Around Town

Despite cold temperatures and a looming storm, plenty of families stopped by the Reston Town Center pavilion on Saturday (Jan. 24) to enjoy a variety of winter activities.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the town center’s second annual “Ice-travaganza” brought live music, free hot chocolate, ice skating and ice sculptures that were soon buried under as many as eight inches of snow by Winter Storm Fern, which passed through the area a day later.


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The McLean Chocolate Festival has been postponed, and other events across Fairfax County are likely to follow, as a potentially major snow storm bears down on the D.C. region.

Originally set for this Sunday (Jan. 25), the McLean Chocolate Festival will instead return for its 14th year on Sunday, March 15, the Rotary Club of McLean announced yesterday. It will be held at the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Avenue) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.


Around Town

When the Washington Capitals take on the Chicago Blackhawks tomorrow (Friday), local fans will be able to take in the action while hitting the ice themselves at Reston Town Center.

For the first time, D.C.’s NHL team is bringing a “Rock the Rink” skate and watch party to the town center’s ice skating pavilion (1818 Discovery Street), inviting community members to enjoy a variety of activities before cheering on the boys in red.


Around Town

With its first exhibit of the new year, Reston Art Gallery and Studios is turning its attention to a subject close to home: Lake Anne Plaza.

The gallery at 11400 Washington Plaza West, Suite B, will unveil the new exhibition “Art of Lake Anne” tomorrow (Thursday), showcasing interpretations of Reston’s original village center from nine different local artists.


Around Town

With the calendar turning to 2026, local celebrations of America’s 250th birthday will kick into a new gear, leading up to the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence’s signing on July 4.

For residents looking to stay closer to home instead of venturing into D.C. for this week’s light show at the Washington Monument, the Town of Vienna will launch its own semiquincentennial festivities this Sunday (Jan. 4) with a “patriotic celebration” near the Town Green.


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For many small businesses, the holiday shopping season is the most critical time of the year, determining their ability to continue operating, and Mode on Main by Mara is no exception.

The lifestyle boutique in Old Town Fairfax shared on Instagram this week that had processed 611 orders at that point since Nov. 1, leaving it shy of the 1,000 orders it says are needed to ensure it can keep its doors open at 10417 Main Street in 2026.


Around Town

The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO) is expanding its season with a pair of newly announced concerts.

In separate events next spring, the orchestra will host musical theater legend Patti LuPone and perform alongside the animated film “How to Train Your Dragon,” adding more star power to a season that has already featured cellist Yo-Yo Ma as a soloist.


Around Town

In 1976, Jimmy Carter won the presidential election over the Republican incumbent Gerald Ford, Queen Elizabeth traveled to Virginia for the nation’s bicentennial, and “Happy Days” was appointment TV for millions of Americans.

That same year, the Town of Herndon created its Parks and Recreation Department with just one full-time staffer and one Fairfax County-owned park.


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Jim Larranaga liked to bring in sports psychologist Bob Rotella for two reasons.

The George Mason University men’s basketball coach did so if he believed an individual player needed some help. Or he did so if he felt he had a good team that needed some extra clarity to tap into their potential.


Around Town

The largest pet event in the D.C. region is leaving Fairfax County.

With the Dulles Expo Center, their home of 25 years, permanently closing in Chantilly this month, Super Pet Expo organizers will bring their showcase for local pet businesses, nonprofits and experts to Manassas Mall next year instead.


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