Hail to the Trail

Join us for the 11th annual Hail to the Trail on Sunday, October 22, 2023! 

Hail to the Trail Flyer 2023 FINALThe annual Purcellville Green Expo called Hail to the Trail was held on Sunday, October 22 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Chapman DeMary Trail. Hail to the Trail is free and open to the public, and fun for families, students, and scouts. During the annual event, you can explore this 10-acre area which is considered to be the last stand of old-growth forest in the Town, meet local environmental experts, participate in fun hands-on activities to learn about nature and the environment, help plant trees, get supplies to start your own nature journal, listen to live music, learn about native plants and wildlife, and participate in the Town’s annual Arbor Day Celebration with recognition from the Virginia Department of Forestry for the annual Tree City USA designation. Follow Hail to the Trail on Facebook!

See photos from the event on the Hail to the Trail Facebook page!

Below is a list of the organizations that will be participating in the 2023 Hail to the Trail:

  • Franklin Park— the power of water to shape our global environment and way of life
  • Loudoun County Tree Stewards–learn how to identify tree seeds and nuts
  • Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy—learn about amphibians and native plants
  • Piedmont Environmental Council--find out about insects and their habitats
  • Plant NOVA Natives--learn about native plants
  • Purcellville Arts Council—get supplies and tips to start your own nature journal
  • Purcellville Library--use items found in nature to create art  
  • Purcellville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board—play a nature memory game
  • Purcellville Tree and Environment Sustainability Committee—play a game about water and decorate and fill milkweed seed bags
  • Secret Garden Birds and Bees--see raptors, like owls and hawks, up close
  • Sweet Run State Park--animal furs, skulls, and tracks to touch and talk about 
  • Virginia Department of Forestry--tree cookies and ring counting  
  • Virginia Master Naturalists--figurines of the life cycles of bugs, hides, skulls, and information about native vs. invasive plants

There will also be face painting, live music, and food.

The Chapman DeMary Trail is a 10-acre area in the Town of Purcellville that runs along the South Fork Catoctin Creek, part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The area is open to the public for environmental recreation, exploration, and education. The Town of Purcellville holds the conservation easement for this privately-owned property. It is managed through a partnership among Loudoun Valley High School, The Nature Generation, the Piedmont Environmental Council, and the Town of Purcellville. The entrance for the Chapman DeMary Trail is behind the building at 205 East Hirst Road in Purcellville. 

The Purcellville Green Expo/Hail to the Trail is hosted by the Purcellville Tree and Environment Sustainability Committee, a standing committee of the Town of Purcellville that focuses on environmental programs, sustainability, enhancement of the tree canopy, and continuation of the Town's Tree City USA designation.