ViVa! Vienna! gathers hundreds of food and merchandise vendors, amusement rides for all, and nonstop live entertainment over the Memorial Day weekend. Photo by Donna Manz.
Some days, more than others, it appears that spring has finally sprung. Fortunately, events are planned and announced long before the last snowflake has fallen, giving the community things to look forward to …
The Vienna Connection offers a springtime calendar of special fun events, from Vienna Idol auditions to the three-day extravaganza known as ViVa! Vienna!
MEGA-BOOK SALE, operated by Historic Vienna, Inc, April 2 and 3 public sale; American Legion Dyer-Gunnell Post 180, 330 Center St. North.
Print is very alive and well at Historic Vienna, Inc.’s annual used book sale.
Books are sorted into diverse and specific categories, including biography, fiction, military, politics, cooking, gardening, history, arts, mystery, religion, health, how-to, travel, foreign language, sports, and international intrigue. The collection of children’s books offers reading levels from preschool through high school.
Hard cover books sell for $2, paperbacks $1. Prices for children’s books start at 50 cents.
A “GRANDMA’S ATTIC” features rare or unusual books that are priced individually.
The public book sale runs Saturday, April 2, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, April 3, from noon to 5 p.m. A HVI-members-only sale opens on Friday, April 1, from 7 to 9 p.m. Public may join HVI there. Light refreshments provided by History4All.
Get there early Saturday morning because book dealers will be waiting in line when the sale opens.
Parking is free at the American Legion hall. Refreshments will be available for purchase Saturday and Sunday. All proceeds of the sale support the programs and activities of HVI.
For more information call Nancy Moats at 703-281-1206 or go to www.historicviennainc.org.
VIENNA IDOL AUDITIONS, April 1 through June 10 finals
Vocalists and musicians are invited to audition for Vienna Idol 2016.
The auditions begin end of March, alternating between Caffe Amouri and Whole Foods Vienna.
Vienna Idol, launched four years ago by Caffe Amouri owner Michael Amouri, raises money on behalf of the KHRISTIN KYLLO MEMORIAL FUND. Khristin, a Madison High School graduate, died away at college after her first semester finals. Her parents created a foundation in her name to provide financial scholarships to students who best epitomize their daughter’s values.
Vienna Idol has raised more than $50,000 for the memorial fund, supporting students and buying seizure watches for epilepsy sufferers. Finalists of the Vienna Idol competition, culminating in early June, are awarded prize money and the title of Vienna Idol.
Vocalists are invited to audition for the semi-final competition. Typically, two auditions per week are held, and, the public is invited to come and cheer for their favorite artist.
Sign up at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4dafae29a1ff2-vienna
3rd ANNUAL FAMILY FISHING RODEO, sponsored by Town of Vienna; Saturday, April 23.
The Town of Vienna will stock Wolftrap Creek with 400 trout for the family fishing “rodeo.” Bait will be provided, and fishing poles will be available to borrow for the half-day event. The rodeo is open to all ages.
Registration is required for assigned half-hour time slots, from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tickets for each person fishing are $3 each; limit six tickets per household. Tickets will be available to everyone beginning March 21 at the Town of Vienna parks and recreation offices, 262 M Cedar Lane SE.
Participants 18 and older are required to possess a fishing license, which may be purchased through the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Participants have the option of catch-and-release or take home for food consumption.
Volunteers will be on hand to help clean fish and to teach children how to cast. Those who catch a tagged fish will receive free merchandise from participating local businesses.
This rain-or-shine fish-frenzy takes place along Wolftrap Creek at Wildwood Park, located on Follin Lane near the Navy Federal Credit Union. The rodeo is sponsored by Town of Vienna Parks and Recreation Department with assistance from Trout Unlimited and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
The sponsored event officially ends at 1 p.m.
5th ANNUAL TASTE OF VIENNA, Saturday, April 30, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; sponsored by the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department, 400 Center Street South.
One of Vienna’s most-anticipated annual events comes up late April as the Taste of Vienna opens up on the grounds of the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department, with more than 20 local restaurants lined up to participate in the family-friendly food and fun festival. Bands play onstage throughout the day.
The current list of participating restaurants include: Donatos - Al Nakheel - Crepe Amour - Turmeric Indian Dining - Pure Pasty - Ayoba Yo - Clarity - Sweet City Desserts - Bistro 7107 - Tara Thai Vienna (new name Tom Yum Thai) - Viet Aroma - Famous Daves BBQ - Yuengling's Ice Cream - Paladar Latin Kitchen & Rum Bar - Open Road Grill; TRIO Grill - Mr. MacFreeze Pops & Waffles - Maplewood Grill - Blackfinn Ameripub - Social Burger - Basillini Italian Cafe - Caffe Amouri. See www.facebook.com/tasteofvienna/ as restaurants sign up.
Taste of Vienna runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the parking lot of the fire department, corner of Cherry and Center streets.
“PLANET ART FOR KIDS,” Saturday, April 30; sponsored and presented by the Vienna Arts Society.
The Vienna Art Society [VAS] presents its first, “Planet Art for Kids” event in celebration of Earth Day, Saturday, April 30 at the VAS Center in Vienna. The children will work with volunteer professional artists to create earth-friendly mobiles using recycled and repurposed materials and art supplies.
Two sessions group children by age: Session 1, for 5 to 8 year-olds – 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.; Session 2, for 9 to 12 year-olds – 1 to 2 p.m.
Space is limited to 20 children per session. A $10 donation reserves a child’s space. Send your check to Vienna Art Society, and specify the session your child would like to attend.
Proceeds benefit VAS and the Children’s Inn at NIH. Donations will support therapeutic activities in the arts at the Children’s Inn.
The workshops take place at the Vienna Arts Society Art Center, at 115 Pleasant Street, NW, Vienna on April 30.
To register, go to www.viennaartssociety.org for details.
VIVA! VIENNA! Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Vienna, in partnership with Navy Federal Credit Union and the Town of Vienna
ViVa! Vienna!, a three-day family-focused festival celebrating the spirit of Memorial Day, takes over historic Church Street with hundreds of food and marketplace vendors, amusement rides for all ages, and live entertainment on two stages.
ViVa! Vienna! is host to about 50,000 guests each Memorial Day weekend.
One hundred percent of net proceeds go to charitable, community and humanitarian organizations. Most of the net proceeds are returned to the local community in grants and donations; a portion supports the Rotary club’s international humanitarian efforts.
See http://vivavienna.org/ for calendar of events and footprint of festival. Print out coupon for free ticket ticket purchase.