Weekend Picks: Firehouse Festival, County Fairs and a Postal Family Day

Weather calls for some showers this weekend, so check out our indoor guide for fun around DC. Our theatre guide has some wonderful shows to see as well. 

Also going on for the next week (August 2-9) Howard County Fair. You’ll get your fill of amusement rides, animals, games, food, animal rides and much more! Bonus: Children under 10 are free!

Saturday- 

9:00am-2:00pm: The Annual Friendship Firehouse Festival
(107 South Alfred St., Alexandria, VA)
The popular family event features antique fire apparatus, craft booths, displays by Alexandria merchants, and live music. Food and beverages are available. Children will receive free fire helmets and are treated to a supervised visit inside the City’s fire trucks. In addition to the day’s outdoor events, festival participants will enjoy visiting the Friendship Firehouse Museum, originally built as a firehouse in 1855.

9:00am-7:00pm: 66th Annual Fairfax County 4-H Fair & Carnival
(2709 West Ox Road Herndon, Virginia 20171)
Carnival rides, carousel and wagon rides, animal shows and entertainment. Check website for schedule.

10:00am-4:00pm: Elmo’s Birthday Bash at National Children’s Museum
(151 St. George Blvd., National Harbor, MD 20745)
Celebrate Elmo’s birthday with cake and special activities. Check website for more details and information on exhibits at the museum. Dance party on the world map at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. with Elmo and friends! Take a ride on The Capital Wheel before or after your trip to the museum.

10:30am: Uno, Dos, Tres Con Andres at Ebenezers Coffeehouse
(201 F St NE, Washington, DC 20002)
A win-win, your children are happy dancing and singing with Andres and you have a cup of coffee while enjoying your children having fun!$6 adv // $8 door (everyone 1 year and older).

10:30am: Pushcart Players at Wolf Trap Theatre-in-the-Woods
(1645 Trap Rd, Vienna, VA 22182)
An Emmy-nominated theatrical group acts out 4 cherished fables that capture the wonder of live theatre- Little Red Riding Hood, The Princess and the Pea, The Emperor’s New Clothes, and All’s Well That Ends Well. $10 tickets. Children under 2 are free.

11:00am-3:00pm: Postal Family Day at National Postal Museum
(2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E. Washington, DC 20002)
When you hear “Postal Employee,” what kind of work do you imagine? You’ll be surprised to learn that everything from delivering a piece of mail to analyzing fingerprints are all Postal Service jobs. Did you know there was even a pooch named Owney who worked with postal clerks in the 1890s? Come to Postal Family Day to learn more about the diverse and fascinating work of Postal Employees through exciting games and activities. Free admission!

11:00am (Doors open at 10:30am): Walter Martin (of The Walkmen) plays at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA 22180)
Family, love, childhood, and zoo animals– such are the classic themes of the album, all articulated by an offbeat narrator who parents can relate to. Among the songs’ subjects: the virtues of rattlesnakes, the not-so-surprising similarities of siblings, and the distinguishing features of each Beatles band member. General Admission $15 or 4-pack $50.

11:00am-4:00pm: BrickFair Lego Convention at The Dulles Expo Center
(4320 Chantilly Center Chantilly, VA 20153)
LEGO models, displays and winding trains sprawled out over 100,000 square feet. BrickFair brings together adult fans of LEGO from across the USA (and Canada, and a few other countries) to show off their projects, great and small, and to share their passion for LEGO – the most awesome toy – ever. Join in a game or two – maybe win a LEGO set. Vendors will be offering all things LEGO, including shirts, hats, minifigures, custom-molded weapons, unique models, keychains and… really… everything you never imagined. Don’t forget your camera! Kids 3 and under are free.

7:00pm: Sleepover at the National Archives
Have you ever wondered what happens in a museum after the building closes and the lights go out? Now’s your chance! These events are open to children 8-12 years old, with at least one adult per group of four children. The sleepover starts in the evening on Saturday, through 9 a.m. on Sunday, before the Museum opens again to the public. Tickets are $125 per participant, or $100 for Foundation members.

Sunday-

9:00am-7:00pm: 66th Annual Fairfax County 4-H Fair & Carnival
(2709 West Ox Road Herndon, Virginia 20171)
Carnival rides, carousel and wagon rides, animal shows and entertainment. Check website for schedule.

11:00am-4:00pm: BrickFair Lego Convention at The Dulles Expo Center
(4320 Chantilly Center Chantilly, VA 20153)
LEGO models, displays and winding trains sprawled out over 100,000 square feet. BrickFair brings together adult fans of LEGO from across the USA (and Canada, and a few other countries) to show off their projects, great and small, and to share their passion for LEGO – the most awesome toy – ever. Join in a game or two – maybe win a LEGO set. Vendors will be offering all things LEGO, including shirts, hats, minifigures, custom-molded weapons, unique models, keychains and… really… everything you never imagined. Don’t forget your camera! Kids 3 and under are free.

1:35pm: Nationals host Phillies
(1500 S Capitol St SE, Washington, DC)
Kids Run the Bases: Kids ages 4 – 12 are invited to run the bases on the field immediately following the game, field conditions permitting.Signature Sundays- Every Sunday, two Nationals players will sign autographs from on top of the Nationals dugout starting one hour and 10 minutes prior to first pitch. New this season, fans must obtain a free voucher to participate in autograph sessions. Available at first gates (2 hours and 30 minutes before first pitch), a limited number of vouchers will be distributed on a first come, first served basis at Sections 109 and 142. Weather permitting, subject to player schedules and timing.
Signature Sundays: Every Sunday, two Nationals players will sign autographs from on top of the Nationals dugout starting one hour and 10 minutes prior to first pitch. New this season, fans must obtain a free voucher to participate in autograph sessions. Available at first gates (2 hours and 30 minutes before first pitch), a limited number of vouchers will be distributed on a first come, first served basis at Sections 109 and 142. Weather permitting, subject to player schedules and timing.