October Activities

Here are a few free things happening in October I thought I would share. Just so you know I find all of my info from either the Falls Church Recreation and Parks progam guide, the Parktakes program guide, the Washington Family Magazine and the library. All of these resources are available at the Community Center or the library. There is a ton of stuff going on but I just list the free stuff here. Check out those resources for additional activities.

*16th Annual Farm Day: Saturday Oct. 10th, 10-3pm in Cherry Hill Park (312 Cherry Park Avenue). There will be hayrides, pony rides, a petting farm, scarecrow making (you must provide the clothing for the scarecrow), pumpkin making, blacksmithing and more. Admission is free but nominal fees may apply to some activites. They were not specific on which ones that would be.

*Drop in Craft: Saturday Oct. 17th, 11-2pm at Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Avenue).

*Disney Store Halloween "Dress Rehearsal" Party": Wednesday Oct. 21st, 3:30pm at Disney stores nationwide. There will be games, prizes and a costume parade around the store. Everyone is encouraged to dress up but kids over three who dress up like their favorite Disney charachters will receive a free gift.

*Halloween Carnival: Friday Oct. 30th, 6-7pm for the infants to 2nd graders and 7:30-8:30pm for 3rd-5th graders at the Falls Church Community Center (223 Little Falls Street). Candy, games, face painting, and a live creepy creature show!

*Halloween Magic Show: Saturday Oct. 31st, 11am at Mary Riley Styles Library. All ages invited and everyone is encouraged to wear their costumes and trick or treat at each of the service desks after the show.

*Halloween at the {Medical} Museum: Saturday Oct 31st, 10-1pm at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (6900 Georgia Ave., NW Wash,DC). Halloween scavenger hunt, skeleton crafts, costume conteset and prizes! They suggest bringing your lunch and adults have to bring their ID's (not sure what that's about). 703-318-1385, ext. 6# for questions/details.

*Hallowfest: Saturday Oct. 31st, 10am at the US Botanic Garden (245 First Street, SW Wash,DC). Decorate pumpkins, create a creeop craft, or attend a Monster Meal cooking demonstration. Costume parade at noon.

In addition, there are several Farms now open that sound like fun. I haven't been to any of them yet, but give us a rating if you make a visit so we'll know if it's fun.

-Frying Pan Farm Park, 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon Va 20171

This one has free admission. They have a nature trail and farm animals to visit. They also offer $3 wagon rides (there is a buy one get one free coupon in this months Washington Family Magazine- which is free and you can pick one up at the library or the community center). 703-437-9101

-Marker Miller Orchards in Winchester, VA. They are holding an Apple Harvest Festival on Oct 10th and 11th and a Pumpkin Harvest Festical on Oct. 24th. Call 540-662-1980 for costs.

- Summers Farm Adventure: Corn maze, pumpkin patch, and hayrides. Go to http://www.summersfarm.com/ for costs and details.

- Butler's Orchard: From Sept.26th- Nov. 1st they are holding their 29th Annual Pumpkin Festival. It's pricey- $10 per person (under 2 free) but there's lots to do. Hayrides, mazes, pumpkin land, Wildcat Run Slide, Hayloft, barnyard buddies, Rubber Ducky Derby, pedal tractors, pumpkin coach, inflatable farm train and tube slide. For an additional fee pony rides, crafts and face painting are available. http://www.butlersorchard.com/