Hey gang, Matt here!

I hope you’re able to enjoy the long Labor Day weekend! (That includes “false fall” — high temps are expected to be in the mid-70s, perfect for week one of college football and outdoor fun.🍂)

We recently had a chance to chit-chat with the team at the Tysons Mixed Market ahead of the season opening market on September 4. We dive into what you can expect, and how it brings together local small businesses in the heart of Fairfax County’s economic hub that is Tysons. You can check out our conversation here.

Now, let’s see what’s on tap for our glorious long weekend ahead. ⬇️

In this week’s newsletter:

• Funky Flea, Annual Labor Day Car Show return in Fairfax

• Tiki Luau, food festivals, Restaurant Weeks continue

• Clay + Mirror workshop, Tedeschi Trucks Band at Wolf Trap

• Outdoor events for kids and parents

• Nats host Tampa Bay this weekend

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Cheers,
Matt

A message from us

Things To Do

History, horsepower, flea markets, and a whole lot of fun! 🚗

• 26th Annual Labor Day Car Show in Fairfax

  • The annual Labor Day Car Show returns to the City of Fairfax on Monday, September 1 from 8:00a.m.-2:00p.m. Enjoy classic cars and support local charities. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged.

    • 4081 University Drive, Fairfax

• Fairfax Funky Flea Returns Saturday

  • The latest Fairfax Funky Flea is set for Saturday, August 30 in the City of Fairfax. Scheduled for 9:00a.m.-3:00p.m., check out 70+ vendors in an outdoor flea market-style setting. Runs the last Saturday of every month through December.

    • 4031 University Drive, Fairfax

• VA250 Mobile Museum at Gunston Hall

  • Celebrate America’s and Virginia’s history as the VA250 Mobile Museum pulls into Gunston Hall from Sunday, August 31-Tuesday, September 2. The interactive exhibit brings history to life and is fit for all ages.

    • 10709 Gunston Rd., Mason Neck

• The Civil War at Sully

  • Explore the local Civil War history of the Sully Historic Site and of Fairfax County at-large during this event in Chantilly on Sunday, August 31 at 1:00p.m. Cost: $10. Ages: 6+.

    • 3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly

• Find A Farmers Market Near You

  • If you’re looking for fresh produce, local meats and eggs, artisan vendors, and more, check out our Farmers Market Guide! We have details for nearly 20 markets across Fairfax County, from Great Falls to Lorton, Chantilly to Falls Church, and much more.

• Summer Sweat Festival at the Mosaic District

  • Enjoy a unique rooftop workout — either yoga or a HITT class — in Fairfax’s Mosaic District on Friday evening, August 29. Features a scenic mix and mingle after class.

    • 8298 Glass Alley, Fairfax
      

Food & Drink

Restaurant Week continues + more tasty events around the area! 🍻🍕

• Commonwealth Brewing Co.’s 10th Anniversary Tiki Luau

  • Commonwealth Brewing Co.’s Fairfax brewpub is hosting its 10th anniversary Tiki Luau throughout the weekend, from Friday, August 29-Monday, September 1. Enjoy limited beer releases, live music, and more.

    • 10426 Main St., Fairfax

• 32nd Annual Middle Eastern Food Festival

  • The Holy Transfiguration Church in McLean will host its 32nd annual Middle Eastern Food Festival on Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August 31. Enjoy Middle Eastern food, dancing and music, games, and more.

    • 8501 Lewinsville Rd., McLean

• Fairfax City Summer Restaurant Week Continues

  • Nearly 30 restaurants in the City of Fairfax will dish up special items and longtime favorites as Fairfax City Summer Restaurant Week kicked off on Friday, August 22. The event runs through Sunday, August 31. See the full list of participating restaurants in the link above.

• Alexandria Restaurant Week Continues

  • Dozens of restaurants across Alexandria’s neighborhoods will participate in Alexandria Restaurant Week, which started on Friday, August 22 and runs through Sunday, August 31. Enjoy special menus for in-person dinner, plus additional offers and discounts throughout the city.

• Line Dancing at Fair Winds Brewing Co.

  • The Lorton brewery is hosting line dancing on Friday, August 29 starting at 6:30p.m. Cover: $5.

