Memorial Day Weekend: Wagon Rides, Tea Parties, Bird-Watching

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- There's plenty going on his holiday weekend at Fairfax County parks. Take a look here at all the activities. Information courtesy of Fairfax County Weekender.

Friday, May 27: All about Amphibians

Amphibian Campfire : Gather around a campfire to learn about our native amphibians. Participants will see animals firsthand and talk about their habits and habitats as well as make s’mores From 7 to 8 p.m. atE.C. Lawrence Park. Ages 2 and up. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. $6/person. Register online. For information, call 703-631-0013.

Also on Friday:

Rockhounders : This hands-on approach to geology includes rock/mineral classification, plate tectonics, fossils and collecting. From 5 to 6 p.m. at Hidden Pond Nature Center. Topics vary each week. Ages 6 to 12. $7/child. Register online. For information, call 703-451-9588.

Saturday, May 28: Make a Splash!

Water Mine Opens for the Summer: The recently expanded, and better than ever, Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (also Sunday and Monday) at Lake Fairfax Park. Season passes for the water park can be purchased online or daily passes bought on-site. $15.95/person over 48” tall on weekends and holidays; $12.25/person under 48” tall; and free for ages 2 and under. For information, call 703-471-5414.

Also on Saturday:

Wagon Ride — Birds, Butterflies & Blossoms : Take a wagon ride scavenger hunt through the meadow to search for birds and butterflies and meet a friendly animal up close. From 10 to 11 a.m. atRiverbend Park. Ages 2 and up. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. $6/person. Register online. For information, call 703-759-9018.

Cures from the Quarter: At the slave quarter, learn how enslaved African Americans maintained their health. Discover the differences and similarities between health care methods of slaves and their masters, as well as learn about the Native American influence on early American health care. Reservations are suggested for this program at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. at Sully Historic Site. A Forgotten Road Tour is included. $7/adult, $6/student and $5/senior or child; pay at site. For information and to make a reservation, call 703-437-1794.

Copperheads and Black Racers : Participants are invited to assist a naturalist with a reptile survey. Search for, capture, identify and release snakes, as well as learn habits and preferred habitats of native snakes. From 10 to 11:30 a.m. at E.C. Lawrence Park. Ages 8 and up. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. $6/person. Register online. For information, call 703-631-0013.

Tiny Tea Party : Hear the story “The Little Red Hen Makes Pizza” as you sip mint tea or apple juice and munch on animal crackers, as well as make a pretend pizza and a craft. From 1 to 1:45 p.m. atHidden 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.

Star-Spangled Sing-Along: Join the Reston Chorale for a free, patriotic sing-along honoring those who serve and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Share your support for the troops by sharing care package items for those deployed overseas. Activities for children; refreshments available for purchase. From 2 to 3 p.m. at the Reston Town Center Pavilion. Free. For information, call 703-476-4500.

Sunday, May 29: It's a Bird!

Bird Watching Club : Look up, listen carefully and discover the amazing birds that inhabit the park. Children ages 5 to 11 meet once a month to develop birding skills that will last a lifetime. From 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at E.C. Lawrence Park. $5/child. Register online. For information, call 703-631-0013.

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.

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