Halloween events for all ages

Burke Lake Park Ghost Train Rides Return

Catch a spooky ride on the Ghost Train at Burke Lake Park and be there when the Great Pumpkin arrives to hand out treats! Thrills and chills appropriate for kids are provided by students from Northern Virginia Community College. Costumes are encouraged. Children under age six must have adult supervision. Please leave pets at home. The cost is $4.50 per person; children under two ride free. Rides start at 10 a.m. The last train departs at 5:15 p.m. Ticket sales end at 3:30 p.m. For information, call 703-323-6600.

The Ghost Train will run on the following dates:

• Saturday, October 23
• Sunday, October 24
• Saturday, October 30
• Sunday, October 31

Halloween Goblin Golf and Bonfire


Come to Lake Accotink Park from 6 to 9 p.m. for this spooktacular event perfect for adults and children of all ages. Dare yourself to venture onto the haunted golf course to play a round of golf with glow in the dark golf balls, ride the spooky carousel, and join in storytelling over a cup of hot chocolate around a beach bonfire. The cost is $7 per person. Costumes are welcome. For information, call 703-569-0285. Saturday, October 30, 2010.

“Mousequerade” Ball for Kids at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum October 23, 2010

Step into the Past

Get in the Halloween spirit at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum’s Mousequerade Ball for kids! On Saturday, October 23, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum welcomes author Cheryl Barnes who will sign her book,  “Alexander, the Old Town Mouse” and read the story of Alexander and his ball at Gadsby’s Tavern. Then kids can create masks and enjoy a ball of their own, in the very same ballroom where Alexander – and George Washington – danced! 

This hour-long program begins at 1 p.m. and is recommended for kids ages 4 to 7.  Admission is $10 per child (ages 2 and older); adults with child admissions are free. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 703.746.4242 or by purchasing tickets online through the shop at www.gadsbystavern.org.

As America began as a nation during the late 18th century and emerged in the 19th century, Gadsby’s Tavern was the center of social and political life in Alexandria as well as the new Federal City of Washington.  The tavern served as the premier gathering place for residents – including George Washington – and visitors to eat, drink, learn, and influence history.  Tavern keepers John Wise and John Gadsby hosted balls, performances, and meetings, and their accommodations were known as the best by travelers near and far.

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum is located at 134 North Royal Street in the heart of Old Town Alexandria and is owned and operated by the City of Alexandria. For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org.

USA Science and Engineering Festival - Saturday and Sunday, October 23-24, 2010

The Inaugural USA Science & Engineering Festival is the country’s first national science festival and descends on Washington, D.C. on October 23 and 24, 2010. The culmination of the Festival will be a free, two-day Expo on the National Mall and surrounding areas (National Mall 1st-7th streets, Freedom Plaza, Pennsylvania Ave. NW between 12th and 14th streets, Wilson Plaza, Mellon Auditorium and National Museum of Natural History - view map) on October 23 and 24 that will feature over 1500 fun, hands-on science activities and over 75 stage shows and performances on four stages. In addition, several exhibitors will be hosting talks and performances in their exhibit areas. This event is free and open to the public.

As you walk among the booths, you'll find hands-on activities, experiments, and lots of scientists and engineers to talk to. Most hands-on activities will take about 15 minutes to complete. This is not show and tell... it's show and do! There will be all kinds of exhibits, from flight simulators, virtual reality environments and surgical robots to making virus structures with marshmallows and toothpicks. The Expo is not a Science Fair static poster session but rather a dynamic, hands- on, interactive, fun and entertaining set of activities, displays and demonstrations.

Then check out the over 50 stage shows on four different stages. Be amazed by science magicians and nano jugglers, shout and dance with the science cheerleaders, tap your feet to science songs, learn about amphibians, meet the Biggest Looser and much, much more! 

Finish your day by coming to Wilson Plaza on Saturday evening between 7-10pm for a star gazing party with leading astronomers from around the world. Explore our amazing Universe with Celestron, The Astronomy Outreach Foundation and Hofstra University! Get an up close view of Jupiter and four of its moons and gaze in wonder at the craters of Earth’s magnificent Moon and many other exciting planetary objects. Listen to a talk by 17 year old Teen Astronomer, Caroline Moore. Then rest to get ready for a 2^nd day of exploration on Sunday!

Expo Hours:

Saturday, October 23, 10am-5:30pm

Sunday, October 24, 10am-5:30pm

On Saturday, plan to stay into the evening for a star gazing event on Wilson Plaza!


Visit for more information:
http://www.usasciencefestival.org/

Volunteer Day at the Library

VOLUNTEER FEST

Three Fairfax County Public Library branches will be participating in Volunteer Fest on Saturday, Oct. 23. Volunteer Fest is a community-wide day of service held in conjunction with National Make a Difference Day. Spend a few hours at any of the branches below and make a difference for the library. This is a great way for students to earn community service hours. To register for any of the projects below, visit Volunteer Fairfax (www.volunteerfairfax.org). Advance registration is required.

The two participating libraries near the Alexandria area of Fairfax County are,

John Marshall Library Fall Library Clean Up, Oct. 23, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Beautify the library both inside and out. Outdoor work includes preparing the gardens for the fall by planting bulbs, spreading much, weeding and picking up trash. Indoor work includes cleaning shelves, furniture and other surfaces as well as finding items that have fallen behind shelves, shifting books and other tasks. (Must be 14 years old or older -- younger is okay with parental supervision.) 

Lorton Library, Library Garden Restoration, Oct. 23, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Volunteers will restore the garden originally donated by the Lorton Heritage Society, which, in addition to other plants, contains boxwoods from Gunston Hall and Mount Vernon. Tasks include weeding, pruning, planting and mulching. (Must be 16 years old or older -- younger is okay with parental supervision.)
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry