Meadowlark Botanical Gardens becomes ablaze with a half-a-million colorful sparkling lights in its annual Winter Walk of Lights. Photo by Donna Manz.
Vienna — The festive season, of sparkling lights and aromatic baked sweets, of craft bazaars and seasonal holiday music, of good-will and selfless spirit, is upon us.
With the temporary closure of the Vienna Community Center, event organizers have had to cancel or relocate many of the fall events. Nevertheless, there remain activities and events for all ages, all interests. Many nonprofits reach out for support on behalf of less-privileged neighbors.
Here are several traditional events hosted in the Vienna-Oakton zip codes.
CHO food, new toy, and bike drive
The Committee for Helping Others (CHO) needs help restocking its empty food shelves. Food and family staples will be accepted from Nov. 1-Dec. 31 at various locations around Vienna. Dish soap, canned fruit, chili, canned beef stew, diapers and wipes, canned salmon, Spam, tuna, tomato sauce, and laundry detergent are in particular need. CHO requests that no food be expired.
Drop-off boxes are available at Town Hall, 127 Center Street S; Patrick Henry Library, 101 Maple Ave. E; Bikes @ Vienna, 128 Church Street NW; Caffe Amouri, 107 Church Street NE; Doctors Covel, Stack, and Henon, 120 Beulah Road NE; Evolution Fitness, 216 Dominion Road NE; Rexall Drug Store, 150 Maple Avenue W; Vienna Arts Center, 115 Pleasant Street NE.
Gently-used bikes are accepted on Nov. 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at two locations: Vienna Presbyterian Church – Mill Street parking lot - and Antioch Christian Church at 1860 Beulah Road. Bicycles will be renewed as a courtesy by local bike shops.
Bring new unwrapped toys to Vienna Presbyterian Church, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, on Dec. 9 for distribution by CHO from 9:30 till noon. Gift cards from Target delight teens.
Thanksgiving luncheon for mature adults
The Town of Vienna, in partnership with the Shepherd’s Center of Vienna-Oakton and First Class Move, host a Thanksgiving meal for the over-55 set. A Bountiful Harvest runs from noon to 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18.
The traditional meal service is provided and served by Davis Center students from George C. Marshall High School.
The luncheon takes place in the Flame Room at the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department, 400 Center Street S. Pre-payment of $10 per person was due by Nov. 9, but, call the Shepherd’s Center at 703-281-0538 for seating availability. The James Madison chamber orchestra provides entertainment after lunch. To register, call the Shepherd’s Center at 703-281-0538.
Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
This family-friendly six-week winter wonderland of spectacle is only a few years old but has garnered a loyal following from throughout the Northern Virginia area, particularly Vienna and its environs.
From mid-November until just after New Year’s Day, the 100-acre site is transformed into an animated lighted fairyland of scenes and vignettes. Roasting marshmallows, hot chocolate, and a snowflake shop round out the spectacle.
The Winter Walk of Lights is open every day beginning on Friday, Nov. 18, 2016, through Jan. 8, 2017. Open Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s, too. The walk of lights runs daily from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Last tickets sold at 9:30 p.m.
To buy timed tickets online, go to https://www.novaparks.com/events/winter-walk-of-lights
Holiday Bazaar
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax [UUCF] Holiday Bazaar, Saturday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m. to 4p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 20, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hand-made art and craft items, including pottery, glass plates,sculptures, jewelry, home-made jams, birdhouses, and more. Senior Girl Scout Troop will serve home-made soups and baked goods. 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton.
Christmas Craft Show
23rd Annual Oakton Church of the Brethren’s Christmas Craft Show, Nov. 17 and 18, 10 a.m. to 7p.m.; Nov. 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This three-day event features a variety of handmade creations and craft supplies as well as a soup and sandwich lunch and bake sale. Oakton church of the Brethren is located at 10025 Courthouse Road, near Rt. 123 in Oakton. For more information, visit oaktonbrethren.org or call 703-281-4411.
