The annual Reston Pumpkin 5K and Kids’ Pumpkin Dash is set for Sunday, October 13.

Although the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce dropped its plans to host the annual Flavors of Fall festival, the pumpkin dash is expected to feature the same activities and programs as in previous years.

Participants are encouraged to debut their Halloween costumes the event, which start at 8:15 a.m. at Reston Town Center.

Registration for the 5K is $20 per person through October 11 and $25 per person from October 12 to October 13. Registration for the kids’ event is $10 per person until October 11 and $15 per person from October 12 to October 13.

All runners will receive a T-shirt, race bib, and post-race refreshments.

Awards will be given baed. On several age groups to the top male and female participants.

More information about the event is available online.

Photo via Don Renner

As fall season descends onto the area, Plaza America will host a fall fest in the retail area of the plaza this weekend.

The event is set for Saturday (Nov. 3) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Plaza America (11700 Plaza  America Drive).

The second annual event will include sweet treats, fall-themed arts, and crafts and a petting zoo. Other activities include pumpkin bowling and face painting.

The event is free and open to the public.

Photo via Plaza America/Facebook

Get ready to get in the Seahawk spirit tonight as South Lakes High celebrates homecoming!

The parade kicks off at 5 p.m. from Hunters Woods Shopping Center. It will continue north on Colts Neck Drive, turn east onto South Lakes Drive and finish at SLHS. The football game against Yorktown High School begins at 7 p.m. shortly after the parade. Admission is $5 and the Class of 1998 will also be on-site to celebrate their 20th reunion.

(Update: the homecoming parade has been cancelled due to rain.)

Sorry folks, we are disappointed too.
Game is still on at 7 on
Please spead the word@SLHShypesquad @RestonNow @RestonPatch @SLHS2020 @SLHS2019 @2021SLHS @SLHS2022 @SouthLakesSGA @SeahawkBoosters https://t.co/25LGnArHCG

— SouthLakes Athletics (@SeahawkSports) October 26, 2018

The Washington West Film Festival celebrated opening night Thursday, and screenings of films will continue to take place throughout the weekend in Reston and other locations west of the District. See the full schedule of films and purchase tickets online through the festival’s website.

Below is a limited list of other events taking place in the Reston area this weekend. If you have an event you would like to ensure is listed on the website, be sure to submit it to our Events Calendar.

• Enjoy the first free Harvest Festival at Lake Anne Plaza from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday. Activities will include wine and beer tastings, a morning craft project for kids with the Reston Art Gallery and Studio, consignment and souvenir sales, a used book sale, sweet treats and much more, featuring all local businesses.
• Bring the kids and enjoy an indoor dip at the Family Splash at RCC Hunters Woods on Friday from 7-9 p.m. The cost for families with up to 5 people is $13 for Reston residents and $26 for non-residents.
• In the mood for a little theater? The Reston Players present the musical Hairspray at 8 p.m. Friday on CenterStage at RCC Hunters Woods. Tickets are $28 for adults, $24 for seniors 65 and older, and $24 for students and youth under 18.
• Looking to give back to your local community? Habitat For Heroes will host its “Stop the Choking, Save the Natives” event this Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are needed along the asphalt path between Sanibel Drive and Dogwood Elementary School to help remove invasive English ivy vines, in order to help give native wildflowers a chance to thrive. No prior experience is required, and guidance will be given by experts.
• As the weather gets colder, you may be thinking ahead to indoor family activities like playing board games and putting together jigsaw puzzles. The Friends of the Reston Regional Library will hold their annual Puzzle Sale today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring gently used puzzles, games and more.
• Children ages 5 to 12 can learn more about the culture of China and learn some of the country’s traditional folk dances at the Reston Regional Library today from 2-5 p.m at the library’s free Chinese Dance Workshop.
• The Great American Read continues this weekend with a free Green Screen Photo Booth at the Reston Regional Library from 2-4 p.m. Saturday. Place yourself in an exciting scene from one of your favorite books through the magic of green screen technology.
• Celebrate the fall season with Frying Pan Farm Park’s “BOO-stravaganza” tonight at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Children ages 3 to 8 will enjoy a variety of themed games, go trick-or-treating to animals and enjoy a wagon ride, and will finish the evening with a small treat bag for the road. Reservations are required, and the cost is $10 per person.
• The Reston Farmers Market is still going strong. With the end of summer, cold-weather favorites like greens, gourds, pumpkins, peppers and apples can now be seen among the stands, along with the usual baked goods and a variety of fresh meats from beef, pork, and chicken to healthy water buffalo. The markets take place every Saturday through Dec. 1, from 8 a.m. to noon at Lake Anne Plaza, including this Saturday for the free Harvest Festival.

