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July 2, 2025

Neighbors,

Happy Independence Day everybody! There are many celebrations to enjoy in the Hunter Mill District and Fairfax County. If you’re looking for holiday entertainment and fireworks, here are a few events to check out this week:

• Today: Vienna’s Independence Day Celebration features food, kids entertainment, and live music starting at 6 p.m. at Yeonas Park. The 15-minute fireworks show will start after dark at approximately 9:30 p.m.
• July 4: Vienna’s public reading of the foundational documents of our democracy take place at the Vienna Community Center. You are invited to take turns reading a few lines from the Fairfax Resolves, Declaration of Independence, Emancipation Proclamation and other key documents.
• July 4: Herndon’s 4^th of July will take place at Bready Park starting at 6:30 p.m. with games, crafts and facepainting for kids, music and a spectacular fireworks show that will begin at 9:30 p.m.
• July 4: Great Falls 4^th of July Fireworks offers family-friendly festivities starting at 6 p.m. at the Turner Farm. Enjoy a cornhole tournament, inflatable fun and food trucks. Fireworks will begin once it's dark at about 9 p.m.
• July 4: Mount Vernon’s Independence Fireworks offers a dazzling display over the mansion and Potomac River at 9:15 p.m. It will be preceded by live music, food, wine and beer, a wreath laying at the Washington Tomb, and a variety of 18th-century fun, games and entertainments.

While it’s not specifically a July 4 event, don’t forget about the first Hunter Mill Melodies concert tomorrow, July 3, at 7:30 p.m. at Frying Pan Farm Park. Grammy-nominated bluegrass band Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen will perform their rock-tinged bluegrass that pushes the boundaries of the genre.

Regards,

Walter

• Fireworks Safety
• Friends of Trees Nominations
• Joining the Metro Board
• Metro's Better Bus Network
• Upcoming Land Use Meetings
• What's News in Vienna
• Events and Activities

It’s not July 4 without fireworks — but they also can be dangerous.

This is why most fireworks aren’t available for sale in Northern Virginia, and it’s also illegal to use or transport fireworks in Fairfax County that are purchased in other states.

The county’s fire code prohibits any firework that explodes, emits a flame or sparks higher than 12 feet, or performs as a projectile. Examples include firecrackers, cherry bombs, roman candles, and skyrockets. However, sparklers and other stationary fireworks like fountains are allowed.

Last year, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department responded to a large number of calls related to improperly discarded fireworks, so here are a few safety tips:

• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that don’t ignite or ignite fully.
• Leave them isolated for at least 15 minutes.
• Soak them in water for an additional 5 minutes.
• Place them in a plastic trash bag and dispose of them in your regular trash.
• Keep fireworks at least 25 feet from your home.
• Sparklers can be very dangerous. They burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit —hot enough to melt some metals. Pieces can break off and burn bystanders.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy, in case of fire or other mishap.

Nominate a person, organization or developer for the Fairfax County Tree Commission’s Friends of Trees Award by July 31. These annual awards recognize exceptional, outstanding and innovative conservation projects and programs to preserve, protect or plant trees. Nominees should meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Protect and preserve existing trees and associated habitats.
• Increase Fairfax County’s tree canopy and its related habitats.
• Educate and inspire people to plant more trees and properly maintain them, and convey an understanding of both the value and benefits of trees.
• Go “above and beyond” Fairfax County’s development requirements to preserve and protect trees and associated habitats

For example, the Tysons Forest Community Task Force received an award last year for its efforts which were supported by my office and a dedicated team of volunteers. They came up with an actionable plan to preserve and enhance an intact 65-acre urban forest that follows the Old Courthouse Spring Branch Stream Valley.

For questions or more information about the nominations or awards, please email the Tree Commission.

Joining the Metro Board

As of Tuesday, I became a principal director on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors (although I still must be officially sworn in). Previously, I served as an alternate director since January 2020. Appointments to the WMATA Board are made through the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, on which I also serve. The change in my board status means a much more active role by me in WMATA governance.

Metro’s board is responsible for determining the transit agency’s policy and provides oversight of the funding, operation and improvements of its facilities. Starting July 1, I am one of two Virginia representatives on the WMATA board, the other being former Alexandria City Council member Paul Smedberg.

The board is composed of eight principal and eight alternate directors. Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, and the federal government each appoint two principal and two alternate directors to the board.

By state law and the WMATA Compact, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) makes Virginia’s appointments to the Metro Board. NVTC appointed me at their June 5 meeting, and I am replacing Loudoun County Supervisor Matt Letourneau as a principal director who served in this role the past five years. Thank you Matt for your service!

