Weekend: Night Hike, Ballroom Dancing, Wood Carving + More

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- Ready to get out and about this weekend? Here's what's going on at Fairfax County parks, courtesy of The Weekender:

Friday, Sept. 16: Bulb Beauty

Garden Talks with Master Gardeners – Grow Beautiful Bulbs :Colorful bulbs can turn an ordinary garden into an extraordinary place. Planted in mass displays, small groupings or containers, they are a welcome sight in any garden. Learn from master gardeners about a variety of beautiful bulbs including how to plant and care for them. From1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens. Ages 18 and up. $10/person. Register online. For information, call 703-642-5173.

Also on Friday:

Hidden Pond Survivor : Do you know what it takes to survive in the wild? Learn survival techniques while exploring various environments and identifying nature dangers as well as helpful plants and animals. Topics vary. From 5 to 6 p.m. at Hidden Pond Nature Center. Ages 6 to 12. $7/child. Registeronline. For information, call 703-451-9588.

Summer Stage at Reston Station – Shag: Enjoy British rock from the 1970s to the 2000s. From 5 to 7 p.m. in the open air plaza atop Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station. All ages. Free. For information, call 703-476-4500.

Harvest Moon Campfire : Learn about the science and history of the colorful harvest moon and why Native Americans and colonists used the moon to indicate the time to harvest. Then gather around the campfire for s’mores. From 7:30 to 9 p.m. at E.C. Lawrence Park. Ages 2 and up. $8/person. Registeronline. For information, call 703-631-0013.

Saturday, Sept. 17: Slug It Out

SlugFest : Come for the only celebration of slugs on the East Coast. Enjoy slug racing, crafts, fortune telling, skin exfoliation, slime tossing and the world premiere of “Unsalted -The Story of the Slug Determined, at All Costs, to Win the Slug Race.” From 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Hidden Pond Nature Center. Ages 3 and up. $8/person. Register online. For information, call 703-451-9588.

Also on Saturday:

Blooming into Mindfulness: Local author and award-winning photographer Martha Brettschneider has learned how to use the garden as a mindfulness mentor. Come for a slideshow and discussion of how digging in the dirt brings focus to mind, spirit and camera. Her book, “Blooming Into Mindfulness,” will be available for purchase and signing. From 10:30 a.m. to noon at Patrick Henry Library. Adults. Free; register online. For information, call 703-938-0405.

Civil War Encampment: Walk through a Civil War encampment, talk with members of the Virginia 49th Volunteer Infantry and watch drilling and firing demonstrations. From noon to 4 p.m. at Colvin Run Mill. Free; no registration required. For information, call 703-759-2771.

A Tangle of Tales: Three favorite folk tales from around the world come to life with a touch of the familiar and a taste of the new. Using a variety of puppet styles, “The Frog Prince” from Germany, “Three Billy Goats Gruff” from Scandinavia and “The Three Little Pigs” from England are told with refreshing wit and wisdom. From 2 to 3:30 p.m. at The Alden, McLean Community Center. Ages 4 and up. $15/person. Buy tickets online. For information, call 703-790-0123.

Evening Walk : Adults are invited to join naturalist PJ Dunn to hike the trails after dark, looking and listening for owls, beavers and other night animals. From 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. at Huntley Meadows Park. $7/person. Register online. For information, call 703-768-2525.

Ballroom Social Dance: Bring a friend, a date or a group to enjoy a casual, fun night out. All skill levels welcome. Mini-lesson on the foxtrot, 7:30 to 8 p.m. Social dance led by a professional ballroom instructor from 8 to 10:30 p.m. McGuire-Woods Gallery (second floor of W-16), Workhouse Arts Center. $10/person (Ballroom Social) and $5/person (mini-lesson). Mini-lesson tickets sold only at the door. Ballroom Social Dance tickets may be purchased online, by phone or at the door. For information, call 703-584-2900.

Sunday, Sept. 18: Creative Carving

Northern Virginia Carvers: The wood carvers lend their tools and expertise to uncover your hidden artistic talent as you create a creature from a block of wood. They offer free lessons for participants ages 12 and up. From noon to 4 p.m. at Colvin Run Mill. Free lessons; nominal fee for wood blanks. No reservations required. For information, call 703-759-2771.

Also on Sunday:

Grinding Demonstrations: See 19th-century technology at work. The miller will be grinding, conditions permitting. From noon to 3 p.m. at Colvin Run Mill. $7/adult, $6/student 16 and older with ID and $5/child or senior. Pay at site; no reservations required. For information, call 703-759-2771.

Hands-On History : Drop off your child ages 5 to 11 to travel back in time with a costumed interpreter to explore the lives of 19th-century children. Activities include games, farm chores, toy making and making something tasty. Call the site for topics. From 3:30 to 5 p.m. at E.C. Lawrence Park. $10/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 eachweekend. 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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