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July 1, 2026

I’m thrilled to announce another fantastic season of Hunter Mill Melodies at Frying Pan Farm Park. This free community concert series features something for everyone from bluegrass to blues to rock music.

Whether you’re looking for a fun morning out with the kids or a relaxing evening under the stars, we have a wonderful lineup of musicians for you. Grab your lawn chairs and blankets for some summer entertainment.

This year we’ve cooked up something extra special for concertgoers. For the very first time, we’ll have food trucks on-site for select Thursday evening concerts. Come early to visit with the farm animals and then grab some food shortly before the performances begin at 7 p.m. Here’s what’s being served:

• July 16: Two Smooth Dudes will be serving up their gourmet loaded tater tots, salads, and specialty wraps. Check out their mouthwatering options.
• August 6: Leo's Tacos will be firing up the grill with authentic Mexican street food, including fresh tacos, quesadillas, and savory burritos. Take a look at what they offer on their menu.

To help you plan, here’s the list of upcoming concerts with evening grooves for the adults on Thursday nights and morning fun for the little ones on Wednesdays. Our first concert for adults is tomorrow:

hursday Evening Concerts

Enjoy great music from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Kidwell Farm (2709 West Ox Road, Herndon):

• July 2: Anthony "Swamp Dog" Clark (Blues)
• July 9: Fast Eddie & The Slowpokes (Blues)
• July 16: The English Channel (Top 60s & 70s British Hits) – featuring Two Smooth Dudes food truck.
• July 23: The Seldom Scene (Bluegrass)
• July 30: Sharon Rae North (Jazz & R&B)
• August 6: Speidel, Goodrich, Goggin & Lille (Acoustic Rock) – featuring Leo's Tacos food truck
• August 13: Brookhouse (Latin Rock, Jazz, & Americana)

Wednesday Concerts for Kids

These interactive, high-energy shows run from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the Frying Pan Park Visitor Center Pavilion (2739 West Ox Rd., Herndon).

• July 8: The Great Zucchini
• July 15: Mr. Lilo
• July 22: Marsha and the Positrons
• August 5: Groovy Nate

Because the performances are held outdoors, inclement weather is always a possibility. If concerts have to be canceled, notices will be officially posted online and on the concert phone line one hour before showtime: 571-202-SHOW (7469).

I look forward to sharing a wonderful summer of music under the stars with you.

Regards,

Walter

• World Cup Watch Parties
• Lake Anne Comprehensive Plan Amendment Town Hall Replay
• Volunteers Needed for Heat Island Mapping
• E-Bike Safety: What to Know
• What's News in Vienna
• Events and Activities

Heat Island Mapping: Volunteers Needed in July

What’s happening: The Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions and George Mason University are mapping temperature disparities in Fairfax County, Arlington, and the City of Alexandria. They need 30 teams of volunteers to gather data using temperature and humidity sensors along prescribed routes that include Reston, Tysons, Wolf Trap Stream Valley and Herndon.

Volunteers will venture out on “Measurement Day," which will occur sometime between July 8-24 when summer temperatures are historically at their hottest, even though this year we may well hit our summer highs later this week.

• Sign up to volunteer

What are heat islands? When heat strikes, neighborhoods with less greenery and more buildings and pavement can get much hotter than surrounding areas. These hot spots, known as Urban Heat Islands, can have warmer temperatures during the day and at night, making it difficult for people to keep cool.

In Fairfax County, significant heat islands can be found in Annandale, Bailey’s Crossroads, Centreville, the Dulles Corridor, Hybla Valley, Merrifield, Seven Corners, Springfield, and Tysons, according to Resilient Fairfax’s mapping and data. This initiative focuses on helping the county and local communities to adapt and become more resilient to changing climate-related conditions such as extreme heat, severe storms, and flooding.

What’s happening: As e-bikes become increasingly popular for transportation and recreation, it’s important for both bikers and drivers alike to keep safety in mind. After personally witnessing a minor accident in Reston on June 20, I brought up this issue during last week’s Board of Supervisors meeting, and you can read this news story to learn more about our discussion.

What to Know: E‑bikes that travel at slower speeds (see Class 1 and 2 below) are generally allowed anywhere traditional bikes are permitted unless signs say otherwise. In most areas, this includes sidewalks. However, faster e-bikes (Class 3) are restricted on sidewalks and some parks, trails, and shared-use paths, such as the W&OD Trail and Reston Association’s privately owned trails that don’t allow e-bikes that travel above 20 mph. And earlier this summer the Town of Vienna’s Police Department initiated a public safety awareness campaign on this topic.  

Virginia groups e‑bikes into three categories. Vehicles exceeding these specifications are classified as mopeds or motorcycles.

• Class 1: Pedal‑assist only, up to 20 mph
• Class 2: Throttle available (no pedaling required), up to 20 mph
• Class 3: Pedal‑assist, up to 28 mph

Important rules:

• Riders and passengers under age 15 must wear helmets on any class of e-bike.
• Class 3 riders must be at least 14 years old
• Riders and passengers any age must wear a helmet on a Class 3 bike
• Motors must be 750 watts (1 horsepower) or less
• No driver’s license, registration or license plates are required

The Board of Supervisors also recently approved an update to the county’s helmet laws to require their use not only on traditional bicycles but also on e-bikes, motorized skateboards and scooters. Riders and passengers under age 15 must now wear them when on both a regular and e-bike.

Unlike e-bikes, e-dirt bikes and mini-bikes are considered motor vehicles and they aren’t allowed on public roads, sidewalks, or trails unless they meet vehicle registration and legal requirements.

