Haystead Events
Black Dragons Mercenary Company
Dirty Deeds done for Mead
The pipes are Calling... 51st Virginia Scottish games
A HAY A HAY A HAY !
Again this year the great and mighty Constables of Scotland will be represented at the Virginia Highland Games! The Hay Clan will once again have our tent and the Haystead will be on site with our honorable Clan Conveyor and general legend of all things of Scottish clan history, Kevin Hay.
Make sure you come and make yourself known, and enjoy this annual event!
Operation Coastal Watch 2026
Operation Coastal Watch 2026 is the Haystead Research Ranch's latest Defiant Expedition, taking the team to Virginia Beach for a weekend of marine science, conservation, and exploration. Based at First Landing State Park, the expedition will combine visits to the Virginia Aquarium's marine exhibits and research facilities with hands on observation of coastal ecosystems, documenting marine biodiversity while exploring current conservation efforts along Virginia's Atlantic shoreline.
A highlight of the mission will be the Virginia Aquarium's Dolphin and Whale Watching cruise, providing opportunities to observe Atlantic bottle nose dolphins and other marine wildlife in their natural environment while learning from the vessel's naturalists and researchers. As with every Defiant Expedition, the mission emphasizes scientific curiosity, public education, photography, and field documentation while strengthening Haystead Research Ranch's commitment to science, conservation, and inspiring a lifelong passion for the natural world.
🔭 HAYSTEAD MESSIER MARATHON MONDAY
🔭 HAYSTEAD MESSIER MARATHON MONDAY
Field Observatory Deployment – March 23rd
Location: The Hill – Haystead Research Ranch
Event Type: Astronomical Field Operations
Seasonal Window: Vernal Equinox Cycle
🌌 Event Overview
The Haystead Research Ranch will host its annual Messier Marathon Monday Field Deployment March 23rd.
During this single-night we will attempt to observe and log as many objects as possible from the Messier Catalog — a collection of 110 deep-sky targets including galaxies, nebulae, globular clusters, and open clusters.
This is a precision-timed observational event aligned with the optimal equinox window, when the geometry of the night sky allows nearly the entire Messier catalog to be visible over the course of one night.
🏕 Field Deployment Plan
A large dome tent portable observatory will be established on the Haystead Hill to provide:
Maximum open horizon view of the ecliptic
Minimal tree-line interference
Optimal southern and western sky exposure
Stable equipment platform for tracking systems
The site selection prioritizes low light pollution and uninterrupted sky arcs from dusk to dawn.
🔬 Equipment & Technical Operations
The following systems will be deployed:
Primary and secondary telescopes
Computerized equatorial tracking mounts
Digital star charts & target sequencing software
Imaging systems (weather permitting)
Real-time observation logging
Target acquisition will follow a structured progression:
Early western targets at dusk
Midnight meridian clusters
Pre-dawn eastern objects
Low-horizon final captures before sunrise
Efficiency, sequencing discipline, and atmospheric conditions will determine final object count.
🎯 Mission Objective
Attempt maximum Messier object capture within one astronomical night
Log confirmed visual observations
Record environmental conditions
Refine telescope alignment and rapid-target acquisition procedures
The marathon is both a challenge and a calibration exercise for Haystead’s observational astronomy capabilities.
🌠 Why It Matters
The Messier Marathon is more than a checklist — it is:
A seasonal sky reset
A systems integration test
A reminder of our place within the Milky Way
A live exercise in endurance, precision, and celestial navigation
From the hill at Haystead, beneath dark Virginia skies, the Ranch becomes a temporary deep-space command outpost.
LOTR camping movie marathon
LOTR camping movie marathon ! New, but hopefully annual Lord of the Rings camping movie marathon! TBA details coming soon
Ravenwood Age of the Viking
PRE-SALE TICKETS ARE LIVE!!! *
On June 8th, 793, Northmen raided the English monastery at Lindisfarne, starting the age of the Viking! On June 8th, 2024, Mountain Run Winery and Ravenwood Foundation presents Ravenwood Medieval Faire, will commemorate this date by bringing the Age of the Viking back to life with a mead festival & Viking-themed Medieval Faire.
Pluss Misty Mountain Mead works !
You must be 21+ and provide valid identification in order to purchase/consume alcohol. Valid identification must be presented to purchase at this event
There will be LARP-style Viking combat scenarios throughout the day, a Viking-style encampment, a Viking-themed scavenger hunt throughout the vendor village and more.
VIKING FEAST/ENTERTAINMENT
The fun doesn't stop when the Faire closes, as there will be an evening Viking Feast (separate ticket), bonfire and camping (small fee, see ticket link info) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm in the 120-year-old stable at Mountain Run Winery.
Harpist, Bard, Fire Dancer (outside the barn), Viking stories will be told!
NEED MORE INFO, EMAIL US AT: INFO@RAVENWOODFOUNDATION.ORG
Age Of the Vikings!
Viking Tournaments and Battles! Shield Demonstrations! Come Dressed to Impress!
Several Viking Encampments to explore! Shield wall demonstrations, tournaments, multiple viking battles throughout the day! A Viking Fashion show! Come dressed to impress if you so choose!
Black Dragons Take Olde Dominion
Setting up camp and taking contracts! The Black Dragons 2nd event of the year is quickly approaching. Olde Dominion Fantasy & Medieval Faire is hosting a fun little May and Faefair that we get to be apart of. As always we are looking forward to seeing everyone there!
Seán Heely's Celtic Christmas in Lynchburg, VA (two performances)
Seán Heely's Celtic Christmas in Lynchburg, VA (two performances)
Saturday, December 21, 2024
3:00pm – 7:00pm
Academy Center of the Arts (map)
600 Main Street
Lynchburg, VA, 24504
United States
Tickets Here
Join Champion Scottish fiddler Seán Heely and a cast of nationally-acclaimed Celtic performers on a magical journey through Scotland and Ireland during the holidays. The fiddle and bagpipes will sweep you away to Christmastime and Winter Solstice celebrations along with percussive dance and Highland dance that will lift your holiday spirits and warm your heart. Kilts and tartan abound as the show travels through ancient Gaelic carols and songs, tucked in perfectly with lively Irish tunes and familiar Christmas melodies with a Celtic twist.
