Spring’s weather may be unpredictable but what is always predictable are the many festive spring events in Vienna held year after year. Some are family-centric, some cultural... all are fun.
National Register of Historic Places Dedication
Saturday, April 6, 2 p.m. at the Freeman Store and Museum, 131 Church St. N.E.
Freeman Store, owned by the Town of Vienna and operated by Historic Vienna, Inc., was placed on the National Register of Historic Places late in 2012, after it first gained placement as a Virginia historic place. The plaque recognizing Freeman Store’s addition to the National Register of Historic Places will be unveiled in a 2 p.m. ceremony on April 6. Throughout the day, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Historic Vienna, Inc. is presenting family activities and tours, and the Civil War 150 Historymobile will be on-site with its exhibition.
A reception follows the plaque dedication. All activities are free and open to the public. For more information on the unveiling program and events, go to www.historicviennainc.org. To learn more about the Civil War 150 Historymobile, see www.virginiacivilwar.org/historymobile.php.
2nd Annual Taste of Vienna
Saturday, April 27, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department parking lot at 400 Center St. S.
The Vienna Volunteer Fire Department is hosting the 2nd Annual Taste of Vienna on Saturday, April 27. Over 25 restaurants and chefs from the Greater Vienna area will be on-site selling food and beverages throughout the event. Local food purveyors, from casual to upscale, will sell signature dishes from under tents.
Proceeds benefit the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department. There is no admission fee; vendors set their own pricing. Taste of Vienna will be held rain or shine. For a list of participating restaurants, go to www.tasteofvienna.org.
Walk on the Hill
Sunday, April 28, 2 to 5 p.m. at Windover Heights Historic District/Windover Avenue [Rain date, May 5].
A garden and landscape tour, sponsored by Historic Vienna, Inc., the Town of Vienna and the residents of the Windover Heights Historic District, the annual Walk on the Hill features blooms of azaleas and flower beds. Using self-guided walking tour maps, you may browse throughout the lawns and gardens of homes marked with special "welcome" signs.
The Vienna Community Band plays starting at 3 p.m. The Old Tyme Machine performs throughout the afternoon at 223 Walnut Lane. Roads are close to cars from 2 to 5 p.m. and refreshments are served at the free event.
For more information, call 703-938-5187 or visit Historic Vienna, Inc. at www.historicviennainc.org.
Bike Rodeos: May 4 and May 5
Saturday, May 4, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m, at the Vienna Presbyterian Church parking lot across from the Town Green.
The Vienna Bicycle Advisory Committee, in partnership with the Vienna Police Department and Safe Kids USA, is hosting a youth bike rodeo that is designed to be fun while teaching children bicycle-handling skills.
Safe Kids USA will donate bike helmets to the first 200 children after their completion of the bike rodeo. They will help parents and their children in proper fitting of bike helmets prior to the Bike Rodeo; discuss the importance wearing a bike helmet, and bike safety.
Space is limited. Pre-register with the number of children attending by completing the Bike Rodeo Registration Waiver Release Form at www.viennabac.com/vienna-police-dept-bike-rodeo-registration-form.php and email back to viennabac@verizon.net. You can also request the form by email at viennabac@verizon.net.
Sunday, May 5, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., sponsored by the Marshall Road Elementary School PTA, Safe Routes to School and the Town of Vienna, and held on the Marshall Road Elementary School blacktop, 730 Marshall Road. The event is open to kindergartners through sixth grade students and is free, no registration required.
Children must have a helmet to participate. Please call the weather line for cancellations or delays at 703-255-7842.
Concerts on the Vienna Town Green
Friday and Saturday schedule through June: May 10, Black Sombero Brass and Herb Albert Tijuana Brass Tribute Band; May 12, Shenandoah Run (bluegrass); May 17, US Navy Sea Chanters; May 19, Chris Polk Band (blues/classic/rock); May 31, Veronneau (acoustic world jazz); June 2, Tommy Lepson Band (blues); June 7, Vienna Idol competition finals; June 9, Randy Barrett and the Barretones (bluegrass);
June 14, Four Star Combo (rockabilly); June 16, Fat Chance (rock); June 21, Andrew Acosta and the Old-Time String band; and June 23, The Tonics (rock).
Wednesday Children’s Performances: June 19, Rocknoceros; June 26, Mr. Gabe; and July 10, Peter McCory One Man Band.
Saturday Open Mic Nights: May 18; June 22; July 20; and August 10.
Construction equipment, dump trucks, front loaders
Thursday, May 23, from 2 to 6 p.m.—if you are a young child, it does not get much better than this.
The Vienna Department of Public Works holds its annual open house at Northside Property Yard, 600 Mill St. N.E. in celebration of National Public Works Week. Yes, there really is a National Public Works Week.
There are rows of dump trucks, front loaders, cherry pickers, garbage trucks and forklifts… if it is used on a city street or park, it’s here on display at the open house. The best part for children—and a noteworthy photo-op for parents—is that youngsters can climb, sit, touch and otherwise get up close to the heavy equipment that mesmerizes them.
Town employees serve the community day and night in all weather conditions and are on-hand to help the children on to the vehicles. The police department sends over a cruiser or two that children can crawl into, as well as a police motorcycle the they can sit on.
Light refreshments are served and there will be “hard hats” and other promotional novelties, games, “tattoos” and more for youth. For more information, call 703-255-6382.
Viva! Vienna! Memorial Day weekend
Vienna’s largest festival, ViVa! Vienna!, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Greater Vienna, returns to the historic Church Street corridor for three days of nonstop family fun, including carnival rides, diverse food offerings, live entertainment for children and adults and more than 300 vendors selling crafts, services, jewelry, children’s toys and books, and novelties. From magicians and dancers to kiddie rock kings Rocknoceros, the stage anchors the children’s area on the Town Green.
Admission to the festival is free. Rides are not. Kiddie rides require three tickets per ride; other rides require three to five tickets. One ticket is $1. A sheet of 24 tickets is $20, and a sheet of 48 tickets is $40. A wristband that covers all rides is $35 and is valid for one day.
Saturday, May 25: food, carnival rides and live entertainment from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, May 26: food, carnival rides and live entertainment from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., vendors open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Recycle E-waste available from noon to 6 p.m.; Monday, May 27: food, rides, entertainment and vendors from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Recycle E-waste available from noon to 6 p.m.
Net proceeds go to community, charitable and humanitarian organizations. To learn more about the 2013 ViVa! Vienna! offerings, go to www.vivavienna.org.