Weekend in the Parks: Wagon Rides, Farm Animals, S'Mores Around the Campfire

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? The weather is supposed to be gorgeous so it’s a great time to get out and about in Fairfax County’s parks. Here’s a look at what’s happening, courtesy of Fairfax County:

PHOTO of Frying Pan Farm Park courtesy of Fairfax County

Saturday

Wild Side Wagon Ride
Take a 90-minute tractor ride with a Huntley Meadows Park naturalist to parts of the wetland that are difficult to reach on foot. Meet at the South King’s Highway park entrance. Rides on 9/27 depart at 2 and 4 p.m. The cost is $6 per person. Register online. For information, call 703-768-2525.

Farm Animal Safari at Frying Pan
Calling all safari detectives! Use your powers of observation to locate clues left by animals from 11 a.m. to noon and 1 to 2 p.m. Activities include observation games and a guided tour through the park. The cost is $5 per person. Register online. For information, call 703-437-9101.

Sounds of the Night Campfire
Identify nocturnal animal calls and enjoy stories around a campfire at Hidden Oaks Nature Center from 7 to 8 p.m. Make s’mores. The cost is $6. Register online. For information, call 703-941-1065.

The Living Garden Spaces Symposium
Come to Green Spring Gardens’ Living Garden Spaces Symposium from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and discover how to create a richly layered home garden with nature as your design inspiration. The cost is $75 per person. Call for vegetarian lunch requests. Register online. For information, call 703-642-5173.

Flavored Teas Tasting Party
Sample a range of loose-leaf black, green and white teas accented with combinations of fruit, berries, spices, oils and blossoms at Historic Green Spring from 10:30 a.m. to noon. A traditional English tea follows the program. The cost is $25 per person. Register online. For information, call 703-941-7987.

Snapping Turtles
Visit the pond and search for snapping turtles at E.C. Lawrence Park from 2 to 3 p.m. Meet at Walney Pond. The cost is $5. Register online. For information, call 703-631-0013.

Birding for Beginners at Huntley Meadows
Learn about birds in the park from 8 to 11 a.m. The program begins with an indoor discussion. The cost is $6 per person. Register online. For information, call 703-768-2525.

Evening Walk
Join Huntley Meadows Park Naturalist P.J. Dunn to hike the trails after dark from 7 to 9 p.m. Listen for owls and frogs and watch for beaver activity. The cost is $7 per person. Register online. For information, call 703-768-2525.

Sunday

Grain Grinding Demonstrations
The miller will be grinding from noon to 3 p.m., conditions permitting, at Colvin Run Mill Historic Site. Tours cost $7 for adults, $6 for students, and $5 for children and seniors. For information, call 703-759-2771.

Microscopic Monsters at Walney Pond
From 1 to 2 p.m. at E.C. Lawrence Park, use a microscope to discover invisible organisms and learn why such tiny creatures are so important. The cost is $5 per person. Register online. For information, call 703-631-0013.

Monarchs and More
Learn to identify monarch and other butterflies and assist with tagging monarchs at Hidden Oaks Nature Center. This one-hour program is offered at 2:30 p.m. on 9/6, and 1:30 and 3 p.m. on 9/21. The cost is $6 per person. Register online. For information, call 703-941-1065.

The Social Ladder
At Historic Green Spring from 1 to 3 p.m. learn how everybody knew their place on the social ladder in the Old World and the New. The cost is $29 and includes an English tea program. For information, call 703-941-7987.