Lake Fairfax Park and Water Mine Swimmin’ Hole, Reston, is home to more than an acre of Gold Rush-themed water slides and a meandering river. Photo courtesy of Fairfax County Park Authority
When the children – or their parents – tire of the local swim clubs, parents look for alternative community attractions and events. The Vienna/Reston area offers plenty of both, from Vienna-sponsored free events to “big-time” commercial attractions. Well, maybe not “big” as in Disney World but pretty big for local finds.
World’s Longest Water slide; Saturday, July 16, Tysons Corner, noon to 7 p.m.
Even if you don’t slip-and-slide, it might be worth a visit to Tysons Corner on July 16 just to see the world’s longest water slide, 1,000 feet long, 24 feet wide, three lanes. The event, billed as a “block party,” offers more than a water slide; there will be live music, food, drinks, and water. There is a charge for runs, $30 for three runs.
The block party is at Jones Branch Drive, Tysons-McLean.
Big Splash Party, sponsored by Town of Vienna Department of Parks and Recreation; July 31, Vienna Town Green, 1 to 3 p.m.
Water slides, sprinklers, a bounce house, sno-cones, and live music highlight the family fun event on the Town Green. Free admission. Parks and Rec advises participants they “will get wet.”
Vienna Youth Players present “Jesus Christ Superstar,” Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
The smash Broadway hit is interpreted by the area’s youth super-stars in the musical production running four evenings at Vienna Baptist Church, 541 Marshall Road SW. Performances run Aug. 5, 6, 12, and 13, at 7:30 p.m. Expect to see a cast of throngs dressed in AD costumes.
Ticket prices per person, $14. Buy tickets at www.viennava.gov, or buy in-person at Vienna Community Center Office (temporary) at 262-M Cedar Lane, above Subway, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Fourth annual Kids’ Adventure Race 2016, sponsored by Town of Vienna Department of Parks and Recreation; August 13, Southside Park, 1315 Ross Drive, 10 a.m. race start.
This kids’ adventure race is really an obstacle course with hay pyramids and tires. Participants receive a race T-shirt. Light refreshments provided. Pre-registration for Activity # 110701-A1 is required. $7 fee. No walk-on registrations. Go to www.viennava.gov to register.
Roer's Zoofari [formerly Reston Zoo], 30-acre animal park with petting zoo and wild animal parkland
Kids and adults alike get pretty excited on the wagon ride as they stop along the trail and beasts calmly and gently stroll up to the paused wagon looking for handouts. Since wagon rides operate at 11 a.m., 1, 3, and 5 p.m., it’s a good idea to keep that schedule in mind when planning your visit.
The free flight aviary with hundreds of colorful birds makes for a delightful photo op. Kids buy sticks of bird seed and the birds alight on the children’s open arms pecking away. Adults shriek but the kids laugh.
Admission fee covers exhibits, petting barn and wagon ride. Animal and bird food, as well as animal “encounters,” are extra. For $5, a child gets to hand off four carrots to a camel in a one-or-two minute “encounter.”
Open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. spring through late fall. Zoofari is located at 1228 Hunter Mill Road at intersection with Baron Cameron, Vienna. Enter from Hunter Mill Road.
For information, call 703-757-6222 or go to http://www.roerszoofari.com/.
Lake Fairfax Park and Water Mine Swimmin’ Hole, Reston
Fairfax County Park Authority’s public “water mine” is a cross between Disney’s Frontier Town and carnival rides. It really is quite stupendous and adventuresome for a local park. The parkland setting elevates the commercial ambiance. The Water Mine Swimmin’ Hole boasts more than an acre of slides, flumes, sprays, showers, floatables, and interactive water playground. The ambiance suggests the Old West's Gold Rush with its covered wagons and showers tipped from water-filled ore carts. The 725-foot Rattlesnake River surrounds the activity pool.
Here’s the Disney-esque part … Pete's Peak, a mountain with boarded-up mine shafts and tunnels.Water slides jut out the sides of the “mountain.”
There’s also a children’s water-play area and a playground. The Water Mine is an accessible facility.
Kids can wander over to the park area, and, for an extra charge, take a little boat or carousel ride. Water Mine, boat tours, and carousel required fees for each.
Lake Fairfax Park is at 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, off Baron Cameron Road, Reston. See
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/rec/watermine/ for details and map.