Weekend Guide: Living Nativity; Basketball Tourneys

Looking for a few nearby activities to get you out of the house? Use our guide to upcoming activities in Oakton.

FRIDAY

Tip-Off Classic 2011

The high school basketball season started this week, and Flint Hill School is hosting its eighth annual Tip-Off Classic for both the boys and girls teams. The two-day tournament features eight teams from independent schools in the area.

Friday's schedule:

• 3 p.m.: Bishop O’Connell vs. Liberty Christian Academy (Girls)
• 4:45 p.m.: Bishop Ireton vs. John Paul the Great (Boys)
• 6:30 p.m.: Flint Hill vs. St. Anne’s Belfield (Girls)
• 8:15 p.m.: Flint Hill vs. St. Anne’s Belfield (Boys)

For some public school basketball action, fans can venture into Fairfax for Fairfax High School's third annual Tip Off Tournament, which will feature the 2011 Concorde District Champion Oakton High girls basketball team. For more information, visit the event's website.

SATURDAY

Living Nativity

Vale United Methodist Church's third annual Living Nativity, from 10 a.m. to noon, is free and open to the public. This interactive nativity allows children and their parents to experience the story right alongside the Bible characters, singing with the angels and bringing gifts to the baby Jesus, played by 7-month-old Mason Shanahan. Visitors are invited onto the set as five Christmas scenes are recreated: wiremen's tent in the desert, angels in heaven, shepherds in the fields, plus the inn and stable in Bethlehem.  

Tip-Off Classic 2011 concludes with the following schedule:

• 1 p.m.: Girls’ Consolation game
• 2:45 p.m.: Boys’ Consolation game 
• 4:30 p.m.: Girls’ Championship game
• 6:15 p.m.: Boys’ Championship game

Smart Market

Sad the farmers market season is over? Don't be so sure! The year-round Oakton Smart Market, hosted at Unity Church of Fairfax on Hunter Mill Road, is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday. See a list of vendors here.