Weekend: Campfire Friday, Pumpkin Painting, Farm Festival + More

What's doing this weekend at Fairfax County parks? Find out there courtesy of Fairfax County Weekender.

Friday, Oct. 14: Farm Fun

Fall Carnival Fun at the Farm: It’s carnival time! Buy tasty fair food and enjoy games and rides from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, noon to 10 p.m.on Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday at Frying Pan Farm Park. Unlimited carnival ride passes are available on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. $5 off coupon for unlimited ride passes. Parking and admission are free. For information, call 703-437-9101.

Also on Friday:

Madhaunter’s Madhouse: Northern Virginia’s scariest haunted attraction is an indoor and outdoor maze of terror that will have you jumping out of your skin at every turn, complete with heart-pounding scares and custom-made special effects. Come visit Madhaunter’s Madhouse and experience the madness for yourself from 7 to 10:30 p.m. at the Workhouse Arts Center (also Oct. 15, 21-22 and 28-31). $20/person. Buy tickets online. For information, call 703-584-2900.

Campfire Fridays - Fall: Come for a night of campfire, s’mores, animals and more this fall! EachFriday night campfire has a different topic and a different area of the park is explored from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Hidden Pond Nature Center. Ages 3 and up. $8/person. Register online. For information, call703-451-9588.

Saturday, Oct. 15: Raptor Rapture

Live Owl and Hawk Fest: Meet birds of prey presented by wildlife rehabilitator and artist Lois Auer from 2 to 3:15 p.m. at Hidden Oaks Nature Center. Ages 4 and up. $7/person. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Register online. For information, call703-941-1065.

Also on Saturday:

Watershed Clean-Up Day: Be part of the International Coastal Cleanup from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at park sites across the county. Help clear earth’s arteries by collecting tires, bed springs, cans and other debris. Great opportunity for families, groups or individuals to volunteer. Wear boots and old clothes and bring gloves. Trash bags and appreciation provided. Sign up online and help at:

• Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 703-941-1065
• Hidden Pond Nature Center, 703-451-9588
• Huntley Meadows Park, 703-768-2525
• Lake Accotink Park, 703-569-3464
• Lake Fairfax Park, 703-471-5414
• Riverbend Park, 703-759-9018
• Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 703-631-0013
• Cub Run RECenter, 703-817-9404

Beauty in Sustainability Half-Day Symposium: Adults can learn to create and care for a home garden that is a source of beauty, labor savings and environmental change. Virginia Native Plant Society’s Laura Beaty and renowned landscape designer Larry Weaner show you how to create stunning gardens in harmony with ecological processes from 9 a.m. to noon at Green Spring Gardens. Book signing follows. $35/person. Register online. For information, call 703-642-5173.

Farm Harvest Days: Watch the cider press in action, milk a goat, shell corn, peel apples, meet farm animals and see traditional farm demonstrations – all for free from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Frying Pan Farm Park. Admission is free; wagon rides are $3/person. For information, call 703-437-9101.

EcoSavvy Gardening – Indoor Plants: A master gardener from Green Spring Gardens provides suggestions for beautifying your home with indoor plants from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Sherwood Regional Library. Free; register online. For information, call 703-765-3645.

Preschool Pumpkins in the Park: Bring your little munchkins ages 3 and up for pumpkin painting, face painting and a puppet show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lake Fairfax Park. A small pumpkin is included in the $7/person cost. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Stay after for Pumpkins in the Park Festival for all ages. Register online. For information, call 703-471-5414.

The Man Who Planted Trees: Hear the wind, feel the rain, smell the lavender and laugh with Dog. In this ecologically-inspired tale, a French shepherd sets out to plant a forest and transform a barren wasteland acorn by acorn. This uplifting story shows the difference one man (and his dog) can make to the world. From 2 to 3:30 p.m. at The Alden, McLean Community Center. $15/person. Buy ticketsonline. For information, call 703-790-0123.

Ballroom Social Dance: Bring a friend, a date or a group to enjoy a casual, fun night out. All skill levels welcome. Mini-lesson on the polka, 7:30 to 8 p.m. Social dance led by a professional ballroom instructor from 8 to 10:30 p.m. McGuireWoods Gallery (second floor of W-16), Workhouse Arts Center. $10/person (Ballroom Social) and $5/person (mini-lesson). Mini-lesson tickets sold only at the door. Ballroom Social Dance tickets may be purchased online, by phone or at the door. For information, call 703-584-2900.

Sunday, Oct. 16: Splish, Splash

Wagon Ride - Journey to the Pond: Frogs, tadpoles and water critters abound. See what’s hopping, splashing and swimming while you take a wagon ride from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Riverbend Park. Ages 2 and up. $7/person. Adults must accompany children. Meet at the Nature Center. Register online. For information, call 703-759-9018.

Also on Sunday:

Invite a Flying Squirrel to Your Yard: Learn ways to encourage flying squirrels to visit your yard and get plans for making a roosting and nesting box. From 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. at Hidden Oaks Nature Center. Ages 4 and up. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. $5/person. Roosting box kits are $30 each. Stick around to assemble. Register online. For information, call 703-941-1065.