There's Still Time To Catch Fall Festivals Near Burke

BURKE, VA — Fall is a great time to get outside in the Burke area and take in the rich offering of festivals.

The changing colors of autumn provide a scenic background for fall and harvest festivals, which have contests ranging from apple bobbing and pumpkin carving to lumberjack contests and Halloween parades. Fall is also the season for corn mazes, pumpkin patches and apple orchard visits.

Here are a few festivals and events in the Burke and surrounding area worth putting on the calendar:

• Fairfax Fire Station Open House: Saturday, Oct. 15, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. All Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Stations will be open for the public to tour the station, learn about fire safety, and meet the firefighters in your community. Learn more about the Burke Volunteer Fire Department open house.
• Fairfax County Trunk or Treat: Wednesday, Oct. 19, from 6-8 p.m, at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Go "Trunk-To-Trunk" in a family-friendly atmosphere. Register to participate.
• Trunk or Treat: Tuesday, Oct. 25, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Faith Fellowship Assembly of God, 7800 Telegraph Road, Alexandria, VA. Faith Fellowship will join Boy Scouts Troop 1519 and local Girl Scout Troops to provide a family night. Come in costume for trunk or treat, games and hot dogs. The rain date is Oct. 27.
• Halloween Party @ My Gym: Friday, Oct. 28. 5810 Kingstowne Ctr., Suite 110, Alexandria, VA. Dress your little ones in their favorite costumes and bring them to My Gym for some Halloween fun. 3 p.m.-3:45 p.m., ages 3 and younger only; 4 p.m.-4:45 p.m., all ages; 5 p.m.-5:45 p.m., all ages; and 6 p.m.-6:45 p.m., all ages.
• Trunk-or-Treat Halloween Party: Saturday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m. Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 6362 Lincolnia Rd, Alexandria, VA. Come in costume for trunk or treat with decorated cars as well as Halloween activities like a scavenger hunt, corn hole, sidewalk chalk, bubbles and craft station.

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• Trick or Treating at Mount Vernon: Saturday, Oct. 29. George Washington's Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, Mt Vernon, VA. Bring the children to greet General Washington and collect candy, enjoy a puppet show, music, magic and a costume parade.
• C21NM Halloween Party: Saturday, Oct. 29, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 5990 Kingstowne Center 5990 Kingstowne Center Alexandria, VA. You and a guest are invited for a night of tricks, treats, and plenty of BOOs! Come in your best costume — prizes will be awarded! Food and drinks will be provided — just bring you and a guest dressed in your best... costume!
• Ghost Town at Burke Lake Park: Saturday, Oct. 29 and Sunday, Oct. 30, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Road, Burke VA. The Fairfax County Park Authority is holding its inaugural Ghost Town event at Burke Lake Park, where the park’s entire activity area will be transformed into a "friendly" ghost town. Attendees are encouraged to wear their best costumes. Online tickets are available in advance through Thursday, Oct. 27 for $15 per person. Day-of tickets may be purchased at the park for $20 per person.
• Burke Community Church Fall Festival: Saturday, Nov. 5, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Burke Community Church, 9900 Old Keene Mill Rd., Burke, VA. This is a free event for the community to enjoy. Pre-school-6th grade children will enjoy: indoor/outdoor games; inflatable games; crafts; ponies; laser tag; inexpensive concessions; costumes (non-scary); and candy and prizes. Stop by our Welcome Tent to sign in and pick up a bag for children. Parking is limited, so plan on using our shuttle service from the nearby Foundry Church at 9800 Old Keene Mill.