For the 22nd year, Reston is preparing to host its annual Relay for Life Fundraiser to fight cancer next week.

This year’s event will be held on May 18 at South Lakes High School (11400 South Lakes Drive). All proceeds raised from the event are donated to the American Cancer Society to support local community programs and research.

The event kicks off at noon with a luncheon for cancer survivors and caregivers. To RSVP, email Anna Ungar.

The opening ceremony starts at 2 p.m. by recognizing cancer survivors and organizers who helped this year’s relay season. The ceremony will be followed by a walk in honor of survivors and their caregivers. Other planned activities include zumba, a pie eating contest, a talent show, and a lip sync battle.

More information about the initiative is available online.

Photo courtesy of American Cancer Society

The big event this weekend is the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival, which will bring tens of thousands to Reston Town Center  beginning tonight. The kickoff party is from 6-9 p.m. tonight; tickets are $50. The event itself is the next two days, with admission a $5 suggested donation for adults. It will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

But there is plenty else going on in the area this weekend too. Here is just a sampling of what’s available to you, your family and friends in the coming days:

• Reston’s Relay for Life event will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at South Lakes High School (11400 South Lakes Drive). The luminaria ceremony is set for 9 p.m. Saturday, with the event to continue through the night and wrap up at 7 a.m. Sunday.
• The Reston Farmers Market will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Lake Anne Village Center. The Pink Armoire Fashion Truck will be in attendance this week.
• Lake Anne is also hosting Sunday Yoga on the Plaza each week, at 9:30 a.m.
• “Radcliffe Bailey: The Great Dismal Swamp” remains on display at Greater Reston Arts Center (12001 Market St.) through August.
• The Habitat Heroes program seeks volunteers to cut back the large invasive bush honeysuckle that has taken over the field edge at Sunrise Valley Rec Area (10805 Oldfield Drive), Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.
• There will be a bird walk Sunday from 7:30-10:30 a.m. at Stratton Woods Park. Meet at the Polo Fields Recreation Area.
• Reston Association will host an open house at The Lake House on Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon.
• The 18th annual Teachers and Students Exhibit remains on display at the Jo Ann Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center-Lake Anne (1609 Washington Plaza N.) through June 5.
• Live music at Reston Town Center this weekend will include a performance from 6-10 p.m. tonight at Tavern64 (1800 Presidents St.) and both tonight and Saturday from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at Crafthouse (1888 Explorer St.).
• Lucky Dog Animal Rescue will have an adoption event at PetSmart (11860 Spectrum Center) from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday.
• This week at Reston Regional Library (11925 Bowman Towne Drive), Frying Pan Farm Park will visit Saturday from 11 a.m. to noon; and “First Ladies and Scandals in the City” will be presented Saturday from 1-3 p.m.
• The My Health Matters 5K/1-mile Walk and Free Health Fair is slated for Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at the 505 Building at Herndon Square (505 Huntmar Park Drive).
• Kalypso’s (1617 Washington Plaza N.) will have live music tonight, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., from Medicated Sunfish. DJ Kram will play Top 40 hits Saturday night.
• Vinafera Wine Bar and Bistro (11750 Sunrise Valley Drive) has live music from 7-10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday night.
• Matt Waller will play at The Tasting Room Wine Bar (1816 Library St.) from 8-11 p.m. Saturday.

For the 20th year, Reston is preparing to host its annual Relay for Life fundraiser to fight cancer.

This year’s event will be held May 20-21 at South Lakes High School. The fundraising drive will officially kick off Thursday, Feb. 9 with a celebration at the Reston Association conference center (12001 Sunrise Valley Drive) from 7-9 p.m.

Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society‘s largest fundraising event. All proceeds raised from the drive are donated to ACS to support local community programs and cancer research. As of Friday afternoon, the Relay for Life website reports more than $7,300 in local donations have already been pledged.

The Reston event’s goal is $175,000.

May’s event at SLHS will feature live entertainment, food, games and more. At the kickoff event next week, catered snacks will be provided by Trader Joe’s of Reston.

According to information provided by Relay for Life, the fundraiser — staffed and coordinated by volunteers — takes place in more than 5,200 communities across 20 countries. It has raised more than $5 billion since it began in 1985.

For more information, to register or to make a donation, visit the Relay for Life website.

Hundreds of cancer survivors, their family members and people in Reston who want to help a good cause will camp out all night Saturday at South Lakes High School’s football field at the Reston Relay For Life.

Relay For Life events are organized all over the country by the American Cancer Society. Participants of all ages mainly fundraise in teams — and those teams have to have a member walking around the outdoor track at all times.

As of Wednesday, 55 teams (703 participants) had raised more than $135,000. Proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.

The deadline to enter is Friday. If you are going to just see the scene, admission is free. Here is what else you need to know:

Cancer survivors and caregivers are invited to a special luncheon (and special lap around the track at the event’s start) beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday.

The event formally begins at 1 p.m. and runs until 7 a.m. Sunday.

There will be musical entertainment and activities such as yoga and Zumba classes and a youth rally. See the exact lineup on the event website.

At 9 p.m., there will be a luminara ceremony, where the track will be lighted by special candles to remember those who have lost their fight with cancer.

Relay For Life Reston takes place rain or shine.

Photo: Reston Relay For Life 2014/Courtesy American Cancer Society

Hundreds of Reston residents will walk miles and miles at the South Lakes High School track over 18 hours this weekend as the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life returns.

Relay for Life is an American Cancer Society event that takes place annually in more than 6,000 communities. Individuals and teams walk around a track overnight to celebrate the lives of those who have faced cancer, remember lost loved ones, and raise money towards fighting the disease.

Relay for Life Reston hopes to raise $200,000 this year. 

Reston’s events begin with opening ceremonies at 1 p.m., featuring SLHS Principal Kimberly Retzer; FCPS School board reps Pat Hynes and Ilryong Moon; Supervisor Cathy Hudgins; and Reston Founder Robert E. Simon).

There will also be a Survivors Lap as part of the opening ceremony. At 9 p.m., there will be a Luminaria Ceremony, where candlelit luminaria bags line the track in remembrance of those lost and in honor of those fighting cancer.

In between, there will be lots of activities and fun for participants and spectators, including a children’s tent, moonbounce, silent auction, live music and more. See the full list on the Reston Relay for Life website.

The event wraps up at 7 a.m. Sunday.

Photo: Reston Relay for Life 20122/Credit: Organicsauce via Flickr