Weekend Planner: Civil War Tours, Arts and Crafts, and a Small Town Festival

How will you enjoy this beautiful Columbus Day weekend? Let Patch help you plan with this list of a wide variety of events taking place in our local area.

Clifton Day Festival

• Where: Main Street, Clifton
• When: Sunday, Oct. 9th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Why Go: This non-profit event raises funds for a variety of local organizations. Enjoy live entertainment, antiques, the Town Market, Civil War reenactments, delicious food, and more! Kids will especially love the pony rides, petting zoo, and face painting. Parking is highly restricted, so take advantage of the special free and low-cost VRE transportation to and from Clifton.
• Price: Admission is FREE

“Shot in the Dark Nite” Golf Tournament

• Where: Burke Lake Park Golf Course, 7315 Ox Rd., Fairfax Station
• When: Friday, Oct. 7th at 8:00 p.m.
• Why Go: Teams of two will play a 9-hole scramble using glow-in-the-dark golf balls. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place teams. For ages 12 and up.
• Price: $60 per team

NOVA Arts and Crafts Show

• Where: Northern Virginia Community College, Ernst Cultural Center, 8333 Little River Tpke., Annandale
• When: Saturday, Oct. 8th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 9th from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Why Go: This event is sponsored by the Northern Virginia Handcrafters Guild, and it will feature more than 50 juried artisans offering handmade arts and crafts. Items displayed will include: glasswork, woodwork, decorative painting, photography, jewelry, and much more.
• Price: Admission is $3

Run for NOVA 5K and 1-Mile Family Fun Run/Walk

• Where: Northern Virginia Community College, 8333 Little River Tpke., Annandale
• When: Sunday, Oct. 9th at 8:00 a.m.
• Why Go: Proceeds from this event, sponsored by the NVCC Educational Foundation, will fund scholarships for deserving NOVA students. T-shirts will be provided to registered runners and walkers, and prizes will be awarded at the post-race ceremony.
• Price: $20 pre-registration; $30 day of race registration; $10 for kids under 12

Sesquicentennial Tour Celebrating the Civil War in Fairfax County

• Where: Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Rd., Fairfax Station
• When: Saturday, Oct. 8th from 8:30a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Why Go: Tours will be led by John McAnaw of the Bull Run Civil War Roundtable. Visit seldom seen locations, including earthworks in and around Centreville. The site of Mt. Gilead and Union fortifications will also be on the tour. Wear sturdy walking shoes!
• Price: $25 for museum members; $30 for non-members

“The Importance of Being Earnest” at GMU’s Center for the Arts

• Where: George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax
• When: Sunday, Oct. 9th at 7:00 p.m.
• Why Go: This Oscar Wilde classic stage comedy is sure to provide an evening of laughs. The production is presented by the acclaimed British-American touring company Aquila Theatre. Don’t miss the pre-performance lecture by a member of the company at 6:00 p.m.
• Price: Tickets start at $20