Frying Pan Farm Park will host its first-ever horse expo this weekend.
The inaugural event, which takes place on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., will include horse-related demonstrations, speakers, food trucks and businesses selling horse-related products and services.
Park manager Nicole Mitchell said that the new event is in line with the park’s reputation as a staple of the local horse community.
“We want the horse expo to introduce new people to horse-related sports and activities and be a networking opportunity for equestrians and the businesses that serve them,” Mitchell said.
The Topaz Vaulters are also scheduled to perform gymnastics on the backs of moving horses.
Equine ambassadors will be on hand to answer questions, and talks on topics like “What to do when your child asks for a pony” and “Equine chiropractic and acupuncture” are also scheduled.
The park is located at 2709 West Ox Road. Registration is open online, but the program is free.
Competitive carriage driving is also planned, according to the park’s marketing coordinator, Lois Kirkpatrick.
The program is sponsored by the Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park and supported through a grant from the Virginia Horse Industry Board.
The Fairfax County Park Authority operates an equestrian center at the park, which is open to the public for trailer-in school and private rentals.
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A two-story farmhouse in Frying Pan Farm Park — built in 1891 — will get some upgrades as part of a historical preservation program, thanks to a nonprofit that serves people with disabilities.
Fairfax County supervisors voted Feb. 8 to permit the organization ServiceSource to proceed with running programming at the 12-room Ellmore Farmhouse in the Herndon area. The board previously approved the nonprofit for its Resident Curator Program last May with a 29-year lease.
The program allows county properties to be leased for a long-term period for no rent while resident curators maintain standards to preserve historic properties and promote them to the public.
“We are thrilled to have the full support from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for our Special Use Exception to utilize the Ellmore Farmhouse as a community integrated site for individuals who have disabilities to participate and engage with the activities at Frying Pan Farm Park!” Albert Wu, ServiceSource board member, said in a statement, noting that it will begin renovations with the help of Alexandria-based partner Pizzano Contractors.
The changes will create an adult day support center that is scheduled to operate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. A “grab-and-go” food program could also be added to the 3,300-square-foot home.
Programming will help small groups of attendees participate in activities ranging from dance and art classes, reading groups, classes on computers, skill building and more.
The physical upgrades call for rehabilitating and renovating the home. The exterior wouldn’t be modified in a move to preserve its historic character while making minor improvements for Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility.
Interior changes include removing walls that were installed when the home served as a church, updating bathrooms and renovating a kitchen space. The organization has planned to add meeting and multipurpose rooms as well as a computer room and community room.
To make the plans a reality, the organization has raised most of a $660,000 fundraising goal and is still looking for donations.
“As a non-profit, we appreciate the support of our local community as we continue to raise funds to complete the renovations and make the home accessible while maintaining the historic properties of the home,” Wu said. “If anyone would like more information on how they can support our campaign to Do More At Ellmore, please contact us at giving@servicesource.org or check out our web page at www.servicesource.org/
