A record-breaking number of teams are set to participate in the third annual Lake Anne Cardboard Boat Regatta on Sunday, August 10.

Registration for the event has been closed and is at full capacity. Seventy teams are registered.

Boats will arrive at 10:30 a.m. and will be on display until the race begins at 1 p.m. at Lake Anne Plaza (1609 Washington Plaza).

The owners of Kalypso’s have been working on the their boat for weeks in an effort to defend their title in the merchant award and first place in the navigator class.

The event is free and will take place rain or shine.

Photo via Rachel Piering

Artists of all ages and skill levels can now save the date for ChalkFest at Reston Town Center.

The annual event, which challenges artists to create chalk drawings on Market Street, is set for Saturday, September 14 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Registration is open in the following categories:

• Professional artist: $25
• Amateur artist: $25
• Families and kids: $15

Prizes will be given to winning artists in each category. Participants will also get the chance to vote in the “audience choice awards.”

ChalkFest is presented by Public Art Reston and Reston Town Center. All proceeds from the event will benefit Public Art Reston’s projects and programs.

Last year’s event was cancelled due to the forecasted rain, but in 2017, the event drew more than 4,000 people.

Photo by Public Art Reston

Frying Pan Farm Park 4-H Fair and Carnival Kicks Off — The 71st annual carnival and fair begins today (Thursday) through Sunday. More information on scheduled events is available on the event’s website. [Fairfax County Government]

Hunter Mill Road between Mt. Sunapee Road and Hunting Crest Lane Closed — The road is closed for an extended period as crews repair downed wires. It’s unclear when the road is expected to reopen. [Fairfax County Police Department]

Take a Break Concert Series at Lake Anne Plaza Tonight — IONI, a band that plays Celtic music, performs at the plaza from 7-9 p.m. today (Thursday). The concert is free and open for all ages. [Reston Community Center]

Photo by Dario Piparo

Author Peter Kageyama dives into his love of Reston during a special event at Reston Community Center’s CenterStage in September.

Kageyama, the author of “For the Love of Cities: The Love Affair Between People and Their Place,” will discuss how Reston exemplifies his ideal.

The event is set for Saturday, September 7 at 8 p.m.

Kayegama’s book explores the “mutual love affair between people and their places,” according to the book’s descriptions.

Here’s more about the book:

“The mutual love affair between people and their place is one of the most powerful influences in our lives, yet rarely thought of in terms of a relationship. As cities begin thinking of themselves as engaged in a relationship with their citizens, and citizens begin to consider their emotional connections with their places, we open up new possibilities in community, social and economic development by including the most powerful of motivators–the human heart–in our toolkit of city-making. The book explores what makes cities lovable, what motivates ordinary citizens to do extraordinary things for their places and how some cities, such as New Orleans, Detroit, and Cleveland are using that energy to fill in the gaps that “official” city makers have left as resources have disappeared. Meet those amazing people who are truly “in love” with their cities and learn how they are key to the future development of our communities.”

Tickets are $15 for Reston residents and $20 for all others. The box office is open from 4-9 p.m. on Thursday, August 1 for residents and employees of business in Small District 5 to purchase tickets. Sales will open up to the public and online on Thursday, August 8 at 4 p.m.

Photo via Reston Community Center

Elections Officers Sought Throughout the County — The county is seeking elections officers for the upcoming election. The application is available online. [Fairfax County Office of Elections]

Dog Days of Summer Today in Reston Town Center — Dogs and their owners can take advantage of a special play zone today in RTC’s pavilion from 5-7:30 p.m. The event will be held weekly until September 4. [Reston Town Center]

Take Advantage of Savings During Virginia Annual Sales Tax Holiday — Virginia’s annual sales tax holiday runs from Friday (August 2) through Sunday (August 4). Customers will no longer have to pay the state sales tax on several items. [Fairfax County Emergency Information]

Photo via Dario Piparo/Flickr

Lake Anne Brew House and Great Falls Reston Soccer are partnering up on Sunday, August 4 for a special event.

From noon to 5 p.m., residents will get the chance to take part in a meet and greet with Washington Spirit, an American professional soccer club based in Germantown, Md.

The event, which will take place at the brew house, is being held to celebrate Great Falls Reston Soccer Club Day.

Participants can also donate used soccer gear to the club, which will be selling spirit wear.

The meet and greet will also include a raffle.

Photo via Lake Anne Brew House/Facebook

Learn a new way to elevate your yoga game with stand up paddle board yoga tomorrow.

Beloved Yoga is organizing a recurring event on Saturdays from 9-11 a.m. Participants will learn how to balance on a paddle board and take their yoga routine to the next level. 

The event is organized in partnership with Surf Reston. Participants will meet at the Lake Anne boat launch. The last class is on September 21.

Registration is available online. Tickets are $20 if you bring your own board and $40 if you do not.

