Weekend: Irish Music, Campfire, Tea Party + More

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- Looking to get out and have some fun this weekend? Check out Fairfax County Weekender's compilation of events going on at county parks this weekend:

Friday, March 4: The Great Outdoors

Campfire Friday – Amphibians: Enjoy a campfire, s’mores, animals and more. From 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Hidden Pond Nature Center. Ages 3 and up. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. $8/person. Register online. For information, call 703-451-9588.

Saturday, March 5: Art for All

Drawing Workshop – Everyone Can Draw: Think you can’t draw? Artist and instructor Marni Maree shows you that you can by learning techniques on different media. From 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens (includes a lunch break). Ages 16 and up. $80/person. A supply fee of $10 (cash or check) is payable to the instructor at class. Register online. For information, call 703-642-5173.

Also on Saturday:

Tree ID Workshop – Conifers: Learn to identify a variety of evergreens. Bring a 10X hand lens or magnifying glass and dress for the weather. From 10 a.m. to noon at Green Springs Garden. Ages 16 and up. $22/person. Register online. For more information, call 703-642-5173.

First Ladies and Scandals in the City: Experienced DC tour guide Elaine Flynn brings to life the first ladies and the political scandals of their day. An entertaining and informative event. From 11 a.m. to noon at Oakton Library. Adults. Free; register online. For information, call 703-242-4020.

A Celebration of Irish Music: Get into the spirit of St. Patrick's Day! Accomplished local musician Karen Ashbrook will entertain you with beautiful songs and charming stories from the Emerald Isle. From 2 to 3 p.m. at Kings Park Library. All ages. Free; register online. For information, call 703-978-5600.

Sideways Stories from Wayside School: This delightfully demented story about the strangest school ever built where students battle supernatural teachers and endure madcap lessons is performed by McLean youth. From 3 to 4 p.m. at The Alden Theatre, McLean Community Center (also on Sunday). $15/person. Buy tickets online. For information, call 703-790-0123.

Family Woodcock Walk: Stroll to one of the park’s largest meadows where bird-lovers can listen for the call of the male woodcock and hopefully see his amazing courtship dance. From 5:30 to 7 p.m. atHuntley Meadows Park. Bring a flashlight. Ages 7 and up. $6/person. Canceled in the event of rain. Register online. For information, call 703-768-2525.

Sunday, March 6: Tree Talk

Speak for the Trees: Children age 2 to 12 can bring an adult and celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday with a reading of “The Lorax,” make a Lorax craft and learn how trees help people. From 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at E.C. Lawrence Park. $6/child. Register online. For information, call 703-631-0013.

Also on Sunday:

Maple Syrup Boil-Down: The sap is rising and the maple trees are tapped. Now it’s sugaring time. Bundle up, brave the weather and see sap boiled down into sweet syrup over an open fire for the last time this season. Sample the delicious combination of maple syrup over fresh baked cornbread – while supplies last. From noon to 2 p.m. at Colvin Run Mill. Ages 3 and up. Please dress appropriately. $5/person; pay at site. No reservations required. For information, call 703-759-2771.

Winter Lecture – The Hows and Whys of Botanical Nomenclature: Botanical nomenclature is the formal, scientific naming system set up for easy plant identification. Plantsman Lee Gordon explains this naming system and helps you gain a better understanding of how it works and why you want to use it. From 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens. Adults. $10/person in advance or $12/person at the door. Register online. For information, call 703-642-5173.

Alice in Wonderland Tea Party: Parents and children ages 5 and older can sip tea, enjoy butterfly-shaped sandwiches, join the crazy fun of “Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatter” and his friends at the strangest of tea parties and meet a live creature from the story. From 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Hidden Oaks Nature Center. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. $15/person. Register online. For information, call 703-941-1065.

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.

A complete list of county calendars is also available online.

To request this information in an alternate format, call 703-324-3187.

TTY is 711 unless otherwise indicated.