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Scaring Up a Fun Time
Fairfax County offers myriad activities for families to enjoy on Halloween.
By Justin Fanizzi
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Bored of the same-old Halloweens? Looking for something more to do than dress up in the same old costume, trick-or-treating in the same old neighborhoods and getting the same old candy?
If so, then do not fret, as Fairfax County residents have plethora of fun things to do for the whole family this Halloween season. From new takes on traditional activities to interactive, engaging events, enough is going on this October to make any ghoul-loving, thrill seeker squeal with delight — and maybe even fright.
A popular destination for Halloween fun this year will again be the local parks. Burke Lake Park is hosting two activities that cater to all ages and all members of the family both the weekend before Halloween and on the day itself. On Saturday, Oct. 31, the park is hosting the third annual Burke Lake Costume Run, where costumed participants will run or walk around the lake and then take part in a costume parade. After the event, participants can enjoy refreshments, browse arts and crafts and dance to spooky music. In addition, the park will also be hosting “Ghost Train Rides” Saturday Oct. 24, Sunday Oct. 25 and on Halloween. Rides will be given on the park’s train, as a narrator tells scary stories. The train rides, always a big hit, have been given every Halloween season for more than 20 years.
“Our events may have changed a little bit, but they’re basically the same,” said Park Manager Charlie Reagle. “They are family events. It’s spooky, but it’s not blood and guts scary.”
Lake Accotink Park in Burke is also joining the Halloween fun, hosting a day of events Saturday, Oct. 24 that not only will appeal to the entire family, but to their furry friends as well. The park will conduct a Halloween Dog Costume Contest from 2-4 p.m., where costumed dogs will be judged in 10 categories, ranging from scariest costume to most creative. From 6-9 p.m., the park will offer Goblin Golf and Bonfire. Park guests can play mini golf with glow-in-the-dark golf balls in the park’s course, which will be decorated. In addition, guests can listen to ghost stories around a lakeside bonfire and can ride the carousel, which will play spooky music.
“It’s a light-hearted, family thing,” said Park Manager Matthew Kaiser. “There’s nothing super-scary, and no one jumps out or anything like that.”
The Hidden Pond Nature Center in Springfield is another park getting in on the Halloween festivities, hosting the Haunted Pond at Hidden Pond Friday, Oct. 30. Assistant Park Manager Mike McCaffrey said that the event is essentially a nature education program with a Halloween theme. The two-hour event will start with a discussion of animals that conjure fear in children and sounds that those animals make that may be frightening. The event concludes with a walk through the Nature Center’s surrounding woods.
“It’s really a natural history type of program,” McCaffrey said. “And who know, there may be some ghostly happenings, but I can’t give too much away.”
WHILE AREA parks may be the epicenters of Halloween activities, local malls are also making sure they get in on the fun. In Fairfax, Fair Oaks Mall is hosting its 23rd annual Mall-O-Ween on Halloween from 5:30-7:30 p.m., which mall General Manager Chris Poleto estimates will draw more than 10,000 people. Poleto said that the mall will be decorated, with many of the stores giving out candy to costumed children. In addition, popular costumed characters will be at the mall to take pictures and sign autographs.
“It’s just a fun event for the family,” Poleto said. “It’s a safe climate for our trick-or-treaters, and since its all indoors, the weather cannot affect it.”
Springfield Plaza will be hosting a free Halloween parade Saturday, Oct. 24 at 10:30 a.m.
Any costumed children can participate in the parade, and free treat bags will be handed out. No fee will be collected for this event.
For those seeking a different Halloween experience, the National Rifle Association’s Firearms Museum in Fairfax is hosting “Tricks and Treats,” a free event for children Friday, Oct. 30, 4-7 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 31, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. The museum will be decorated, and treat bags will be hidden throughout for children to find. In addition, participants will also be given a history of firearms.
“We open up the museum, decorate it and hide candy containers,” said Museum Curator Doug Wicklund. “We try to keep it PG-13.”
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File Photo
A scene from last year's Halloween Parables. This year's event is Sunday, Oct. 25.
Halloween Happenings
Saturday/Oct. 24
Howloween Dog Costume Contest & Goblin Golf and Bonfire. Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road in Springfield. Show off your dog’s talents and compete for prizes and treats from 2-4 p.m All dogs must be leashed. The cost is $6 per dog. Play glow-in-the-dark mini golf on the haunted course from 6-9 p.m. Ride the spooky carousel, and join in storytelling over a cup of hot chocolate around a lakeside bonfire. $6 per person. To reserve, call 703-569-0285.
Springfield Plaza Free Halloween Parade. Registration starts at 10 a.m. in the Springfield Plaza courtyard on Commerce Street next to Dollar King. Enter to win a $100 shopping spree at registration. Parade starts promptly at 10:30 a.m. rain or shine. No cost to participate. Free treat bags while supplies last. Springfield Plaza is located at the intersection of Old Keene Mill Road and Commerce Street in Springfield.
Ghost Train Rides at Burke Lake Park. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Be there when the Great Pumpkin arrives to hand out treats. Thrills and chills appropriate for children provided by students from Northern Virginia Community College. Costumes encouraged. Children under age 6 need adult supervision. No pets. $4 per person, under age 2 free. Ticket sales stop at 4:30 p.m., and the last train departs at 5:15 p.m. Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Road in Fairfax Station. 703- 323-6600.
Community Fall Festival benefits the homeless in Fairfax Haunted House, antique car show, flea market, DJ, food, games, moon bounce, scarecrow making, silent auction and more. 10 a.m-3 p.m., at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 5114 Twinbrook Road, Fairfax. 703-323-9500, www.lordoflifelutheran.com.
