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Community Corner

Weekend Planner: Train Display, Japanese Festival, and More

Friday, July 13 through Sunday, July 15

Wondering what to do this weekend?  Let Patch help you plan with our list of local events happening this Friday through Sunday.

Northern Virginia NTRAK Display

  • Where: Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, Fairfax Station
  • When: Sunday, July 15 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: Ekoji Buddhist Temple, Fairfax Station
  • When: Saturday, July 14 at 5:30 p.m.
  • Why Go: Celebrate Obon with an evening of Japanese music, dancing and games.  Food will also be available for purchase and may be preordered through the website.
  • Price:  FREE

Steamy Action Movie Marathon

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  • Where: Del Ray Artisans, Alexandria
  • When: Friday, July 13 starting at 9 p.m.
  • Why Go: Get ready for a full night of action movies, featuring “The Core,” “When Time Ran Out…” and “Sunshine.”   Bring your own beanbag, pillows or cushions to make yourself comfortable.
  • Price: Suggested $10 donation per person

Collectors Showcase of America

  • Where: Dulles Expo and Conference Center, Chantilly
  • When: Friday, July 13 from 2 – 8 p.m.; Saturday, July 14 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday, July 15 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Why Go: Showcasing a wide variety of sports memorabilia and collectibles.  Several celebrity guests are scheduled to attend and sign autographs.
  • Price:  Adults $5 per day; weekend pass $9; Kids 12 and under FREE

Comcast Outdoor Film Festival

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  • Where: Waterfront Park, Alexandria
  • When: Friday, July 13 and Saturday, July 14 at 7 p.m.
  • Why Go:  On Friday night moviegoers will watch “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol” and Saturday night will feature “We Bought a Zoo.” Food vendors will also be available, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Club.
  • Price: Admission is FREE

Super Science Saturdays: Weather

  • Where: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly
  • When: Saturday, July 14 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Why Go:  Learn about weather with demonstrations and hands-on activities that will appeal to visitors of all ages.
  • Price:  Admission is FREE; parking is $15 per vehicle

Saya Caporal Dance Competition 2012

  • Where: GMU Center for the Arts, Fairfax
  • When: Saturday, July 14 at 5:30 p.m.
  • Why Go: (This event had originally been scheduled for June 30.  Tickets purchased for that date will be honored at this rescheduled performance.) This annual showcase of traditional Bolivian folk dancing is presented by the Pro Bolivian Committee of Northern Virginia.
  • Price: Adults $20 - $25; seniors and students $15 - $20; children 4 and under $5

“I Do!  I Do!”

  • Where: Lazy Susan Dinner Theater, Lorton
  • When: Begins Saturday, July 14 and continues through Sept. 23 (see website for showtimes)
  • Why Go: Enjoy and evening at the theater with this musical about the ups and downs of marriage.  Admission includes dinner, show, coffee, tea and tax.
  • Price: Weekdays and Sundays $41.95; Saturdays $44.95; ages 11 – 15 $35; children 10 and Under $25

World War II Living History

  • Where: Sully Historic Site, Chantilly
  • When: Saturday, July 14 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday, July 15 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Why Go: Experience daily life of the 1940s from the perspective of soldiers and civilians with Allied and Axis re-enactors. A house tour is also included with admission.
  • Price: Adults $8; senior citizens and children $6; active duty military FREE

Fairfax County Summer Entertainment Series Performances:

  • Braddock Nights presents Falls Church Concert Band at Lake Accotink Park, Springfield.  Friday, July 13 at 7:30 p.m.  FREE.
  • Mount Vernon Nights presents Little Red and the Renegades at Grist Mill Park, Alexandria.  Friday, July 13 at 7:30 p.m.  FREE.
  • Spotlight by Starlight presents John Jorgenson Quintet at Mason District Park, Annandale.  Friday, July 13 at 7:30 p.m.  FREE.
  • Arts in the Parks presents The GoodLife Theater Puppet Show at Burke Lake Park, Fairfax Station.  Saturday, July 14 at 10 a.m.  FREE.
  • Arts in the Parks presents The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra’s OTO Percussion Duo at Mason District Park, Annandale.  Saturday, July 14 at 10 a.m.  FREE.
  • Arts in the Parks presents The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra’s OTO Brass Quintet at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, Chantilly.  Saturday, July 14 at 10 a.m.  FREE.
  • Mount Vernon Nights presents The David Kitchen Band at Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton.  Saturday, July 14 at 7 p.m.  FREE.
  • Spotlight by Starlight presents Irish Cultural Heritage Night at Ossian Hall Park, Annandale.  Saturday, July 14 at 7:30 p.m.  FREE.
  • Spotlight by Starlight presents The NOVA Annandale Symphony Orchestra at Mason District Park, Annandale.  Sunday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m.  FREE.

Library Events:

  • Fun Flicks at Pohick Regional Library, Burke.  Friday, July 13 at 10:30 a.m.  For all ages.  FREE – Registration Required.
  • Friends Book Sale at Kingstowne Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, July 14 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. 
  • Used Book Sale at John Marshall Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, July 14 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
  • Don Hakenson: This Forgotten Land at George Mason Regional Library, Annandale.  Saturday, July 14 at 1 p.m.  For all ages.  FREE – Registration Required.

Nature Highlights:

  • Pond Life Exploration at Bull Run Regional Park, Centreville.  Friday, July 13 at 1 p.m.  FREE – Reservations Required.
  • Snake and Turtle Feeding at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale.  Friday, July 13 at 3:30 p.m.  For ages 3 and up.  $5 - $7 per person – Registration Required.
  • Mammal Mania – Wild Cats and Canines at Hidden Pond Nature Center, Springfield.  Friday, July 13 at 4 p.m.  For ages 6 – 8.  $5 - $7 per person – Registration Required.
  • Campground Wildlife at Bull Run Regional Park, Centreville.  Friday, July 13 at 7 p.m.  FREE – Reservations Required.
  • Evening Adventure Wagon Ride at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, Chantilly.  Friday, July 13 at 8 p.m.  For ages 2 and up.   $5 - $7 per person – Registration Required.
  • Smart Gardening at Green Spring Gardens, Annandale.  Saturday, July 14 at 9:30 a.m.  For adults.  $18 - $20 per person – Registration Required.
  • Green Tree Frog Outing at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, Chantilly.  Saturday, July 14 at 10 a.m.  For ages 2 and up.  $5 - $7 per person – Registration Required.
  • Stream Life Search at Cub Run RECenter, Chantilly.  Saturday, July 14 at 10 a.m.  For ages 3 – 15.  $4 - $6 per person – Registration Required.
  • Bay View Trail Expedition II: The Beach at Mason Neck State Park, Lorton.  Saturday, July 14 at 10 a.m.  Weekend parking is $4 per vehicle.
  • Ranger Station Creations: Hiking Helpers at Mason Neck State Park, Lorton.  Saturday, July 14 at Noon.  Weekend parking is $4 per vehicle.
  • GPS Adventures at Mason Neck State Park, Lorton.  Saturday, July 14 at 2:30 p.m.  Weekend parking is $4 per vehicle.
  • Frog Chorus at Eakin Pond, Annandale.  Sunday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m.  For ages 3 and up.  $5 - $7 per person – Registration Required.
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