Every weekday in August, Reston Now will be offering suggestions for a Summer Bucket List — things to do, places to check out and activities to try in and around Reston before summer’s end.
Obviously, different ideas will appeal to different residents in different age groups. But we are open for ideas. If you have any “must-dos” of summer (even better: with a photo of you/your family participating in said event), email us at [email protected] and we will consider it.
Reston Summer Bucket List Item 5: Rock Out in Herndon
On summer Friday nights, Herndon’s Town Green (in front of the Herndon Fortnightly Library at 777 Lynn St.) is the place to be.
Sure, Reston Town Center has concerts on Saturday, but those can be a little subdued — as in bring your beach chair and actually sit in it.
At Friday Night Live, sponsored by the Town Of Herndon, the music usually lends itself to dancing — a U2 tribute band, a German heavy metal band and popular party band Gonzo’s Nose already on the stage this summer.
There are four FNLs left this season. Laura Lea and Tripp Fabulous — and all-woman rock band from Philly — play tonight. Aug. 14 is The Reflex (80s cover band); Aug. 21 is White Ford Bronco (90s music); and the Aug. 28 finale features popular Mic-Atlantic band Blue Label.
Showtimes are 6:30 p.m. Admission is free. You can bring a picnic, but no alcohol can be brought in (but is sold on site).
For more info, visit Friday Night Live’s website.
Photo: Friday Night Live under a blue moon/Credit: Friday Night Live via Facebook
Every weekday in August, Reston Now will be offering suggestions for a Summer Bucket List — things to do, places to check out and activities to try in and around Reston before summer’s end.
Obviously, different ideas will appeal to different residents in different age groups. But we are open for ideas. If you have any “must-dos” of summer (even better: with a photo of you/your family participating in said event), email us at [email protected] and we will consider it.
Reston Summer Bucket List Item No. 4: See an outdoor movie
The drive-in movie is mostly gone. But in its place we have movies under the stars. Outdoor movies have popped up all kinds of places in the D.C. area the last few years — from city rooftops to the national mall to public parks.
In Reston, we have the Lake Anne Summer Film Festival, with monthly free screenings on Lake Anne Plaza.
August’s movie, airing Sunday, Aug. 9 at dusk, is a classic: West Side Story.
Come early to get a good seat. Bring a chair or blanket and a picnic. Lake Anne restaurants are also open for a before-movie meal or to get takeout.
The festival will also show 1960’s Jazz on a Summer Day Aug. 30 in conjunction with the Lake Anne Jazz & Blues Festival.
Every weekday in August, Reston Now will be offering suggestions for a Summer Bucket List — things to do, places to check out and activities to try in and around Reston before summer’s end.
Obviously, different ideas will appeal to different residents in different age groups. But we are open for ideas. If you have any “must-dos” of summer (even better: with a photo of you/your family participating in said event), email us at [email protected] and we will consider it.
Reston Summer Bucket List Item No. 3: Lunch at Food Truck
You are not going to wait in line for the empanada in January, are you?
That’s why August is an ideal time to have lunch at a food truck. Reston has a couple of spots where you can do that.
Business Center Drive, off of Sunset Hills Road between Wiehle Avenue and Hunter Mill Road, is a popular spot for food trucks. Each weekday, about a half dozen trucks begin business about 11 a.m. The offerings change daily.
This Thursday is also Reston Town Center’s monthly Food Truck Thursday. The first Thursday of each month during the spring, summer and early fall, trucks are parked by Town Square Park (Explorer and Market Streets) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
August offerings: Â Tortuga, BBQ Bus, Doug the Food Dude, Captain cookie & the Milkman, and PassionFish (on their patio).
Photo: Food trucks on Business Center Drive
Every weekday in August, Reston Now will be offering suggestions for a Summer Bucket List — things to do, places to check out and activities to try n and around Reston before summer’s end.
Obviously, different ideas will appeal to different residents in different age groups. But we are open for ideas. If you have any “must-dos” of summer (even better: with a photo of you/your family participating in said event), email us at [email protected] and we will consider it.
Bucket List Item No. 3: Play in a stick house, splash in a fountainÂ
Head on over to Town Square Park for an hour or two. The park is located at the far end of Reston Town Center, at the intersection of Explorer and Market Streets.
There, you will find public art disguised as a playground.
Artist Patrick Dougherty’s A Bird in the Hand house made of sticks was installed in April. The sculpture, built of local saplings, evokes an abode where Hansel and Gretel would have lived or maybe where Shrek would hang out.
In any case, youngsters are encouraged to run through it, play hide and seek and use their imagination.
After that, head to the other end of the block-long park, and cool off. The splash fountains are finally up and running after being closed last summer for repair.
Cap it all off with a frozen treat from Iceberry on Market Street across from the park, and then cross another trip off your summer bucket list.
Photos: Top – Splash fountain; Bottom – public art stick house
Every weekday in August, Reston Now will be offering suggestions for a Summer Bucket List — things to do, places to check out and activities to try n and around Reston before summer’s end.
Obviously, different ideas will appeal to different residents in different age groups. But we are open for ideas. If you have any “must-dos” of summer (even better: with a photo of you/your family participating in said event), email us at [email protected] and we will consider it.
Bucket List Item No. 2: Jump in all RA pools
Reston Association has 15 pools. If you are a Reston Association member, you have access to all of them.
Each of the pools is slightly different. Glade has the big slide, Lake Newport has the Olympic size space to splash.
Uplands and Hunters Woods have splashpark-like features popular with tots. Ridge Heights has shaded spots. North Shore and Lake Thoreau have hot tub spa pools. Many others are just quiet, neighborhood spots.
In any case, why not try them all in August? Or, if you are really up for a challenge, see if you can hit them all in one day.
Check the schedule on the Reston Association website before you go. Certain pools are closed on certain days, and many pools close for the season Aug. 16.
Happy swimming!
