Fall Festivals and Halloween 2012

Hey Fall Fans! If the pumpkin spice latte is back, that means it's time for festivals and fun! If you're looking for family-friendly or kid-friendly Prince William County Halloween activities or Fall Festivals, this is the place to look! I've included some outside of PWC activities, mainly because I've been getting emails from Stafford readers, and because some of you have indicated that you're willing to drive if something "sounds cool".  If you'd like to add your event, please email me! It's free and a great way to get the word out about your event! Note: This is a living document and will continue to be updated!! 

September
7th
Hartwood Days Festival (25 Hartwood Road, Fredericksburg VA 22406) 8th 5pm-10pm interactive living history area, visit the new Agricultural competitions, Grab a bite to eat, play one of the games, listen to a band, and check out all of the different booths, demonstrations, exhibits, and vendors, from Arts & Crafts to 'great to have' things.  LOTS of activities for Youth, including the Trailblazer® Adventure program!! Make sure that if you have Girl, Boy, or Cub Scouts in your area, you bring them out to the Badge Day event, held on the grounds! Dont forget the Neighbors Kids too!!! Additional fee for rides @ $20.00, or buy tickets in advance online.

8th
Dumfries Fall Festival  10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Festival-goers can expect plenty of wine tastings, music, a talent competition, food, and arts and crafts, and product vendors at the fair.

Hartwood Days Festival (25 Hartwood Road, Fredericksburg VA 22406) opens at 9am interactive living history area, visit the new Agricultural competitions, Grab a bite to eat, play one of the games, listen to a band, and check out all of the different booths, demonstrations, exhibits, and vendors, from Arts & Crafts to 'great to have' things.  LOTS of activities for Youth, including the Trailblazer® Adventure program!! Make sure that if you have Girl, Boy, or Cub Scouts in your area, you bring them out to the Badge Day event, held on the grounds! Dont forget the Neighbors Kids too!!! Additional fee for rides @ $20.00, or buy tickets in advance online.

Rippon Lodge Historic Site Family History Day (15500 Blackburn Road Woodbridge) 11am-4pm Admiral Black, the last owner of Rippon Lodge was a WWII veteran and survivor of Pearl Harbor. Learn about daily life of soldiers in the European and Pacific Theatres. World War II living historians will portray Axis and Allied soldiers. They will discuss their equipment, armaments and historic military vehicles. Learn about the home front and the many ways that citizens supported the war effort. View collections of original WWII artifacts.

Admission Fee: $7 per person, children under 6 free

9th

Rippon Lodge Historic Site Family History Day (15500 Blackburn Road Woodbridge) 11am-4pm Admiral Black, the last owner of Rippon Lodge was a WWII veteran and survivor of Pearl Harbor. Learn about daily life of soldiers in the European and Pacific Theatres. World War II living historians will portray Axis and Allied soldiers. They will discuss their equipment, armaments and historic military vehicles. Learn about the home front and the many ways that citizens supported the war effort. View collections of original WWII artifacts.

Admission Fee: $7 per person, children under 6 free

15th

Old Town Manassas will hold its 2nd Annual Bands, Brews, and Barbeque Festival. 12-7pm This event will feature barbecue, a variety of brews, a local BBQ competition, live entertainment and a number of speciality vendors! On a day that hosts two additional events in Old Town Manassas (The Antique Car Show and Old World Festival), the community will get a three-in-one adventure that the whole family will enjoy. Bands, Brews and Barbecue will occupy Main Street and Battle Street from the railroad tracks to Center Street, as well as the Center for the Arts/Mackey's Parking Lot.

