Blog Coming to an End - Thanks for Your Support

Dear Readers,

The Fort Hunt Family bog has been reporting on free and inexpensive family activities in the Alexandria area for the last year and a half. During that time I've become even more convinced that our area is the absolute best place in the region to live with kids. The number and variety of fun activities is amazing. We are so fortunate to have so many organizations that program family events.

Many readers have been supportive and encouraging of the blog. I appreciate your kind and thoughtful words. As much as I have enjoyed getting to know our community even more, the blog will be ending. My personal situation has changed with the addition of a new baby and professionally I've gotten busier as well.

Thank you all. Have a safe and happy 2012.

Liz

Santa's Winter Wonderland @ Charles Houston (free)

Mon Dec 19, 2011 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Enjoy a "sneak peek" tour through the Winter Wonderland while enjoying concert music.
Location: Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St.
Contact: Sheila Whiting, 703.746.5451

Enjoy holiday music and cheer at Santa's Hayride and Lakeside Winter Village.

Saturday, Dec. 17: Hay There Santa!

Warm up with a cup of hot chocolate and settle in to hear classic winter tales told around a toasty campfire. Also, visit with Santa and tell him what's on your wish list. Remember to bring a camera. Well-socialized, leashed pets are welcome to join in the photo. Dress for the weather and plan on a brisk walk from the parking lot. Hayrides run every 30 minutes. 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Lake Accotink Park. $8/person (ages 2 and younger admitted free.) To register or for more information call 703-569-0285

Now Open – Occupied City: Life in Civil War Alexandria Exhibition

Open daily at The Lyceum, "Occupied City: Life in Civil War Alexandria" examines life in an American town seized and held by its own Federal government, following Virginia's decision to secede from the Union in May 1861. See how Robert E. Lee's hometown of Alexandria was transformed literally overnight from a prosperous, bustling commercial port into a supply, hospital, and transportation center for the Union Army, and find out why Alexandria became a destination for African Americans seeking freedom. Explore the experiences of Alexandrians and others who lived here during this tumultuous time, through their own words, as well as period photographs and collections items. The Lyceum (201 South Washington Street) is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Suggested admission is $2. For more information, visitwww.alexandriahistory.org or call 703.746.4994.

Sunday, December 11. Enjoy Huntley Meadows Craft Activity and Discounted Shopping

Huntley Holiday Happening:  Looking for something special for the nature-lover on your list? Enjoy an afternoon of shopping with a 10% discount on merchandise. Enjoy yummy treats and make holiday crafts. Noon to 3:30 p.m. Huntley Meadows Park. Free. For more information, please call 703-768-2525.

December 10 – Family Kwanzaa Celebration Program

Get ready for Kwanzaa in time to celebrate it this year with this special family program at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street. The Family Kwanzaa Celebration program from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. is ideal for children and their parents. Conducted by Culture Kingdom Kids, educator Jessica Smith will teach families fun and creative ways to celebrate the seven days of Kwanzaa through a variety of interactive performances, hands-on activities and crafts. "Culture Queen," the superhero mascot of Culture Kingdom Kids, will also make a special appearance. Families will be culturally enriched and better prepared to celebrate Kwanzaa in their homes and communities. Admission is $5 per person, and advance reservations are recommended. For more information, visitwww.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.746.4356.

Two Free Concerts Featuring Holiday Classics on December 18

Colonial English Handbell Ringers Perform at The Lyceum

Enjoy your favorite holiday music with the Colonial English Handbell Ringers at The Lyceum on Sunday, December 18.  The Colonial English Handbell Ringers, now in their 20^th season, will give two performances with the first beginning at 2 p.m. and the second, a repeat performance, at 4 p.m.

 

This year's program is "A Very Merry Christmas: Celebrating 20 Years with the Colonial English Handbell Ringers." The free show features ten ringers in period costume playing a full five-octave set of nearly 80handbells from the world-famous White Chapel Foundry in England. The ringers will perform many of their all-time personal favorites and crowd-pleasers, including children's classics like "Frosty the Snowman" and the original work, "A Carillon Christmas," timeless holiday tunes like "Silver Bells" and "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow," and original show-stoppers such as "Bell Talk" and "Three Carols From Three Countries." As in years past, there will be an audience participation sing-a-long.

 

The Lyceum, Alexandria's History Museum, is located at 201 South Washington Street in Old Town Alexandria. Limited free parking is available.

 

For more information, contact The Lyceum at 703.746.4994 or visitwww.alexandriahistory.org.

City of Alexandria to Host Holiday Invitational Cheerleading Competition on Saturday, December 17, 2011

The public is invited to attend the Alexandria Holiday Invitational Cheerleading Competition, scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 17 at T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King Street. The competition features youth cheerleading teams from City recreation centers and other teams from the metropolitan area. 

