County allows more sip-and-stroll style events at Reston Town Center

RestonNow.com May 11, 2023 at 1:20pm

Reston Town Center unicycle (courtesy Reston Town Center Association) — Kids watch a unicyclist at a Reston Town Center event (courtesy Reston Town Center Association)

Frequenters of Reston Town Center can expect more sip-and-stroll-style events this year.

At a Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday (May 9), the board approved Reston Town Center Association‘s request to increase the number of licenses it has per year for designated outdoor refreshment areas.

RTCA can now host up to 50 events — up from 16 — this year through additional Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) licenses.

The organization’s president, Robert Goudie, told the board that the request came after an overwhelmingly positive response to sip-and-stroll events at the town center last year.

RTCA patrons can expect at least 12 Darden and Friends jazz events in the spring and fall, sip-and-stroll events on the first Saturday of the month, and the return of Reston Concerts on the Town.

Goudie said RTCA pilot-tested the sip-and-stroll concept last year. Physical barricades will also be added to designate the area — a move that Goudie says goes above and beyond what is required by law.

“We don’t want to turn Reston Town Center into a constant pub for all,” Goudie said.

The board voted unanimously in favor of the proposal.

Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity lauded the effort as a major placemaking initiative.

“That’s all I could think when you were talking,” Herrity told Goudie.