Hey gang, Matt here!
If you’re looking to make a difference in your neighborhood, or even on your block, I found this unique program Fairfax County Fire & Rescue is operating called “Adopt A Hydrant.”
Adopting a hydrant simply means you volunteer to keep it clear of snow and debris. It’s a small effort with a big community benefit, especially this time of year.
In the spirit of community and helping out our local fire department, I even “adopted” one on my street this week! There are nearly 30,000 hydrants across the county, so consider helping your local first responders — and your neighbors — as well.
Now, to the Poll Question!
Last week’s poll question: “Should a casino open in Tysons?”
The results ⬇️
This week, who’s ready for the Super Bowl on Sunday? I’m a big football fan, but I’m equally as big a fan of Buffalo wings. Fry a few up for this week’s poll question:
This Week’s Poll Question
Share your thoughts and we’ll post the results in next week’s newsletter!
In this week’s newsletter:
Fairfax Chocolate Festival + local sledding hotspots
GMU Homecoming bar crawl
Fleetwood Mac tribute in Tysons
Campfire Saturdays + summer camp preview
Local Olympians and Good News of the Week
P.S.: Not yet a subscriber? Join nearly 2,000+ neighbors and sign up for the FREE Out & About Fairfax newsletter here and follow along on Instagram.
Cheers,
Matt
Things To Do
Three days of chocolate come to the City of Fairfax, with free and fee options (including the popular Taste of Chocolate at the Sherwood Center) throughout town from Friday, Feb. 6-Sunday, Feb. 8.
A mini-version of the popular Fairfax market returns but will hosted at the three organizers’ shops (Mode on Main by Mara, Lucy Loves, & Perfect Mistakes) rather than a full street takeover on Saturday, Feb. 7 from 12:00p.m.-4:00p.m. Admission is free.
10417 Main St., Fairfax
Local Sledding Hot Spots
Looking to hit the hills this weekend, consider checking out Westgate Park in McLean or Lake Fairfax Park in Reston. Also, consider checking out Lake Braddock Park in Burke and Huntsman Lake Park in Springfield. Wherever you are, enjoy the winter fun Out & About!
Local Book Sales
A pair of book sales are scheduled for local libraries this weekend
Friends of Reston Library Mystery Sale — Reston Regional Library, Thursday, Feb. 5-Sunday, Feb. 8
11925 Bowman Towne Dr., Reston
First Saturday Book Sale — Sherwood Regional Library, Saturday, Feb. 7 from 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m.
2501 Sherwood Hall Ln., Alexandria
Reston Polar Dip Update
The annual Kiwanis Polar Dip on Lake Anne has been canceled and will now be held virtually due to ice conditions. Learn more about ways to participate and donate here.
Winter is here, but there are still plenty of year-round farmers markets!
Food & Drink
GMU Patriots, alum, and local residents are invited to explore 10 participating Old Town Fairfax locations for food and drink specials on Friday, Feb. 6 from 6:00p.m.-8:00p.m. Registration is free.
10415 North St., Fairfax
The Alexandria brewery is celebrating the milestone with an all-day anniversary bash packed with live music, exclusive beer releases on Saturday, Feb. 7.
3950 Wheeler Ave., Alexandria
The popular ice cream shop, with locations in Tysons and Alexandria, is hosting its annual Ice Cream for Breakfast promotion on Saturday, Feb. 7.
Bunnyman Brewing’s Lorton and Burke brewpubs are kicking off the weekend with breakfast and beers on both Saturday, Feb. 7 and Sunday, Feb. 8. Times vary by pub. Price of purchase. (Chantilly will be able to enjoy this later in the month.)
Music, Arts, & Entertainment
“Rumours” brings the hits from Stevie Nicks and company to Capital One Hall on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 8:00p.m. Tickets: $48.
7750 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons
Berta Rojas headlines the latest performance by the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 8:00p.m. at GMU’s Harris Theatre. Tickets start at $54.
4471 Aquia Creek Ln., Fairfax
The Mark Morris Dance Group and Music Ensemble returns to the Center for the Arts with Dances to American Music on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 8:00p.m. Tickets: $55-$81.
4373 Mason Pond Dr., Fairfax
Check out some of the up-and-coming artists on the country music scene The Barns at Wolf Trap from Thursday, Feb. 5-Saturday, Feb. 7. Tickets start at $45.
1635 Trap Rd., Vienna
Join The Community Corkboard!
Our Community Corkboard is a great way to promote your event weeks in advance and to invite your neighbors Out & About! Want to feature your upcoming event or learn more? Email us!
Families & Kids
Families can get a jumpstart on summer camp by checking out this one-stop shop at Tysons Corner Center on Saturday, Feb. 7 from 11:00a.m.-4:00p.m.
1961 Chain Bridge Rd., Tysons
Registration opens this week for 2026 camps, and registration openings are based on where you live. Find more details in the link above.
A hands-on family-friendly activity at the McLean Community Center on Friday, Feb. 6 from 7:00p.m.-9:00p.m. Tickets: $10.
1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean
Enjoy a crisp winter night plus a warm campfire complete with s’mores and stargazing at Lake Fairfax Park on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 5:30p.m. Tickets: $12/person.
1400 Lake Fairfax Dr., Reston
Sports & Recreation
⛸️ Good luck to Fairfax native and Marshall High School graduate Ilia Malinin, known as figure skating’s “Quad God,” and fellow Fairfax native and Thomas Jefferson High School graduate Brandon Kim, a speed skater. They will be representing Team USA at the Winter Olympics in Italy this week!
Home Games
🏒 NHL: Nashville Predators at Washington Capitals
Thursday, Feb. 5 at 7:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
🏀 NCAAM: Saint Joseph’s at George Mason
Saturday, Feb. 6 at 4:00p.m., EagleBank Arena, Fairfax
🏀 NBA: Miami Heat at Washington Wizards
Sunday, Feb. 8 at 2:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
Fairfax County Fun Fact of the Week
Last week’s Fun Fact about Fairfax County’s own “ghost town” received such a great response that we’re back with more!
Did you know: Matildaville was named by its founder, the Revolutionary War hero "Light Horse" Harry Lee (the father of Robert E. Lee). Harry Lee named the town for his first wife, Matilda Lee.
Before We Go, Some Good News!
For this week’s Good News, we hit the road next door to Loudoun County — Sterling, specifically.
A group of folks who exercise by walking inside the Dulles Town Center noticed the new non-profit kitchen that had opened. Soon, they said to themselves: let’s help to serve our neighbors. And serve, they did. It turns out, so many more people joined in to help out, as well. Check out the full story from WUSA9.
Great work!
Community Contributions
Out & About Fairfax is a free, community minded, independent local newsletter. Your contribution will help to grow our newsletter and spread the word about all of the local events and good news in our community. Appreciate you, my friends!
Thanks for reading! See you next week.