 
Tickets are available for purchase in advance and also at the door the day of the event. Tickets will be on sale from December 2 – December 15, at the Charles Houston, Cora Kelly, Patrick Henry and William Ramsay recreation centers and at the Recreation Services Division Office, located at 1108 Jefferson Street.  Tickets can be purchased in advance for $5 for ages 13 and older, $2 for ages 6-12 and ages 5 and under are admitted free. Ticket prices at the door will be $6 for ages 13 and older, $3 for ages 6 – 12 and for ages 5 and under are admitted free.

December 10 & December 11 – Annual Historic Alexandria Candlelight Tours

	Take a break from the fast pace of the season and experience the unique charm and history at Old Town Alexandria's most popular holiday event. As part of the Civil War Sesquicentennial events, experience 1860s Alexandria during the holidays. Tour Gadsby's Tavern Museum (134 North Royal Street), Carlyle House (121 North Fairfax Street), Lee-Fendall House (614 Oronoco Street) and the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum (105-107 South Fairfax Street) by candlelight and enjoy seasonal decorations, entertainment and light refreshments. Shuttle among the sites included. Tour times are from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Cost is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors (65 and older), and $5 for children (ages 6-17).   Reservations are recommended. For more information or to buy tickets, visitwww.historicalexandria.org or call 703.746.4242.

Two Kwanzaa Events at Alexandria Black History Museum December 10

Get ready for Kwanzaa in time to celebrate it this year with two special programs on Saturday, December 10, at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street.

 

The Family Kwanzaa Celebration programfrom 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. is ideal for children and their parents. Conducted by Culture Kingdom Kids, educator Jessica Smith will teach families fun and creative ways to celebrate the seven days of Kwanzaa through a variety of interactive performances, hands-on activities and crafts. "Culture Queen," the superhero mascot of Culture Kingdom Kids, will also make a special appearance. Families will be culturally enriched and better prepared to celebrate Kwanzaa in their homes and communities. Admission is $5 per person, and advance reservations are recommended.

 

Then, at 4:30 p.m., attend a free screening of "The Black Candle: A Kwanzaa Celebration." This vibrant documentary from M.K. Asante uses Kwanzaa as a vehicle to explore and celebrate the African-American experience. Filmed across the United States, Africa, Europe and the Caribbean, "The Black Candle" is a timely illumination on why the seven principles of Kwanzaa are so important to African Americans today. Narrated by Maya Angelou, it traces the holiday's growth out of the Black Power Movement in the 1960s to its present-day reality as a global, pan-African holiday embraced by over 40 million celebrants. This viewing is part of "Movies with a Mission," a series of films about the African Diaspora that seek to inform and inspire dialogue.

Rock Your Park” – Winter 2011 / 2012 Community Open Play at Ben Brenman Park Synthetic Turf Field

The City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities is celebrating "Rock Your Park" by offering free Community Open Play Days and Nights throughout this winter at the Ben Brenman Park synthetic turf field. 

Beginning December 6, 2011 through February 12, 2012, families, friends and neighbors of all ages are encouraged to visit our fields to exercise, play soccer, lacrosse, touch football, rugby, frisbee and much more. Staff monitored activities will be available as follows:

• Ben Brenman Park Field, 4800 Brenman Park Dr.
  Tuesday & Thursday from  6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  Saturday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Guidelines to consider as you go to "Rock Your Park":

• Show courtesy to all other field users. 
• No permits or registration will be required and use will be on a first come, first served basis. 
• No uniformed teams or structured games allowed.
• Participants must provide their own equipment /balls.
• Tennis shoes or turf shoes only.
• Pick-up game time limits enforced.
• No pets, smoking, alcohol, or music allowed at the fields.
• Youth must be accompanied by a parent or adult chaperone.
• HAVE FUN!!!!

For additional information, call Mac Slover at 703.746.5402 or e-mail atmac.slover@alexandriava.gov.

December 10 – “Christmas in Camp” Open House

Join a Civil War Santa at this family-fun holiday event at Fort Ward Museum, 4301 West Braddock Road,from noon to 4 p.m.  See how Christmas was observed during the Civil War with living-history interpreters, a Victorian Christmas tree, refreshments, readings of "The Night Before Christmas" and a patriotic Santa Claus. Guided tours of the fort will be given, weather permitting. Suggested donation of $2 for adults, $1 for children. For more information, visit www.fortward.org or call703.746.4848

Family Fun - Evergreens Evermore:

Saturday, December 3

Spruce, pine, and cedar - find these evergreen trees and more, while discovering facts and folklore. Make an evergreen decoration for your winter home. Participants must be at least 5 and accompanied by a registered adult.2 to 3 p.m. Green Spring Gardens. $6/person. Register online. For more information call703-642-5173.