Homeowners in several Burke neighborhoods have a lot of work ahead of them after trees, branches and downed power lines slammed into homes, cars and fences during a severe thunderstorm on Monday (June 22).
But as residents waited for the power to come back on the next day, the disaster relief nonprofit founded by celebrity chef José Andrés made sure that there was at least one thing they wouldn’t have to worry about: dinner.
Construction work is underway on a summertime effort to reinvigorate Gateway Regional Park in the City of Fairfax.
Avon Corp., which received the contract for the project, has started work that’s expected to run through September. The park will remain closed through November for the construction and subsequent fall plantings, according to NOVA Parks, which manages the site.
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.
Update — The Virginia Department of Transportation announced on Thursday, June 25 that the Dulles Toll Road lane split will be postponed until after the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
“We will send out an update once everything is confirmed,” a VDOT spokesperson told FFXnow.
Storm Hit Burke With 90 MPH Winds — “Teams from the National Weather Service surveyed storm damage Tuesday morning in Burke following Monday evening’s severe storms across the region and determined the cause: A one-mile long, 500-foot wide ‘microburst’ carrying 90 mph winds.” [Inside NoVA]
Arrest in Annandale Abduction Case — “On Tuesday, the Fairfax County Police Department said the suspect who exposed his genitals and then tried to grab a woman and pull her into the woods was taken into custody … Police said there was no threat to the community.” [DC News Now]
Military Flyovers Planned for America 250 — “The U.S. military notified D.C. that it will conduct aircraft flyovers near the National Mall from Wednesday, June 24, through Friday, July 10, as part of America’s 250th-anniversary celebrations, according to AlertDC … The latest round anchors the Great American State Fair, a 16-day exposition on the Mall running June 25 to July 10 and organized by Freedom 250.” [ARLnow]
ACLU Seeks to Speed Up Ex-Felon Voting Registration — “As thousands of Virginians with certain past felony convictions remain in a voting registration limbo, a civil rights group filed a motion on June 18 seeking an expedited remedy. The group accused election officials of violating a voting rights lawsuit previously won earlier this year.” [Virginia Mercury]
Child Support System Update Shut Down — “After already spending millions, Virginia’s Department of Social Services shut down a two-year long IT project to overhaul the state’s outdated child support enforcement system … State officials are now trying to figure out what to do with the system,” which was already considered “antiquated” back in 1998. [VPM News]
Fairfax City Local Candidates List Finalized — “On Thursday afternoon, Fairfax City’s Office of Elections released the official list of candidates who have qualified to run for city offices in the Nov. 3 General and Special Election … In the mayor’s race, incumbent City Council Member Tom Peterson is running against Kirsten Sides Lockhart” after current Mayor Catherine Read announced she won’t seek reelection. [Patch]
Former RA CEO Takes Job in Austin — “Austin has named its next head of economic development initiatives, as city leaders back a renewed push to attract and support more local economic investment. The city announced the appointment of Michael ‘Mac’ Cummins as Austin Economic Development’s next director June 16.” Cummins, who resigned as CEO of Reston Association in January, will officially step into his new position on July 27. [Community Impact]
McLean Home on Market for Nearly $6M — “Just a short walk from Scott’s Run Nature Preserve, this single-family home offers modern living amongst nature. With six bedrooms and eight bathrooms, 938 Saigon Rd., McLean is situated on 1.4 acres. The custom residence features a home theater, golf simulator, fire pit patio, and elevator.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Wednesday — Sunny with a high of 81°F and a northwest wind at 7 mph. At night, expect mostly clear skies and a low of 62°F, with calm winds. [NWS]
There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.
SPEAKERS
Pat Herrity, Springfield District Supervisor
Arthur Purves – FCTA President
Meal: $50, including tip, taxes and salad.
Good Tuesday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Jun 23, 2026.
Here is what’s going on Wednesday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
Expect a sunny day with temperatures reaching up to 81°F and a northwest wind at approximately 7 mph. During the night, the skies will be mostly clear with temperatures dropping to around 62°F and calm winds. See more from Weather.gov.
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
Springfield Town Center has been deemed safe after shoppers and workers were evacuated due to a bomb threat.
Officers were dispatched to the mall (6500 Springfield Mall) at around 4:28 p.m. today (Tuesday) after an unknown person called in a threat, the Fairfax County Police Department said.
A man arrested last year after allegedly speeding, fleeing from police and subsequently attempting to carjack another driver on I-95 in Lorton will serve time in federal prison for gun possession.
Jamarion Dawon Jackson, 23, was sentenced today (Tuesday) to four years in prison after pleading guilty in April to possessing a machine gun during the police chase and carjacking incident, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced.
Fairfax County leaders are about to take steps to address the likelihood of an increasing penny shortage in the nation’s future.
At its meeting today, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized a public hearing on Tuesday, July 14 to consider revisions to how change is provided to those paying by cash for local government services.
Virginia lawmakers want to examine consolidating Northern Virginia’s transit agencies to assess potential cost savings and service improvements.
The proposal, which is included in the two-year budget lawmakers passed Monday, directs the Department of Rail and Public Transportation to include in its report not only the cost savings and long-term financial impacts of merging multiple systems, but also how potential changes would affect riders through fare structures, service reliability and accessibility.
