Weekend Planner: Fall for the Book, Bike Rodeo, Homes Tour and More

Let Patch help you plan your weekend with our list of local events happening this Friday through Sunday.

Fall for the Book Festival

• Where: Various locations in Northern Virginia, as well as Washington D.C. and Maryland
• When: Now through Sunday, Sept. 30 (see Web site for full schedule)
• Why Go: This popular annual event will feature author appearances, book sales and swaps, poetry readings, award presentations and more.
• Price: FREE

Cool Cow Stand-Up Comedy

• Where: Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton
• When: Friday, Sept. 28 at 8 and 10 p.m.
• Why Go: Featuring stand-up comedians Nick Vatterott and Emily Ruskowski. Due to mature content, this event is open to adults only. 
• Price: Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door 

 9th Annual Walk for the Kids

• Where: Lake Accotink Park, Springfield
• When: Saturday, Sept. 29 at 8 a.m.
• Why Go: Run, walk or bike around Lake Accotink to raise money for the 25:40 One Child at a Time organization. 
• Price:  See Web site for fund-raising details

Historic Alexandria Homes Tour and Marketplace

• Where: Old Town Alexandria
• When: Saturday, Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Why Go: The tour will consist of six homes in the heart of Old Town dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries.  There will also be raffle tickets for purchase, as well as a marketplace at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Tour ticket sales to benefit Inova Alexandria Hospital.
• Price: Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 the day of the tour

Youth Bicycle Rodeo

• Where: West Springfield District Police Station, Springfield
• When: Saturday, Sept. 29 from 1 – 5 p.m.
• Why Go: Children ages 6 – 12 will learn about safety as they ride their bikes through an obstacle course, visit with police officers and meet McGruff the Crime Dog.
• Price: FREE

Del Ray Artisans Anniversary Picnic Celebration

• Where: Del Ray Artisans, Alexandria
• When: Saturday, Sept. 29 from 3 – 6 p.m.
• Why Go: Join Del Ray Artisans as they celebrate 20 years with a picnic that will include food, arts and crafts, children’s activities and more.
• Price: FREE

Rock and Stroll

• Where: Cameron Run Regional Park, Alexandria
• When: Saturday, Sept. 29 at 4 p.m.
• Why Go: This event aims to raise money and awareness to fight homelessness.  There will also be live music, games, food and more.
• Price: Admission is FREE; registration for the walk is $20 for youth and $30 for adults

Farm to Table: Cocktails, Tour and Dinner

• Where: George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Alexandria
• When: Saturday, Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m.
• Why Go: Enjoy this rare opportunity to savor food grown and produced at Mount Vernon. You’ll take a behind-the-scenes tour and learn about how food was grown, stored and prepared in George Washington’s time.
• Price: Tickets are $175

An Evening of 18th Century Games and Diversions

• Where: Carlyle House Historic Park, Alexandria
• When: Saturday, Sept. 29 from 8 – 10 p.m.
• Why Go: Enjoy an evening of 18th century cards, dice, drinks, light hors d’oeuvres and a tour of the Carlyle House museum. Attendees must be at least 21 years of age.
• Price: Tickets are $50

Sutton Foster Concert

• Where: GMU Center for the Arts, Fairfax
• When: Saturday, Sept. 29 at 8 p.m.
• Why Go: Don’t miss an evening with this Tony Award-winning entertainer as she performs Broadway showstoppers and cabaret-style ballads.
• Price: Tickets range from $40 - $70

6th Annual Olde Towne Dogge Walke

• Where: Market Square, Alexandria
• When: Sunday, Sept. 30 from 9 – 11 a.m.
• Why Go: You and your dog will enjoy a morning of walking and socializing, as well as helping to raise funds for veterans’ charities. 
• Price: $25 per registered walker; $40 per non-registered walker

Walk for Humanity

• Where: Bull Run Regional Park, Centreville
• When: Sunday, Sept. 30 from 10:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Why Go: This annual event will raise funds for Humanity First, WhyHunger and the Boys and Girls Club of Lake County. There will also be food, children’s activities and entertainment.
• Price: See Web site for fund-raising details

Library Events:

• Fall for the Book Sale at Burke Centre Library, Burke.  Friday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Semi-Annual Book Sale at George Mason Regional Library, Annandale.  Friday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 30 from Noon – 5 p.m.
• Fun Flicks at Pohick Regional Library, Burke.  Friday, Sept. 28 at 10:30 a.m.  For all ages.  FREE – Registration Required.
• Potomac Poets Series at Martha Washington Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, Sept. 29 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.  For adults.  FREE. 
• Fourth Sunday: The Journey of a Book Club at Sherwood Regional Library, Alexandria.  Sunday, Sept. 30 at 2 p.m.  For adults.  FREE.
• Election Movie Series at Beatley Central Library, Alexandria.  Sunday, Sept. 30 at 2 p.m.  FREE.

Nature Highlights:

• Basic Gardening: Grow Lush Ferns at Green Spring Gardens, Annandale.  Friday, Sept. 28 at 1:30 p.m.  For adults.  $10 - $12 per person – Registration Required.
• Ponderings – Fishing at Hidden Pond Nature Center, Springfield.  Friday, Sept. 28 at 4:30 p.m.  For ages 6 – 10.  $6 - $8 per person – Registration Required.
• Goodnight Walk: Owls at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale.  Friday, Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m.  For ages 3 and up.  $5 - $7 per person – Registration Required.
• National Public Lands Day at Mason Neck State Park, Lorton.  Saturday, Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.  Weekend parking is $4 per vehicle.
• Safari Saturday at Stone Mansion, Alexandria.  Saturday, Sept. 29 at 10:30 a.m.  For ages 2 - 11.  $6 - $8 per person – Registration Required.
• Pond Explore and Hike at Eakin Community Park, Annandale.  Saturday, Sept. 29 at 1 p.m.  For all ages.  $5 - $7 per person – Registration Required.
• Birth of a Wetland at Huntley Meadows Park, Alexandria.  Saturday, Sept. 29 at 1:30 p.m.  For all ages.  $6 - $8 per person – Registration Required.
• Birding Basics at Mason Neck State Park, Lorton.  Sunday, Sept. 30 at 10 a.m.  Weekend parking is $4 per vehicle.
• Freshwater Ecology at Mason Neck State Park, Lorton.  Sunday, Sept. 30 at 2 p.m.  Weekend parking is $4 per vehicle.
• Kayak Tour at Pohick Bay Regional Park, Lorton.  Sunday, Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m.  For ages 8 and up.  $30 per person – Reservations Required.