<cal1>AUGUST
<cal2>National Night Out. On the first Tuesday in August, law enforcement visits neighborhoods throughout Fairfax County to promote crime enforcement and safety. Call 703-385-7964.
<cal1>SEPTEMBER
<cal2>Annual Golf Outing sponsored by the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce. Open to chamber members, other businesses and guests. Teams are formed to complete the 18-hole course; prizes are given for best team score and other golfing activities. The event will take place in September. Call 703-591-2450.
The Burke Centre 25th annual Fall Festival. This annual event attracts 12,000 to 13,000 people from all over Northern Virginia and includes food venders, games for children, magic and puppet shows, a wine festival and bingo. Many local radio stations, as well as the police and fire department, attend. Admission is free and a free shuttle bus service is provided. This year’s festival will take place Sept. 13 and 14 on the Burke Centre Conservancy grounds. Call 703-978-2928. Rain or shine.
Fall for the Arts. A juried contemporary art festival will take place Sept. 26-28 on the grounds of the Ellipse at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. The event will feature 180 award-winning artists from across the country as well as a wine tasting with eight Virginia wineries, cuisine from area restaurants and an entertainment stage with light jazz and a cappella music. Admission is $5, with additional charges for food and wine. For more information, call 703-324-3247. To volunteers, call Sean Forman at 703-324-5303 or e-mail sean@celebratefairfax.com.
<cal1>OCTOBER
<cal2>Fall for Fairfax. Includes entertainment, health, fitness and educational activities. The event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., on the eight-acre ellipse behind the Government Center.
Halloween events at Lake Accotink Park. Children's events include the miniature golf game "goblin golf" and a candy hunt for children as well as a bone hunt for dogs. The events will take place around Halloween time at Lake Accotink Park in Springfield. Call 703-569-3464.
The Memory Walk, sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association National Capital Area Chapter, will take place at GMU on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. There will be music, food and exhibitors in addition to the five-mile and one-mile walks. Call Sandra Fields at 1-866-259-0042, Ext. 114.
The City of Fairfax Fall Family Festival will take place the second Saturday in October. The events include crafts, foods, music and activities for children. Call 703-385-7858 for details.
<cal1>DECEMBER
<cal2>New Year's Eve Party. The party will take place at the American Legion, 6520 Amherst Ave., in Springfield. Call 703-440-0336.
<cal1>JANUARY
<cal2>The Red Ribbon Run. A 5k road race sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving will take place Jan. 1. Call 703-352-3944 for more information.
<cal1>FEBRUARY
<cal2>Chocolate Lover's Festival. On Feb. 6-8, this event takes place throughout the City of Fairfax and includes the Chocolate Challenge display of chocolate baked goods, carvings, sculptures and creations by local chefs, both amateur and professional, as well as the Taste of Chocolate event for sampling a variety of culinary delights. There are children's events, games and more. Fee is minimal. Call 703-591-2450.
Art auction. Hosted by the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, the auction will take place in February. Call 703-591-2450.
<cal1>MARCH
<cal2>Annual genealogy conference. Sponsored by the Fairfax Genealogical Society, this event takes place on March 27, 2004. The conference is an all-day, in-depth presentation by nationally known genealogists designed to enhance genealogical research skills. There will be eight sessions covering advanced skill-building and computer topics, as well as four beginner topics. Registration is $35 for members of the Fairfax Genealogical Society and $50 for nonmembers. A luncheon with an additional speaker is $30. This year's conference will take place at the Fairview Marriott, 3111 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church. For more information and registration forms, visit www.fxgs.org.
<cal1>APRIL
<cal2>Business Showcase. The Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a free presentation by business members in April that will include lectures on various business activities and opportunities. More than 200 exhibitors will present displays. Prizes and more. Call 703-591-2450.
<cal1> MAY
<cal2>Casino Night. On May 22, the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce will host a black tie casino night. This year's theme is "Night in Vegas." For more information, call 703-591-2450.
<cal1>JUNE
<cal2>Celebrate Fairfax. A three-day festival featuring vendors, entertainment, a laser show, fireworks, carnival rides and more, will take place the second weekend after Memorial Day, June 11-13, at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax. Call 703-324-FAIR or 1-800-880-6629.
<cal1>JULY
<cal2>MG Ralleye. Each July, the MG Car Club of Washington, the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind and Services for the Visually Impaired host a road rally at Burke Lake Park. MG owners drive around Burke and Fairfax Station, following directions read to them by blind passengers who read clues written in Braille or large letters. Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind can be reached at 202-454-6400.
<cal1>SUMMER
<cal2>Braddock Nights concert series. Concerts will take place every Friday in June, July and August at Royal Lake Park and Lake Accotink Park. Call the parks and recreation department at 703-324-8566. The rain cancellation phone number is 703-425-9300.
<cal1>SUMMER/FALL
<cal2>Burke Farmers Market. This market will take place every Saturday, May through Nov. 8, from 8 a.m. – noon at the VRE parking lot, 5671 Roberts Parkway. Free. No dogs. Call 703-941-7987.
Fairfax Farmers Market. This market will take place every Tuesday, 8 a.m. – noon, May through October, at Van Dyck Park on Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. Free. Call 703-941-7987.