Weekend: Concerts, Fireworks, S'Mores, Country Western Dance + More

PHOTO: Desert Highway performs Sunday in McLean; photo courtesy of band.

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- Here's a look at events coming up this weekend in Fairfax County parks, courtesy of Fairfax County's The Weekender:

Friday, July 1: Smooth Jazz

• Mount Vernon Nights Concerts: Art Sherrod, Jr., saxophonist extraordinaire, will entertain you with his smooth, musical stylings from7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Grist Mill Park. Free admission. For information, call703-324-7469.

Also on Friday:

• Dairy Days: Churn butter, crank ice cream and play historic games for a taste of 18th century life. Ice cream and butter will be made at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. at Sully Historic Site. $7/person. Children must be accompanied by an adult. House tour tickets will be available on site for an additional cost. Register online. For information, call 703-437-1794.
• The Summer Stage at Reston Station – Elikeh AfroPop: Celebrate the end of the week with Afropop fused with Togolese beats and American rock, funk and jazz from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the open air plaza atop Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station. All ages. Free. For information, call 703-476-4500.
• Campfire Fridays-Summer: Enjoy a campfire, s’mores, animals and more fun from 7 to 8:30 p.m. atHidden Pond Nature Center. Ages 3 and up. $8/person. Register online. For information, call 703-451-9588.
• Main Street Community Band: From Baroque to the Beatles, this ensemble from the City of Fairfax Band will have your toes tapping from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Mason District Park Amphitheater. Free admission. For information, call 703-324-7469.
• S’mores & Campfire Stories: Come for a night of campfire stories while enjoying s’mores from 8 to 9:30 p.m. at Lake Fairfax. Ages 6 and up. $10/person. Register online. For information, call 703-471-5414.

Saturday, July 2: Celebrate Independence Day Early

• Fireworks at the Workhouse: Enjoy art exhibits, food trucks, local craft beer and wine, live music and a spectacular fireworks show from 5 to 9:30 p.m. at the Workhouse Arts Center. Live music begins at 7 p.m.and fireworks start at dusk, typically 9 p.m. Bring blankets and/or lawn chairs. Free admission; $10/parking. Shuttle service will be provided from the Vulcan Materials lot. For information, call 703-584-2900.

Also on Saturday:

• 123 Andres: One of the most exciting voices on the children’s music scene, 123 Andrés, will have everyone singing, dancing and learning in Spanish and English. Enjoy his performance from 10 to 11 a.m. at Burke Lake Park Amphitheater. Free. For information, call 703-324-7469.
• The Great Zucchini: See Washington’s funniest and most magical preschool and kindergarten entertainer perform a colorful magical show from 10 to 11 a.m. at E.C. Lawrence Park Amphitheater. Free admission. For information, call 703-324-7469.
• Rocknoceros: This sensational three-man band will perform original children’s songs and much-loved favorites from 10 to 11 a.m. at Lake Fairfax Park Amphitheater. Free admission. For information, call703-324-7469.
• The Goodlife Theater: In “The Fabulous Five Senses,” the audience comes to the aid of a puppet who needs help in acquiring the five senses. From 10 to 11 a.m. at Mason District Park Amphitheater. Free admission. For information, call 703-324-7469.
• Mount Vernon Nights: Peter Mawanga and the Amaravi Movement’s Afro-vibes is a modern African sound that is intrinsically Malawian. Hear them from 7 to 8 p.m. to the Workhouse Arts Center. Free admission. For information, call 703-324-7469.
• Dale Jett and Hello Stranger: Dale is a third-generation member of the legendary Carter Family who will entertain you with country music from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Arrowbrook Centre Park. Free admission. For information, call 703-324-7469.
• German Cultural Heritage Night: The Blaskapelle Alte Kameraden Bavarian Band will entertain you in Oktoberfest style from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Ossian Hall Park. Free admission. For information, call703-324-7469.

Sunday, July 3: Turtle Time

• Toddler Time – Terrific Turtles: Explore nature through outdoor activities and meet one of our turtles from 11 to 11:45 a.m. at Hidden Oaks Nature Center. Ages 2 to 4. Children must be accompanied by an adult. $6/child. Register online. For information, call 703-941-1065.

Also on Sunday:

• Blacksmithing Demonstrations: Watch as the blacksmith fires up his forge and works with hammer and tongs to make iron tools and utensils from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Colvin Run Mill. Free. For information, call 703-759-2771.
• Grinding Demonstrations: See and hear 19th century technology at work. The miller will be grinding, conditions permitting, from noon to 3 p.m. at Colvin Run Mill. Please call the site to confirm. Tour cost: $7/adult, $6/student 16 and older with ID and $5/child or senior. Pay at site. For information, call 703-759-2771.
• Northern Virginia Carvers: The wood carvers lend their tools and expertise to help you uncover your hidden artistic talent as you carve a creature from a block of wood from noon to 3 p.m. at Colvin Run Mill. Lessons for participants ages 12 and up are free; nominal charge for wood blanks. For information, call 703-759-2771.
• Desert Highway: Performing The Eagles’ music catalogue, Desert Highway will give you a peaceful, easy feeling from 5 to 6 p.m. in McLean Central Park (parking available at the Dolley Madison Library or McLean Community Center). Free admission. For information, call 703-790-0123.
• Sunday Country-Western Dance: Line dance, two-step, shuffle and swing the night away to popular country-western tunes played by Reston Community Center’s DJ. Dances are held monthly in the Community Room, which offers a spacious wooden dance floor and a smoke-free environment. Refreshments provided. No square or contra dancing, please. From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Reston Community Center – Hunters Woods. Ages 18 and up. $10/person; pay at door. For information, call703-476-4500.
• Spotlight by Starlight: The City of Falls Church Concert Band will perform overtures, marches, pop tunes and standards from musicals from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Mason District Park Amphitheater. Free admission. For information, call 703-324-7469.

Information was correct at time of publication. Please contact individual event sites to confirm programs are being held as scheduled.

The Fairfax County Weekender highlights a selection of county events taking place each weekend. Many more events and activities can be found at the Parks and Library pages, and elsewhere on the Fairfax County website. Additionally, the towns of Herndon and Vienna as well as the city of Falls Church offer many arts, entertainment and recreational opportunities.

A complete list of county calendars is also available online.