Summer●●2014 Fun SummerFoodFood ArtsArts EntertainmentEntertainmentFun Cameron Landis, 3, on a police motor- cycle at Clifton’s old-fashioned fourth of July cel- ebration last year. FairfaxFairfax StationStation ❖❖ CliftonClifton ❖❖ LortonLorton Photo by Bonnie Hobbs/The Connection www.ConnectionNewspapers.comLocal Media Connection LLC Fairfax Station / Clifton / Lorton Connection online ● May 2014at www.connectionnewspapers.com ● Summer Fun ● Food Arts Entertainment ● 1 2 ● Summer Fun ● Food Arts Entertainment ● May 2014 ● Fairfax Station / Clifton / Lorton Connection www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Summer●Funi Food Arts Entertainment The Joseph V. Gartlan Jr. Great Marsh Trail is wheel-chair accessible and only three fourths of a mile each way, making it perfect for the entire family. Photos by Janelle Germanos/The Connection The Joseph V. Gartlan Jr. Great Marsh Trail provides spectacular views of the 250-acre Great Marsh, one of the largest on the Potomac River. This Summer, Escape Into Nature Lorton area has low-priced nature getaways. raveling along Gunston Road in ready sites at Pohick Bay and Bull Run parks. Lorton, area residents have sev- For $25, the package includes a tent, two Teral choices when it comes to chairs, lantern, and six pieces of firewood. summer fun. On a small stretch Pohick Bay also offers guided canoe and of road, there’s George Mason’s Gunston kayak tours, which allow visitors to the park Hall, Mason Neck State Park, Pohick Bay to view birds in the area. There’s also Trea- Regional Park, and The Joseph V. Gartlan sure Island Miniature Golf for only $3 per Jr. Great Marsh Trail. person, and disk golf for $2 per person. Residents looking for a weekend getaway Also at Pohick Bay is the Pirate’s Cove that doesn’t require long rides in the car or Waterpark. For those planning on visiting Not far from the entrance to the Joseph V. Gartlan Jr. Great Marsh Trail drains on their wallets should consider a any of the NVRPA waterparks in the region is Pohick Bay Regional Park, which includes free admission for residents camping trip to Pohick Bay Regional Park this summer, consider buying a Bounce pass of Fairfax County. The park is also home to the Pirate’s Cove Water Park. this summer. Entrance to the park is free for $85 and $75 for each additional family for residents of Fairfax County. For a family member. The pass includes entry into all five Families who aren’t quite ready for a full of four to set up a traditional tent at a non- NVRPA waterparks for one year from date night camping, but who are looking for an MASON NECK STATE PARK INFORMATION electric site, the cost is $28 per night. of purchase. afternoon with nature, should consider a Admission: $4 on Weekdays, $5 on Weekends For those who don’t want to buy their own On Saturday, June 7, pirates will battle visit to Mason Neck State Park. Mason Neck Park office: 703-339-2385 camping supplies, the Northern Virginia Re- and invade the park for the annual Pirate’s offers spectacular views of Belmont Bay, as 7301 High Point Road, Lorton, VA 22079 gional Park Authority is now offering camper Day celebration. well as miles of hiking trails. The park is known for its bird watching, particularly of THE JOSEPH V. GARTLAN JR. bald eagles. GREAT MARSH TRAIL Parking lot is on Gunston Road, in the Mason Neck For an even shorter nature experience, Wildlife Refuge there’s the Joseph V. Gartlan Jr. Great Marsh Trail, part of the Elizabeth Hartwell Mason — Janelle Germanos Neck National Wildlife Refuge. The handi- cap-accessible trail takes hikers through the woods and onto stunning views of the 250- Fairfax Station, acre Great Marsh, one of the largest marshes Lorton & Clifton on the Potomac River. Visitors will find drag- onflies and pond lilies during the summer. It only takes 15 minutes to reach the marsh ● from the parking lot at the entrance to the Summer Fun trail, making it perfect for younger children Food Arts Entertainment who can’t handle too much walking. is produced by Connection Newspapers POHICK BAY REGIONAL PARK www.ConnectionNewspapers.com 703-339-6104 Local Media Connection LLC 6501 Pohick Bay Drive Lorton, VA 22079 Kayak Tours at Pohick Bay Summer Fun content compiled by Elizabeth Beane, * Morning Tours: 8 a.m. – noon Kara Coleman, Alexis Hosticka, Amna Rehmatulla, 5/3, 6/1, 6/29, 7/26, 8/16, 8/24, 8/31, 9/21, 9/ Rachel Stone and Tommy Valtin-Erwin. 27, 10/11 For more information, Photo Courtesy of Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority * Evening Tours: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. 5/10, 5/24, 7/20 call 703-778-9431 or email Pirate’s Cove Water Park, located at Pohick Bay Regional Park, features * Moonlight Tours: 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. [email protected] water-slides, a beach and a bucket that dumps 300 gallons of water. 