Reston Town Center is extending its free summer concerts into the fall this year with a Shrek-themed ogre-haul.
The inaugural Rocktoberfest will kick off a week before the concert with a special 25th anniversary screening of “Shrek” in the Pavilion at 11900 Market Street on Friday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Smash Mouth, featured heavily in the Shrek soundtrack and in memes a couple decades later, will be the marquee performance at the festival on Saturday, Oct. 11.
The concert is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. with cover band Keeton and rock band Ace Munroe at 6:45, followed by Smash Mouth at 8:30.
“What better way to kick off Rocktoberfest than with an iconic, chart-busting band like Smash Mouth,” Reston Town Center Association (RTCA) Executive Director Robert Goudie said in a release. “Our summer concerts are recognized throughout the region for their distinctive offerings, and we see Rocktoberfest as a way of extending that terrific concert experience into the fall with three incredible bands at one venue.”
The event will include a “sip and stroll” option, allowing attendees to purchase an alcoholic beverage from one of nine participating Reston Town Center restaurants and walk around with it.
The “Shrek” anniversary screening is planned in conjunction with the Washington West Film Festival, which is scheduled to return to Fairfax County this Oct. 9-13.
Now in its 14th year, the film festival typically holds screenings at theaters in Tysons and Reston, donating all proceeds to nonprofits. Last year’s headliner was actor Kevin Bacon, who put on a live concert at Reston Town Center with his band, the Bacon Brothers, and took part in a virtual Q&A for a 40th anniversary screening of “Footloose.”
According to RTCA, Rocktoberfest will roll on rain or shine, though severe weather or storms could prompt cancellations.
“Day-of weather cancellations will be posted on the RTCA website, or visitors can call 703-435-6600, x2,” the association said in the press release.
