Weekend Fun in Fairfax County Parks

(Editor’s note: Weekender is courtesy of Fairfax County. Wagon ride photo courtesy of Fairfax County.)

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Take a look at what’s happening in area parks this weekend:

Saturday, Oct. 17: Pumpkins Aplenty

Preschool Pumpkins in the Park: Bring your little munchkins for preschool pumpkin festival fun. Activities include pumpkin painting, face painting and a puppet show. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lake Fairfax Park. Small pumpkin included. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Ages 3 and up. $7/person. Register online. For information, call 703-471-5414.

Also on Saturday:

Farm Harvest Days: Fall is a busy time on the farm! Watch the cider press in action, milk a goat or a cow, shell corn, peel apples, meet the farm animals and see traditional farm demonstrations. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday at Frying Pan Farm Park. Free admission; some activities may have a fee. Enjoy a wagon ride for $3 or visit the Fall Carnival for even more family fun. For information, call 703-437-9101.

DIY – Aromatherapy Jewelry: Learn how to make your own necklace and discover the benefits of various essential oils and how they may enhance your well-being. Leave with a handmade necklace and a 1 ml essential oil sample. From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Richard Byrd Library. Ages 17 and up. Free; register online. For information, call 703-451-8055.

Hacked!: Gus Fritschie, chief technology officer at SeNet International, presents a program on cyber security. Find out what’s out there, what your risks are and what steps you can take to protect yourself. From 1 to 2:45 p.m. at Dolley Madison Library. Adults. Free; register online. For information, call 703-356-0770.

“Colorblind – The Forgotten Team that Broke Baseball’s Color Line”: Journalist and author Tom Dunkel discuss his nationally acclaimed first book that tells the true story of an integrated semipro baseball team that played in North Dakota during the Great Depression, featuring its star pitcher, Satchel Paige. Book sales and signing to follow. From 2 to 3 p.m. at Kings Park Library. Adults and teens. Free; register online. For information, call 703-978-5600.

Live Owl and Hawk Fest: Meet birds of prey presented by wildlife rehabilitator and artist Lois Auer and explore how these birds’ adaptations enable them to be agile hunters. Find out which species live in Fairfax County and what’s inside an owl pellet. From 2 to 3:15 p.m. at Hidden Oaks Nature Center. Ages 3 and up. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. $7/person. Register online. For information, call 703-941-1065.

Ballroom Social Dance: Wear your Halloween-inspired best for a special edition of the Ballroom Social Dance series. Costume door prizes will be given! All skill levels welcome. Mini-lesson on the cha-cha, 7:30 to 8 p.m. Social dance led by a professional ballroom instructor, 8 to 10:30 p.m. McGuire-Woods Gallery (second floor of W-16), Workhouse Arts Center. $10/person (Ballroom Social) and $5/person (mini-lesson). Mini-lesson tickets sold only at the door. Ballroom Social Dance tickets may be purchased online, by phone or at the door. For information call 703-584-2900.

Music of the Scottish Isles: Scotland’s Western Isles are where Gaelic is still spoken, fairies are taken seriously and the ancient songs are still sung. Julie Fowlis, born and raised on the remote island of North Uist, has won “Gaelic Singer of the Year” and “Album of the Year” honors and is one of Scotland’s true contemporary treasures. From 8 to 9:30 p.m. at The Alden Theatre, McLean Community Center. $35/person. Buy ticketsonline. For information, call 703-790-0123.

Sunday, Oct. 18: Scare Up Some Fun

Boo-Tiful Mobile Craft: Create a spooky mobile of your favorite Halloween characters. From 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Hidden Pond Nature Center. All materials provided. Ages 3 to 12. $8/child (must be accompanied by an adult – no charge). Register online. For information, call 703-451-9588.

Also on Sunday:

Wagon Ride ­– Birds, Butterflies and Blossoms: Take a wagon ride scavenger hunt through the meadow to search for birds and butterflies and meet friendly animals up close. From 10 to 11 a.m. at Riverbend Park. Ages 2 and up. $5/person. Register online. For information, call 703-759-9018.

Grinding Demonstrations: See and hear 19th-century technology at work. From noon to 3 p.m. at Colvin Run Mill. The miller will be grinding, conditions permitting. Please call the site to confirm. Tour cost is $7/adult, $6/student 16 and up with ID and $5/child or senior; pay at site. No reservations required. For information, call 703-759-2771.

• Information was correct at time of publication. Please contact individual event sites to confirm programs are being held as scheduled.
• The Fairfax County Weekender highlights a selection of county events taking place each weekend. Many more events and activities can be found at the Parks and Library pages, and elsewhere on the Fairfax County website. Additionally, the towns of Herndon and Vienna as well as the city of Falls Church offer many arts, entertainment and recreational opportunities.