6/13, 7/12, 8/10, 9/12 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Fairfax Station / Clifton / Lorton Connection ● May 2014 ● Summer Fun ● Food Arts Entertainment ● 3 Find more Summer Fun at Summer●FuniFairs & Festival 2014 www.connectionnewspapers.com Start Summer off 7550 Reservation Drive, Springfield. a seasoned tour guide for a walk Gainsborough Drive, Fairfax. Listen to at Wolf Trap May Springfield Days is a community wide through the historic section of Fairfax, musical performances in the great celebration that includes a 5K run, featuring the Old Courthouse and outdoors. Visit As America’s National Park for the Performing Arts, Wolf Trap plays a valu- THURSDAYS THROUGH JULY “Pet Fest,” car show and more. Movie other historic sites. Approximately 90 Celebrate www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/ able leadership role in both the local and national performing arts Alexandria Boutiques Up Late. in the Park begins at dusk. Visit minutes, weather permitting. $3-$15. performances/ for location and communities. A typical season at Wolf Trap includes theatre, and musical www.springfielddays.com for more. schedule. Times vary by location. Accompanied Call 703-385-8414. performances ranging from country to pop to orchestra. Wolf Trap, 1645 Trap by special block parties with in-store Fairfax Road in Vienna, is accessible from the Metro and parking is free. Visit events emphasizing different sections SATURDAY-SUNDAY/ JUNE 7-8 SATURDAY/JUNE 28 www.wolftrap.org for more. of Alexandria’s King Street, from 6-8 June Lake Anne Plaza’s Chalk on the Celebrate Fairfax!, Northern Del Ray Music Festival. p.m. Thursdays from May 8-June 5, The F.F.C. Noon-9 p.m. SUNDAY/JUNE 1 Water Festival. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Lake Virginia’s largest community- 2701 Commonwealth Ave., FRIDAY-SUNDAY/JUNE 6-8 2014. Boutiques will continue to Caporales remain open until 8 p.m. throughout Cardboard Boat Regatta. 10 a.m.-2 Anne Plaza Waterfront, 1609 wide celebration, takes place Alexandria. This event will feature Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Washington Plaza, Reston. If you ever Universitarios by Photos local food vendors, children’s July. Check website for specific hours p.m., Lake Accotink Park, 7500 June 6-8 at the Fairfax County “Be Our Guest!” Belle and her and block party locations. Free. Visit Accotink Park Road, Springfield. wanted to paint the bricks without de San activities and a variety of live music, enchanted entourage prove love Trap of Wolf Courtesy Photos getting in trouble, all ages are Government Center. Presented ranging in genre from reggae to jazz, www.OldTownBoutiqueDistrict.com Witness the cardboard boat creations Simon conquers all in this family-favorite for more. race along Lake Accotink’s shoreline welcome to paint Lake Anne Plaza in by Celebrate Fairfax, Inc, the blues to rock. Free. Visit musical with an Oscar-winning a Technicolor hue as participants provides a www.DelRayMusicFestival.com for at 2 p.m. $4 vehicle fee. Call 703-569- annual festival hosts tens of score featuring “Something There” 0285 or email turns the plaza into a chalk art lively and Deb Cobb more. and “If I Can’t Love Her.” Tickets: THROUGH JUNE 16 [email protected]. Visit gallery. $5-$15. Register at thousands of visitors during the $22-$80. www.chalkonthewater.com for more. energetic Arlington National Cemetery www.springfielddays.com for more. three-day run. SATURDAYS/JUNE 28-AUG. 23 150th Anniversary Observation. perfor- The 25-acre site is filled with Burke Arts in the Parks. 10-11 a.m. WEDNESDAY/JUNE 11 Join the 150th anniversary SUNDAY JUNE 8 mance at /The Connection commemoration of the establishment SUNDAYS/JUNE 1 -AUG. 17 more than 300 exhibitors, food Burke Lake Park Amphitheater, 7315 Trey McIntyre Project. 8:30 p.m. Lake Anne Summer Film Festival the 2013 as a National Cemetery. Features Concerts on the Green. 6-8 p.m. 8 vendors, crafters and interactive Ox Road, Fairfax Station. Entertain In their final DC performance, this p.m. (sundown). Recurring monthly Celebrate children, teach them the importance guided tours, lectures, and Great Falls Village Green. Sundays in When & Where activities. Celebrate Fairfax! inventive and bold contemporary ceremonies. Ticketed and free. Check June, July and August. Visit on the 2nd Sunday (July 13, Aug. 10 Fairfax of protecting our natural resources, ballet company performs to and Sept. 14). Lake Anne Plaza, 1609 showcases live concerts on eight introduce them to live entertainment www.arlingtoncemetery.mil for www.gfvcca.com/concerts.htm for Festival. Celebrate Fairfax takes place Friday, Queen’s glam-rock stylings. details. more. Washington Plaza, Reston. For a full June 6 - Sunday, June 8, at the Fairfax stages, ExxonMobil Children’s in an informal kid friendly Tickets: $10-$44. list of films shown, visit http:// atmosphere, and forge a connection County Government Center, 12000 Gov- Avenue, a petting zoo, the Pixar in Concert: Watch lakeanneplaza.com/event/lake-anne- ernment Center Parkway, Fairfax.