Bluegrass at Brentsville Historic Centre 1-5pm Enjoy the lively sounds of a bluegrass band on the grounds of Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre while sampling local wines and food. Guided tours of the historic buildings will be available throughout the day.
Haymarket Day Haymarket Day 9am-4pm (15016 Washington Street, Haymarket VA) bursts forth every year on the third Saturday of September. The main street is closed to traffic for the day and following a country style parade with 1800+ participants, town residents and visitors alike can walk down the center of Washington St. enjoying good food, juried crafts, music, friendly vendors and the pleasure of good neighbors. Whether you ride the trolley, train or walk, or go up in a Hot Air Balloon, pet the visiting Alpacas or sit & relax in the Haymarket Day Beer Garden, we know you will enjoy.

21st
Fredericksburg Oktoberfest Free Admission 4-9pm (3300 Dill Smith Drive, Fredericksburg VA). In traditional Bavarian fashion, Fredericksburg comes together under TWO big tents in September to celebrate the 9th Annual Oktoberfest! Family fun with sing along, stein holding contest, Oompah music, ginger bread walk. Authentic Oktoberfest Beer from Blue & Gray Brewing.

22nd

Fredericksburg Oktoberfest Free Admission 11am-7pm (3300 Dill Smith Drive, Fredericksburg VA). In traditional Bavarian fashion, Fredericksburg comes together under TWO big tents in September to celebrate the 9th Annual Oktoberfest! Family fun with sing along, stein holding contest, Oompah music, ginger bread walk. Authentic Oktoberfest Beer from Blue & Gray Brewing.

Cox Farms Fall Preview Weekend 10:00 AM-6:00 PM (15621 Braddock Rd. Centreville, VA 20120) Everything you love about Cox Farms Fall Festival is open for Preview Weekend! 5 giant slides, famous hayrides, rope swings, farm animals & their babies, CORNundrum© cornfield adventure, Farm Chores, straw tunnels, kiddie zone, goat village, apples & cider, food, entertainment, over 90 acres of fun! Everyone gets a small patch pumpkin to take home FREE with paid admission. Perfect for families, school groups and birthday parties.  For special deals become a Cox Farms Member at http://www.coxfarms.com or "like" us on Facebook.

Rippon Lodge 10th Annual Heritage Festival Rippon Lodge (15500 Blackburn Road Woodbridge) 11am-4pm has a long and diverse past from its Colonial America beginnings until today. Lectures and demonstrations presented by local history, gardening and natures groups will be available throughout the day. Enjoy music, food, crafts, kids' games and activities. House and cemetery tours will also be offered all day. Admission Fee: $7 per person, children under 6 free
Cider Festival at Great Country Farms (18780 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont VA) $10 per child, $12 per adult, active military and under 2 years old are free. Playground, corn maze, pumpkin patch, cider (hard and regular), live music and more. 9am-6pm
Annual Manassas Chili Cook Off and Kids Fest at the Harris Pavilion.  Free and open to the public.  Music, games, inflatables, crafts and more. 10am-3pm

23rd

Cox Farms Fall Preview Weekend 10:00 AM-6:00 PM (15621 Braddock Rd. Centreville, VA 20120) Everything you love about Cox Farms Fall Festival is open for Preview Weekend! 5 giant slides, famous hayrides, rope swings, farm animals & their babies, CORNundrum© cornfield adventure, Farm Chores, straw tunnels, kiddie zone, goat village, apples & cider, food, entertainment, over 90 acres of fun! Everyone gets a small patch pumpkin to take home FREE with paid admission. Perfect for families, school groups and birthday parties.  For special deals become a Cox Farms Member at http://www.coxfarms.com or "like" us on Facebook.

Cider Festival at Great Country Farms (18780 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont VA) $10 per child, $12 per adult, active military and under 2 years old are free. Playground, corn maze, pumpkin patch, cider (hard and regular), live music and more. 9am-6pm

29th

Occoquan Craft Festival (314 Mill Street Occoquan, VA) 10am-6pm.  (I don't personally consider this to be kid-friendly, but last year several of you fussed at me that it is! If your kid enjoys kitchy craft items, this is the place for you!) 