File photo

The Reston Historic Trust & Museum’s annual home tour is back for its 17th year tomorrow. Participants can take tours of six Reston homes that have undergone major redesigns.

Homes on the tour include a 1968 Dutch Colonial in South Reston and Reston Town Center’s Signature apartments. Tickets can be purchased online today and will need to be purchased at Reston Museum on the day of the tour. All proceeds benefit the Reston Historic Trust & Museum.

If historic house hopping isn’t your cup of tea, there’s still plenty to do in the area this weekend, including a Fall Carnival and Farm Harvest Day this weekend at Frying Pan Farm Park:

(Editor’s Note: This is just a limited list of all the events taking place in the Reston area this weekend. If you have an event you would like to ensure is listed on the website, be sure to submit it to our Events Calendar.)

• Bring light to the darkness of cancer through today’s Northern Virginia Light The Night Walk from 5-9 p.m. The annual walk seeks to raise funds for blood cancer research. All registered walkers will get an illuminated lantern.
• It’s not too late to sign up for a trip to the Ronald Reagan building today from 5:45-10:30 p.m. to see the Capitol Steps perform live. Registration is $52 for Reston Association members and $62 for all others.
• Another tour is set for Saturday from 10 to 3 p.m. RA is offering a bus tour for newcomers to Reston. The tour begins and ends at The Lake House.
• Simon’s Junction will play at Lake Anne Plaza in front of Reston’s Used Book Shop on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Greater Reston Arts Center is hosting an art panel about art school on Saturday from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday. Panelists include art educators from George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College and local county schools.
• Yes, Halloween is just around the corner. Author Sue Fliess will read from and sign her new book, Haunted Halloween, on Saturday at Scrawl Books at 11 a.m.
• Award-winning author Alfredo Del Arroyo will present his book Martes de Infamia: y Otros dias fatales, and poet and novelist Fernando Gudiel will present several of his works, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month on Saturday from 2-3:30 p.m. at Reston Regional Library.
• Enjoy an afternoon of dance at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods on Sunday from 2:30-4:30 p.m. The event is open to ages 18 and up. Western country dance is up from 5:30-8 p.m.
• You can also go on a (free!) search for birds in Reston on Sunday from 7:30-10:30 a.m. at Bright Pond. The walk is sponsored by the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia and The Bird Feeder store.
• Later in the day on Sunday, you can take a family trip to Corn Maze in the Plains, a five-acre corn maze that includes entertaining outdoor activities. Reston Association is organizing transportation to the event on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets, which cover the event fee and transportation, are $18 for all participants.
• But if you’d rather listen to a lecture about the history of World War II on Sunday, you can do so at Reston Regional Library from 2-4 p.m. Professor Harry Butowsky will be presenting.

Photo via Reston Historic Trust & Museum

The Town of Herndon’s Department of Public Works has begun its annual collection of leaves this week.

Residents should rake leaves as close to the curb as possible without blocking storm drains, sidewalks or mailboxes. Grass, shrub clippings and weeds must be placed in 30-gallon recyclable bags only on regularly scheduled trash days.

The schedule is as follows:

North of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail

October 9-12

October 22-26

November 5-9

November 19-21

December 3-7

South of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail

October 15-19

October 29 – November 2

November 13-16

November 26 – 30

December 10-14

A map showing areas north and south of the trail is on the town’s website.

As fall temperatures blanket the area at the end of the week, Frying Pan Farm Park will become the site of a fall carnival from Friday (Oct. 12) through Sunday (Oct. 14).

Carnival-goers of all ages can enjoy games, ride, food and drink at the event. Admission and parking are free.

Carnival rides and games will be open from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Tickets are $1 each or $20 for 24. Most rides take between three to five tickets.

If rides aren’t your cup of tea, you observe various activities at the park, including a cider press in action, milking a goat, shelling corn, peeling apples and meeting farm animal. Carousel and wagon rides will also be offered.

The park is located at 2739 West Ox Road in Herndon.

Photo via Frying Pan Farm Park

A fall bazaar, which will feature a mix of craft jewelry, decor, candles, and homemade baked goods, is set for Oct. 13 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Christian Church (11400 North Shore Drive).

