Google Announces Vaccine Mandate — Google, which employs more than 420 people in Virginia, has extended its work-from-home policy through Oct. 18, but COVID-19 vaccinations will be required for workers who return to offices. A spokesperson told Reston Now that the pandemic has not affected the tech company’s real estate plans, which include an expansion at Reston Station. [CNBC/NBC4]

E-Scooters Spotted in Reston Town Center — At least 15 rentable, battery-powered Bird scooters have been set up in Reston Town Center as part of the company’s Fairfax County deployment. Restonian deems RTC “actually a decent place for these scooters” and looks forward to using them to “effortlessly scoot from the Apple Store to the former site of the Macaroni Grill to pay our #respects some day in the not-so-distant future.” [Restonian]

Taste of Reston Will Be “Reimagined” — The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce is turning its annual Taste of Reston food festival into a single-day event with reduced capacity that will unfold throughout Reston, rather than the usual multi-day affair at Reston Town Center. With more pressing issues weighing on patrons and restaurants due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a cancellation last year, the chamber feels “this is the time to reimagine how we produce future Taste of Reston events.” [Patch]

Herndon Police Chief Advocates for Mental Health Resources — As president of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police & Foundation, Herndon Police Chief Maggie DeBoard joined other law enforcement and mental health professionals on Tuesday (July 27) to urge the state to allocate more resources to mental health services. She argued that police shouldn’t be tasked with handling mental health issues. [Patch]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

Another major event in Reston has been canceled due to health concerns posed by COVID-19.

The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce decided to cancel this year’s Taste of Reston, the largest outdoor food festival in Northern Virginia, due to the pandemic.

“Taking everything into account, this decision supports the community’s efforts to keep us safe and healthy during these unprecedented times,” according to a press release.

Taste of Reston is expected to return to Reston Town Center next summer on Father’s day weekend on June 18 and June 19.

This year’s festival was originally expected to take place in late September. 

Late last month, the Greater Reston Arts Center announced that it is also canceling the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival this year due to similar concerns.

Photo by Don Renner

One of the most popular food festivals in Northern Virginia is getting delayed by a few months to reduce the risk of spreading the novel coronavirus.

Instead of its original date in June, Taste of Reston will be held on Friday and Saturday (Sept. 25-26) at Reston Town Center, according to a press release.

“Planning for this year’s event includes the qualities that Taste of Reston is renowned for — plenty of food and beverage tastings, activities for all ages, and live music — while being thoughtful of physical distancing,” the press release said.

Still, guests can expect the same level of entertainment and quality from years past, the press release said.

“The 30th annual Taste of Reston will offer two days of numerous food vendors, local wineries, three beer zones with craft and seasonal brews, a sponsor showcase, and live entertainment on four stages.”

Admission and parking will be free, according to the press release, which added that guests can purchase food and drink tickets for $1 each or 24 for $20.

Photo via Chip McCrea on Taste of Reston/Facebook

Our weekend pick is Taste of Reston — Northern Virginia’s largest outdoor festival — which kicks off today and runs until tomorrow (Saturday).

Here’s a recap off the festival, which will bring food vendors, local restaurants, and others together for two days of food-related fun.

Parking will be free during the event.

Tomorrow (June 15)

• Family Fun Entertainment Series (10-10:45 a.m.) — Enjoy the Uncle Devin Show, an interactive musical experience, that takes kids on a magical journey through the land of percussion. Parking is free on weekends at Reston Town Center.
• Stop-motion animation workshop (1-3 p.m.) — Exhibiting artist Stephanie Williams will lead workshop participants on stop-motion animation at the Greater Reston Arts Center. Registration is $30 and all materials are included.
• Trip to Nationals vs. AZ Diamondbacks Baseball Game (2:15-8:15 p.m.) — Reston Association is organizing a trip to Nationals Park. Registration is $54 for RA members and $62 for all others.
• Bookworms Club (11 a.m.) — Young readers will dive into “PAR-TAY!: Dance of the Veggies” at this weekly bookclub. Younger readers are welcome to join at any time.
• Summerbration Fun Brunch (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) — Enjoy flow circus at the Reston Station Plaza in this free event for all ages. Parking is free on weekends in the Metro Parking garage.

