Saturday, October 11

NEW! Designing with Perennials: Time As It Applies to Your Garden

Explore the principles of combining perennials and woody plants. This workshop from 9:30 to 11 a.m. combines indoor presentations with outdoor explorations. The cost is $18 per person. Call Green Spring Gardens at 703-642-5173.

Verizon Children’s Health Festival and Monster Mash Mountain Bike Race

Local and national experts on physical fitness, nutrition, safety, environment and wellness will provide information, demonstrations and hands-on activities.  Activities include bicycle skills; Kids Fun Run; climbing wall; two, three and four-wheel bike race; tumbling, street hockey, science, basketball, obstacle course and youth fitness circuit.  Enjoy free admission to the Wakefield Skate Park from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. The Children’s Health Festival is free to all.  The event is located at Wakefield Park, 8100 Braddock Rd. For information, call 703-209-5721.

Fall is for Apples

Green Spring Gardens’ horticulturist Cindy Brown introduces you to the multitude of apple varieties, shares techniques for growing apples and provides tips for making selections from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $15 for the program only and $30 to include tea. Call 703-642-5173.

Schooling Hunter Horse Show Series

Walk, trot or canter to this beginner horse show starting at 8 a.m. at Frying Pan Farm Park. Classes include hunters, ponies, equitation and more. Event is held indoors rain or shine. Spectators admitted free. For information, call 703-437-9101.

Can You Canoe?

Learn canoe basics at Lake Accotink Park from 1 to 3 p.m. This program is appropriate for children ages eight and older and perfect for beginners. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Canoes and life jackets provided. Bring a water bottle and snack. The cost is $10 per person. To reserve, call 703-569-0285.

Apple Butter Festival at Berkley Springs, WV

Spend a glorious fall day in Berkley Springs, West Virginia at the annual Apple Butter festival. The $51 fee includes motorcoach. Meals are on your own. 703-222-4664.

Potomac Heritage Trail Hike

This naturalist-led hike from 9 a.m. to noon takes you on a five-mile scenic journey through Scotts Run Nature Preserve, past tall hemlock trees, mountain laurel and overlooks above the Potomac River. Meet at the west parking lot. This hike is suitable for ages seven and older. Prepaid reservations are required. The cost is $9 per person. To reserve, call 703-759-9018.

New York! New York!

Enjoy the sights and sounds of New York City. Then, it's your choice of shopping, visiting nearby tourist attractions or catching your favorite Broadway Show. The $93 includes motorcoach. Call 703-222-4664.

Creature Feature: Animals of Myth

Join a naturalist from Hidden Oaks Nature Center for a free presentation on animals of myth using stories, demonstrations, specimens and live animals at Woodrow Wilson Library in Falls Church from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. To reserve, call 703-820-8774.

Birth of a Wetland

Walk along woodland streams with Huntley Meadows Park Manager Kevin Munroe from 10 a.m. to noon, tracing the wetland from its beginning in the Woodstone neighborhood down Barnyard Run to the marsh boardwalk. Reservations required. The cost is $6 per adult and $4 per child. Call 703-768-2525.

Saturday-Sunday October 11-12

Video - Eagles

Follow a family of bald eagles as the adults make their nest, raise their chicks and coax them to fly during this free 45-minute video at Huntley Meadows Visitor Center from 1 to 1:45 p.m. For information, call 703-768-2525.

Make A Scarecrow

Make a scarecrow at Colvin Run Mill on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. or Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. Bring pants, shirt and an old pair of pantyhose. The cost is $6 per scarecrow. Call 703-759-2771.