Hey gang, Matt here! Don’t let the headline fool ya — in this week’s edition, we dive into all things St. Patrick’s Day AND Weekend around Fairfax County. From green beer to corned beef, from the luck of the Irish to Leprechaun 5K’s, we have details about events all over the region.

Plus, pet lovers — we’re paw-sitive you’ll enjoy what’s on tap this weekend at the Dulles Expo Center. Details on the Super Pet Expo are below.

And, for you sports fans, March Madness is coming up — what it means for your George Mason Men’s & Women’s Basketball teams.

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In this week’s newsletter:

• St. Patrick’s Day events in Fairfax County + the Super Pet Expo

• Where to enjoy Irish food & drink this weekend

• Heather McMahan performs in Tysons, Irish music at GMU & Wolf Trap

• St. Patrick’s Family Skate & Dance Night in Alexandria, Campfire Fridays in Reston

• GMU Men’s & Women’s Basketball latest as March Madness nears

Let’s go Out & About!

Cheers,
Matt

A message from us

Things To Do

From St. Paddy’s Day to puppies, we have you covered. Let’s hit the road! 🚗

• Super Pet Expo at the Dulles Expo Center

  • Your one-stop shop if you’re a pet owner or looking for a furry friend for your family is this weekend at the Dulles Expo Center. Shop, play, speak with officials about ways to adopt, and more. The Super Pet Expo runs Friday, March 14-Sunday, March 16. Tickets and times are in the link above.

    • 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly

• St. Patrick’s Themed Adult Night at LEGO Discovery Center

  • LEGOs aren’t just for kids during this St. Paddy’s-themed event at the LEGO Discovery Center in Springfield. Adults can enjoy a LEGO building competition, laser maze challenge, and more. 18+. The fun is set for March 14 at 6:00p.m.

    • 6563 Springfield Mall Ste. 12004, Springfield

• Lucky Leprechaun 5K at Reston Town Center

  • Run with the luck of the Irish by your side in Reston on Sunday, March 16 during the Lucky Leprechaun 5K. The race starts at 8:00a.m. Registration: 5K is $45, and the ages 14-under 5K is $35.

    • 11900 Market St., Reston

• 11th Annual Nowruz Festival

  • The 11th Annual Nowruz Festival, which celebrates the Persian New Year, will be held Sunday, March 16 from 11:00a.m.-7:00p.m. in Herndon. The event is scheduled to include vendors, live music, dancing, and more.

    • 13869 Park Center Rd., Herndon

• 62nd Annual Woodlawn Needlework Show

  • The legendary Woodlawn Needlework Show begins continues this weekend in Alexandria. Plus, tours of Frank Lloyd Wright’s historic Pope-Leighey House continue as well. You can purchase tickets for either or both events. (Details on timing and tickets are in the link above.)

    • 9000 Richmond Highway, Alexandria

• Fairfax Celebrates Women’s History Month

  • The Fairfax Museum & Visitor Center is celebrating Women’s History Month throughout the month of March. Every Wednesday-Monday from 11:00a.m.-4:00p.m., stop by to learn more about the role women have played in Fairfax County, and enjoy crafts and other activities.

    • 10209 Main St., Fairfax

Food & Drink

Green beer. Corned beef & cabbage. Need we say more? (Please enjoy responsibly.) Plus, Vienna Restaurant Week wraps this weekend. ☘️

• A look at what’s happening at Fairfax County’s Irish pubs:

  • Irish music, drink specials at The Auld Shebeen

    • The authentic Irish bar in Fairfax City is hosting the Irish pop and rock band Donegal Yanks on Saturday, March 15 at 8:00p.m. Drink specials to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. $5 cover.

      • 3971 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax

  • Ireland’s Four Provinces St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

    • A full schedule on Monday, March 17 including "K’eggs” from 8:00a.m.-10:00a.m. Live music and food and drink specials throughout the day.

      • 105 W. Broad St., Ste. 1, Falls Church

  • Ned Devine’s St. Patrick’s Celebrations

    • The Herndon Irish pub has a full schedule on Monday, March 17 with a kegs and eggs special starting at 9:00a.m. Plus, music, dancing, and food specials throughout the day.

      • 2465 Centreville Rd., Herndon

  • Old Brogue Irish Pub’s Weekend Celebrations

    • A weekend of food, drinks, live music and more are on tap at the Great Falls pub, starting Friday, March 14 and rolling though Monday, March 17. Check out the schedule in the link above.

      • 760 Walker Rd., Great Falls

• Meanwhile, these local St. Patty’s themed events also caught our eye:

  • Wildfire Restaurant in Tysons has a St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef and Cabbage plate special for $34.95 Friday, March 14-Monday, March 17.

  • Bunnyman Brewing is hosting a sham-rockin’ three-day event from Friday, March 14-Sunday, March 16, featuring live music, green beers and red ales, and more.

  • Shamrock Shindig at Makers Union in Reston runs Saturday, March 15-Monday, March 17, with music, food, drinks, and more.

  • St. Paddy’s Day Festival at Shipgarten in Tysons runs Saturday, March 15 from 12:00p.m.-5:00p.m. and features live music and free green swag for the first 100 guests.

• In other news: 

  • Vienna Restaurant Week wraps up this weekend. We included more details about the meals and deals on the menu in last week’s newsletter.

  • Friday, March 14 is known as “Pi Day” for our math and science lovers. But, that also means it’s “Pie Day.” Consider checking out your local bakery for tasty treats. For parents — we have a fun Pi Day event in Annandale in the “Families & Kids” section below.