Sunday (June 16)

• Bird Walk (7:30-10:30 a.m.) — Beginner and expert birders are invited to scout for birds in this walk, which is cosponsored by Audubon Society of Northern Virginia and The Bird Feeder store. Registration is not required and the walk is for adults only.
• Summerbration Fun Brunch (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) — Meddle in mad science during this free event at Reston Station Plaza. Parking is free on weekends in the Metro Parking garage.
• Chess Club for Kids (2-3 p.m.) — Learn tactics and end game strategies at Reston Regional Library. Players of all strengths are welcome to join.
• How to Stand Out in the College Admissions Process (2-3 p.m.) — InGenius Prep will give a presentation on how to standout in the admissions process, and Susan Shifflet, a former assistant director of admissions at Yale, will also offer her insights.

Photo by Don Renner

Northern Virginia’s largest outdoor food festival, Taste of Reston, returns to Reston Town Center this weekend.

The family-friendly event, which is organized by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, will include nearly 30 restaurants, a craft beer lounge, cooking demonstrations, beer on tap, live entertainment and a family fun zone tomorrow (June 14) and Saturday, June 15.

Festivities kick off tomorrow from 4-11 p.m. and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Entrance to the festival is free, but food tickets are $1 per ticket or $20 for 24 tickets. Tickets can be purchased online.

Restaurants participating for a taste include Cooper’s Hawk, Not Your Average Jow’s and the Wine ‘n Dine Market Place. Live entertainment will be provided by Cherry Crush Band, New Blue Soul, Delta Spur and Vinyl Rhino.

The local YMCA will offer games and prizes in a family fun zone.

Parking is free for the duration of the event.

More information about the festival, which is expected to draw thousands to the town center, is available online.

Photo via Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce

Reston Landscaper Wins $200,000 in Lottery Scratcher — Brett Calhoun scratched the winning Jewel 7 ticket in his car, but had to send a picture of the ticket to his wife to make sure he was reading it right. Calhoun, a landscaper, bought the winning ticket the 7-Eleven at 29900 Centreville Road in Herndon. [Inside NOVA]

Taste of Reston Needs Volunteers — The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce is looking for volunteers to help put on the annual event on June 14 and 15. Volunteers will receive a volunteer T-shirt and a dozen taste tickets. [Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce]

Reston Nonprofit Marks 140 Years of Supporting Military Families — “Before he got a job assisting military members and their families, Michael Meese was in the military himself. Meese served in the U.S. Army for 32 years, a period that included deployments to Iraq, Bosnia, and Afghanistan and concluded with a stint as professor and head of the Department of Social Sciences at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. After retiring as a brigadier general, Meese became the chief operating officer for the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association, and he has worked at the Reston-based nonprofit since 2013, now holding the title of executive vice president.” [Fairfax County Times]

Flickr pool photo by vantagehill

Attention, foodies: Taste of Reston, the largest outdoor food festival in the area, returns to Reston Town Center on June 14 and 15.

Restaurants and community vendors will offer up food samples for the festival, which is produced by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and has been voted “Northern Virginia’s Best Food Festival” by Virginia Living magazine for the last six years. The event also includes live entertainment on three stage, a family fun zone, and a Wine ‘n Dine area. Food vendors will compete for a “Best of Taste” competition as well.

On Friday, June 14, the event takes place from 4-11 p.m. and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, June 15.

The event is free, but tickets are needed to buy food, beer and wine. The Wine ‘n Dine area allows attendees to shop with cash and purchase food items designed to eat at home.

A sheet of two dozen $1 tickets is for $20. Tickets can be purchased online. Garage parking is free for the duration of the event.

More information about the event is available on the Taste of Reston website.

Photo by Don Renner

Taste of Reston, Northern Virginia’s largest outdoor festival, took place on Friday and Saturday, bringing food and visitors to Market Street.

The 28th annual event is a fundraiser for Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce‘s INCspire Education Foundation, which aims to help businesses grow by providing educational opportunities.

“This is the best-attended ‘Taste’ we’ve had in five years, thanks to our participating organizations, community turnout, and great weather,” said Mark Ingrao, CEO of the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce.

This year’s Best of Taste restaurant winners are as follows:

• First Place: Choolah Indian BBQ
• Second Place: Agora
• Third Place: Guapo’s Restaurant

Organizers plan to conduct a debrief on the event to determine how to enhance the festival.

Photos by Don Renner

Foodies can enjoy food from more than 20 restaurants during Taste of Reston, a two-day festival in Reston Town Center (11900 Market Street) tomorrow and Saturday.

The event is produced by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce.

Taste of Reston is the largest outdoor food festival in Northern Virginia and has been voted “Northern Virginia’s Best Food Festival” by Virginia living magazine for the past six years.