Clear as mud? This is the latest example of new and improved technology hitting the streets (and trails) that test our laws and regulations. The Virginia General Assembly recently enacted HB 1120 which calls for a statewide review of laws for e-bikes and similar micromobility devices and report out recommendations this November. Say tuned for that.

Review the helpful guide below for a summary of rules and guldelines.

Vienna’s Fireworks Show on July 2

Vienna’s Independence Day celebration is Thursday, July 2, from 6 to 10 p.m. at Yeonas Park. Enjoy live music and food trucks, and don't forget to grab one of the 1,776 copies of the free commemorative coloring books while supplies last. Bring a picnic blanket or lawn chair for the fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. 

Reading America's Story July 4

Reflect on 250 years of our nation's history with a round-robin reading of texts that have helped shape America. All are welcome to attend the event and listen or take turns reading the Bill of Rights, Emancipation Proclamation, and Declaration of Independence (to name a few), at the "Foundational Documents Reading" on Saturday, July 4, at 11 a.m. at the Vienna Community Center. I’ll be there too.

Help decorate: Volunteers are also needed on Friday, July 3 from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center (Auxiliary Gym). They will help decorate the space for the public reading.

How to volunteer: Contact the town’s Superintendent of Events and Culture Lilly Widman by email or call 703-255-5738. You may also contact Councilmember Jessica Ramakis by email.

Celebrating the 19th Amendment: July 8

Celebrate the women of Vienna and beyond at the Vienna Business Association Mixer and Empowering Women Panel. In honor of the 19th Amendment, hear local leaders, advocates, and community members share their stories on Wednesday, July 8, beginning at 5:45 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center. Enjoy refreshments before the panel discussion begins at 6:30 p.m. Registration is encouraged.

💬Join tonight’s 7 p.m. virtual presentation “Against All Odds: A True Story of Ultimate Courage and Survival in World War II.”

🎷Radio King Orchestra plays big band music tonight at Lake Anne Plaza.

🎭Celebrate our independence with the McLean Community Players' production of “1776” through Aug. 2.

🎆Join Vienna’s Independence Day celebration on July 2 in Yeonas Park.

🎤 D.C. vocalist Cecily Bumbray sings soul and jazz on July 2 at Halley Rise.

🎸Attend Bruce in the Park with fireworks afterwards on July 2 at Reston Station.

🎪Participate in the Business Expo & Community Fair on July 3 with free health screenings from the Fairfax County Health Department at the Church of the Living God in Fairfax.

🎸Wear your raspberry beret to Prince Project on July 3 at Reston Station.

🎬Watch “The Sandlot” on July 4 at Reston Sation.

🪡Appreciate a contemporary abstract quilt exhibit on July 4 at Reston Art Gallery at Lake Anne Plaza.

🪗Cajun comes to Reston Town Square Park when Zack Smith & The Mardi Gras Kings perform on July 4.

📖 Attend Ray Nayler’s discussion about his new novel “Palaces of the Crow” on July 5 at Bards Alley Bookshop in Vienna.

📖 Author Jared Peatman discusses his book “A Hell of a Regiment” and the turning point of the Civil War on July 7 at Mary Riley Styles Public Library in Falls Church.

🪘Meki’s Tamure Arts Group presents a free, family-friendly Polynesian drum and dance showcase on July 8 at Wolf Trap.

🪐Watch and listen to Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert on July 9 at the Filene Center.

🎹Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Association presents “America @ 250” on July 11 at the Lyceum in Old Town Alexandria.

🎺Winchester Jazz Collective plays New-Orleans jazz and funk on July 5 at Reston Town Square Park.

🎸Listen to Cheick Hamala Diabaté perform modern West African music on July 8 at Lake Anne Plaza.

♫ Take a break with King Teddy’s performance on July 9 at Halley Rise.

🎸Yeah, yeah, yeah, Beatlemania Now comes to Reston Station on July 10.

🎼Join the Reston Community Orchestra for Open Summer Reading Sessions starting July 6 at Reston Community Center.

🏰Meet princesses at A Royal Fairytale Experience on July 11 at the Tysons Ballroom Dance Center.

🕺Relive the ‘70s with the Discoteks on July 11 at Reston Town Center Pavillion.

💵Attend the “Virginia Retirement System: Divest from Weapons and War Campaign” meeting on July 11 at the Vienna Community Center.

🎪Gum Springs celebrates America250 on July 11 at Cornerstone Church of Christ in Alexandria.

🪗Attend the Slavic Festival Concert on July 11 at the Hyatt Regency Dulles in Herndon.

🐷Blue Sky Puppet Theatre presents “The Three (Not So) Little Pigs” on July 11 at Reston Town Square Park.

🌞Sungaze on July 11 at the Udvar-Hazy Center.

👕Find new clothes at the Clothing Swap and Sale on July 12 at Solace Brewing Company in Sterling.

🎻Listen to string students play popular hits and classical compositions on July 12 at Reston Town Square Park.

🪈Mystic Warriors play Andean music on July 15 at Lake Anne Plaza.

🩸Learn how to Stop the Bleed on July 15 at Reston Hospital Center.

🎸The Guitar Renegades strum classical guitar, jazz and more on July 16 at Halley Rise.

🪕Alison Krauss & Union Station perform on July 16 at Wolf Trap.

🍷Eat and drink at the Purcellville Wine and Food Festival on July 18 at Fireman’s Fields Park.

🎸Bitter Luck plays rock classics with a progressive flair on July 18 at Reston Town Center Pavilion.

🛞The Unicycle Lady deliver silliness, music and play on July 18 at Reston Town Square Park.

🎺Listen to trombone music during the Bone Voyage concert on July 19 at Reston Town Square Park.

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.