AUGUST
<cal2>Dog Wash to benefit SPCA of Northern Virginia. Saturday, Aug. 16, at Weber's Pet Supermarket in Fairfax off of Lee Highway. Nail trims, ear cleaning will also be offered for canines. Studio 2 photography will be present to take digital portraits of dogs. Contact Weber's at 703-385-3766.
National Night Out. First Tuesday in August. Law enforcement will travel to neighborhoods throughout Fairfax County to promote crime enforcement and safety. Call 703-385-7964.
<cal1>SUMMER/FALL
<cal2>Burke Farmers Market, takes place every Saturday, May through November, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the VRE Parking Lot, 5671 Roberts Parkway. Free. No dogs. Call 703-941-7987.
Fairfax Farmer’s Market, every Tuesday, 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., May through October. Van Dyck Park on Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. Free. No dogs. Call 703-941-7987.
<cal1>SEPTEMBER
<cal2>Annual Golf Outing sponsored by the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce. Open to chamber members, other businesses and guests. Teams are formed to complete the 18-hole course; prizes are given for best team score and other golfing activities. The event will take place in September. Call 703-591-2450.
The Burke Centre 25th Annual Fall Festival, which attracts 12-13,000 people from all over Northern Virginia, includes food venders, games for kids, magic and puppet shows, a wine festival, and bingo. Many local radio stations, as well as the police and fire department, also attend. Admission is free and a free shuttle bus service is provided. The 2003 festival takes place on Sept. 13 and 14, on the Burke Centre Conservancy grounds. Call 703-978-2928.
Fall for the Arts. A juried contemporary art festival will take place Sept. 26-28, on the grounds of the Ellipse at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. The event will feature 180 award-winning artists from across the country as well as a wine tasting with eight Virginia wineries, cuisine from area restaurants and an entertainment stage with light jazz and a cappella music. Admission is $5, with additional charges for food and wine. For more information, call 703-324-3247. To volunteers, call Sean Forman at 703-324-5303 or e-mail sean@celebratefairfax.com.
Free Family Fun Fest. Sept. 6, 3-10 p.m. Activities include clowns, face painting, arts and crafts, games, rides, a climbing wall, food and live music and entertainment. The movie feature, "Spy Kids 2," begins at dark. Rain date is Sept. 7, Guests should provide their own seating. Free shuttle buses run from Fairfax High School, 2:45-10:30 p.m. An initiative of the Livability Task Force. For information, call 703-385-7858.
5th Annual Fall for the Book Festival. Sept. 15-20. The City of Fairfax and George Mason University celebrate books through author appearances and book-related events and discussions. 703-993-3986; www.fallforthebook.org.
<cal1>OCTOBER
<cal2>Fall for Fairfax, including entertainment, health, fitness, and educational activities takes place on Saturday, Oct. 4, on the eight-acre ellipse behind the Government Center, 10 a.m. -4:30 p.m.
27th Annual Fairfax Fall Festival. Saturday, Oct. 11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., in Downtown Fairfax. The events include crafts, foods, music and activities for children. Call 703-385-7858 for details.
<cal1>NOVEMBER
<cal2>17th Annual Holiday Craft Show. Saturday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 16, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at Fairfax High School. 703-385-7858.
<cal1>DECEMBER
<cal2>Festival of Lights & Carols. 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m., in Old Town Fairfax. 703-385-7858.
New Year's Eve Ball, sponsored by Spotlight on the Arts. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 9 p.m.-1 a.m., Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive, Fairfax. 703-352-ARTS; www.fairfaxspotlight.org.
<cal1>FEBRUARY
<cal2>12th Annual Chocolate Lover's Festival runs Feb. 7-8, throughout the City of Fairfax and includes the Chocolate Challenge display of chocolate baked goods, carvings, sculptures and creations by local chefs, both amateur and professional, as well as the Taste of Chocolate event for sampling a variety of culinary delights. 703-293-7120; www.chocolatefestival.net.
<cal1>MARCH
<cal2>Annual genealogy conference. Sponsored by the Fairfax Genealogical Society, this event takes place on March 27, 2004. The conference is an all-day, in-depth presentation by nationally known genealogists designed to enhance genealogical research skills. Eight sessions are offered, covering advanced skill-building and computer topics, as well as four beginner topics. Registration is $35 for members of the Fairfax Genealogical Society and $50 for nonmembers. A luncheon with an additional speaker is $30. This year's conference will take place at the Fairview Marriott, 3111 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church. For more information and registration forms, visit www.fxgs.org.
<cal1>APRIL
<cal2>Business Showcase. The Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a free presentation in April by business members, to include lectures on various business activities and opportunities. Displays of more than 200 exhibitors. Prizes and more. Call 703-591-2450.
19th Annual Spotlight on the Arts Festival. April 16-May 9. The City of Fairfax, George Mason University and the Northern Virginia Community College celebrate local performing arts with concerts, recitals and demonstrations around the city. 703-352-ARTS; www.fairfaxspotlight.org.
<cal1> MAY
<cal2>Casino Night. On May 22, the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce will host a black tie casino night. This year's theme is "Night in Vegas." For more information, call 703-591-2450.
Ride of the Patriots. Every Memorial Day weekend, motorcyclists from around the country arrive in Washington, D.C. to honor veterans by participating in the Rolling Thunder motorcycle ride. Early on Sunday morning, motorcyclists gather at the Patriot Harley Davidson dealership on Arlington Boulevard in Fairfax, before riding together to the staging center at the Pentagon in Arlington. City officials and members of American Legion Post 177 conduct a Memorial Day ceremony before watching the 4,000 or so motorcyclists depart.
Civil War Weekend. On the first weekend in May, the City of Fairfax, Historic Fairfax City Inc. and 17th Virginia Infantry will present re-enactments, living history events, Civil War lectures and programs as well as childrens activities and house tours. For more information, call 703-385-8414 or visit www.ci.fairfax.va.us.
5th Annual Family Funfest. 3-10 p.m., Van Dyck Park, 3730 Old Lee Highway. 703-385-7858.
<cal1>JUNE
<cal2>Celebrate Fairfax, a three-day festival, will take place the second weekend after Memorial Day, June 11-13, at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, in Fairfax. The event features vendors, entertainment, a laser show, fireworks, carnival rides and more. Call 703-324-FAIR or 1-800-880-6629.
<cal1>JULY
<cal2>Independence Day Celebration. The City of Fairfax celebrates the July 4th holiday with a morning parade through Old Town Fairfax, a traditional Fireman's Day in the afternoon and Firworks in the evening at Fairfax High School.