Things to do in the local area this weekend

Saturday, April 25
• Free Seminar at 1:30 p.m. on Exciting Perennials by Andre Viette, Renowned Horticulturist.  He will inform and inspire you with great ideas to incorporate into your own garden.  Seminar sponsored by Bonide.  Merrifield Garden Center, 6895 Wellington Road, Gainesville, VA.  Info:  703-368-1919 or http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com Free.

• Bicycle Tour (take your own bike) given by the Manassas Museum, 9 to 11 a.m. Explore the hidden corners of the City of Manassas with focus on historic areas. Info: manassasmuseum.org. Tickets: 703-257-8453. Tours on the fourth Saturday of March, April, May and Aug., Sept., Oct. $5

• Member Composers Concert presented by Woodbridge Music Club, 7 p.m., St. Paul United Methodist Church, 1400 G Street, Woodbridge VA 22191. Original compositions by members composers Leslie A. Bennett, Grace Reid, Betty McCary and Dr. Robert V. Shuffett. Free. Donations will be accepted.

Sunday, April 26
• Bird Walk at Merrimac Farm, 8 a.m. Merrimac Farm, Stone House, 15020 Deepwood Lane, Nokesville. Sponsored by Prince William Conservation Alliance. Everyone welcome. Dress for weather, take binoculars and cameras. Info and RSVP 703-499-4954 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

• Free Seminar at 1 p.m. on Container Gardens with Pizzazz by Suzanne Conway, Plant Specialist.  You can grow just about anything in containers.  Planting is easy, the plants thrive, and you can place them wherever you choose.  Suzanne will demonstrate how to create dazzling container gardens of all types.  Merrifield Garden Center, 6895 Wellington Road, Gainesville, VA.  Info:  703-368-1919 or http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com.

Saturday, April 25
• Spring Gala to benefit Broken No More Ministries, 7-10 p.m., Virginia Oaks Country Club, Gainesville. Guest speaker and former NFL running back Jason Wright, special performance by Angela Knight, silent auction, dinner & dessert. Info & reservations: http://www.bnmministries org. .$125 ticket/plate.

Sunday, April 26
Manassas Runway 10k/5k, 7:30 a.m., Location: Manassas Regional Airport, 10600 Harry J. Parrish Blvd, Manassas, VA 20110 . Packet Pick-up:  April 25th, 2015: 11AM -3PM Manassas Regional Airport, Main Terminal, 10600 Harry J. Parrish Blvd, Manassas, VA 20110; April 26th Race day: 6:oo - 7:15 AM Manassas Regional Airport, Main Terminal, 10600 Harry J. Parrish Blvd, Manassas, VA 20110
10K Awards: Top 3 Overall M/F, Top Masters M/F, Top 3 Age Group M/F Age Groups: 12 & under, 13-14, 15-16, 17-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 & over
5K Awards: Top 3 Overall M/F, Top Masters M/F, Top 3 Age Group M/F
Age Groups: 8 & under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-60, 70 & over
Course: Flat and fast; really…have you ever heard of an airport’s runway being hilly; if ever you wanted to run a PR this will be your chance.

• Dog Walk to benefit K9 Gunner Memorial Dog Park, 12-2 p.m. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. Lake Ridge Park, 12350 Cotton Mill Drive, Woodbridge, VA 22192. Three-mile walk on natural surfaces along Occoquan Reservoir and on sidewalks of Lake Ridge community. Contests Best Spring Costume & Best Trick. Vendors and refreshment concessions for dogs & human companions. Live music. Waiver and rabies certificate required. No retractable leashes. Info and to register and pay $10 entry fee: http://www.pwcdogs.com/events or mail $10 check to Prince William County Dogs, 13164 Center Pointe Way #102, Dale City, VA 22193.

Every Thursday & Friday - Now-Oct. 30
Take a Historic Downtown Walking Tour on Thursdays and Fridays at noon.  Costumed interpreters share stories about Historic Downtown during the Civil War and about the rebirth of the area after war and the fire. Info: http://www.manassasmuseum.org Tour .comes with price of admission to Museum.

Every Thursday through Monday
Prince William County historic sites Ben Lomond, Brentsville Courthouse and Rippon Lodge open for regular tours 11 a.m.  to 4 p.m. Sites are open Thursday through Monday.  For questions or to arrange a tour for large groups call the site.  Tours begin on the hour and are $5 per person over the age of six.  Cosed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Call the sites for more information.
Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 15520 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge, VA 22192, 703-499-9812.
Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 12229 Bristow Rd., Bristow, Va. 20136, 703-365-7895
Ben Lomond Historic Site, 10321 Sudley Manor Dr, Manassas VA 20109, 703-367-7872.

Every Day
Prince William Forest Park Visitors Center, 18100 Headquarters Rd, Triangle VA 22172, off Joplin Rd. (VA 619), open sunrise to sunset. The visitor center is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years holidays. Info: 703-221-4706 or http://www.nps.gov/prwi Fee.

Every Saturday
Year-round Farmers market, Parking Lot B. across the tracks from the Harris Pavilion, Old Town Manassas, 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.