Cherry blossoms are so last week. In Fairfax County, April is the delicate bluebell’s time to shine.
The wildflower will take center stage at the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Bluebells at the Bend celebration, which is set to return to Riverbend Park (8700 Potomac Hills Street) in Great Falls on Saturday, April 11.
“Stroll through vibrant fields of blooming bluebells and experience the beauty of the season with guided wildflower walks offered throughout the day,” the FCPA said in a press release.
In addition to regular guided wildflower walks, the festivities will include live music from Virginia-based Americana singer Andrew McKnight, food trucks and vendor tents, interactive exhibits, puppet shows and other family activities, a meet-and-greet with a bald eagle mascot, and opportunities to meet live animals, including reptiles and birds of prey.
The park’s nature center will also host a variety of discovery stations and the Maryland Raptor Conservancy, which will have live owls on hand.
Registration is currently open for the event, which will last from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for those who sign up in advance online, an option available until Friday, April 10, or $15 at the door.
Because of the festival, Riverbend’s boat launch will be closed on April 11, according to the park website.
For bluebell enthusiasts hoping to get a preview or avoid the crowds, Riverbend Park is offering a “Bluebells and Bloodroots” tour for $14 next Monday (April 6), where attendees can learn how to identify the spring ephemerals and related folklore.
Family-friendly spring wildflowers and bald eagles walks with scavenger hunts and crafts are also scheduled for this Sunday (April 5) and April 12.
Outside of Riverbend Park, bluebells can be found at nearby Great Falls Park and along the trails at Lake Accotink Park. Bull Run Regional Park is also a popular destination for the flowers, which typically bloom around early to mid-April each year.
