By Patricia Hall, Fairfax Family Fun It's almost time for the Fourth of July! That means food, family and friends, and fireworks! As far as your pets are concerned, they probably love food and like (or at least tolerate!) your friends and family, but when it comes to fireworks, most pets are NOT fans. Every year around this time plenty of articles with Fourth of July pet safety tips spring up, and with good reason, too: According to Petfinder, Continue Reading...
Lazy Dog: New canine-friendly restaurant opens in Chantilly
By Patricia Hall, Fairfax Family Fun With winter almost behind us and the sun providing more warmth and brightness each day, it's a great time to start getting outside more -- including when going out to eat. So the timing is perfect for the Lazy Dog's opening in Chantilly, which includes a nice, large patio. This restaurant, part of a California-based chain, opens fully to the public on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, at The Fields at Commonwealth Continue Reading...
Halloween parades put spooky fun on display
By Patricia Hall, Fairfax Family Fun Celebrating Halloween these days goes beyond trick-or-treating or touring a haunted house. Many communities also host parties, festivals, and other events, including Halloween parades! These are fun ways to watch kids (and sometimes pets!) stroll by in their costumes and even see some neat floats. Below are some of the larger Halloween parades coming up soon in Northern Virginia. If big crowds are not your Continue Reading...
Family-friendly Oktoberfest events in Northern Virginia
By Patricia Hall, FairfaxFamilyFun.com Prost! Autumn is here and with it come many Oktoberfest celebrations! Many (or probably most) such events in Northern Virginia, as elsewhere, tend to be oriented toward adults, of course. However, we have some celebrations in our area that are kid-friendly! At these festivals, adults can enjoy a beer garden, and everyone can delight in traditional German foods, German singing and dancing, and loads of Continue Reading...
Doggie paddle parties: Area pools host dog swim events
By Patricia Hall, FairfaxFamilyFun.com Pool time may be running out for you -- and then, it all goes to the dogs! Public and community swimming pools in Northern Virginia and the DC Metro area in general tend to close after Labor Day. But if you have dogs, they are in for a treat: after the pools are closed to people, but before the pools are drained, cleaned, and closed up for the season, your four-legged friends can enjoy a swim party of Continue Reading...
Celebrate and help animals at the HART holiday party
Calling all "party animals!" You are invited to celebrate the season and help a great local animal rescue at a fun holiday party that is family-friendly and open to the community at the HART holiday party! Homeless Animals Rescue Team (HART) is a great no-kill animal rescue organization that helps hundreds of cats and dogs find temporary care and forever homes in Northern Virginia. This fantastic group of volunteers works all year-round to Continue Reading...
Furry family fun: upcoming NOVA pet events
By Patricia Hall, Fairfax Family Fun Why should humans have all the fun? Northern Virginia (NOVA) is home to many pets, too, and there are many special places and events for them, too! Throughout the year, you can find something to do with your furry one -- here are some upcoming NOVA pet events with fun for everyone: Sunday, March 26, 2017 Ides of Bark Festival Grist Mill Park, Alexandria, VA This festival has gone to the dogs! The Continue Reading...
Halloween is here with 100+ events in NoVa
Halloween is here! If you love the holiday, you've got great reason to celebrate -- we have dozens and dozens of public, family-friendly Halloween celebrations in Northern Virginia. Some events have already taken place and even so, our Fairfax Family Fun Halloween Guide still has more than 100 events coming up! See our big Halloween events guide (events listed in chronological order) for descriptions of the events and links to the official Continue Reading...
Wild About Hank movie premiere to benefit local animal charity
We normally don't post about politics on this site, but when the candidate is a cute, furry creature that brought smiles to many people and who became a little local celebrity, we'll make an exception. Some of you may remember Hank, the Maine Coon cat from Springfield, Virginia, who "ran for office" a few years ago. While the campaign began as sort of a joke, Hank for Senate became a non-partisan movement that inspired people to discuss issues Continue Reading...
Community and family fun at Springfield Days festival
UPDATE JUNE 8: The Cardboard Boat Regatta has been rescheduled for Saturday, June 18. See details below for the new event schedule. By Patricia Hall, FairfaxFamilyFun.com Springfield Days returns soon! This two-day event is a community-wide celebration that takes place the weekend after Memorial Day each year in Springfield, Virginia. The festival, June 4-5, 2016 this year, is actually several events rolled into one, offering fun options Continue Reading...