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July 30, 2025

Neighbors,

It’s time once again for the Fairfax County Carnival and 4-H Fair at Frying Pan Farm Park.

It’s one of the great summer events in Hunter Mill District that’s fun for the entire family.

While the carnival begins tomorrow, join me on this Saturday at 10 a.m. for the 4-H Fair’s opening ceremony. It’s a special occasion as we celebrate the fair’s 75^th anniversary!

The fair showcases the creativity, dedication and skill of the more than 9,000 youth who participate in Fairfax County 4-H activities every year. With nine active clubs, they engage in unique projects from STEM and healthy living to livestock and civic engagement.

The fair also highlights our agricultural history since it takes place at one of the last working farms in Fairfax County. (It may be hard to believe today, but Fairfax County had more than 200 dairy farms in the 1950s — the most in the Commonwealth.)

You may not know it, but Fairfax County 4-H and Frying Pan Farm Park also have a long relationship. With many farms being bought out in the 1950s to create Dulles Airport, County Agricultural Extension Agent Joseph Beard approached Fairfax County to preserve the farm and our agricultural heritage. (Learn more about the park and its history by watching this video.)

Today, three Fairfax County 4-H clubs meet on park grounds throughout the year, and of course, the park also hosts the fair.

Whether or not you attend the 4-H opening ceremony, I hope you’ll come to the fair to see the colorful exhibits and projects, animal shows and live demonstrations. And, of course, the carnival offers rides, food and fun too.

Regards,

Walter

• Attend My Town Hall Tonight
• Go Solar Before Tax Credits Expire
• Electric Vehicle Readiness Strategy Town Hall Aug. 6
• Cathy Hudgins Community Day Aug. 2
• Join Me for National Night Out on Aug. 5
• What's News in Vienna
• Events and Activities

What's happening: Bring your questions and concerns tonight (July30) to my summer town hall at 7 p.m. at the Vienna Elementary School cafeteria. This is an open forum where we can talk about what's on your mind.

Learn more: For more information or reasonable ADA accommodations, please contact my office by email or call 703-478-0283, TTY 711.

What’s happening: If you’re interested in going solar, act now before the 30% federal tax credit sunsets at the end of this year due to recent changes in the law.

Rooftop solar systems must be installed by Dec. 31 to qualify for the tax credit. However, the good news is that Fairfax County will help you get a free assessment, access discounted prices and connect with qualified installers.

Get discounted solar panels: Sign up for Solarize Virginia or Switch Together to access these benefits. Solarize Virginia has extended its sign-up deadline to Aug. 15, and Switch Together will accept sign-ups through Sept. 3. (Know that if you sign up for either of these programs, there’s no obligation to buy.)

Sell back excess energy: Besides the federal tax credit, there’s another good reason to make the switch to solar now. Dominion Energy has proposed to reduce net metering rates starting in 2026 — but solar systems installed by the end of this year will be grandfathered into the current rules, receiving the full 1:1 energy credit.

Net metering allows homeowners to send excess electricity generated by their solar panels back to the grid, receiving a credit from Dominion on their electricity bill.

Other expiring tax credits: As a result of the federal Big Beautiful Bill Act, other home energy credits will be expiring soon too, so act quickly if you plan to install a heat pump, weatherize your home or get a home energy audit. 

What’s happening: Offer feedback on Fairfax County’s first Electric Vehicle Readiness Strategy during a virtual town hall hosted by county staff on Aug. 6 at 6 p.m. The draft strategy will be published online on Aug. 4 in advance of the meeting. (Find it using the link above.)

Why it matters: From public charging stations to building codes, your input will help shape how the county prepares for an EV-friendly future, including:



✅ Where and how the county invests in public charging

✅ How to make EV benefits accessible to all residents

✅ What policies support clean transportation for everyone 

The strategy will serve as the roadmap to support the future growth of electric vehicles on our roads.

Tell me more: In order to achieve its climate goals, the county aims to increase the number of private and county-owned electric vehicles on the road by 2030.

The Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan calls for EV car and light-duty trucks to make up 15% of vehicle registrations by 2030 — up from the current 3%. (This corresponds to approximately 125,000 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles by 2030.)

Concurrently, the county is working to electrify its own vehicle fleet. Under our Operational Energy Strategy, the county targets transitioning its cars, trucks and buses to electric or non-carbon emitting versions by 2035.

To develop its EV strategy, the county is working with consulting firm AECOM. They are analyzing EV infrastructure patterns and future growth in EV registrations. This analysis will propose strategies for increasing charging opportunities, including potential funding sources and financing strategies.

What's happening: Join me for the Cathy Hudgins Community Day this Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. This annual event at the Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate features family friendly fun including:



• Music
• Dancing
• Games
• Sports
• Airbrush tattoos
• Backpack giveaways and prizes

Volunteer to help with set-up, games, and more. Register to volunteer.