A family carnival, which includes games and food, will also be held at Lake Fairfax on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. A free shuttle will transport attendees to and from the tasting event throughout the day. Carnival tickets are available online.

Garage parking is free during the event. Food vendors will compete in the “Best of Taste” competition. Last year’s winners were M&S Grill, Agora Restaurant and Tavern 64.

The festival will take place from 3-11 p.m. on Friday and from noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday.

Tickets are needed to purchase food, beer, and wine at the event. They are $1 each or $20 for $24. Beer prices require five tickets for mainstream beer and six tickets for craft beer. Wine costs six tickets for five ounces pour and one ticket per wine tasting.

File photo

Attention, food lovers: Taste of Reston, the area’s largest outdoor food festival, is coming to Reston Town Center on June 15 and 16.

The event features samplings from the region’s eateries, live music, beer and wine gardens and a family fun zone. Admission is free, but tickets for tastings can be purchased online or on the day of the event.

Garage parking will remain free throughout the event, which runs from Friday, June 15 from 3-11 p.m. and on Saturday, June 16 from noon to 11 p.m.

The event is produced by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and was voted as the best food festival of Northern Virginia by Virginia Living last year.

Participating restaurants include Agora Restaurant, Choolah Indian BBQ, Founding Farmers Reston, McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant and Trader Joe’s.

Live entertainment will take place in several areas: the main pavilion, which will include regional bands; Library Street stage, which offers interactive entertainment for kids; and the Explorer Street Local & Live Lounge, which will feature acoustic artists.

Volunteers can sign-up online.

Photo by Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce

The Taste of Reston festival kicked off Friday afternoon, bringing delicious odors and hungry visitors to Market Street.

The 27th annual event has an increased number of restaurants to go along with its live entertainment, exhibits and much more. One of the early visitors, Andrew Kelly of Reston, said it’s a great tradition for the community.

“It’s nice to see [all the restaurants] out here,” he said. “It’s a nice day to spend out, a nice time for people to come out and enjoy the free parking at the Town Center while they get a little taste of all the different restaurants.”

Parking at the Town Center is free today and will be throughout the duration of the festival.

The event is a fundraiser for the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce’s INCspire Education Foundation, which helps small businesses grow through educational opportunities. Mark Ingrao, GRCC president and CEO, said there are more restaurants involved this year’s festival than in past years.

“They came out of the woodwork this year,” he said. “We’re thrilled about that.”

There are 30 restaurants at the festival, along with four stages — including three with live music — as well as a kids’ entertainment area. There is also craft beer available along with a “Wine ‘n’ Dine” area and a market.

“We’re looking forward to a great event,” Ingrao said.

Ana Michicol, of Manassas, was visiting for the first time. She said the atmosphere surrounding the festival was just as good as the food.

“You have little puppies that you can pet and everything, and there’s music going on,” she said. “I love it.”

The event is scheduled to go until 11 p.m. tonight, and from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday. For the full schedule of entertainment, demonstrations and more, check out the Taste of Reston website.

There are some big events this weekend in Fairfax County, highlighted locally by the 27th annual Taste of Reston festival, tonight (3-11 p.m.) and Saturday (noon to 11 p.m.) at Reston Town Center.

The event is put on by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and features fine cuisine, family activities, live entertainment, beer and wine, cooking demonstrations from local chefs, and much more. Parking at Reston Town Center is free all day today and Saturday.

Down in Fairfax on Saturday, the county will be celebrating its 275th anniversary with a big event at the Historic County Courthouse (4000 Chain Bridge Road). Lord Nicholas Fairfax, a direct descendant of the county’s name-bearer, will be the guest of honor during the event, which will also include live entertainment, children’s activities, historical presentations and much more. The event is slated for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

And if you’re looking for something to do with dad this Father’s Day, the Fairfax County Park Authority has you covered:

• Take dad to the Antique Car Show at Sully Historic Site (3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly) from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Come see more than 400 antique and classic cars. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $7 for children.
• Dads can tour the mill at Colvin Run (10017 Colvin Run Rd, Great Falls) for free on Sunday when they bring one of their kids. The tours will run from noon to 3:00 p.m.
• Dads and kids between ages 2 and 6 can pretend to be penguins, wolfs and beavers as they learn about dads in the wild at the Hidden Oaks Center (7701 Royce Street, Annandale). The program is from 1:30-2:30 p.m. and costs $6 per child.