A silent auction will also take place during the event, which will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is the second year the free event has taken place.

Family activities include Zumba by the YMCA, book readings for children and an activity led by Beloved Yoga.

Event organizers are no longer accepting applications from vendors. For more information, email [email protected].

Flickr pool photo via J0nathan

Trick-or-treaters have plenty of options for goodies, fun and scares throughout the area this weekend.

At the BOO-stravaganza at Frying Pan Farm Park (2739 West Ox Road), guests can enjoy themed games, enter a slightly-spooky barn and take a wagon ride through the woods at night. One-hour sessions begins at 6 and 7 p.m. tonight. The cost is $10 per person and reservations are required. Call 703-437-9101 for more information.

Children in costumes can visit participating retailers to trick-or-treat goodies on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m in Reston Town Center. Participating retailers will display a pumpkin flyer in their window.

Lake Anne Plaza (1609 Washington Plaza West) will also hold its annual Boo & Brews event on Saturday. The schedule runs from 12:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. and includes a pet costume contest, a live DJ, pet treats, pumpkin painting and beer gardens.

Children and their parents can trick-or-treat at decorated car trunks in the parking lot of Forest Edge Elementary School (1501 Beacontree Lane) from 3 – 4 p.m. on Saturday. The event, Trunk-or-Treat, is hosted by Reston Church.

Guests can also trick-or-treat in the playgrounds of Lake Fairfax Park (1400 Lake Fairfax Drive) and enjoy s’mores and stories. The program runs from 7 – 8:30 p.m. and costs $8 per person. No reservations are necessary. Call 703-471-5414 for more information.

There is plenty else scheduled to take place this weekend in the area as well. Take a look at our list below.

(Editor’s Note: This is just a limited list of all the events taking place in the Reston area this weekend. If you have an event you would like to ensure is listed on the website, be sure to submit it to our Events Calendar.)

• The Washington West Film Festival continues tonight and Saturday with dozens of screenings and opportunities for conversation with filmmakers. For the complete schedule, visit the festival’s website.
• The United Christian Parish (11508 North Shore Drive) will holds its third annual Fall Art and Craft Fair on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Local artists and craftspersons will showcase their work in this juried fair. Admission and parking are free.
• Volunteer to help remove English ivy vines on the path between Sanibel Drive and Dogwood Elementary School (12300 State Route 4721) on Saturday between 10 a.m. and noon. Reston Association needs volunteers for its Habitat Heroes initiative to help protect the native mayapple plant. Attendees should wear long sleeves and pants. To volunteer, register online.
• The Reston Community Players’ 2017-18 season continues their presentation of Elton John and Tim Rice’s musical “Aida.” The show, winner of four Tony Awards, will be performed through Nov. 11 at Reston Community Center’s CenterStage (2310 Colts Neck Road). This weekend, the show is being performed at 8 p.m. on tonight and Saturday tonight and at 2;30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $27, with student/senior tickets available for $23.
• A trail of illuminated hand-carved pumpkins is welcoming visitors to “THE GLOW: A Jack O’Lantern Experience,” now through Sunday at Lake Fairfax Park (1400 Lake Fairfax Drive). Presented by Townsquare Live Events, the “enchanting Halloween wonderland” features a third-of-a-mile trail decorated with more than 5,000 pumpkins. Tickets, which are $16 for kids ages 3-12 and $22 for adults, are available online and must be purchased in advance.
• Show off your best superhero costume at Scrawl Books (11862 Market St.) from noon to 6 p.m on Sunday. The book store is hosted a Be Your Own Superhero Day. All ages are welcome.

• The exhibit, Reston: The Art of Community, will continue at the Reston Museum (1639 Washington Plaza) this weekend. Produced by Public Art Reston in collaboration with the Reston Historic Trust & Museum, the display showcases the legacy of public art in Reston. The exhibition will be on display through Nov. 26.

• “Sue Wrbican: Well Past the Echo” will be on view at Greater Reston Arts Center (12001 Market St.) through Nov. 18.
• The Reston Farmers Market will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Lake Anne Village Center.
• Many restaurants and bars in Reston will have live music this weekend. These include Crafthouse (1888 Explorer St.) every Friday and Saturday night from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; and Tavern64 (1800 Presidents St.) every Friday from 6-10 p.m; and Kalypso’s Sports Tavern (1617 Washington Plaza N.) every Saturday from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.