Center Temporarily Closing: Celebrate at the center before it closes on Aug. 16 for renovations until Jan. 2026. (The center will be closed for about five months so the cooling and heating system can be replaced.) While the courts will be open during the renovations, the center’s other programs will be relocated.

What's happening: Join your neighbors, Reston District Station police officers and me for National Night Out activities on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

This annual event to enhance connections between neighbors and law enforcement kicks off from noon to 2 p.m. at the Reston Community Center Hunters Woods. I’ll be there to join the celebrations that include sweet treats, drinks, a snow cone truck and family friendly activities. It’s sponsored by the Hunters Woods Neighborhood Coalition and Reston District Station. Details.

Cathy Hudgins activities: Then the party continues at the Cathy Hudgins Community Center from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Enjoy more food, games and camaraderie with your neighbors and your local police officers.

Neighborhood events: Additionally, neighborhoods across the Hunter Mill District will be hosting their own events that night. As I visit several of the participating neighborhoods, I hope to see you Tuesday night.

What's News in Vienna

Meet the Mayor Aug. 1

Mayor Linda Colbert will be holding “office hours” on Friday, Aug. 1 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Panera Bread, 136 Maple Avenue. Come share your thoughts with her over coffee. The mayor is also available to meet in her office on weekdays by appointment. To make an appointment, send an email or call 703-255-6304.

Visit the Outdoor Fairfax Resolves Exhibit

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, Historic Vienna Inc. has a new outdoor exhibit chronicling the history leading up to the Fairfax Resolves. Discover how Vienna’s Revolutionary War hero, Col. Charles Broadwater, reacted and contributed to the Declaration of Independence. Visit this exhibit anytime through Sept. 1 next to the Freeman Store at Church and Mill Streets.

The Fairfax Resolves was a bold and influential precursor to the Declaration of Independence. (Held at the Library of Congress, you can view the only surviving copy in George Mason’s handwriting.) 

🎥Visit the Elden Street Tea Shop on July 31 to participate in the filming of Rachel Rozner’s live interview with Jake Tapper on CNN’s The Lead! ️

🎾Advanced open play on July 31 at the Tysons Pickleball Club.

🎷 Join the Seth Kibel Band for jazz, swing and klezmer music on July 31 at Halley Rise.

🎶Rolling Stones Tribute Band Mothers Little Helper perform Aug. 1 at Reston Station.

🎸 Listen to 80s tribute band The Reflex on Aug. 1 at the Herndon Town Green.

🔭Join the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club to stargaze on Aug. 2 at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. (Telescopes provided.)

✋🏽Find volunteer opportunities on Aug. 2 to help with Reggae on the Lake in September.

🚣🏽‍♂️ Kayak at twilight on Aug. 2 at Lake Fairfax.

🎶Set sail for the Yacht Rock Revue on Aug. 3 at Wolf Trap.

🧘🏼Practice Tai Chi on Aug. 4 at the Reston Regional Library.

🎺Listen to the Texas Chainsaw Horns perform on Aug. 6 at Lake Anne Plaza.

🧘🏽Take a free yoga class by Beloved Yoga on Aug. 6 at Reston Station.

🩸Learn lifesaving skills at the Stop the Bleed course on Aug. 7 at Reston Hospital Center.

🎶Listen to Elikeh play AfroPop on Aug. 7 at Halley Rise.

🎶Listen to Lyle Lovett and his Large Band on Aug. 7 at Wolf Trap.

🎹 Listen to Bruce Corsino perform from The Great American Songbook on Aug. 8 at Plaza America Waterfall Cascade Plaza.

📖 Attend a mystery panel of romance authors on Aug. 9 at Scrawl Books.

🤣Laugh at the improv show Last Hamm Standing on Aug. 9 at NextStop Theater.

💮 Learn the Japanese art of flower arranging, Ikebana, on Aug. 9 at la Madelaine.

⛵Watch the annual Cardboard Boat Regatta on Aug. 9 at Lake Anne.

🐍 Learn and look for the Snakes of Reston — including our only venomous species — on Aug. 10 at the Walker Nature Center.

👩🏾‍💻 Get one-on-one technology help on Aug. 11 at the Reston Regional Library.

📖 Meet NOVA resident and author of 18 mystery novels Ellen Crosby on Aug. 11 at the Oakton Library.

✋🏽Learn about volunteer opportunities with Shepherd’s Center and enjoy tasty bites on Aug. 13 at Bear Branch Tavern.

👨‍🎤 Step back to the ‘80s with Double Duran: The Ultimate Duran Duran Experience on Aug. 15 at Capital One Hall.

🐕Bring your dog for a paddle at Reston Association pools starting Aug. 16.

🎶Relax as the Yacht Lobsters play soft rock on Aug.16 at Reston Town Center.

✨ Take in the Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular on Aug. 23 at Capital One Hall.

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.