30th 

Occoquan Craft Festival (314 Mill Street Occoquan, VA) 10am-5pm.  (I don't personally consider this to be kid-friendly, but last year several of you fussed at me that it is! If your kid enjoys kitchy craft items, this is the place for you!) 

October

6th
Project Butterfly Wings at the Weems Botts Museum (3944 Cameron Street, Dumfries VA) will host a free children's day at the museum including crafts and snacks. 10am-1pm
Manassas Fall Jubilee on October 6th from 10 AM until 5 PM. Fun for the whole Family! 10am-5pm Old Town Manassas FREE. 

13th
National Cosutme Swap Day at Chinn Library (13065 Chinn Park Drive  Woodbridge, VA 22192) from 10-12 come and swap your child's old costumes for a "new to them" one! 
11am – 4pm, $7 per person Family History Day- All Hallow’s Eve Where did the tradition of Halloween come from?  Pumpkin carving? Trick-or-Treating? Join us for a kid friendly trip to All Hallow’s Eve, past and present.  Play old fashioned games and enjoy traditional treats. Rippon Lodge Historic Site. 703-499-9812

14th
St. Paul UMC (1400 G Street Woodbridge VA) is hosting a pumpkin patch from October 14th - October 31st. Pumpkins range in price starting at $3 ($1 for small gourds) and all proceeds will be used to provide students currently enrolled in the free lunch program at one of our local elementary schools with a bag of food during the winter break. 

15th
Spooky Cupcakes- Join us for an evening of demonstrations in making spooky cupcakes - vultures, bugs & haunted scenes. Sample some punch and snacks while trying your own hand in making a creation or two to take home & enjoy. For children in grades K - 6 and their parents. Please register in person, by phone or on the web beginning Oct 1st. Limit 30 children. Potomac Library (2201 State Route 642 Woodbridge VA 22191)

18th
Gymboree Woodbridge Dinner, pumpkin decorating, costume contest, and lots of Halloween Fun! One winner from each party receives a free month of Gymboree! Thursday October 18th at 3:30pm Friday, October 19th at 5:00pm Saturday, October 20th at 5:30pm $20 per child, RESERVE YOUR SPOT IN ADVANCE 703-590-3320

19th
Gymboree Woodbridge Dinner, pumpkin decorating, costume contest, and lots of Halloween Fun! One winner from each party receives a free month of Gymboree! Thursday October 18th at 3:30pm Friday, October 19th at 5:00pm Saturday, October 20th at 5:30pm $20 per child, RESERVE YOUR SPOT IN ADVANCE 703-590-3320
St. Paul UMC (1400 G Street Woodbridge VA) will host a Movie in the Patch beginning at dusk, and featuring "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" Please bring your own blanket or chair and enjoy a movie "under the stars".

20th
Bull Run Mountain Conservancy (17405 Beverley Mill Drive  Broad Run, VA 20137) will host a Halloween Safari, $7pp advance or $10 at the door
Gymboree Woodbridge Dinner, pumpkin decorating, costume contest, and lots of Halloween Fun! One winner from each party receives a free month of Gymboree! Thursday October 18th at 3:30pm Friday, October 19th at 5:00pm Saturday, October 20th at 5:30pm $20 per child, RESERVE YOUR SPOT IN ADVANCE 703-590-3320
St. Paul UMC (1400 G Street Woodbridge VA) will host a Family Scarecrow Competition! - at 5pm. Pumpkin "heads", posts, and straw/fillings will be provided. Bring old clothes and any other props to compete! What fun for all!

