Hey gang, Matt here!

Spring is officially here! You know what that means? Pollen — I mean, cherry blossoms. 😉This week, we have details about ways you can celebrate the local cherry blossom festivities here in Fairfax County. Plus, we have a few outdoor events this weekend if you’re looking to go Out & About.

We also did a little homework to see where you can find a local fish fry each Friday if you’re observing the Lenten season — a detailed list can be found below.

And, if you’re like me, you’re ready for March Madness, college basketball’s biggest weekend of the year. This year, the George Mason Women are on a historic run and will enter the NCAA Tournament with a first-round matchup on Saturday. Details are below, including where you can watch the game.

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In this week’s newsletter:

• Spring 2025 Capital Art & Craft Festival, “Center in Bloom” in Tysons

• Where to enjoy Fish Fry Fridays in Fairfax County

• Gregory Alan Isakov headlines Capital One Hall

• Storefront window painting in Falls Church, Campfire Saturdays in Burke

• George Mason Women’s Basketball in NCAA Tournament on Saturday

See you Out & About! 👋

Cheers,
Matt

A message from us

Things To Do

Cherry blossom season is here, and two events headline the Dulles Expo Center this weekend. 🌸

• “Center in Bloom” Cherry Blossom Celebration in Tysons

  • Starting on Thursday, March 20, Tysons Corner Center begins “Center in Bloom,” a weeks-long event to ring in the cherry blossom celebration across the DMV. Enjoy blossom-themed shopping and curated food menus along with special events through April 13. (We’ll continue to feature them in future newsletters.)

    • 1961 Chain Bridge Rd., Tysons

• Spring 2025 Capital Art & Craft Festival

  • Regional and national artists will fill the Dulles Expo Center starting Friday, March 21. The three-day event features jewelry, clothing, glass, painting, pottery, woodwork, and much more. Tickets and times are available in the link above.

    • 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly

      • MORE: The Dulles Expo Center is also home to the Hot Tub & Swim Spa Blowout Expo from Thursday, March 20-Sunday March 23. Check out the details here.

• Small Business Event in Springfield

  • Local small businesses from across the region will join in the Grand Court at Springfield Town Center from Friday, March 21-Sunday, March 23. Businesses from health and beauty to arts and crafts vendors are among those listed to attend. Event runs during mall hours.

    • 6500 Springfield Mall, Springfield

• Woodcarving Lessons in Great Falls

  • Join Northern Virginia Carvers for a beginners woodcarving lesson on Sunday, March 23 from 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m. Learn basic lessons and ultimately progress to spoon carving. Registration is $60. Ages 14+. Lessons are held at the Colvin Run Mill Historic Site in Fairfax County Parks.

    • 10017 Colvin Run Rd., Great Falls

• Rummage Sale in Fairfax

  • The Next Generation Ministry of the Providence Presbyterian Church in Fairfax is hosting a rummage sale on Saturday, March 22. This is their largest fundraiser of the year and runs from 8:00a.m.-1:00p.m. with proceeds benefiting programs, scholarships, and more. Entry fee is $5.

    • 9019 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax

Food & Drink

Last week, I drove past St. James Catholic Church in Falls Church and saw the sign below for their Friday Fish Fry. That’s why this week, as the Lenten season continues, we asked some local Facebook foodie groups for their favorite local fish fry dinners. We’ve compiled a list of some of their favorites for you, as well. Click the links to learn more about times, menus, prices, and more.

Enjoy! 🍴

• Where to find a local Friday Fish Fry in Fairfax County

  • St. James Catholic Church in Falls Church — Each Friday during Lent from 5:00p.m.-8:00p.m.

  • Our Lady of Good Counsel in Vienna — Each Friday during Lent from 4:00p.m.-7:00p.m.

  • Epiphany of Our Lord Byzantine Catholic Church in Annandale — Each Friday during Lent from 4:00p.m.-7:00p.m.

  • Blessed Sacrament Church in Alexandria — Fish dinners together with the Knights of Columbus on March 21 and April 4 at 6:00p.m.

  • St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Great Falls — Each Friday during Lent from 6:00p.m.-7:00p.m.

  • St. Mary of Sorrows in Fairfax — Each Friday during Lent starting at 5:00p.m.

  • St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Alexandria — Each Friday during Lent from 5:30p.m.-7:00p.m.

  • St. Timothy Parish in Chantilly — Each Friday starting March 21-April 11 from 6:00p.m.-7:30p.m.

  • And for the local restaurants…

    • Many folks suggested Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern in Herndon. Kook Dogg Cafe in Reston, Glory Days locations, and Bonefish Grill in Fairfax were among the other top picks for a fish dinner.

      • Several other Catholic churches across Fairfax County hold soup suppers and meatless meals during Lent. Find more here.

• G34.3 Brewing Company Celebrates 5th Anniversary

  • Join the Lorton brewery for their 5th anniversary on Saturday, March 22 starting at 12:00p.m. Enjoy new beers, live music, and more fun as they mark their milestone.

    • 8532 Terminal Rd., Lorton

• Lake Anne Brew House Arts & Drafts

  • The Reston brewery is holding an arts and crafts night on Friday, March 21 from 6:00p.m.-9:00p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring their own craft to complete or perhaps use provided supplies.

    • 11401 N. Shore Dr., Reston

• 2000s Movie Trivia at Audacious Aleworks

  • Test your knowledge of the movies that kicked off the Millennium at Audacious Aleworks Falls Church Pub on Thursday, March 20 at 6:30p.m.