    • Want a pizza pie on Friday? Paisano’s is running a $3.14 pie deal with orders $25 or more.

Go Out & About Together

Music, Arts, & Entertainment

Enjoy the sounds of traditional Irish music and more across Fairfax County this weekend! 🎶

• Heather McMahan Performs at Capital One Hall

  • Comedian and actress Heather McMahan brings “The Bamboozled Tour” to Capital One Hall for two shows on Thursday, March 13 and Friday, March 14. Tickets start at $45.75.

    • 7750 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons

• “Cherish the Ladies” at GMU

  • The U.S.-based Celtic music sensation comes to George Mason University’s Center for the Arts on Saturday, March 15 at 8:00p.m. Their set features traditional Irish melodies and musical arrangements, perfect for St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Tickets start at $33.

    • 4373 Mason Pond Dr., Fairfax

• Irish Masters of the DC Area at Wolf Trap

  • Celebrate the rich Irish music and dance traditions with a performance by some the region’s best dancers at The Barns at Wolf Trap on Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15. Featuring the Culkin School of Irish Dance. Tickets start at $40.

    • 1635 Trap Rd., Vienna

• The Millennium Tour at EagleBank Arena

  • A night of 2000s hip-hop and more featuring Trey Songz, Omarion, and Bow Wow headline EagleBank Arena in Fairfax this Saturday, March 15. Tickets start at $69.75. Showtime is 8:00p.m.

    • 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax

• “Twelfth Night” with Stars Performing Arts

  • The Shakespeare romantic comedy comes to life on Saturday, March 15 at 2:00p.m. in Great Falls. Tickets are $16 for adults and $11 for students.

    • 9818 VA-193, Great Falls

• NextStop Theatre’s “Chicken & Biscuits”

  • It’s opening weekend for the Herndon theatre company’s performance of “Chicken & Biscuits.” Previews are scheduled for Thursday, March 13 and Friday, March 14 with the official opening scheduled for Saturday, March 15. Tickets are $45.

    • 269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon

Families & Kids

A weekend of St. Patty’s fun for the kiddos, and plenty of nature as Spring nears! ☘️🌳

• Campfire Fridays in Reston

  • An evening campfire the whole family can enjoy at Lake Fairfax Park on Friday, March 14 at 7:30p.m. Enjoy interactive activities, nature walks, animal presentations, and yes, s’mores. Tickets are $12. Online registration is required, and kids must be accompanied by the registered adult.

    • 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr., Reston

• Preschool Nature Nuts at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

  • A fun way for kiddos ages 2-4 to think spring and learn about plants. The little ones can decorate a plant pot to take home, as well. The fun is set for Thursday, March 13 from 10:30a.m.-11:30a.m. Online registration is required, tickets are $10. (Miss it this time? Check out a similar upcoming event on March 27.)

    • 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct., Vienna

• St. Patrick’s Day Family Skate & Dance Night

  • A family-friendly party where you’re encouraged to wear green and dance the night away at the Franconia Rec Center on Saturday, March 15 starting at 6:00p.m. Tickets are $10 per person in advance and $15 per person at the door.

    • 6601 Telegraph Rd., Alexandria

• Leprechaun Mansion at KidCreate Studio

  • Arts and crafts St. Patrick’s Day-style in Alexandria on Friday, March 14. Kids can learn 3-D art and celebrate the holiday. Ages 5-10. Tickets are $75.

    • 724 Jefferson St., Alexandria

• Pi Day Celebration in Annandale

  • Math meets food in this interactive, hands-on event for kids ages 5+ in Annandale on March 14 (3/14) for Pi Day (3.14). A mini pie will be provided for each registered child. Tickets: $10. The fun starts at 5:30p.m. at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center.

    • 7701 Royce St., Annandale

      • But wait, there’s more! The Hidden Oaks Nature Center is also hosting a St. Patty’s Day event for the kiddos on Sunday. Learn more here.

• St. Paddy’s Party in McLean

  • The McLean Community Center is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day party for 5th and 6th graders. Catered food and drinks will be available, plus activities, a DJ, and open dance floor and will be provided. Tickets and registration can be found in the link above.

    • 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean

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

• 🏀A big congrats to the George Mason Women’s Basketball team on winning the Atlantic 10 Tournament last weekend! We’ll learn who they play in the NCAA Women’s Tournament on Sunday, March 16 during “Selection Sunday.”

• ⚾️The Washington Nationals play four games between Thursday and Sunday — two with the Tampa Bay Rays and the one each against the division-rival New York Mets and Atlanta Braves.

• ⚽️After a win last week against Orlando in the NWSL Challenge Cup, the Washington Spirit hits the road this week to play Houston on Friday in the season opener. Their home opener is next Saturday vs. Kansas City.

• 🏒The Washington Capitals are on West Coast road trip in California with games against Los Angeles and San Jose. They return home Tuesday.

•  🏀The Washington Wizards on the road at Detroit on Thursday and Denver on Saturday.

Home Games

• 🏀NCAAM: George Mason Men’s Basketball plays in the Atlantic 10 Tournament Quarterfinal as the 2nd seed — opponent TBD.

  • Friday, March 14 at 5:00p.m. Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

• ⚽️MLS: Montreal at DC United

  • Saturday, March 15 at 7:30p.m., Audi Field, Washington, D.C.

Fairfax County Fun Fact of the Week

Did you know: With a win over Saint Joseph’s on Sunday, March 9, the George Mason University Women’s Basketball team clinched their first-ever Atlantic 10 Conference Championship.

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Thanks for reading! See you next week.

Matt Knoedler
Publisher, Out & About Fairfax