Things to Do in NoVA: Fall Events in Fairfax, Alexandria Virginia

There's no doubt that fall in Northern Virginia is one of the best times of year. Not only do the leaves begin to fall and the scenery begin to change, but the area also welcomes seasonal festivals like the Alexandria Festival of the Arts and numerous fall harvests. 

Below are a few events you can add to your mid-September calendar to enjoy the best of Northern Virginia in communities like Fairfax, Alexandria, Arlington and Centreville.

DC Shorts Film Festival
September 11-21, 2014
Times vary
3002 District Ave
Fairfax, VA

If you love watching movies, you'll love this Fairfax festival spanning over 11 days. The festival will show a total of 135 films from 25 different countries throughout the event. From animated films to documentaries and more, there is a movie of every genre to be enjoyed this year.

12th Annual Alexandria Festival of the Arts
September 13, 2014; 10 AM to 7 PM
September 14, 2014; 10 AM to 5 PM
King Street
Alexandria, VA

This free event is hosted on King Street in Alexandria, transforming historic main street into an outdoor event venue. Featuring local jewelry, sculptures, photography, ceramics and more over the downtown's six blocks. And being that this is the 12th year for the arts festival, all attendees will be able to purchase and take home a piece of artwork which in total amounts to over $15 million.

Irish Folk Festival
September 13, 2014
12 PM to 8:30 PM
3740 Old Lee Highway
3791 Chain Bridge Road
Fairfax, VA

This year's Irish Folk Festival in Fairfax will allow attendees to experience the rich culture of Irish music, language, dance, sport and of course food! You can expect to find step dancing and other performances, as well as lessons and workshops in history, genealogy and language. 

Not only is fall in Northern Virginia a great time to experience the scenery, but also the culture and history of the various communities. From Fairfax to Falls Church, McLean and Mount Vernon— this season will be packed with events and opportunities to get to know your neighbors as well as local vendors.

With my experience in the area, I can answer any questions you might have on the local real estate market in addition to how you can make NoVA your home. No matter if you're planning to sell your home or purchase a new home, I'd love to hear from you!

I happily serve the areas of Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Great Falls, Herndon, Lake Ridge, McLean, Mount Vernon, Reston, Rosslyn, Springfield, Tyson’s Corner and Vienna.

Earle Whitmore

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
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What to Do in Northern Virginia— Upcoming NOVA Events

With Back to School just around the corner, summer vacations ending, and schedules starting to get busy once again, you may need some down time just to prepare for what's ahead this fall. How about a Staycation? Northern Virginia has many fun events coming up that allow you to stay close to home and still experience a vacation-type scenario. Here's a look at what to do in NOVA and DC this fall:

First Annual Chesapeake Crab & Wine Feast
August 17, 2013, 5 PM to 8 PM
The Harvest House at Lost Creek Winery
Leesburg, VA
“Crack, Sip & Savor” crabs and wine at the 1st Annual Chesapeake Crab & Wine Feast. Featuring the release of Lost Creek’s Reserve Chardonnay, join the owners of Lost Creek for a festive evening including an all you can eat gourmet menu. Live music by Josh Burgess will accompany your meal. Reserve your seat now as tickets will not be available at the event.

Doggie Yappy Hour
August 15, 20, 22, Tuesday and Thursdays, 5 PM
Hotel Monaco, Alexandria, VA
Put a twist on your happy hour this Tuesday and Thursday! Take your favorite canine companion to Jackson 20, where Fido can enjoy complimentary treats while you drink and dine. Dogs must have tags and a 6-foot leash.

Virginia Scottish Games & Festival
August 31 through September 1, 2013, 9 AM to 6 PM
Great Meadow, Old Tavern Road, The Plains
No matter your heritage, this is a festival you will not want to miss! Including two action-packed days, this festival is meant to celebrate those in Northern Virginia with Scottish heritage, but will be entertaining for all. Expect the event to be reminiscent of a county fair, but with much more of a global appeal. Two day, $30. Single day, $20.

Washington Nationals Baseball Boat Water Taxi
Through September 21, 2013, Recurring Daily
Potomac Riverboat Company, Alexandria, VA
Skip the traffic and ride this baseball boat to a game at the Washington Nationals Stadium, located in Southeast DC. Free parking pass with online ticket purchase.

Chamber Music Concert with Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic
August 25, 2013, 3 PM
Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Association, Alexandria, VA
Concert featuring Violinist Will Hurd and Pianist Elizabeth Hill. Music by Bach, Brahms, and Hindemith.

Northern Virginia BrewFest
October 19-20, 2013, 11 AM to 7 PM
Bull Run Regional Park, Centreville, VA
This World Beer Experience will feature more than 40 of the world’s best breweries, plenty of delicious food to complement the craft beers, outstanding local and regional bands providing entertainment as well as artists, crafters and retail vendors for your early holiday shopping!

Earle Whitmore

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
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4th of July Fun in DC, Northern Virginia

Northern Virginia and DC are great places to spend our nation's birthday on the 4th of July. The following are events taking place in the area that are sure to be fun for the entire family!

Washington, DC
National Independence Day Parade
July 4, 11:45 AM
The parade will begin at 11:45 AM on Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th Sts. NW. The parade will have marching bands, military and specialty units, floats, and more. The parade kicks off a full day of events on the National Mall.

Fairfax City
Independence Day Parade
July 4, 10 AM

The Independence Day Parade will begin at 10 AM with musical entertainment at 7 PM and a fireworks display beginning at dark.

