Weekend Planner: Dog Days, Festivals, Concerts and More

Patch has found a wide variety of events for you to choose from as you make your weekend plans.

MPAT presents “13 the Musical”

• Where: Lake Braddock Secondary School, Burke
• When: Friday, Sept. 7 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 8 at 4 and 7:30 p.m.
• Why Go: Metropolitan Performing Arts Theatre presents this comedy rock musical featuring the ups and downs of teenage life.
• Price: Tickets range from $13 - $15 (plus service fees)

• Where: Annandale United Methodist Church and Burke United Methodist Church
• When: Annandale - Friday, Sept. 7 at 7:30 p.m.; Burke – Sunday, Sept. 9 at 3 p.m.
• Why Go: The official chorus of the United States Air Force is offering two free local concerts this weekend for your enjoyment.
• Price: FREE

• Where: George Mason University, Fairfax
• When: Saturday, Sept. 8 – check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.
• Why Go: Participate in or make a donation to this nationwide community walk benefitting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). 
• Price: See website for details.

• Where: Wakefield Skate Park, Annandale
• When: Saturday, Sept. 8 at 11 a.m.
• Why Go: Check out the newest addition to the skate park with live demos, light refreshments, music and more.
• Price: FREE

• Where: Nalls Produce, Franconia
• When: Saturday, Sept. 8 from 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
• Why Go: Get to know your neighbors and local businesses at this annual event featuring a moon bounce, music, food and more.
• Price: Admission is FREE

• Where: Atlantis Waterpark, Centreville; Great Waves Waterpark, Alexandria; Pirate’s Cove Waterpark, Lorton
• When: Saturday, Sept. 8 from Noon – 4 p.m.
• Why Go: Dogs get their own day to splash and swim at local participating NVRPA waterparks.  Please be sure to complete the form provided on the website before you arrive.
• Price: $5 per dog

• Where: Pohick Church, Lorton
• When: Saturday, Sept. 8 from 3:30 – 7 p.m.
• Why Go: Enjoy fresh seafood, corn on the cob, hot dogs and more, as well as live music provided by The Pohick Pickers. Proceeds from this event will benefit a number of outreach projects.  
• Price: Tickets are $25 per person or $75 per family; Children 12 and under are FREE

• Where: King Street, Alexandria
• When: Saturday, Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday, September 9 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Why Go: This 10th annual event will stretch from Washington Street to the waterfront.  There will be a scavenger hunt and art giveaways, in addition to works of art on display representing a wide range of styles.
• Price:  Admission is FREE

• Where: Conservancy Festival Grounds, Burke
• When: Saturday, Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (wine garden 5 – 10 p.m.) and Sunday, September 9 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Why Go: This popular annual event will feature live entertainment, amusement rides, face painting, festival food, children’s activities and much more. Stop by the Patch booth and say hi!
• Price: Admission is FREE

• Where: Epiphany Byzantine Catholic Church, Annandale
• When: Sunday, Sept. 9 from Noon – 6:30 p.m.
• Why Go: Celebrate Slavic culture with traditional food, religious and folk art, handmade crafts, children’s activities, live music and more.  
• Price: Admission is FREE

• Where: Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, Alexandria
• When: Sunday, Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
• Why Go: Melissa Cox and her band’s “Harmonious Maladies” tour comes to an end with this performance in Alexandria.  Free will donations will be accepted to benefit Washington D.C.’s Beacon House charity.
• Price: FREE – donations accepted

• Caterpillars and Polar Bears at Burke Centre Library, Burke.  Friday, Sept. 7 at 11 a.m.  For ages 3 – 5.  FREE – Registration Required.
• Alexandria Library’s 75th Birthday Bash at Beatley Central, Barrett Branch, Duncan Branch and Burke Branch Libraries in Alexandria.  Saturday, Sept. 8 – see website for details.  FREE.
• Friends Book Sale at Kingstowne Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• INOVA Flu Shots at Chantilly Regional Library, Chantilly.  Saturday, Sept. 8 from Noon – 2 p.m.  For adults.  See website for cost details.
• Evidence at Martha Washington Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, Sept. 8 at 2 p.m.  For ages 6 -12.  FREE – Registration Required.
• Election Movie Series at Beatley Central Library, Alexandria.  Sunday, Sept. 9 at 2 p.m.  FREE.

• Ponderings: Bugs Galore at Hidden Pond Nature Center, Springfield.  Friday, Sept. 7 at 4:30 p.m.  For ages 6 – 10.  $6 - $8 per person – Registration Required.
• River Monsters at Hemlock Overlook, Clifton.  Saturday, Sept. 8 at 9 a.m.  For ages 6 and up.  $6 - $8 per person – Registration Required.
• Flourishing, Flowering Salvias at Green Spring Gardens, Annandale.  Saturday, Sept. 8 at 9:30 a.m.  For adults.  $22 - $24 per person – Registration Required.
• Safari Saturdays – Fall at Hidden Pond Nature Center, Springfield.  Saturday, Sept. 8 at 10:30 a.m.  For ages 2 – 8.  $6 - $8 per person – Registration Required.
• Ranger Station Creations: Nature Crafting at Mason Neck State Park, Lorton.  Saturday, Sept. 8 at Noon.  Weekend parking is $4 per vehicle.
• Autumn is for Apples at Green Spring Gardens, Annandale.  Saturday, Sept. 8 at 2 p.m.  For ages 4 and up.  $6 - $8 per person – Registration Required.
• A Walk through Time at Walney at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, Chantilly.  Saturday, Sept. 8 at 2 p.m.  For ages 3 and up.  $5 - $7 per person – Registration Required.
• Monarch Tagging and Waystation Gardening at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale.  Saturday, Sept. 8 at 2 p.m.  For ages 3 and up.  $5 - $7 per person – Registration Required.
• Sounds of the Night Campfire at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale.  Saturday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m.  For ages 3 and up.  $6 - $8 per person – Registration Required.
• Sunday Morning Bird Walk at Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve, Alexandria.  Sunday, Sept. 9 at 8 a.m.  FREE.
• Wild Side Wagon Ride at Huntley Meadows Park, Alexandria.  Sunday, Sept. 9 at 2 and 4 p.m.  For ages 3 and up.  $6 - $8 per person – Registration Required.
• Beginning Nature Photography at Mason Neck State Park, Lorton.  Sunday, Sept. 9 at 4 p.m.  Weekend parking is $4 per vehicle.