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Weekend Planner: George Washington’s Birthday and Much More

Lorton: What do you have planned this weekend?

Posted Thu, Feb 16, 2012 at 5:47 pm ET|Updated Thu, Feb 16, 2012 at 6:01 pm ET

Let Patch help you make the most of it with our list of the top events happening locally this Friday through Monday.

Where: GMU Center for the Arts, Fairfax
When: Friday, Feb. 17 at 8 p.m.
Why Go: A variety of cultures and styles are represented on stage by this modern dance company. A pre-performance discussion begins at 7:15 p.m.
Price: Tickets range from $21 - $42

Pressed-Leaf Butterfly Workshop

Where: Green Spring Gardens, Annandale
When: Saturday, Feb. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Why Go: Learn to make “butterflies” out of pressed leaves, then mat and frame your creation to take it home.
Price: $25 - $27 per person; registration required

Girl Scouts 100th Anniversary “Thinking Day” Celebration

Where: Springfield Mall, Springfield
When: Saturday, Feb. 18 from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Why Go: Girl Scouts past and present along with their families are invited to attend this anniversary event. Scouts will present what they have learned about countries around the world with display tables, a fashion show, and more. Former Girl Scouts are invited to share their experiences for a video history project.
Price: FREE

Date Night: Chef’s Table

Where: Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton
When: Saturday, Feb. 18 at 8 p.m.
Why Go: You and your date will learn simple yet professional cooking techniques while preparing a romantic meal together.
Price: $30 per person; reservations required

Nature Walks:

The Marsh in Winter Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve, Alexandria; Saturday, Feb. 18 at 1 p.m. FREE
Wonderful Wetland Waterfowl Huntley Meadows Park, Alexandria; Saturday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. $6-$8 per person. Reservations required.
Wild for Winter Waterfowl Mason Neck State Park, Lorton; Sunday, Feb. 19 at 12:30 p.m. $4 per vehicle parking fee.

Model Train Display

Where: Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, Fairfax Station
When: Sunday, Feb. 19 from 1 – 4 p.m.
Why Go: Bring the family for an afternoon of watching and learning about N Gauge model trains, presented by the Northern Virginia NTRAK group.
Price: Adults $3; children $1

Where: Bishop Ireton High School, Alexandria
When: Sunday, Feb. 19 at 3 p.m.
Why Go: Featuring compositions by Bob Mintzer, Cesar Franck, Haskell Small, and Jonathan Blumhofer. Arrive at 2:15 p.m. for a pre-concert lecture.
Price: Adults $20; children are FREE

Soweto Gospel Choir
Where: GMU Center for the Arts, Fairfax
When: Sunday, Feb. 19 at 4 p.m.
Why Go: Enjoy an afternoon with this Grammy Award winning gospel choir from South Africa. A pre-performance discussion begins at 3:15 p.m.
Price: Tickets range from $22 - $44

Virginia Chamber Orchestra presents “Baroque to Jazz”

Where: Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale
When: Sunday, Feb. 19 at 4 p.m.
Why Go: Featuring a variety of selections ranging from Tchaikovsky to Duke Ellington.
Price: Adults $20; senior citizens $18; students FREE

Presidents’ Day Weekend Local Highlights:

George Washington Classic 10K and 2K Fun Run Starts and finishes at the Madison Building on Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria; Saturday, Feb. 18 at 8 a.m. $40 per runner for 10K; $10 per runner for 2K or family fee of $20
Birthnight Banquet and Ball Gadsby’s Tavern and Museum, Alexandria; Saturday, Feb. 18 from 5:30 – 10:30 p.m. Tickets range from $50 - $200 per person. Reservations required.
Revolutionary War Re-Enactment and Skirmish Fort Ward Park, Alexandria; Sunday, Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. FREE
Annual George Washington Parade Day Breakfast Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, Alexandria; Monday, Feb. 20 at 9 a.m. Tickets are $30.
George Washington Birthday Parade Begins at the corner of South Fairfax and Gibbon streets, Alexandria; Parade route here; Monday, Feb. 20 at 1 p.m. FREE

Presidents’ Day Weekend at Mount Vernon:

Hoecake Cook-Off Saturday, Feb. 18 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Included in cost of admission.
Breakfast with George Washington Saturday, Feb. 18 and Sunday, Feb. 19 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Included in cost of admission.
George Washington’s Surprise Birthday Party Saturday, Feb. 18 and Sunday, Feb. 19 at 1:30 p.m. Included in cost of admission.

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