America won’t celebrate its 250th birthday until 2026, but Fairfax County has decided it’s not too early to start planning the party.
At the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday (July 13), Gunston Hall Executive Director Scott Stroh presented a report on behalf of a seven-person work group with recommendations for how the county could observe the U.S.’s semiquincentennial anniversary.
Recommendations touched on thematic, organizational, and practical considerations, among them adopting the word “commemoration” to describe the anniversary, making sure it reflects the “fullest American story,” and issuing a countywide survey of residents about what they want out of the occasion.
Additionally, the work group recommends having an organizational structure, a marketing and promotional plan, and a preliminary multi-year budget set by the end of the year.
“This commemoration offers an important and compelling opportunity to celebrate our accomplishments and progress as a nation and community, but also opportunities to foster cooperation, facilitate conversation, and inspire actions so that all can equally enjoy the benefits of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” Stroh said. “Fairfax County is distinctly positioned to lead this effort in Virginia.”
July 4, 2026 will represent 250 years of American independence from Britain, which is generally marked from the full adoption of the Declaration of Independence and formal start of the Revolutionary War. Both nationally and in Virginia, committees, organizations, and work groups are taking shape to start preparations for the anniversary.
Fairfax County is the only municipality in the Commonwealth to have initiated this effort to date, according to materials provided to the board.
“I’m glad we are leading by example,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said.
The board established Fairfax County’s work group in October 2020. It includes representatives from Visit Fairfax, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the Fairfax County History Commission, and the City of Fairfax Regional Library.
Going forward, the work group suggested that it could become a “more formal planning entity,” one with a larger membership that’s more diverse and more representative of the county as a whole.
Stroh anticipates the planning and the commemoration itself will be paid for through a variety of methods, including county funds, grants, state money, and private support.
In general, the board seemed pleased with the report, but it didn’t take any action beyond accepting the report. Instead, a board matter outlining possible next steps will be proposed when the board next meets on July 27, McKay said.
McKay emphasized that the commemoration should be inclusive and tell a “fuller American story.”
“I think many of us have heard of this notion of erasing history or redoing history,” McKay said. “In fact, [it is] quite the opposite. We are trying to bring to light the entire history and how we do better in the future.”
Lee District Supervisor Rodney Lusk made similar comments, saying his daughter recently remarked on many of America’s founders being slaveholders.
“That is a contradiction. That is a flaw,” he said, while reading off a portion of the report that positions commemoration as a chance to assess how the country is still striving to match its ideals with its actions.
“[This commemoration] is more than a chance, it’s an opportunity to actually do this,” Lusk said.
New Webpage for Reston Association Updates — RA has created a new landing page specific to updates related to COVID-19. Member services will open to RA members on June 1. Appointments should be made over the phone or via email. Visitors to RA headquarters must wear masks. [Reston Association]
Outdoor Space for Restaurants, Exercise Approved — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved emergency rules today that will allow restaurants and exercise facilities to reopen outside under the state’s Phase I guidelines. The ordinance takes effect immediately now that Gov. Northam has announced the county will enter Phase One.” [Fairfax County Government]
Summer Concerts and Independence Day Celebrations Canceled — “The Fairfax County Park Authority’s Summer Entertainment Series will be canceled through July due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Fourth of July events have been canceled, too. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and health-related guidelines continue to recommend against large gatherings.” [Fairfax County Government]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Fairfax County government offices and libraries are closed on Thursday, July 4 and Friday, July 5 for the Independence Day holiday.
The following is a list of closures and openings in the area:
- Reston Community Center Hunters Woods: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Reston Community Center Lake Anne: Closed
- Reston Association headquarters: Closed
- Frying Pan Farm Park: Open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- County trash and recycling collection: Contact trash and recycling collector directly for service schedule changes
- Circuit Court: Closed
- General District Court: Closed
- Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court: Closed
There are plenty of local places to catch Independence Day events in Reston, Herndon and Great Falls.
Photo via Elisha Terada/Unsplash
The Fourth of July is coming up next Thursday, and several festivities are planned nearby.
Here’s where to head in Reston, Herndon and Great Falls for Independence Day events.
Lake Newport Recreation area (11601 Lake Newport Road);Â noon-4 p.m.
A precursor to fireworks, this free event will include a DJ, contests and pool time. Pizza, popcorn and cotton candy will be available to purchase.
Reston Town Center (11911 Democracy Drive); starts at 8 a.m.
The annual race is now in its 10th year. Refreshments and live music will be offered. There will be cash awards for the top three men and women finishers ($300, $200, $100) as well as $100 for the top master runners.
Fourth of July Hometown Celebration and Parade
Great Falls Village Centre Green (776 Walker Road); 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Great Falls has a packed schedule for its Independence Day celebrations, including a 5K starting at 8 a.m.; two parades — a kids’ parade at 9 a.m. and the main parade at 10 a.m.; and food, games and a magic show from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Fireworks will start at 6 p.m. at Turner Farm Park (925 Springvale Road).
