - Native Snakes, 7pm

Chilly Hollow Brewing, Berryville - Walking Taco Tuesday (1$ off walking tacos all day)

Shenandoah River State Park, Bentonville - Prehistoric Precision, 2pm

Loudoun County Fair, Leesburg - 2025 Loudoun County Fair - 89th Year!!, 10am

Bluemont Community Center, Bluemont - Tune-In Tuesdays!, 10am

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Have fun out there!