The Thornton siblings (from left) Saniya, 7, Devin, 5 and Savina, 6, visited the face painter at Clifton Day 2013. Photo by Bonnie Hobbs.
Below is a partial listing of some fun and exciting autumn events happening in the local area:
Ongoing:
A highlight of every autumn is the fall festival at Cox Farms, 15621 Braddock Road, just off Pleasant Valley Road, in Centreville. It runs daily from Sept. 27-Nov. 4, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
The outdoor family fun on 90 acres includes giant slides, hayrides, rope swings, farm animals and their babies, a goat village, food, live entertainment and a Cornundrum Cornfield Adventure – complete with funhouse mirrors, a hall of doors, giant vortex and a pirate ship.
For older teens and adults, the scary, 20-acre nighttime adventure, Fields of Fear, is open Friday and Saturday nights, Sept. 26-Nov. 1, from 7:30-11 p.m., plus Sunday, Oct. 12 and Sunday, Nov. 2. The pumpkin-smashing event, Pumpkin Madness, is slated for Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 1-2, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For ticket prices and more information, see www.coxfarms.com.
Sept. 27:
The third annual Fair Lakes Fall Fest will be held this Saturday, Sept. 27, from 1-4 p.m., across from Dick’s and Kohl’s at 12450 Fair Lakes Circle in . This family-friendly event includes food, carnival games, inflatable slides, live entertainment, crafts, a “junior survivor” obstacle course, cartoon characters, a petting zoo and a living rainforest animal show.
Oct. 4-5:
The annual Fall For Fairfax KidsFest will be held Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 4-5, at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center parkway. Hours are Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; admission is free. There’ll be interactive and educational programs, entertainment and children’s activities. It’s especially geared for families with elementary and pre-K aged children.
Oct. 11:
The 22nd annual Centreville Day celebration is Saturday, Oct. 11, in the Centreville Historic District. It includes food, crafts, music, children’s games and rides, plus activities and entertainment for the whole family.
The fun begins at 9 a.m. with the Zombie Slouch Family 5K Fun Run and Walk, outside St. John’s Episcopal Church, 5649 Mount Gilead Road in Centreville. Runners, walker and pets are encouraged to come in Halloween or historical costumes. Register at www.DCcandlelighters.org.
Also planned is the Centreville Day American Legion Parade. Costumes, pets, floats, decorated bicycles and scooters, etc., are welcome. Registration is free at www.CentrevilleVA.org. Parade participants will assemble at the end of Wharton Lane at 11:30 a.m. and pass by the review stand outside St John’s around noon. Contact Steve Hunter, American Legion Post 1995, at geoshunter@gmail.com with any questions.
Oct. 11:
The Fairfax Fall Festival, held throughout the streets of downtown Fairfax, will be held Saturday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. There’ll be crafts, food vendors and food trucks, music, children’s rides, four stages of live entertainment and, new this year, lumberjack competitions. (Rain date, Oct. 12).
Oct. 11:
Encore Theatrical Arts Project of Chantilly will be among 10 dance companies performing in the fifth annual Fairfax County Dance Coalition Gala Showcase. “A Celebration of Dance” is slated for Saturday, Oct. 11, at 7:30 p.m., in the theater of NOVA’s Annandale campus. Ballet, jazz, tap, modern, hip hop and international dances will be presented. Tickets are $23 in advance at www.fairfaxcountydance.org/gala.htm or $25 at the door.
Oct. 12:
The 47th annual Clifton Day festival is Sunday, Oct. 12, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Rain date, Oct. 19). The family-friendly fun includes crafts, food, antiques, jugglers, bagpipe players, a unicyclist, music, pony rides, Civil War reenactments and children’s activities. For VRE train schedule and parking information, go to www.cliftonday.com.
Oct. 17, 18, 19:
The Craftsmen’s Classic Arts & Crafts Festival will be held, Friday-Sunday, Oct. 17-19, at the Dulles Expo Center. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, see www.craftshow.com.