Falls Church

Fireworks and Live Music

July 4, 7 PM

Live music will begin at George Mason High School in Falls Church at 7 PM and fireworks to follow at 9:20 PM.

Herndon

Fireworks Display and Activities

July 4, 5 PM

The Herndon Community Center is hosting rides at 5 PM, music, crafts, bingo and games at 6:30 PM, and fireworks at 9:30 PM. 

McLean

Fireworks Display

July 4, 8 PM

Langley High School in McLean is kicking off the holiday at 8 PM, offering free parking and shuttles from St. John's Lutheran Church and the McLean Community Center. Fireworks will begin at 9:15 PM.

Reston

Fireworks Display

July 4, 9 PM

The Reston fireworks display will begin at Lake Fairfax Park will begin at 9:15 PM.

Earle Whitmore

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
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Spreading Holiday Cheer in Northern Virginia!

One great part of the holiday season is not just the beautiful lights the NOVA area brings and not always receiving gifts.  One of the greatest things is being able to give back to ones in need or ones that can use some holiday cheer.  The Northern Virginia area has many local charities’ that are in need for certain items.  Even though you may not be able to purchase items to donate, you probably have some items lying around that would be appreciated.

As the year ends and cold begins you may find you have a lot of items you accumulated over the last four seasons.  What to do with these items that you may or may not use over the course of next year?  Sure you can wrap them up for White Elephant to give away, but how about starting a pile to give to NOVA Charities? Grab your spouse, kids and anyone around that could use a good cleaning.  To begin have a designated area and start a pile.  Don’t worry about sorting till the end of cleaning.  Organize and see what you can spare to get rid of.  Look in the drawers, look in the closets, garage and under the couch.  You never know what you may have lying around.  An old book, pair of shoes or five extra tubes of toothpaste are perfect items to give.  Look in your pantry; do you see 6 cans of corn?  Spare one or two will do! Have a years’ worth of old magazines?  I’m sure someone would like to read it or a child would like to use a pair of scissors too.

Once you have all the items compiled take some extra boxes or bag’s and mark each with the charity you want to give to.  Here are some in the Fairfax County area and what they are looking for:

- Ecumenical Council Helping Others (ECHO) 7205 Old Keene Mill Rd., Springfield

703-569-9160 

www.needsyou.org 

ECHO Inc. seeks donations of food, housewares, bedding, clothing, small appliances, children’s books and toys. No furniture, please.

- Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, Mental Health Services14150 Parkeast Cir., Suite 200, Chantilly.

703-481-4142

Contact Carol Taylor.
Outer clothing, gift certificates for grocery and retail stores, toys, sports equipment and games, craft activities, food baskets and toiletries. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 14. 

- Food for Others Food can be brought to the warehouse at 2938 Prosperity Ave., Fairfax, between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.

703-207-9173

Food for Others, Northern Virginia’s largest provider of emergency food services, requests donations of nonperishable food. Items most needed include peanut butter, tuna fish, canned fruit, rice, macaroni and cheese, pasta, cereal, soups, canned vegetables, spaghetti sauce, meat chili with beans, dried beans and beef stew. For holiday assistance in December, frozen turkeys, stuffing and cranberry sauce are especially welcome. 

- Herndon-Reston FISH

703-471-9024

Donations of nonperishable food items, toys, gifts and clothing for the needy will be collected at United Christian Parish, 2222 Colts Neck Rd., Reston, Dec. 18-20. 

- Lamb Center

703-691-3178

This daytime drop-in center for the homeless needs men’s and children’s winter coats, hats, gloves, blankets and sleeping bags. Also needed are diapers, laundry detergent, coffee, creamer, powdered drink mixes, paper towels, paper plates, disposable utensils, soap, shampoo and monetary donations. Donations may be dropped off between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays at 3220 Old Lee Hwy., Fairfax. For more information, contact Steve Schlossberg or Barbara D’Annibale.

- Prevent a Litter Coalition (PaLC)

703-818-8009

contact@palc.org
www.palc.org

PaLC advocates responsible pet ownership by promoting spaying and neutering. The group, made up entirely of volunteers, needs a desktop copier and cartridges, a black and white laser printer and cartridges, a Healthy Back office chair, a fax machine that uses plain paper, an executive desk, a computer credenza, a HON four-drawer Grey Letter filing cabinet, frequent flier miles and six copies of the American Bar Association’s “Guidebook for Directors of Nonprofit Corporations. The organization’s mailing address is P.O. Box 9294, Reston, Va. 20195.

- Shelter House

703-538-6457

www.shelterhouse.org

Shelter House, a nonprofit shelter for homeless families in Fairfax County, provides crisis intervention, temporary housing, training, counseling and programs to promote self-sufficiency. It is looking for donations of dishes, pots, pans, kitchen appliances, blankets, cold medicines, humidifiers and pillows. Volunteers are sought to work at the front desk. Contact Suzanne Nordfelt.

Even if the items may not listed include them with the organization that  seems appropriate. Include your children to be a part of the giving.  It is a great way to show them how lucky they are and to be more appreciative of what they have and how important it is to give.  Isn't that season is all about!

If you have time, a lot of these non-profits also need volunteers to get packages together, to help in sorting, and distributing items to the needy.  This is another great way to get the family involved in spreading even more holiday cheer.

And I end today with a quote from Henry Drummond, “There is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving.”

Happy Holidays! 

Earle Whitmore
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
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