26th
Bull Run Mountain Conservancy (17405 Beverley Mill Drive  Broad Run, VA 20137) will host a Halloween Safari, $7pp advance or $10 at the door.
Floating Gourd Family Night at the Manassas Park Community Center will let kids ages 6-12 jump in to a floating pumpkin patch! The pumpkins will be oiled for extra fun, and after swimming, you can decorate your gourd.  6:30pm-8:30pm $5/participant. 
Glow Night at Great Country Farms (18780 Foggy Bottom Road Bluemont VA) will feature over 3,000 carved and lighted jack-o-lanterns, live DJ Dinosaur, corn maze, play area, cow train, animals and more. 9am-6pm

St. Paul UMC (1400 G Street Woodbridge VA) will host a  Movie in the Patch! - beginning at dusk and featuring "Spoogly the Square Pumpkin". Everyone is encouraged to wear their costumes, bring a blanket or chair, and enjoy an evening movie.
Fright Lights is at 6, 7:30 and 9 p.m. every Friday in October at C.D.Hylton High School, 14051 Spriggs Road, Woodbridge. This spooktacular experience uses the planetarium’s darkness and the SkyLase laser system set to music from various artists. The 9 p.m. shows are louder than early shows and include Halloween spirits mingling with audience members; may not be suitable for all audiences. Tickets are $10 at the door; exact change only. Limited to the first 65 guests 
Boo at the Pool is at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Sharron Baucom Dale City Recreation Center, 14300 Minnieville Road, Woodbridge. Bring your favorite pool float and enjoy face painting, music and trick-or-treat goody bags. Free for center passholders; $12 for non passholder families of four; $4 for non-passholders age 16 and older; and $3 for non-passholders age 15 and younger. Call 703-670-7112, ext. 249 or e-mail tcuddy@pwcparks.org.

27th
Bull Run Mountain Conservancy (17405 Beverley Mill Drive  Broad Run, VA 20137) will host a Halloween Safari, $7pp advance or $10 at the door

Glow Night at Great Country Farms (18780 Foggy Bottom Road Bluemont VA) will feature over 3,000 carved and lighted jack-o-lanterns, live DJ Dinosaur, corn maze, play area, cow train, animals and more. 9am-6pm

Spooky Magic By Geo Potomac Library (2201 State Route 642 Woodbridge VA 22191) Join us for a celebration of Halloween with double-the-spooky-fun featuring "Magic by Geo". Geo will present two identical shows from 2 to 3 pm and 3:30 to 4:30pm. For all ages. Please pick up a free ticket at the Information Desk, for the showtime of your choice, beginning October 13th. Limit 60.
St. Paul UMC (1400 G Street Woodbridge VA) will host a Fall Frenzy! - from 2-5pm. All of the fun that can be packed into this afternoon event! Moon bounce,Crafts, Harvest Games, Face Painting, etc. 

Haunted happenings in Old Town Manassas- Come join us on October 27th for a frightfully good time full of free Halloween activities in Old Town Manassas.  Festivities begin at 10:30 a.m. in the City Hall Parking Lot (9027 Center Street) where little ghouls and goblins can register for the Haunted Happenings Costume Contest Parade and pick up their very own trick-or-treat bag.  The Parade will begin at 11:00a.m. and proceed down Center Street to The Loy E.Harris Pavilion so local judges can vote on the participating costumes. Categories include cutest, scariest, and most original in age groups 5 and under, 6-9, and 10-12.  Trick or Treat in the shops from 11:30am-1pm.  All participating shops will have a Halloween Pennant in their window.  After that, head back to the Harris Pavilion for the costume contest winners, free games, and fun!  
Chick Fil A Signal Hill (Manassas) will provide kids 12 and under who wear a costume to the store a free 4-count kids meal or a free 3-count minis for breakfast. 6am-10pm. 
Bobby McKey's at the National Harbor will offer a kids show for ages 3 and up.  $5 cover, wear your Halloween Costume. 
Cows-N-Corn has hayrides, pumpkin picking, a corn maze and more every weekend through Oct. 28. The working dairy farm at 5225 Catlett Rd. in Midland is celebrating the 100^th anniversary of Oreos. Everyone who visits the maze can enter to win a year’s supply of Oreos and milk. Reservations are requested for Hot Dog & Hayride nights on Fridays from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $9 per person, Children 3 and under free.For more information, call 540-439-4806 or visit www.cows-n-corn.com.
Grace United Methodist Church Halloween fun is at 5:15 p.m. at 9750 Wellington Road, Manassas. The day begins with hayrides, hot dogs and games at 5:15 p.m. and trunk-or-treat at 6:15 p.m. The festivities end with the annual Pipescreams concert at 7 p.m., a costumed celebration of the church’s Austin Pipe Organ with fun and spooky tunes. Call 703-361-7800 or visit www.umcgrace.org.