Oct. 18:
Celebrate All Hallows Eve the way Virginians did in the 18th and 19th centuries at Sully Historic Site on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 4-7 p.m. Attendees will enjoy storytelling, fortune telling and fall foods while touring the house and grounds by lantern light. Admission is $10.
Oct. 18:
The Fairfax County Police Department’s annual K-9 Krawl 5K is set for Saturday, Oct. 18, at the county Government Center’s parking lot C. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by a K-9 demonstration at 8:45 a.m. and the 5K walk at 9 a.m.
This event was created to bring awareness to the connection between animal cruelty and the link to domestic violence, and people are welcome to walk with their dogs. Register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FCPD2014K9KRAWL
Oct. 25:
The Clifton Haunted Trail is slated for Saturday, Oct. 25, from 7-10 p.m., in the Town of Clifton’s Eight-Acre Park. Sturdy shoes are recommended; snacks and beverages are available. (Not recommended for young children). Tickets are $15, adults; children 12 and under, $10. For more information, see www.cliftonhauntedtrail.com.
Oct. 26:
The 21st annual Valvoline Instant Oil Change Goblin Gallop 5K is set for Sunday, Oct. 26, at the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center. The 1K fun run starts at 8:30 a.m.; the 5K race, at 9 a.m.; and the 5K walk, at 9:10 a.m.
There’s fun for the whole family with a moonbounce, hot dogs, popcorn and a band. Many of the participants and those cheering them on wear Halloween costumes, and prizes are given to the best costumes.
Proceeds go to the John Quadrino Foundation to Benefit Children with Cancer. Rain or shine, the race begins and ends in front of Coastal Flats restaurant. Registration and entry-fee information are at http://www.goblingallop.org/race.html.
Nov. 1:
Celebrate Colonial Day at Sully Historic Site on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. See Revolutionary War soldiers in camp and on the battlefield and learn about daily life in rural Virginia. Make a craft to take home, do a country dance and have a hearty snack in the Colonial tavern. Cost is $8/adult, $6/ child, and a house tour is included.
Nov. 8:
The 22nd annual Holiday Happenings Craft Show will be held Saturday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at W.T. Woodson High School, 9525 Main St. in Fairfax.
Nov. 14-16:
The Northern Virginia Christmas Market craft show returns to the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Friday-Sunday, Nov. 14-16. Hours are Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: $8, adults; children under 12 are free. Receive $1 off admission by bringing a canned-food donation for the Capital Area Food Bank.
Nov. 15-16:
The 28th annual City of Fairfax Holiday Craft Show is slated for Saturday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at Fairfax High School, 3501 Rebel Run in Fairfax. Admission is $5/day; $8 for a two-day pass.
Nov. 22:
The 34th annual St. Timothy School craft fair will be held Saturday, Nov. 22, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at 13809 Poplar Tree Road in Chantilly. For more information or to participate, see www.sainttimothyschool.org.
Dec. 6:
The annual Clifton Christmas Parade on Horseback, Christmas-tree lighting ceremony and homes tour are set for Saturday, Dec. 6. The parade begins at 2 p.m.
Dec. 13:
Attendees may experience a Civil War Christmas at the Sully Historic Site on Saturday, Dec. 13, as Confederate soldiers cook dinner in the field and fire their Christmas guns. Enjoy music by Evergreen Shade, make a 19th-century holiday decoration and sample hot cider and homemade cookies. There’s a house tour with outside festivities available until 8 p.m.
Dec. 12-14 and Dec. 19-21:
Featuring students from Centreville, Chantilly and Westfield high schools, Encore Theatrical Arts Project’s new holiday musical, “Three Days ’Til Christmas,” takes the stage at NOVA’s Annandale campus. Performances are Dec. 12-14 and Dec. 19-21. Tickets are $19, students and senior citizens; and $23, adults, for this colorful, family-friendly show and may be purchased at http://www.encore-tap.org/.
Dec. 12-14:
The Sugarloaf Crafts Festival is set for Friday-Sunday, Dec. 12-14, at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly. Hours are Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.