The Memorial Day weekend greets summer and Vienna kicks it off its way with the annual ViVa! Vienna! celebration.
For three days Church Street becomes a festival grounds, with rides, food, vendors and entertainment for all ages. More than 200 booths, reserved by vendors, local civic groups and political candidates will line Church, Mill and Center streets.
The festivities begin on Saturday, May 26, at 10 a.m. when the amusement rides and food vendors open. At 6 p.m. the Vienna Town Band takes the Main Stage, followed by Popabilly musical artists The King Cadillac Band at 7:30 p.m. The music goes full-speed ahead with a line-up set for 12:30 to 10 p.m. on Sunday, and 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday.
The Children’s Stage runs entertainment Sunday and Monday, 1 to 5 p.m. and a wandering clown will perform balloon and pocket tricks between 2 and 4 p.m.
"This is our largest footprint," said Woody Bentley, general chair of ViVa! Vienna! since 2001. "We’re closing off Mill Street near the Town Green and part of Center Street. We’ve got more activities than in previous years and the most food vendors we’ve ever had, 16 of them.
"The Children’s Art Society is offering a hands-on event, and for the first time, the children’s stage will be presenting performances over two days."
Shuttle buses are scheduled to run from James Madison High School and the Vienna/Fairfax Metro station to the Church Street festival site throughout festival hours. Parking facilities have been expanded to include the parking structure behind the White Oaks Building at 301 West Maple Avenue and the lot behind Magruder’s.
The newly dedicated Vienna Town Green offers restrooms and green space.
ViVa! Vienna!, hosted by the Rotary Club of Vienna, is primarily sponsored by the Town of Vienna and Navy Federal Credit Union.
Last year, with the net proceeds from the festival, the Rotary Club of Vienna distributed over $70,000 to community groups and Rotary foundation humanitarian efforts.
"The theme is always the same," said Bentley. "ViVa! Vienna! is a celebration of the Vienna community as a strong and close-knit one, and a celebration of the historic area around Church Street."