As anticipated, Fairfax County Public Schools will resume classes tomorrow (Tuesday), albeit on a two-hour delay.
“This means all schools will begin two hours after their regularly scheduled start times,” FCPS said in an announcement. “Central and school offices will open on time. Central and school office 12-month employees must report to work on time.”
As he approaches his 18th anniversary as CEO of Visit Fairfax, Barry Biggar has the same item atop his to-do list as when he started on the job: a conference center.
“We needed it 25 years ago, we need it today,” Biggar said during a Jan. 28 presentation to the Fairfax County Planning Commission.
For nearly three decades, one event has united Fort Belvoir’s sprawling community of soldiers, families, retirees and civilian employees like no other: Oktoberfest. This September, the tradition continues — and grows — with the 28th Annual Fort Belvoir Oktoberfest, running September 24–27 at a brand-new location, Pullen Field, 9625 Middleton Road, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
Hosted by Fort Belvoir Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR), the four-day festival is the installation’s largest annual event and one of the most beloved in the Northern Virginia military community. Best of all? General admission is free — no tickets required to walk through the gates and enjoy four days of German tradition.
Whether you’re a polka devotee, a carnival enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates a good bratwurst, the schedule has you covered. The fest kicks off Thursday, September 24 (6–10 p.m.) with live performances from the Fritz Polka Band and the Sepp Walzer Fest Band. Friday (4–11 p.m.) brings an expanded lineup, including a captivating performance by the Alt-Washingtonia Schuhplattler Verein, a traditional German folk dance group, alongside more live music and DJ sets.
Saturday (noon–11 p.m.) is the festival’s longest day, featuring a full rotation of performers including Johnny Koenig and Leroy Burks, plus special contests (more on those below). The celebration wraps up on Sunday, September 27 — Military Appreciation Day (noon–8 p.m.) — with a fitting send-off honoring the men and women who make this community what it is. All Active Duty Military and their dependents can purchase a carnival wristband for $27. Must present valid Active Duty Military ID Card for discounted wristband.
Longtime attendees will notice a few exciting additions in 2026. The festival is making its debut at Pullen Field, adjacent to the Bowling Center — a new venue that opens up even more options for a full day out, including bowling and American cuisine for anyone looking for a break from the German revelry.
The crowd-favorite Stein Holding Contest (ages 18+) and Costume Contest (all ages, with Dirndl & Lederhosen and Kinder categories) return on both Saturday and Sunday inside the fest tent. And in a thoughtful new addition, the event will feature a dedicated sensory area for families who need a quieter moment away from the excitement — a small but meaningful touch that reflects MWR’s commitment to serving the whole community.
Authentic German cuisine, specialty food trucks, beer on tap, and Oktoberfest merchandise — including Bavarian mugs, glass boots and traditional hats — round out the experience. Carnival rides are available for a separate ticket fee, purchased on-site.
The event is open to active duty personnel, retirees, civilian federal employees and their guests. Parking is free and in lots surrounding the event. Members of the general public may attend as sponsored guests. Because the festival is held on the installation, all visitors must plan for gate access in advance. Non-DoD ID holders aged 18 and older need a sponsored visitor pass and should submit their applications at least 72 hours before arriving. The Visitor Control Center at Tulley Gate can assist with questions. For access details, visit https://home.army.mil/belvoir/about/installation-access
For the latest updates on food vendors, entertainment and access details, visit belvoir.armymwr.com.
Fort Belvoir Oktoberfest is presented by USAA, with support from Wegmans, Potomac Music, First Command, Brain Treatment Center and Embassy Suites by Hilton, Springfield. Sponsorship does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Army or Fort Belvoir.
Legislation allowing local governments to regulate or ban the use of gas-powered leaf blowers is facing an uphill climb in the Virginia General Assembly.
A measure by Del. Rip Sullivan (D-6) was deferred until the 2027 session by a vote on Friday (Jan. 30) in the House Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns.
Like the rest of the D.C. region, Fairfax County is still working its way out from under the mounds of snow and ice left behind by Winter Storm Fern.
On top of the three deaths from medical emergencies reported by the Fairfax County Police Department, the Jan. 25 storm resulted in a “significant” surge in sledding-related injuries throughout last week, according to Inova.
Featuring both voice and instrumental performance on vielle, lute, gittern, harp, recorder, douçaine, and bagpipe, the program will include works by, among others, Johannes Ciconia, Trebor, Johannes Senleches, Solage, Guillaume de Machaut, Guillaume Dufay, and Gilles Binchois, rousing dance music from medieval Florence and finely wrought instrumental arrangements from the Faenza codex and the Buxheim Organ book.
A legal challenge alleging that a Fairfax County Public Schools employee helped minors get abortions without their parents’ consent is now in federal court in a case that hinges on a First Amendment free speech claim.