That’s far from all there is to do this weekend, though. Here is just a sampling of the many events you can enjoy:

• Reston Station’s “Summerbration” series continues tonight at 7 p.m. with a free concert by The Bad Influence Band. Tomorrow night at 8:30 p.m., visit for a free outdoor showing of “Bad Moms” on the plaza. The Summerbration events outside the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station will continue through the end of August. (Note: To receive free parking for these events, parking tickets need to be validated by personnel on the plaza. Find the sign that reads “Parking Validation Here.”)
• The Reston Farmers Market will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Lake Anne Village Center.
• Terraset Elementary School (11411 Ridge Heights Road) will have its first student-run farmers market event from 4:30-6:30 p.m. today.
• Reston Town Square Park will be hosting Nicolo the Jester as a part of their Family Fun Entertainment Series Saturday morning at 10 a.m., for a free show. It’ll be fun for all ages as Nicolo brings a blend of poetry, music, juggling, comedy, character acting and audience participation.
•  This Sunday at 7 p.m., the Shenandoah Conservatory Brass Quintet will be performing at Reston Town Square Park as a part of the Sunday Art In The Park series. The group will be playing selections spanning from Handel to Fats Waller.
• Reston Museum (1639 Washington Plaza N.) is hosting is “Reston Stories” exhibit through July. The Reston Historic Trust and Museum has been collecting residents’ stories and preserving them for future generations. The collection includes stories about volunteering in Reston, the Fountain at Lake Anne Plaza, the early history of Reston and the amazing connections we make in our community.
• Work out with Athleta in the Reston Town Center Pavilion Sunday morning from 11 a.m. to noon.
• Lake Anne is hosting Sunday Yoga on the Plaza each week, at 9:30 a.m.
• Tonight from 7-8 p.m. at Walker Nature Center (11450 Glade Drive), bring the kids out for the Walking Stick Workshop. Prices are $7 for children, $9 for adults.
• Tavern64 (1800 Presidents St.) continues its series of live music tonight from 6-10 p.m. Afterward, let the live music continue at Crafthouse (1888 Explorer St.) from 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
• “Urinetown: The Musical” is being performed at NextStop Theatre Company (269 Sunset Park Drive) through June 25. Performances this weekend are tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m. and a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday. General admission tickets start at $40.
• “Radcliffe Bailey: The Great Dismal Swamp” remains on display at Greater Reston Arts Center (12001 Market St.) through August.
• Kalypso’s (1617 Washington Plaza N.) will have live music tonight at 9:30 p.m.
• Vinifera Wine Bar and Bistro (11750 Sunrise Valley Drive) has live music from 7-10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday night. This weekend’s performers are Jason Morton (Friday) and Jason Masi (Saturday).

About 30 restaurants are signed up to participate in this weekend’s Taste of Reston, scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Reston Town Center.

The 27th annual event is “expected to draw record crowds,” organizers say. It is put on by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and features fine cuisine, family activities, live entertainment, beer and wine, cooking demonstrations from local chefs, and much more. Parking at Reston Town Center will be free throughout the event.

Mark Ingrao, president and CEO of the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, says this event is different because of its four themed stages and its live music. A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to the INCspire Education Foundation.

“It’s a way for business to really highlight themselves,” Ingrao said. “We do this as a community give-back.”

Restaurants and vendors who will be lining the streets of Reston Town Center during the festival include American Tap Room, Arlington Donut Holes, Agora Restaurant, Barcelona Wine Bar, Buffalo Wing Factory, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Choolah Indian BBQ, Greenfare Organic Café, Gregorio’s Trattoria, Guapo’s Rotisserie Chicken, Hen Penny, King Street Oyster Bar, Lisa’s Lemonade & More, M&S Grill, McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, The Melting Pot, Mom’s Momo, Mon Ami Gabi, Not Your Average Joe’s, Paradise Ice Cream, Pitango Gelato, Punjabi Junction, Robeks Fruit Smoothies, Rocoto Gourmet, Tavern64 Regional Kitchen, Udon Food & Drinks, Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro, and The Zone.

Entertainment is to be provided by Bach to Rock, Billy “T” Wilde, DJ Edward Daniels, Gary Smallwood, Hilary Veltri, Jason Masi, Jeff From Accounting, DJ Jon Paul, keeton, Ken Wenzel, DJ Moon Man, Sam Gunderson, and The Reflex.

The event is scheduled for 3-11 p.m. Friday and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday. For the full schedule of entertainment, demonstrations and more, check out the Taste of Reston website.

The Taste of Reston has been voted Northern Virginia’s Best Food Festival by Virginia Living magazine six straight years. Food and drink tickets (24 for $20) are available for advance purchase.