The fellowship returns for a third year.
There is a night every fall when Middle Virginia stops being a place on the map and starts being a place out of a story.
On Saturday, September 26, 2026, An Unexpected Gathering returns for its third year, this time in the orchards of Albemarle Cider Works. Tickets are limited. This is not a dinner. It is a night you step into, transported the moment you arrive into another world of halflings and folklore.
The evening begins at 5pm. A vendor village opens across the grounds, hand-curated regional makers offering flower crowns, pottery, jewelry, costume accoutrements, art, and poetry, with a portion of every sale supporting the cause. Games and activities are set up throughout the property for guests to wander between. Character actors move through the crowd in full costume, including a 10-foot wandering wizard on stilts. A full live band plays on the green.
At the center of the night is a full farm-to-table feast, cooked over open fire by Chef Sarah Rennie of Two Fire Table. Every ingredient is sourced with intention from farmers across the region. Alongside the feast: Lembas bread, baked from local Virginia grain by a local baker just for this gathering, and a curated lineup of local and craft ciders, wines, and beers.
As the sky darkens, a one-of-a-kind drone show takes flight above the orchard. There is no other event in the region staging anything like it. The band returns, and the whole gathering is called into a group folk dance under the stars.
Inspired by the old tales of halfling celebrations, An Unexpected Gathering is a birthday party so generous it feeds the whole village. It is a chance to dress for the occasion and remember that the best evenings are still made by hand.
Every ticket fuels the mission. All proceeds support Fields of View, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit telling the stories of farmers, food systems, and rural communities across Virginia.
Private, adults-only, ages 21 and up. Cloaks, capes, and halfling garb required.
Event Details
• Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
• Time: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
• Location: Albemarle Cider Works, North Garden, VA
• Format: Immersive farm-to-table dinner with live music, games, and folk faire
• Dress: Folk and farmstead costume fitting Middle Virginia. Cloaks and capes welcome.
• Age: Private event, 21 and up
HERD Ventures is proud to produce this event. All proceeds go to Fields of View, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Due to the nature of the event, dietary restrictions are unable to be accommodated. However, there will be vegetarian dishes available. Please note that this is a private, adults-only event that requires a ticket for entry. We kindly request no kids or pets. Tickets are nonrefundable but can be transferred. If you have any questions, please feel to fill out our Contact Form.
If you’d like to support work that uplifts farmers and strengthens local food systems, you can make a direct donation to the nonprofit Field of View 501(c)(3): Donate Here