FCPS teacher Zenaida Perez, plaintiff in the case, is seeking to prove that school officials have defamed her and are in violation of the Virginia Whistleblower Protection Law. Perez alleged in 2025 that another FCPS staff member assisted minors with seeking abortions. FCPS’ internal probe refuted her claims.
A fire that appears to have been fueled by natural gas blazed through two Franconia townhouses last night (Sunday), leaving the residence in ruins but its occupants apparently unharmed.
Several Fairfax County Fire and Rescue units responded to the 6500 block of Gladys May Lane in the Enclave at Long Branch neighborhood around 9:09 p.m. for the fire, which started in one unit near the end of a townhouse row before “quickly spreading” to an adjacent unit, according to the fire department.
A Maryland developer wants to build a mix of housing in place of the Tysons Concourse office buildings near the Spring Hill Metro station.
When completed, the development would deliver more than 1,000 new homes across two high-rise apartment buildings and several blocks of townhouses and triplexes, according to a proposal from Berman Enterprises, submitted to Fairfax County on Jan. 23.
Apartment hunters in Fairfax County are getting better deals than they did a year ago, with prices significantly discounted from the market peak last summer.
Median apartment rents in five major Fairfax corridors all showed declines in January compared to a year before, according to figures reported Jan. 28 by Apartment List. But all remained above the median rate for the D.C. metropolitan area of $2,116 for the month, price-wise.
Man Found Dead in Centreville — “The Fairfax County Police Department is conducting a death investigation after a man was found unresponsive in the roadway on Saturday. In a post to the X platform at 3:22 p.m., officers responded to reports of a man found lying in the roadway near Route 29 and Rydell Road in Centreville.” [DC News Now]
Another Measles Exposure at Dulles Airport — “Health officials are advising of potential measles exposures after confirming a case that traveled through Washington Dulles International Airport last Saturday. A person with measles traveled through the Dulles airport and took a shuttle bus to its rental car facilities on Saturday, Jan. 24 … This is the fourth case of measles reported in Virginia in 2026 — nearing the total of five cases reported by VDH in 2025.” [ALXnow]
Popes Head Road Limited to One Lane — “Weather permitting, Popes Head Road (Route 654) will have one lane of alternating traffic via flagging between Revercomb Court and just east of Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) on weekdays from Monday, Feb. 2, through Friday, Feb. 27, for water main relocation work as part of the Fairfax County Parkway and Popes Head Road interchange project … Drivers should expect delays and are advised to use alternate routes.” [VDOT]
Walk for Peace to Pass Through Fairfax County — “A group of Buddhist monks on a Walk for Peace from Texas to Washington, D.C., is expected to pass through Annandale, Falls Church, and Seven Corners next week. The monks began their 2,300-mile journey at the Dhammacetiya Temple in Fort Worth on Oct. 29. They plan to arrive in D.C. on Feb. 11, where they will hold a Peace Gathering at the Lincoln Memorial at 2 p.m.” [Annandale Today]
Falls Church Council to Vote on Transit Funding Plan — “The Falls Church City Council is preparing to vote on a region-wide proposal to increase annual spending for Metro by $460 million every year … Arlington, Loudoun, and Fairfax counties have already approved resolutions in support of the funding plan, adopted by the COG and WMATA board last fall.” [ARLnow]
Bill on Teaching About Capitol Attack Advances — “Democrats in Virginia’s House of Delegates advanced a measure Tuesday morning that puts so-called guardrails around when and if a local school system wants to teach about the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capital.” A bill pushed by Del. Dan Helmer would require any curriculum touching on the event to describe it “as an unprecedented, violent attack on democratic institutions.” [WVTF]
Fairfax City Awarded Opioid Settlement Funds — “At a Jan. 20 meeting, the [Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority] committee approved $545,429 in awards to Clarke, Franklin, Henrico and Patrick counties and the city of Fairfax. The grants will support a mix of new initiatives and expansions of existing programs, funded through Virginia’s share of national opioid settlements with manufacturers, distributors and retailers.” [Virginia Mercury]
Plastic Surgery Clinic Moves in Reston — “Rostami Oculofacial Plastic Consultants … is pleased to announce the relocation of its Reston practice to a new, larger, state-of-the-art facility to better serve patients across Northern Virginia and the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area. The practice has officially moved from its former location at 1860 Town Center Drive, Suite 250, Reston, VA 20190, to its new address at 1850 Town Center Parkway, Pavilion 2, Suite 650.” [Press release]
New Legal Notice — Rescheduled 2026–2027 PHA Plan hearing Feb 6; comments, virtual access. [Public Notices]
It’s Monday — Expect a sunny day with a high temperature around 31 degrees and wind chill values dropping to as low as zero. The northwest wind will be blowing at a speed of 8 to 14 mph, with gusts reaching up to 23 mph. As for Monday night, the sky will be partly cloudy, and the temperature will drop to around 18 degrees. The west wind will blow at a speed of 5 to 7 mph before becoming calm in the evening. [NWS]