 Free Fall Family Fun Festival at Manassas Church of the Nazarene (8220 Spruce Street, Manassas) on Saturday, October 27 from 1-3 pm. There will be FREE hot dogs, popcorn, snacks, drinks, crafts, games, moon bounces, and more. Come for a kid friendly event suitable for the whole family. For more info call the church at 703-361-7688.
Here Lieth the Body at Rippon Lodge features funerals, duels, and ghostly tales. See Rippon Lodge draped in black crepe as family members mourn the 1757 death of Richard Blackburn. Learn about the early 19th century local duels and the losers who were brought to Rippon Lodge. Ghostly tales will be spun throughout the day. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both Saturday, Oct. 27 and Sunday, Oct. 28. The cost is $7 per person.

28th
Fall Festival at Pathway Vineyard Church (1550 Prince William Parkway Woodbridge VA) from 12-3.  Moonbounce, hot dogs, carnival games and more. 
Cows-N-Corn has hayrides, pumpkin picking, a corn maze and more every weekend through Oct. 28. The working dairy farm at 5225 Catlett Rd. in Midland is celebrating the 100^th anniversary of Oreos. Everyone who visits the maze can enter to win a year’s supply of Oreos and milk. Reservations are requested for Hot Dog & Hayride nights on Fridays from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $9 per person, Children 3 and under free.For more information, call 540-439-4806 or visit www.cows-n-corn.com.
Trick-or-Treat for Dogs is at 1 p.m. at Fetch! Dog and Cat Bakery, 305 Mill St., Occoquan. The historic village of Occoquan will be taken over by furry trick-or-treaters to raise funds for the Prince William County Park Authority to build a dog park. Call 703-491-8686 or e-mail thefetchdogbakery@gmail.com.

29th
Potomac Library (2201 State Route 642 Woodbridge VA 22191) "MishMash: Happy Haunted Halloween" from 2-3pm Dress up in costume and join us for some spooky stories, songs & fingerplays, followed by trick-or-treat in the library. Especially for preschoolers ages 2-5, but family members are welcome! Drop in; no registration required.
The Petrified Campground is at 7 p.m. at Prince William Forest Park, Park Headquarters Rd., Triangle. Looking for an alternative to trick-or-treating? Join us for a ghoulishly good time at our petrified campground with wacky games, S'mores around a campfire and hayride. Prizes awarded for best campsite, scary story, costume and more. The cost is $5 per vehicle entrance fee. Call 703-221-7181 or visit http://www.nps.gov/prwi/index.htm.

30th
Parade of Costumes at Chinn Library (13065 Chinn Park Drive Woodbridge, VA 22192) will host 2 costume parades from 10:30-11:30 or from 2pm-3pm Come in costume for Halloween stories, songs, and a parade throughout the library. For children ages 2-6 with a caregiver. Drop in; No tickets required.

November
3rd
Holy Trinity Catholic Church Fall Festival is at 11 a.m. at 8213 Linton Hall Road, Gainesville. Enjoy rides, moon bounces, rock wall, yard sale, face painting, hot rod car showcase and more. Tickets are $10 per person and includes entrance to all rides except Bungee ride, which is an additional $5. Family rate tickets are available after Oct. 27 and 28 masses and allows large families to enter for a $40 flat fee. Call 571-248-4070 or e-mail debkromer@verizon.net for more information.