Check out Patch’s list of events happening in the local area this Columbus Day weekend.

Fall Wine Festival and Sunset Tour

• Where: George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Alexandria
• When: Friday, Oct. 5 through Sunday, Oct. 7 from 6 – 9 p.m.
• Why Go: Sample local wines and listen to a live blues band as you tour the Washington home and estate.  Fruit and cheese boxes will be available for purchase.
• Price: Tickets are $35

“The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”

• Where: Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre, Lorton
• When: Doors open Tuesday through Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m. (runs through Nov. 25)
• Why Go: This Tony Award-winning musical comedy is about a group of adolescents participating in a highly competitive spelling bee.  Price of admission includes dinner, show, coffee, tea and tax.
• Price: Weekdays and Sundays $41.95; Saturdays $44.95; Ages 11-15 $35; Children 10 and under $25

Royal Drummers and Dancers of Burundi

• Where: GMU Center for the Arts, Fairfax
• When: Friday, Oct. 5 and Saturday, Oct. 6 at 8 p.m.
• Why Go: Experience Burundian culture with this world-renowned percussion ensemble as they perform traditional music and dance from Central Africa. 
• Price: Tickets range from $23 - $46

Activate Alexandria 5K Run/Walk

• Where: Cameron Run Regional Park, Alexandria
• When: Saturday, Oct. 6 at 8:30 a.m.

• Why Go: Raise money to fight childhood obesity by participating in this 5K run/walk event sponsored by the YMCA. 
• Price:  5K race day registration is $35 for adults and $20 for ages 7 – 17; Kids’ 50 yard dash is FREE 

Civil War in Western Fairfax County Tour

• Where: Begins at Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, Fairfax Station
• When: Saturday, Oct. 6 from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Why Go: Visit local Civil War sites including Blackburn Battlefield, Mount Gilead, St. John Episcopal Church and Cemetery, Confederate earthworks and more.  
• Price: Adults $30; Children $10

1^st Connecticut Heavy Artillery Program

• Where: Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site, Alexandria
• When: Saturday, Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Why Go: Experience Union army life with the 1^st Connecticut Heavy Artillery reenactment group.  View artillery equipment and ammunition on display, and observe live cannon firing demonstrations.
• Price: FREE

Art on the Avenue

• Where: Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray, Alexandria
• When: Saturday, Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Why Go: This popular festival celebrates multi-cultural arts in Del Ray.  Enjoy live music, arts and craft sales, food vendors, children’s activities and more.
• Price: Admission is FREE

“The Sixth Generation” Concert

• Where: Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton
• When: Saturday, Oct. 6 at 8 p.m. (Rain date: Sunday, Oct. 7)
• Why Go:  “Rock the Quad” at the Workhouse with an evening of 1960s rock ‘n roll.  Cash bar and light refreshments will be available for purchase.
• Price: Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door

6^th Annual Run Around the Lake

• Where: Burke Lake Park, Fairfax Station
• When: Sunday, Oct. 7 at 8 a.m.
• Why Go: Run, jog or walk the 4.7 mile trail around Burke Lake to raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project. 
• Price: Race day registration is $40

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pope-Leighey House In-Depth Tour

• Where: Pope-Leighey House, Alexandria
• When: Sunday, Oct. 7 from 9 – 11 a.m.
• Why Go: The tour offers behind the scenes details, as well as the rare opportunity to take photos inside the home. 
• Price: Tickets are $30 – Reservations Required

Clifton Day Festival

• Where: Clifton
• When: Sunday, Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Rain date: Oct. 14)
• Why Go: This annual event will feature live music, food, arts and crafts, children’s activities, antiques and more. 
• Price: Admission is FREE

3^rd Annual Fairfax County Dance Coalition Gala Showcase

• Where: Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale
• When: Sunday, Oct. 7 at 3 p.m.
• Why Go: This “Celebration of Dance in Fairfax County” will feature twelve local dance companies showcasing a variety of styles.
• Price: Tickets are $20 in advance and $23 at the door

Library Events:

• Storytime for Three to Fives at Chantilly Regional Library, Chantilly.  Friday, Oct. 5 at 1:30 p.m.  For ages 3 – 5.  FREE – Registration Required.
• Kaleidoscope Storytime: An Adaptive Storytime at Chantilly Regional Library, Chantilly.  Saturday, Oct. 6 at 10 a.m.  For all ages.  FREE – Registration Required.
• Wag a Tail at Kingstowne Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, Oct. 6 beginning at 10:30 a.m.  For ages 5 - 12.  FREE – Registration Required.
• Chantilly Library Grounds Cleanup Day at Chantilly Regional Library, Chantilly.  Saturday, Oct. 6 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.  For all ages. 
• Spectacular Science at Kings Park Library, Burke.  Saturday, Oct. 6 at 11 a.m.  For ages 6 – 12.  FREE – Registration Required.
• Read to the Dog at Pohick Regional Library, Burke.  Saturday, Oct. 6 beginning at 1 p.m.   For ages 6 – 12.   FREE – Registration Required.
• Autumn Inspirations: Jewelry Class at Beatley Central Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, Oct. 6 at 2 p.m.  FREE – Registration Required.
• Election Movie Series at Beatley Central Library, Alexandria.  Sunday, Oct. 7 at 2 p.m.  FREE.

Nature Highlights:

• Basic Gardening: Put the Garden to Bed at Green Spring Gardens, Annandale.  Friday, Oct. 5 at 1:30 p.m.  For adults.  $10 - $12 per person – Registration Required.
• Kayak Tour at Pohick Bay Regional Park, Lorton.  Saturday, Oct. 6 at 8 a.m.  For ages 8 and up.  $30 per person – Reservations Required.
• Kayak Tours to the Town of Occoquan at Occoquan Regional Park, Lorton.  Saturday, Oct. 6 at 11 a.m.  $10 per person – Reservations Required.
• Ranger Station: Rocket Power! at Mason Neck State Park, Lorton.  Saturday, Oct. 6 at 2 p.m.   Weekend parking is $4 per vehicle.
• Night Walk at Huntley Meadows Park, Alexandria.  Saturday, Oct. 6 at 6:30 p.m.  For adults.  $6 - $8 per person – Registration Required.
• Who-oo’s at the Campfire? at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale.  Saturday, Oct. 6 at 7:15 p.m.  For ages 3 and up.  $6 - $8 per person – Registration Required.
• Sunday Morning Bird Walk at Dyke Marsh, Alexandria.  Sunday, Oct. 7 at 8 a.m.  FREE.
• Wild Side Wagon Ride at Huntley Meadows Park, Alexandria.  Sunday, Oct. 7 at 2 and 4 p.m.  For ages 3 and up.  $6 - $8 per person – Registration Required.
• Reptiles and Amphibians at Mason Neck State Park, Lorton.  Sunday, Oct. 7 at 4 p.m.  Weekend parking is $4 per vehicle.
• Beyond the Old Oak Trail at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale.  Monday, Oct. 8 at 2 p.m.  For ages 3 and up.  $5 - $7 per person – Registration Required.