The Barney family of McLean, Kelley, James and daughter Isabel, enjoy family time together at Flavors of Fall produced by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce Saturday, Oct. 6. Photo by Mercia Hobson.
Flavors of Fall, produced by Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. featured beer and wine, food, live music and a craft beer alley street festival on Saturday, Oct. 6 at Reston Town Center.
"We view this event as a way to give back to the community and highlight the businesses in and around Reston," said Mark Ingrao, President and CEO of the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. A Kids' Alley with exhibit booths and games, Cornhole Experience Charity Tournament and live music guaranteed fun for everyone.
The annual one-day, family-friendly event showcased the best in autumn brews, sixteen regional craft beers and hard cider complemented by some of the finest local cuisines in the area, many with traditional Oktoberfest fare such Clyde's of Reston.
"We stick to the classic," said Jay Allen of Clyde's. "We've been doing it right for a long time. Why change it?“ Asked what his bratwurst secret was, Jay confided, "I braise the sausages with Sam Adams; grill them; then drop them back into the beer again."
Some booths offered non-traditional Bavarian food. Indian restaurant 5 Tara provided samosas and chickpeas, buttered chicken and mango lassi. Timesha Carroll of the Town of Herndon held out her dish to be served, "I'm having a little bit of everything today. And now I'm trying the samosas."
As a bonus to Flavors of Fall, on Sunday, Oct. 7, hundreds of people took off from the Reston Pavilion to race in the Reston Pumpkin 5K & Kids' Pumpkin Dash also produced by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce.
Caleb Hess, 22 of Reston, placed first in the men's division with a time of 18:18.
Jessica Ingham, 32 of Herndon, placed first in the women's division with a time of 21.49."This is the first time I've run since being a mom. Three kids in three years. This was a good fun race, and it's good to be back out there," said Ingham.
Partial proceeds from Flavors of Fall and Reston Pumpkin 5K & Kids’ Pumpkin Dash will help fund the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce 501(c)(3) education foundation.
"It provides mentorship and education for emerging and start-up companies from all over the region," said Ingrao. To learn more about the Chamber visit wwwrestonchamber.org.