The last week of summer in Reston and Herndon
The cooler mornings are finally starting to feel like fall, and this is the time of year when Reston and Herndon are especially easy to appreciate. The trails change, the community calendar fills up, and traditions like the SUP Witches paddle at Lake Anne remind you that fall around here has its own personality. We pulled together a look at some of the things that make this season worth getting outside for.
For weekend plans, the Reston Multicultural Festival stands out, with a full day of performances, traditional arts, and cultural programming at Reston Town Center. If you would rather do something smaller, the Lake Anne Sunset Paddle is a good way to spend Thursday evening on the water, while Puzzle-Palooza in Herndon offers a very different kind of Sunday afternoon with teams competing over 500-piece puzzles. Those are the three I would put at the top of the list this week.
There is plenty happening beyond the weekend calendar, too. Downtown Herndon’s long-running redevelopment dispute is now in court, Reston Town Center North has cleared a major approval, and changes are coming to Plaza America, Reston Station and another office property near Innovation Center Metro. We have those stories and a few more local developments in this week’s news roundup.
Feature Story
RESTON AND HERNDON FALL TRADITIONS
There’s something about the first crisp mornings that makes Reston and Herndon feel made for fall. From colorful trails and outdoor festivals to quirky local traditions like the annual SUP Witches! Lake Anne Coven Paddle, this is one of the best times of year to get out and enjoy the area. What’s your favorite fall tradition around here?
Around Town
COURT FIGHT OVER HERNDON SITE
A five-acre block in downtown Herndon is at the center of a court fight that could shape the future of the town’s core. The dispute between the Town of Herndon and Comstock could affect parking, redevelopment plans, nearby businesses, and how quickly this long-stalled site finally moves forward. We’ll be watching closely to see what comes next.
Quick Hits
IN OTHER NEWS
After nearly a decade of planning, Reston Town Center North has cleared a major hurdle. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the redevelopment framework for the nearly 47-acre civic core, setting the stage for roughly 1,000 homes, a central green, recreation center, new Reston Regional Library and replacement Embry Rucker Community Shelter. Individual buildings will still go through future reviews, so this is the framework rather than the start of construction.
Plaza America is about to have a changing of the pizza guard. MOD Pizza will close its Reston location on September 30, with Andy’s Pizza expected to take over the space. MOD has been there for nearly a decade, while Andy’s, a D.C.-area pizza chain and recent RAMMY winner, is expected to open before the end of the year.
A local traffic-safety fight appears to have produced a result. After a student was struck near South Lakes High School earlier this month, Fairfax County supervisors moved to restore funding for high school crossing guards and pursue a broader county-school effort focused on pedestrian safety. The student suffered minor injuries, but the incident intensified an already-running debate over the guards eliminated during the FY2027 budget process.
Reston’s art scene has another fall exhibition in the mix. A Persian American art exhibition is running locally through October 5, featuring work from four Persian American artists and adding another cultural stop to the area’s early-fall calendar.
The JW Marriott at Reston Station is getting a new operator barely a year after opening. Davidson Hospitality Group will take over management October 1, replacing Crescent Hotels & Resorts at the 247-room hotel. Comstock says the transition is not expected to disrupt guests.
Another aging office property near Herndon is officially headed toward housing. Fairfax County has approved the replacement of the Coppermine Commons III office building near Innovation Center Metro with 98 townhomes. The project at 13851 Sunrise Valley Drive will include 40 traditional townhouses and 58 stacked townhouses, with 12 units designated as affordable housing.
Curated Events
EVENTS IN RESTON, HERNDON, AND BEYOND
There’s a lot happening close to home this week, with the Reston Multicultural Festival leading the way as the biggest community event on the calendar. If you want something more low-key, the Lake Anne Sunset Paddle offers a great excuse to get on the water, while Herndon’s Puzzle-Palooza brings a little friendly competition to Sunday afternoon. You can also mix in a nature program at Walker Nature Center, a creative wool felting workshop, or the Heart Health Event at Reston Town Center for a week that has a little something for just about everyone.
A Final Note
YOU KNOW YOU’RE FROM RESTON WHEN…
“…you see a coven of witches paddling across Lake Anne, and nobody asks any questions.”
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