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Weekender: Celebrate Fairfax!, Dig It and Getting the Picture

June 8, 2012 2:20 pmBy: James Limbach

A warm and wonderful weekend is in store along with lots of fun things at your Fairfax County Parks.

Friday

Celebrate Good Times: Get ready for fun, as Celebrate Fairfax! returns with more than 300 exhibitors, food vendors, crafters and interactive activities, along with live concerts on eight stages, ExxonMobil Children’s Avenue, a petting zoo, the Fairfax County Karaoke Championship, carnival rides, and great festival foods. Nightly fireworks are a highlight. Festival headliners include The Legends of Hip-Hop, Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo and The Legwarmers. 6 p.m. to midnight. (10 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.) Fairfax County Government Center. Admission (only) is $12/adults, $5/children ages 3 to 10. For information call 703-324-3247.
Riverside Campfire – Fishing Fun: Fish from the riverbank and learn about the fish world. Come early if you want to bring a picnic or hot dogs to toast. Bring a toasting stick, blanket, flashlight, fishing rods and tackle; bait provided. Fishing rods available for rent. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Riverbend Park. $5/person. Register online. For information call 703-759-9018.

Saturday

It’s an Art: The 2nd Saturday Art Walk showcases the diverse work of more than 100 visual artists in a unique historic venue, creating an atmosphere that encourages visitors to immerse themselves in the richness of this creative community. Guests can tour seven studio buildings, mix and mingle with artists and buy original works of art, all while enjoying light refreshment and music. The social atmosphere of the monthly art walk makes it the perfect destination for a date night or girl’s night out, as well as for art collectors and art appreciation groups. 6 to 9 p.m. Workhouse Arts Center. Free. For information call 703-495-0001.
A Propensity to Dig: Learn about plants and their uses in the Federal Era during a visit to the Sully House and the garden of Richard Bland Lee, Northern Virginia’s first congressman. Hear about Mrs. Lee and her propensity to dig, and her brother Zaccheus, a merchant and noted botanist in Philadelphia. 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sully Historic Site. $7/adults, $6/students and $5/seniors and children. A guided tour is included in the fee. For information call 703-437-1794.
The Frog Bride: Boy marries frog. Boy loses frog. Boy finds true love. And a human bride! This Russian fairy tale engages the imagination and opens the heart, incorporating great music (Prokofiev), great art (Kandinsky) and hip storytelling (David Gonzalez). 8 p.m. McLean Community Center’s Alden Theatre. $20/person. ($15/McLean Community Center district residents.) For information call 703-790-0123.
Mount Vernon Nights at the Workhouse: Featuring Brother Joscephus and the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra. Bring a picnic and a comfy lawn chair or blanket and enjoy Brother Joscephus and the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra, a 12-piece explosion of righteousness that blends New Orleans party music, soul in the style of Ray Charles and Al Green and a good helping of jam-bandy roots rock. and a righteous splash of secular gospel. Come early and stroll through the gallery! 7 to 8 p.m. Workhouse Arts Center. Free. For information call 703-584-2900.

Sunday

Catch the Buzz: Beekeepers Marian Villasenor and Bob Becker share the story in pictures of their first year of beekeeping at a special Green Spring tea — The Apiarists’ Tale. Their experiences will entertain, fascinate and inform. After tea participants will visit the hives. Participants age 13 and above are welcome. 1 to 3 p.m. Green Spring Gardens. $27/person (includes a full English afternoon tea.) For reservations call 703-941-7987.
Kayak Tour: Moonshine and Mayhem: What is now Riverbend Park was once a safe haven for illegal whiskey-making operations during the 1920s. Journey by kayak past river islands and discover its shady past. This is not a whitewater tour. No previous experience required. Kayaks provided. 9 to 11 a.m. $55/person. Register online. For more information call 703-759-9018.
Washington Gardener Magazine Photo Exhibit Opening Reception: Winning photographs from this year’s Washington Gardener Magazine photo contest will be on display through August. Light refreshments offered at reception. Reservations not required. 4 to 6 p.m. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. Free. For information call 703-255-3631.

Information was correct at time of publication. Please contact individual event sites to confirm programs are being held as scheduled.

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