Town of Herndon’s Independence Day Celebrations
Bready Park softball field (814 Ferndale Avenue); start at 6:30 p.m.
The free, family-friendly events kick off with games, kids’ crafts and bingo at 6:30 p.m. Then, the ’80s cover band Guys In Thin Ties will perform at 7:15 p.m. The fireworks show begins at 9:30 p.m. Food will be available to purchase from vendors.
Photo by Elisha Terada on Unsplash
This is an opinion column by Del. Ken Plum (D), who represents Reston in Virginia’s House of Delegates. It does not reflect the opinion of Reston Now.
On the fourth of July last week I rode on a float in the Fairfax City Independence Day Parade, one of the largest in the state, with local Democrats promoting the candidacies of Senator Tim Kaine and Congressman Gerry Connelly for re-election and the election of Jennifer Wexton for Congress in the Tenth District. It brought back some pleasant old memories. When I first ran for elective office in the mid-1970s, I was running for the House of Delegates in what was then the 18th District.
It was represented by five at-large delegates. After the courts declared the Virginia redistricting unconstitutional after the 1970 census because it short-changed Northern Virginia in representation, the legislature simply divided Fairfax County into two halves with each half having five at-large members.
When I was first elected in 1978 I was part of a five-person delegation of three Democrats and two Republicans who represented the northern half of Fairfax County from Herndon to Baileys Crossroads including the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church. These large districts were declared unconstitutional in 1982, and single-member districts including District 36 were put into place and have been adjusted each census to reflect the changing population and a bit of gerrymandering of some districts to protect incumbents.
Except for Fourth of July celebrations political campaigns largely got underway after Labor Day. It seems that now they are perpetual. Door knocking on hot summer weekends was questionable when your body was dripping in sweat. Now there are regularly scheduled canvasses each weekend regardless of the heat. There is no better formula for success than direct contact with voters. In the fall the days get shorter and there is less opportunity to knock on doors in the evenings. Ringing doorbells after dark may lose as many votes as gained. Regardless of the heat, candidates need to be out and about to see voters.
At the parade and at neighborhood canvassing I have visited I have been impressed at the dedication of people who are volunteering to help identify, register and persuade voters. While I am overwhelmingly anxious about the direction of our country, I am encouraged and reassured by the volunteers I meet. They are determined to save our democratic institutions and to put us back on the path of a caring and open society.
When a volunteer comes to your door, please thank them for their work on behalf of our democracy. When volunteers from the other persuasion come by be polite and civil. Have faith that they will eventually see the light and join us. I am sure that we will win the vote in November, and we will go back to living together after that.
Thankfully I rode on a float in the parade because the heat was exhausting. It felt good to hear the cheers and see the friendly waves. Nothing like a parade to cheer you up. When the heat of the election season is past, I am confident that our country will have sent a message that we are returning to the moral values we share.
File photo
Fairfax County government offices and libraries are closed tomorrow (July 4) for the independence day holiday. Here’s a roundup of what you need to know as we head into the holiday:
- Reston Community Center Hunters Woods: Open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Reston Association headquarters: Closed
- Reston Association Central Services Facility: Closed
- Reston Association pools: Open
- Terry L. Smith Aquatics Center: Open from 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Reston Community Center Lake Anne: Closed
- Frying Pan Farm Park: Open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Fairfax Connector: Operates on Saturday schedule
- Circuit Court: Closed
- General District Court: Closed
- Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court: Closed
- County trash and recycling collection: Contact trash and recycling collector directly for service schedule changes
There are plenty of local options to catch fireworks shows in the area.
File photo
Most Fairfax County and federal services will be closed on Friday for July 4. Here is the status of some of the major agencies:
County Government – Closed.
Courts – Closed.
Public Schools and School Offices – Closed .
Library – Closed.
Fairfax Connector – July 4 is a Saturday schedule: Routes with Saturday service operate according to the Saturday schedule. Routes without Saturday service will not operate.
Fastran – Not in service.
Park Authority – For July 4: RECenters open on regular schedule and close at 6 p.m., except George Washington RECenter, which will be closed. Nature centers open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; historic sites open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Frying Pan Farm Park open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; visitor center open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Riverbend Park visitor center open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Green Spring Gardens open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; historic house closed.
Teen and Senior Centers – Closed.
Community Centers – Closed.
County Trash and Recycling Collection – Regular collection.
Recycling and Disposal Facilities at I-66 Transfer Station and I-95 Landfill Complex – Closed.
Metro – Metrorail will be open from 7 a.m. Friday to 3 a.m. Saturday. The trains will run on a Saturday schedule until about 2 p.m., so the service will be less frequent than on a normal Friday. After 2 p.m., as the number of people heading for the Mall increases, service will gradually increase to near rush-hour levels.
Post Offices and mail delivery – Closed.
Supermarkets – most are open but may have shorter hours.
