Weekend Planner: Big Trucks, Little Trains and Exotic Cars

Families need time to get away from the daily routine and enjoy a special event.  Here are a few to choose from this weekend.

• When: Friday, April 13, 5 p.m.
• Where: Laurel Ridge Elementary School, 10110 Commonwealth Blvd, Fairfax
• Why go: More than $17,000 worth of items. The silent auction brochure is available online.
• Price: Admission is free. All proceeds benefit Laurel Ridge Elementary School's PTA programs.

• When: Friday, April 13, 7 p.m.
• Where:
• Why go: Singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer has been described as "a soaring songstress" by Billboard, a "prairie mystic" by the Boston Globe, and Rolling Stone has said that she "asks all the right questions."
• Price: Tickets are $20

• When: Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Where: Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax
• Why go: Big trucks on display for kids to see up-close and personal.
• Price: Admission is $5. Under 2, free.

• When: Saturday, April 14, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Where:
• Why go: Imports to muscle cars to exotics!  Cars, food, music and fun for the whole family!  All proceeds to benefit American Cancer Society Relay for Life.  .  Rain date Saturday, April 21st.
• Price: A donation is requested.

• When: Saturday, April 14, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
• Where: Meet in the Sequoyah Condominiums parking lot at 7950 Seven Woods Drive, Alexandria
• Why go: To participate in the clean-up of a local waterway. Gloves and bags will be provided. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing and waterproof shoes.
• Price: Free

Mason Neck State Park Adventures

• When: Sunday, April 15, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Where: Mason Neck State Park, Lorton
• Why go: Several opportunities.
  • Fresh Water Ecology 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
  • Wild Wonders of Mason Neck 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
  • Lost and Found GPS Adventures 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
  • Majestic Eagles 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.

• Price: Free

Northern Virginia NTRAK Model Train Display

• When: Sunday, April 15, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
• Where: , Fairfax Station
• 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

Swan Lake by Classical Ballet Theatre

• When: Sunday, April 15, 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Where: NOVA Annandale Campus
• Why Go: A condensed version of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake produced specifically with young audiences in mind.
• Price:  Adults and Seniors $15; Students, Children, and Military $12

Mason Jazz Workshop Concert

• When: Sunday, April 15, 7 p.m.
• Where: GMU de Laski Performing Arts Building, Fairfax
• Why Go: The program will include jazz selections ranging from Sonny Rollins to Quincy Jones.  The GMU Swing Dancers will also be featured.
• Price: Free