    • 110 E. Fairfax St., Falls Church

Go Out & About Together

Music, Arts, & Entertainment

Music, comedy, and a mix of both in one show — a lively weekend on stage! 🎶

• Gregory Alan Isakov headlines Capital One Hall

  • The Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter brings his headlining tour to Capital One Hall for two shows, Friday, March 21 and Saturday, March 22. Isakov and his band will also perform with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra. Tickets start at $50.

    • 7750 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons

• “Evening of Comedy” at Wolf Trap

  • A night of laughs at Wolf Trap led by comedians Carol Leifer, a legendary writer and producer of Seinfeld; Rich Hall of Saturday Night Live fame; and Rondell Sheridan from Disney’s That’s So Raven headline the set. Two shows each night, Friday, March 21 and Saturday, March 22. Tickets start at $33.

    • 1635 Trap Rd., Vienna

• “Keyboard Conversations” with Jeffrey Siegel at GMU

  • A night of music and laughs with Keyboard Conversations at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts. Jeffrey Siegel plays the classics of Beethoven, Chopin, and more. The show is scheduled for Sunday, March 23 at 7:00p.m. Tickets start at $29.

    • 4373 Mason Pond Dr., Fairfax

• Fairfax-Loudoun Music Fellowship: Spring Recital

  • Solo and ensemble groups of the Fairfax-Loudoun Music Fellowship perform their Spring Recital on Sunday, March 23 from 1:00p.m.-5:00p.m. at the Reston Community Center. This free event offers teachers and students a chance to showcase their talents for the entire community.

    • 2310 Colts Neck Rd., Reston

• NextStop Theatre’s “Chicken & Biscuits”

  • The Herndon theatre company’s performance of “Chicken & Biscuits” continues this weekend. Shows are scheduled daily from Friday, March 21-Sunday, March 23. Tickets are $45.

    • 269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon

Families & Kids

Spring is upon us and Easter is approaching — a festive and artsy weekend for the kiddos! ⬇️

• Spring Eggstravaganza in Fairfax

  • The team at The Learning Experience in Fairfax will host their Spring Eggstravaganza on Saturday, March 22 from 10:00a.m.-12:00p.m. Kids and parents can Easter egg hunting and egg dying, face painting, photos with the Easter Bunny, and more.

    • 10698 Fairgrounds Dr., Fairfax

• Campfire Saturdays at Burke Lake Park

  • This week, enjoy stargazing during Campfire Saturdays at Burke Lake Park. Team up with an astronomical naturalist who will help parents and kids identify the stars (telescopes will be provided, and s’mores included). The fun is scheduled for Saturday, March 22 at 6:30p.m. Tickets are $12.

    • 7315 Ox Rd., Fairfax Station

• Women’s History Month in Great Falls

  • Explore the role of 19th century women at the historic Colvin Run Mill as Women’s History Month continues across Fairfax County on Saturday, March 22 from 12:00p.m.-3:00p.m. This family-friendly event allows kids to try hands-on tasks like washing clothes the old-fashioned way, sewing, candlemaking, and more. Tickets are $10. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

    • 10017 Colvin Run Rd., Great Falls

• McLean Youth Art Show

  • The McLean Project for the Arts is hosting its Langley Pyramid Show, with their opening exhibition reception scheduled for Thursday, March 20 at 4:30p.m. The show will feature work by elementary and high school students from FCPS Langley and McLean Pyramid. The show runs through March 26.

    • 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean

• Falls Church Spring Window Painting Festival

  • This event could go in many categories in the newsletter. But the first-ever Falls Church Spring Window Painting Festival is a festive family-friendly event allowing Falls Church residents to decorate storefronts with spring-themed designs. The decorating is free and is scheduled for March 22 from 10:00a.m.-1:00p.m. Check out the link above for registration info.

Sports & Recreation

Each weekend, we run down the schedule as our local pro and college sports teams take the field (or court, ice, etc.) if you’re interested in hitting the big game.

News & Notes

• 🏀March Madness is finally here, and the George Mason Women’s Basketball team is dancing! The Patriots face Florida State in a first-round matchup on Saturday, March 22 in Baton Rouge, La. Tipoff is 7:45p.m. ET on ESPN2.

• 🏀The George Mason Men’s Basketball team won their first-round game in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) Wednesday night in Fairfax, defeating Samford University. Second-round games are scheduled for March 22 and 23.

• ⚽️D.C. United travels to Orlando for an Eastern Conference matchup on Saturday, March 22.

• ⚾️Also in Florida, the Washington Nationals continue Spring Training with five games between Thursday-Sunday, including two with the division-rival New York Mets.

Homes Games

• 🏒NHL: Philadelphia Flyers at Washington Capitals

  • Thursday, March 20 at 7:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

• 🏀NBA: Orlando Magic at Washington Wizards

  • Friday, March 21 at 7:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

• 🏒NHL: Florida Panthers at Washington Capitals

  • Saturday, March 22 at 5:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

• ⚽️NWSL: Kansas City Current at Washington Spirit

  • Saturday, March 22 at 7:30p.m., Audi Field, Washington, D.C.

Fairfax County Fun Fact of the Week

Did you know: Colvin Run Mill in Great Falls was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

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Thanks for reading! See you next week.

Matt Knoedler
Publisher, Out & About Fairfax