Vienna Arts Society sale and reception
Vienna Arts Society big-sale/small works, sale and reception, Nov. 18 to 20. Sale hours are 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 18; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 19; and noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 20. A wine and cheese reception and raffle will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 19. Hundreds of small original artworks in a variety of media, ready to hang, will be available for $99 or less. The Vienna Arts Center is located at 115 Pleasant Street NW. For information, see ViennaArtsSociety.org or call 703-319-3971.
Vienna Turkey Trot
Vienna Turkey Trot – 5K, 10K, and Fun Run, Sunday, Nov. 20; Race Time: 8 a.m - Kids Fun Run; 8:30 a.m. - 5K/10K. Starts/ends at Vienna Volunteer Fire Department, 400 Center St. S. The James Madison High School Band hosts the 14th Annual Vienna Turkey Trot 5K/10K and Fun Run. All proceeds benefit the JMHS band and the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department. The 5k/10k Course is USATF Certified.
Race fee includes a technical T shirt. 5k - $35; 10k - $40; Kids Fun Run - $20.
To register, go to https://register.chronotrack.com/r/21497. For further information, e-mail turkeytrot@jmhsband.org.
Christmas tree sales
Two of Vienna’s prominent humanitarian service clubs – The Optimists of Greater Vienna and the Lions’ Club - sell Christmas trees to raise money for their community programs. Tree sales for both organizations begin Thanksgiving weekend. Sure, you can buy your tree from a commercial retailer or you can support a local service club that supports the community. The Optimists set up their tree and wreath sale next to PNC bank in the Giant Food shopping Center and the Lions hosts their sale in the Walgreen’s parking lot.
Vienna Business Saturday
6th annual Vienna Business Saturday, Nov. 26. Shop local. Shop Vienna.
The Vienna Business Association (VBA) and Town/Business Liaison Committee (TBLC) encourage the community to keep it local and “shop Vienna.” Strategically set between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Vienna Business Saturday promotes the myriad local shops and restaurants that are a vital, giving part of the community. On Vienna Business Saturday, many local businesses offer special promotions.
Church Street Holiday Stroll
Church Street Holiday Stroll, Monday, Nov. 28, 6 to 9 p.m. Historic Church Street closes down for the evening as the area between Vienna Presbyterian Church and Center Street is ablaze with sparkling lights, a visit from Santa, a petting zoo, firepits for marshmallow roasting, live entertainment, and shopping. Santa arrives at 6:15 p.m. on an antique fire engine; at 6:20 p.m., Santa and Mayor Laurie DiRocco light the tree. After the tree-lighting, Santa takes his seat to hear the wish-list of children who come to him. Local schools and choral groups sing seasonal music throughout the evening. The Vienna Community Band performs on the Showmobile Stage. Historic properties, including the train depot, Freeman Store, Little Library, and caboose, will be open. Church Street will be closed to vehicular traffic beginning at 5 p.m. For more information, contact Historic Vienna, Inc. at 703-938-5187.
Lunch with Santa
Lunch with Santa, Dec. 3, 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Flame Room, Vienna Volunteer Fire Department, 400 Center St. S. Sponsored and hosted by the Town of Vienna Parks and Recreation. Along with lunch, Santa, and Rudolph, children are invited to create a craft provided by Kiln & Co. Patrick Henry Library volunteers read stories.
Tickets to this event are limited and usually sell out. Tickets cost $5 per person. Tickets may be purchased via WebTrac on the Town’s website, viennava.gov, or in person at the Park and Recreation Department’s temporary location at 262M Cedar Lane, upstairs in unit #4. A maximum of six tickets per family may be purchased; all guests need tickets.
Local Artists Home/Gift Show
Local Artists Home/Gift Show, Friday, Dec. 9, 12 to 6 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 11, 12 to 4 p.m. Fourteen local artists exhibit and sell their glass jewelry, plates, sculptures, pottery, painted floor mats, wall hangings, knitted items and more. Home made soups and baked goods available. The arts and craft show is at 317 Church St., Vienna. For more information, contact Mary Ellen Larkins, melarkins@verizon.net.