Saturday (July 27)

• Family Fun Entertainment Series (10-10:45 a.m.) — Groovy Nate creates educational shows with exotic musical instruments and puppet skits. Attendees should be ready to move, sing and play.
• Historical Swordsmanship (3-4 p.m.) — Fantasy lovers can learn about sword fighting and gets hands on instruction from professionals at Reston Regional Library.
• Dragonfly Count (9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.) — Meet at the Walker Nature Center and help count dragonflies in natural areas of Reston.

Sunday (July 28)

• Sunday Art in the Park with GRACE (5:30-7 p.m.) — Greater Reston Arts Center offers creative activities for all ages.
• Sunday Art in the Park (7-8 p.m.) — Professor of clarinet Garrick Zoeter and soprano Mariana Mihai-Zoeter interpret romantic and inspiring work from around the world during this performance at Reston Town Square Park.
• Summerbration Fun Brunch (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) — Dave Lange presents country and blues music at Reston Station Plaza. Garage parking is free on weekends in the Metro parking garage.

Photo via Beloved Yoga

Kids from the area can check out Reston Association’s fleet of big truck at the organization’s annual “Totally Trucks” event in August.

This year’s fun is set for Friday, August 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Central Services Facility. Kids will receive a “Totally Trucks” construction helmet.

A horn-free hour for some trucks will take place between 8:30-9:30 p.m.

The event costs $2 of children between ages two and 12.

File photo

St. Anne’s Episcopal Church will host a book sale to help immigrants at the border on Sunday (July 21).

All proceeds from the event will go to the Refugees and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services.

Only cash will be accepted during the sale, which runs from 1-4 p.m. The church is located at 1700 Wainwright Drive.

Tomorrow (July 20)

• Butterfly Count (9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.) — Help count butterflies in the national areas of Reston and learn tips on identification. Data will be submitted to the North American Butterfly Association for inclusion in their Fourth of July Butterfly Count report.
• Otto the Auto (10:30-11:30 a.m.) — Otto the talking car gives kids lessons on traffic safety. The event is geared toward children between ages three and six.
• Family Fun Entertainment Series (10-10:45 a.m.) — Turley the Magician offers entertainment and itneractive magic at Reston Town Square Park. The event is free for all ages.
• Children’s Friendship Afternoon Tea (1-4 p.m.) — Scrawl Books hosts its very first childrens’ tea at Elden Street Tea Shop. The event also includes an affordable trunk show with American Girl authors reading at each afternoon tea sitting.
• Survivor Girl Launch Party (5-7 p.m.) — Celebrate the lunch of a middle-grade novel, “The Friendship Experiment,” at the Walker Nature Ceter. Writer Erin Teagen will host the party and introduce her new book.
• Books Alive (2:30-3:15 p.m.) — Students will explore age-appropriate stories through creative drama at Reston Regional Library. Registration is required for this event.

Sunday (July 21)

• Summerbration Fun Brunch (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) — Enjoy interactive theater at Reston Station Plaza. The event is free and open for all ages. Parking is free on weekend in the Metro Parking garage.
• Sunday Art in the Park with GRACE (5:30-7:30 p.m.) — Greater Reston Arts Center partners with Reston Community Center to offer creative activities at Reston Town Square Park.
• Sunday Art in the Park (7-8 p.m.) — Robert Larson, a professor of jazz, joins special guests for an evening of jazz trio standards at Reston Town Square Park. The event is presented by Reston Community Center and Reston Town Center Association.
• Family Dive-In Movie (8:30-10:15 p.m.) — RA pass holders can come to the Dogwood Recreation Area for free pool-side movies. Registration is not required and the event will be cancelled in the event of rain or possible rain.

Photo by Ray Copson

For years, the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce has sponsored and hosted the Flavors of Fall Festival.

But this year, the organization will drop the one-day flavors event, which gives attendees the chance to savor the flavor of autumn brews and food from area restaurants.

Low turnout over the last several years, as well as new priorities for the organization, pushed the chamber to drop the event this year.

GRCC’s Board of Directors and staff issued the following statement earlier today (July 18):

The very popular and successful Taste of Reston is not affected by this announcement and will go on as scheduled next June.

A sincere thank you to the chamber membership for the countless volunteers and support of Flavors of Fall. Thank you to Boston Properties for providing the Reston Town Center venue for the past ten years. We would also like to thank all of the sponsors and participants who made this event a part of their autumn schedules. 

The change of plans will not affect the Pumpkin 5K and Kids Dash, which has seen increases in turnout. That event is set for October 13 at Reston Town Center.

