Reston Multicultural Festival Canceled for This Year

Reston Community Center has canceled this year’s Reston Multicultural Festival, which was originally scheduled to bring a celebration of diversity through song, dance and art to Lake Anne Plaza on September 26.

“It breaks our hearts to take this step. We know that this event is a cherished part of Reston’s calendar and has deep meaning for participants and festival-goers alike. We are hopeful that spring will bring greater safety and restoration of the public gatherings that mean so much to Reston,” said RCC Board Chair Bev Cosham.

In a statement released today (Tuesday), RCC Executive Director Leila Gordon said organizers realized that was no safe way to present the multicultural festival.

“The health and safety of our performers, vendors, staff, volunteers and community have to take precedence in these unprecedented times,” she said in a statement.

Gordon hopes the festival will return next year.

RCC plans to continue offering multicultural programming this summer and fall through smaller, socially distanced events. On Thursdays, RCC holds its Take a Break concert series at Lake Anne Plaza and Summerbration Fab Fridays at RestonStation. Other programming is also offering via RCC’s YouTube channel.

“Like our colleagues, we are trying to balance our desire to support artists, bring valued content to audiences and do so safely at all times,” said Arts and Events Director Paul Douglas Michnewicz. “It’s a constantly evolving environment, so we depend on flexibility and people staying alert to sudden changes in programming.”

Photo via RCC