(Virginia code also requires that one of the appointments for principal director must include the Transportation Secretary of Virginia or their designee, a position currently filled by Paul Smedberg.)

Previously, my predecessor as Hunter Mill District Supervisor, Cathy Hudgins, served as a principal director on the Metro Board for 11 years, including as chair from 2011-2012.

Metro rolled out its Better Bus Network this past week. It’s the first comprehensive redesign of the Metrobus system in 50 years, and it’s intended to make trips faster, reduce transfers and simplify schedules.

Many routes will offer enhanced service, with updated schedules, new destinations, and approximately 5% fewer stops to improve speed and reliability. Metrobus routes also now feature new, intuitive names — such as "F" for Fairfax City, Fairfax County and Falls Church or “A” for Arlington/Alexandria — making it easier for riders to navigate. Kudos to Supervisor Palchik who celebrated these changes with an event Monday morning at the Vienna Metrorail Station, which I happily attended.

However, for those of you who ride the Reston Internal Bus System (RIBS) or the Fairfax Connector, these changes do not affect your ride— only Metrobus. See the new Virginia Metrobus routes and descriptions.

Metrobus fares also remain unchanged at $2.25 — or $1.10 for seniors and others eligible for reduced fares.

Hunter Mill Land Use Committee July 15

Join this virtual meeting on Tuesday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m. Use this link to attend and participate. To participate by phone, call 571-429-5982 and use conference ID 831 341 028# 

Reston Planning & Zoning July 21

Join this virtual meeting on Monday, July 21 at 7:30 p.m. Use this link to attend and participate. To participate by phone, call 571-429-5982 and use conference ID 693 626 456#

For more information, email Mark Goldberg-Foss, call 703-478-5123, or visit the Hunter Mill District Land Use and Zoning webpage.

What's News in Vienna

Visit the VA250 Mobile Museum July 10-12

Commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and the independence of the United States with the VA250 Mobile Museum. Visit this interactive and immersive experience at the Vienna Elementary School (128 Center St., S.) from July 10-12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. This high-tech exhibit fit for all ages explores Virginia’s founding role in American history as part of Liberty Amendments Month.

Empowering Women, Celebrating the 19^th Amendment

Celebrate the inspiring women of Vienna at the Empowering Women Panel and mixer on Wednesday, July 9 at 5:45 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center. Registration encouraged.

Panelists are Leigh Kitcher, producer of the Exhibit “Getting the Vote: The Women’s Rights Movement”; Virginia Delegate Holly Seibold; Stacy Huston, executive director of SixDegrees.org; and Dr. Negar Ashtari Abay, former senior program officer for the U.S. Institute of Peace. They’ll each discuss how their work empowers women.

🎺 Get your New Orleans groove on with New Line Brass Band tonight at Halley Rise.

🍷 Play bingo and sip a glass of wine at Paradise Springs Winery tonight.

🏃‍♂️‍ Run the Firecracker 5K For The Troops on July 4.

🎵 Take in the Taylor Swift Experience featuring Kanin Wren on July 4 at Reston Metro Plaza.

🦋 Take part in Reston’s annual Butterfly Count on July 5.

📽️ Watch “Sonic the Hedgehog” and meet adorable dogs or adoption on July 5 at Reston Row Plaza.

⚜️ Listen to Zack Smith & The Mardi Gras Kings perform their blend of zydeco, Cajun, and New Orleans jazz on July 1 at Reston Town Square Park.

🎵 Listen to Scott Tournet & The Spark perform on July 5 at Reston Town Square Park.

🎻 Dust off your instrument and play with the Reston Community Orchestra on July 7 at Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods.

🧘🏽 Take a free yoga class hosted by Beloved Yoga on July 9 at Reston Metro Plaza.

⛪ Bring your lunch and enjoy a free 30-minute organ recital at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church on July 9.

🎤 Sing your favorite tunes at Karaoke Thursday at Shipgarten on July 10.

🚣‍♂️ Take a sunset paddle board tour of Lake Audubon on July 10.

🐶 Enjoy cocktails while your pup socializes and snacks during Paws on the Patio at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner on July 10.

🎵 Listen to bands The Rockets and 8 Track Jones play at the free Friday Night Live! concert at Herndon Town Green on July 11.

Find all events for these local organizations: Reston Community Center, Town of Vienna Parks and Recreation Programs, Tephra ICA and Arts Fairfax. Find other community events in the Reston Letter.