Photo by Don Renner

Reston Metro Center II Acquired — Consolidated-Tomoka Land Co. has acquired the building, which is located at 12180 Sunrise Valley Drive for $18.6 million. It is currently fully leased to a subsidiary of General Dynamics Corporation, one of the largest defense contractors in the world. [GlobalNewswire]

Rainbow Flag Flies Again — A new pride flag was installed at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston on Wednesday, July 10. The flag, which is on a pole at the entrance of the church, was stolen three times in the last three months. [The Connection]

Creative Response on ‘Overlooked’ — Callie Hawkins, director of programming at President Lincoln’s Cottage, will respond to the exhibition, which is currently on view in the gallery tomorrow. The event begins at 7 p.m. at the Greater Reston Arts Center. [GRACE]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

Sissy Sheridan, a 15-year-old social media influencer, will perform in Baltimore in early August.

Sheridan, who has a combined following of more than 70,000 people, is set to perform at the Girls’ Life Fashion Bash on August 5.

She is known for hosting Nickelodeon’s web series “DIY with Me” and “Brat’s Chicken Girls.” She is also known for playing Angie in  “Chicken Girls,” a children’s web series. She also appeared on the Netflix show, “Maniac.”

The Girls’ Life Fashion Bash is a concert and fashion festival taht is organized by Girls’ Life magazine and iHeartRadio’s z104.3, according to its website. The bash will star Anna Cathcart, a Canadian actress, and Hayden Summerall, a singer and entertainer.

Photo via Sissy Sheridan/website

Bakari Sellers, a political commentator and attorney who is the youngest African American elected official in the nation, will headline Reston Community Center’s Martin Luther King Jr. event next year. Seller’s keynote address is set for Monday, January 20 as part of RCC’s newly announced professional touring artist series for 2019-2020.

The season includes a mix of new and familiar artists to CenterStage. Reston residents and employees can purchase tickets beginning on August 1. Tickets will open up to the public on August 8.

“The Reston Community Center thrives at 40 because the arts have been at the center of building this special community,” said Paul Douglas Michnewicz, RCC’s Director of Arts and Events. “We know the season ahead will only deepen Reston’s love of the arts and the power they have to bring us together.”

RCC highlighted the following events:

• Peter Kageyama (Saturday, Sept. 7 at 8 p.m.): “Peter Kageyama, author of For the Love of Cities: The Love Affair Between People and Their Places and Love Where You Live: Creating Emotionally Engaging Places, will bring his expertise to an exploration of how Reston exemplifies his ideals.”
• Jeffrey Stewart (Sunday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m.): “Author Jeffrey C. Stewart sits down with Dr. Jane Censer, Professor Emeritus of History at George Mason University, to discuss his Pulitzer Prize-winning book The New Negro: The Life of Alain Locke, a panoramic view of the personal trials and artistic triumphs of the father of the Harlem Renaissance.”
• Fran Lebowitz (Saturday, Sept. 21): “In a cultural landscape filled with endless pundits and talking heads, Fran Lebowitz stands out as one of our funniest and most insightful social commentators. ”
• Dr. Azar Nafisi (Wednesday, Nov. 6): “The Iranian American best-selling author of Reading Lolita in Tehran, Azar Nafisi has electrified readers with a compassionate and often harrowing portrait of the Islamic revolution in Iran and how it affected one university professor and her students.”
• Boys Don’t Cry (Tuesday, March 3): “Boys Don’t Cry is inspired by text from Chantal Thomas and is a funny and tender reflection on what it means to dance when you are a boy from North Africa and the Arab world.”
• Lulu Fall (Saturday, April 4 at 8 p.m.): “A product of Senegalese and Cameroonian parentage, Fall creates music that reflects her global perspective by way of her American sensibilities.”
• The Phantom of the Vaudeville House (Sunday, May 17 at 2 p.m.): “It’s magic, mayhem and laughter when Buddy “Mr. Vaudeville” Silver is faced with yet another hilarious dilemma. Is the CenterStage Motion Picture and Vaudeville House haunted?  Come cheer the good guys, boo the bad guys and keep the phantom from stealing the show!”

Box office business hours are from 4-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday. The office is also open two hours before the curtain time of each performance.

Photo by Frédérique Calloch, Red Molly, Kia LaBeija

Updated on Tuesday, July 16 — This event was cancelled due to staffing issues.

If you spend most of your day sitting, there are still ways to stay somewhat active.

The county’s Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board is organizing a free, four-part workshop on chair yoga. The second workshop is on Wednesday, July 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Northwest Center (1850 Cameron Glen Drive).

The workshop is facilitated by the CSB’s health care integration Manager Shana Grady. She is also one a health coath at BeWell, a coaching program that offers wellness services and health coaching.

Participants will focus on the “impact that nutrition, sleep and activity level have on behavior in a friendly, educational, hands-on setting,” according to the event’s website.

The CSB provides services for people of all ages with mental illness, substance abuse disorders or developmental disabilities.

Registration is open online.

Photo via Brooke Cagle/Unsplash