Clifton Haunted Trail. Spooky scenes and frightening creatures will be ready to scare all who dare venture into Eight-Acre Park for the seventh annual Clifton Haunted Trail, 7-10 p.m. in the Town of Clifton. Tickets are $10, adults; and $5, children 12 and under. Purchase them at www.cliftonhauntedtrail.com and pick them up during the day at will call at the Clifton Café, 7144 Main St. Tickets will also be available at the gate. In case of rain, see that Web site or call 703-395-2132.
Explore the World of Bats. At dusk, the flutter of leathery wings can be heard as local bats dart and dive during their evening meal of insects. Bats are popular symbols of Halloween, so what better time to get to know them? Huntley Meadows Park will open its classroom from 1-3 p.m. to families that want to learn more about these nocturnal acrobats during a free, exploratory session. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Admission is free. Huntley Meadows is located at 3701 Lockheed Blvd. in Alexandria. To make a reservation, call 703-768-2525.
Sunday/Oct. 25
Goblin Gallop 5K Race and 1K Fun Run at the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center. The 1K fun run starts at 8:30 a.m., and the 5K race, at 9 a.m. Register at www.Active.com. Rain or shine, the race begins and ends in front of Coastal Flats restaurant. Registration is $25 for he 5K and $20 for the 1K. For more information, see www.goblingallop.org. No dogs or headphones are allowed in the 5K, but walkers are welcome in both the 1K and 5K.
Ghost Train Rides at Burke Lake Park. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Road in Fairfax Station. 703- 323-6600. See Oct. 24 listing for details.
American Legion Children's Halloween Party. l-3 p.m. at the American Legion Post 176, Springfield. For ages 10 and under. Costumes not necessary. Annabell the Clown, games and story telling, spooky music and face painting, snacks and drinks. Goodie bags to take home. 703-451-5254.
Halloween Parables. 6 p.m., at 6601 Rutledge Drive, Fairfax Station. Neighborhood children put on annual Halloween-themed production. This year’s show is called “I Just Don’t Get It.” For more, call Heather Cooper at 571-238-7691.
Monday/Oct. 26
Slighty Scary Stories. 11 a.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Join us for stories and activities. Age 4-5 with adults. 703-339-7385.
Wednesday/Oct. 28
Halloween Storytime. 10:30 a.m. Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke. Come in costume for Halloween stories and fun. Age 3-5 with an adult. 703-978-5600.
Bedtime Stories: P Is for Pumpkin. 7 p.m. Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. Pumpkin stories and activities. Pajamas optional. Age 3-6 with adult. 703-644-7333.
Friday/Oct. 30
Halloween Lunch Bunch. 12 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Bring lunch and join us for Halloween stories. Costumes encouraged. Age birth-5 with adult. 703-971-0010.
NRA National Firearms Museum Tricks and Treats. 4-7 p.m. at the National Firearms Museum, NRA Headquarters, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax. Free, costumes encouraged. “Spooktacular” decorations, candy and goodies scattered throughout the museum’s galleries, donuts and cider for adults. 703-267-1620 or http://home.nra.org/#/museum.
Fall Festival. 6-8 p.m. at Franconia United Methodist Church, 6037 Franconia Road, Alexandria. For children up through sixth grade to come in their costumes and join other children in games, prizes, crafts, food and a Haunted Hall Way. Free. 703 971-5151 or www.franconiaumc.org.
Haunted Pond at Hidden Pond Nature Center. From 7-9 p.m. hear scary stories by the campfire and take a night-time walk into the forest in search of fox, deer and owls. This nighttime program is for children ages 6 and up. Bring a flashlight. S’mores provided, reservations are required. The activity is canceled if it rains. $6 per person. Call 703-451-9588 to reserve. Hidden Pond, 8511 Greeley Blvd., Springfield.
Saturday/Oct. 31
Boo to You! Halloween Storytime and Parade. 10:30 a.m. Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. Stories about Halloween, followed by a parade walk through the library. Come dressed in your Halloween best. Age 3-6 with adult. 703-644-7333.
Fall Jubillee “Hallow-eeee,” sponsored by Woody's Ice Cream and Jubilee Christian Center. 3-7 p.m., at Van Dyck Park, 3720 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. The event and food and beverages are free. Food and beverages served 4-6 p.m., and includes Trunk or Treat, Moon Bounces, Hay rides, Costume Judging is 4-5 p.m., and live music. 703-383-1170 or www.jccag.org.
Ghost Train Rides at Burke Lake Park. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Road in Fairfax Station. 703- 323-6600. See Oct. 24 listing for details.
Third Annual Costume Halloween Run at Burke Lake. Don a costume and join the crowd. Meet at Shelter A, starting at 9 a.m. for the costumed fun run. Enjoy a costume parade, face painting, arts and crafts, goodie bags, refreshments and more. The fee for the run is $10 for ages 12 and under and $15 for ages 13 and up. To register, call 703-866-0566. Burke Lake Park is located at 7315 Ox Road in Fairfax Station.
22nd Annual Mall-O-Ween. 5:30-7:30 p.m., Fair Oaks Mall, 11750 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax. Free. www.ShopFairOaksMall.com or 703-359-8302.
NRA National Firearms Museum Tricks and Treats. 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. at the National Firearms Museum, NRA Headquarters, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax. See Oct. 30 listing for details.
New Hope Church Trunk or Treat. 6:30 p.m. at New Hope, 8905 Ox Road, Lorton. Trick or treat, food, games, a bonfire, and a movie on the lawn. Children can dress in costume and bring treat bags. Scare-Your-Socks-Off haunted walk for older children. www.newhope.org.
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