Friday Download, 10/25: Every big Halloween event I could reasonably fit
The weekend forecast and things to do, plus the week’s top Fairfax County headlines
Happy Friday, Fairfax County.
There are a frightening number of Halloween events happening this weekend. The Machine’s enjoyment-optimization algorithm sorted through them all to round up the best below, from Alexandria’s “Rave in the Grave” to a Harry Potter blowout in Chantilly.
The latest from The Machine
Pickleball and tennis both keep growing — and keep clashing. Can experiments underway in Fairfax help them coexist?
Local news I read/watched this week
Business and development 📈
Criminal justice and public safety 🚓
37-year-old man who killed mother and sister in Burke found not guilty by reason of insanity (WaPo)
MS-13 member found guilty of multiple Fairfax County murders (DC News Now)
Culture ✌️
Rejoice: Ruthie’s All Day is coming to Fairfax Corner (FFXnow)
Bobby’s Bagel Cafe — the Reston spot with the viral pumpkin bagels — will stick around an extra month before Call Your other takes over (FFXnow)
Education 📖
TJ’s principal Ann Bonitatibus steps down, moves into new FCPS role (WTOP)
FCPS to kick off school boundary review with listening sessions this fall (FFXnow)
Government and politics 🏛️
Transportation 🚍
Dulles lands $40 million in federal funds for new terminal building (Northern Virginia Mag)
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Weekend weather (from the National Weather Service)
Maybe the scariest part of your weekend: We’re getting into the 30s.
Friday: Sunny to mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 60s, lows in the lower 50s. ⛅
Saturday: Sunny. Highs in the upper 60s, lows around 40. ☀️
Sunday: Sunny. Highs in the lower 60s, lows in the upper 30s. ☀️
[Do you trick out your house for Halloween? The Machine wants to see it.]
Things to do
See Graham Nash perform at Wolf Trap, if you can find a ticket (Friday and Saturday) 🐺
Stop by Halloween on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon (Friday and Saturday) 🐑
Explore a nature-themed Trick-or-Treat Trail at Reston’s Walker Nature Center (Friday and Saturday) 🐸
At the Kennedy Center, watch Ben Folds record a live album with the National Symphony Orchestra (Friday and Saturday) or watch the NSO’s annual Halloween concerts (Sunday, two shows) 🎻
Win a costume contest (or a pumpkin-pie-eating one) at the Perch’s Halloweekend in Tysons (Saturday) 🥧
Take in “spooky experiments” and take photos with Star Wars characters at Udvar-Hazy’s Air and Scare event (Saturday) 🚀
Enjoy live music, wine tastings, food and art at the Food, Wine & Art Festival at Halstead Square, in Merrifield (Saturday) 🍷
Aslin’s Shirlington branch will be throwing a 1960s-themed Halloween party, while Herndon hosts Franken Stein Fest (both Saturday) 🍻
Play Harry Potter trivia and bingo, marathon the movies, and down some butterbeer at Mustang Sally Brewing Co.’s themed party in Chantilly (Saturday) ⚡
Sneak in one last Oktoberfest celebration at my favorite local bike shop (Saturday) 🚲
Treasure-hunt at a massive indoor garage sale in Fredericksburg (Saturday) 🎁
Party in a cemetery at Alexandria’s “Rave in the Grave” (Saturday) 💀
Play midway games at Falls Church’s Halloween carnival, then come back at night for a screening of “Monsters University” (Saturday) 📽️
Shop more than 275 booths and grab food from local South Asian restaurants at the Heritage India Festival, at Dulles Expo Center (Saturday and Sunday) 🥘
Watch (or join) the 28th annual Del Ray Halloween Parade (Sunday) 🎃
Participate in Meadowlark Botanical Gardens’ Halloween scavenger hunt (through Oct. 31) 🔎
At Great Falls’ annual Spooktacular, walk your dog in the pet parade and check out a Boy Scout-designed haunted house (Sunday) 🐕
Trick or treat at Reston Town Center (Sunday) 🍬
My plans
My wife is hosting Girls’ Weekend at our house, which means it becomes Boys’ Weekend, also.
Their weekend is beautifully planned out down to the hour. Ours is … well, I’m sure we’ll figure it out.