Weekend in Fairfax County Parks: Birdfeeder Making, Wagon Rides, Western Dance + More

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- Ready for the weekend? Take a look at what's doing at Fairfax County parks -- information courtesy of the county's Weekender:

Friday, Nov. 4: Meet the Author

Fablehaven Series Author: Come hear Brandon Mull, author of the bestselling Fablehaven, Beyonders and Five Kingdoms series as well as titles in the Spirit Animals series from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center. Ages 7 and up. Free; register online. For information, call 703-324-3100.

Also on Friday:

Rockhounders – Fall Series : The popular summer camp for children age 6 to 12 is now a fall series with a hands-on approach to geology that includes rock/mineral classification, plate tectonics, fossils and collecting from 5 to 6 p.m. at Hidden Pond Nature Center. Topics vary each week. $7/child. Register online. For information, call 703-451-9588.

Amphibian Campfire : Gather around a campfire and learn about native amphibians. See some animals and talk about their habits and habitats, and then make s’mores around the campfire from 6 to 7 p.m. at Riverbend Park. Ages 2 and up. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. $7/person. Register online. For information, call 703-759-9018.

Saturday, Nov. 5: Pairing Plants

Garden Program - Texture & Contrasts : Learn how to pair plants like a landscape designer using contrasting leaf textures and color intensity during this program. University of Delaware professor emeritus Bob Lyons gives examples of plant combinations that any gardener can use to create beautiful plant vignettes. From 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens. Adults. $15/person. Register online. For information, call 703-642-5173.

Also on Saturday:

Feeding Day! Join a naturalist and youth volunteers as they demonstrate how they feed site display animals. Make a birdfeeder to take home and use. Search for worms and insects, and assist in serving dinner. From 10 to 11 a.m. at E.C. Lawrence Park. $6/person. Ages 2 and up. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Register online. For information, call 703-631-0013.

For Brotherhood and Duty: Meet local author, Brian McEnany, author of “For Brotherhood and Duty,” the fascinating story of 16 West Point cadets who faced difficult choices at the start of the Civil War, later fighting on opposite sides of the conflict. From 10:30 to noon at Patrick Henry Library. Books available for signing and purchase. Adults. Free; register online by 6 p.m., Nov. 4. For information, call 703-938-0405.

Mosby’s Rangers: Historian and author Eric Buckland will speak about Mosby's Rangers from 2 to 4 p.m. at Martha Washington Library. Book sale and signing to follow. Teens, adults. Free; registeronline. For information, call 703-768-6700.

Cocoa Wagon Rides : Enjoy this fall with a special harvest-themed wagon ride. Afterwards, sample hot cocoa and s’mores around the campfire. From 4 to 5 p.m., 5 to 6 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. at Frying Pan Farm Park. Ages 3 and up. $10/person. Register online. For information, call 703-437-9101.

Civil War Soldier Campfire : Enjoy a warm campfire at Walney and learn how soldiers lived during the Civil War. Practice drilling with a Civil War soldier, see a musket firing demonstration and try building a shelter. You can also try the hardtack that soldiers commonly ate during the Civil War and then compare this dietary staple to the delicious s’mores we enjoy today. From 5:30 to 7 p.m. at E.C. Lawrence Park. Ages 4 and up. $10/person. Register online. For information, call 703-631-0013.

Sunday, Nov. 6: Turkey Time

Tricky Turkeys: Do you know a jake from a jenny? Baby turkeys and their grown-ups are surprisingly curious creatures. Find out about these birds through a story, song and craft from 1:15 to 2 p.m. at Hidden Oaks Nature Center. Ages 2 to 5. Children must be accompanied by an adult. $6/child. Register online. For information, call 703-941-1065.

Also on Sunday:

Blacksmithing Demonstrations: Watch as the blacksmith fires up his forge and works with hammer and tongs to make iron tools and utensils from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Colvin Run Mill. Free; no reservations required. For information, call 703-759-2771.

The Okee Dokee Brothers: Justin Lansing and Joe Mailander have been exploring the outdoors together since they were kids and have translated these adventures into songs. Explore the natural world that is at the heart of their Americana folk music from 1 to 2 p.m. or 4 to 5 p.m. at The Alden, McLean Community Center. Ages 4 and up. $15/person. Buy tickets online. For information, call 703-790-0123.

Jane Austen Tea : Take a tasty trip back in time and experience history first-hand. Tea in the time of Jane Austen offers a refined experience. Get medical tips, fashion guidance and garden advice from 1 to 3 p.m. at Sully Historic Site. Tea and delicious afternoon refreshments will be served. Ages 8 and up. $28/person. Register online. For information, call 703-437-1794.

Garden Program - Gorgeous Ornamental Grass : Ornamental grasses are in their glory in fall. Join horticulturalist Brenda Skarphol as she introduces you to some beautiful grasses for your garden and shows you plant combinations that showcase their form and color. Learn how to plant and maintain these beauties for multi-season interest. Program is outdoors so please dress for the weather. From 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens. Ages 16 and up. $18/person. Register online. For information, call 703-642-5173.

Sunday Country Western Dance: Line dance, two-step, shuffle and swing the night away to popular country-western tunes played by Reston Community Center’s DJ. Dances are held monthly in the Community Room, which offers a spacious wooden dance floor and a smoke-free environment. Refreshments provided. No square or contra dancing, please. From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Reston Community Center – Hunters Woods. Ages 18 and up. $10/person; pay at door. For information, call703-476-4500.

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.

PHOTO: Fall leaves photo courtesy of Fairfax County