    • 7000 Newington Rd., Suites K-L, Lorton
      

Go Out & About Together

Music, Arts, & Entertainment

Primary colors events, secondary colors events, and more! ⬇️

• Clay + Mirror Art Workshop in Fairfax

  • One of our fellow newsletter subscribers, Apoorva Tamhankar, is hosting a clay and mirror art workshop on Thursday, August 28 from 6:00p.m.-8:00p.m. at Caboose Commons in Fairfax. Tickets: $28, supplies and drink included.

    • 2918 Eskridge Rd., Fairfax

• Workhouse Arts Center Yard Sale

  • Give new life to some creative and artistic goodies — everything from costumes to props and more — at Workhouse Arts Center’s first-ever Yard Sale. The event runs Thursday, August 28-Saturday, August 30.

    • 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton

• Fab Fridays Summerbration in Reston

  • “Don’t Back Down,” a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tribute band, headlines this week’s Fab Fridays concert at Reston Station on Friday, August 29. Showtime: 7:00p.m. Admission is free.

    • 1901 Reston Metro Plaza, Reston

• Tedeschi Trucks Band at Wolf Trap

  • The blues-rock group Tedeschi Trucks Band will headline two nights at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center on Friday, August 29 and Saturday, August 30. Whiskey Myers is scheduled to open. Tickets start at $61. Showtime: 7:30p.m.

    • 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna

Families & Kids

Fun for the kiddos and parents alike! 🎉

• Campfire Fridays in Springfield

  • A fun-filled night around the campfire — complete with s’mores — in Springfield’s Lake Accotink Park on Friday, August 29 at 8:00p.m. Cost: $10. Ages 5+.

    • 7500 Accotink Park Rd., Springfield

• Parent’s Night Out in Centreville

  • Learning Paths Academy in Centreville is hosting Parent’s Night Out on Friday, August 29 from 6:00p.m.-9:00p.m. Cost: $28.

    • 5801 Stone Creek Dr., Centreville

• “Little Hands on the Farm” in Herndon

  • An interactive event designed to show toddlers life on the farm, plus other fun activities, at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon on Friday, August 29 at 11:00a.m. Cost: $10.

    • 2709 West Ox Rd., Herndon

• “Life Under a Log” in Reston

  • Kids and parents can join a naturalist to learn about the little critters that call our neck of the woods home at the Reston Association’s Walker Nature Center on Saturday, August 30 from 10:30a.m.-11:30a.m.. Cost: $7/RA Member, $9/non-RA member.

    • 11450 Glade Dr., Reston

Sports & Recreation

Each week, we run down the schedule, news, and notes of our favorite local teams!

News & Notes

• 🏈 High school football begins for most Northern Virginia schools this week.

• ⚽️ D.C. United is at New York City in MLS action on Saturday.

• 🏀 The Washington Mystics are at Golden State and Los Angeles this weekend.

• 🏈 The Washington Commanders have concluded pre-season play. They host the New York Giants on September 7 to begin the regular season.

Home Games

• ⚾️ MLB: Tampa Bay Rays at Washington Nationals

  • Friday, August 29 at 6:45p.m., Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

• ⚾️ MLB: Tampa Bay Rays at Washington Nationals

  • Saturday, August 30 at 4:05p.m., Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

• ⚽️ USL: Miami FC at Loudoun United FC

  • Saturday, August 30 at 7:00p.m., Segra Field, Leesburg

• ⚾️ MLB: Tampa Bay Rays at Washington Nationals

  • Sunday, August 31 at 1:35p.m., Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

• ⚽️ NWSL: Chicago Stars FC at Washington Spirit

  • Sunday, August 31 at 4:00p.m., Audi Field, Washington, D.C.

Fairfax County Fun Fact of the Week

Did you know: The world’s first Apple Store opened in 2001 in our own backyard — in the Tysons Corner Center.

Before We Go, Some Good News…

This week, we have an update on some “Good News” we featured earlier this month. In our July 31 edition, we told you about Madison High School students Violette and Reese who were raising money to purchase quality backpacks for local students in need ahead of this school year through their program, “Quality Backpacks for Vienna Kids in Need.”

Over the weekend, the final numbers came in — Violette and Reese raised $5,100 of combined money and backpack donations this year! We’re told that’s a total of $12,400 since they started their backpack drive four years ago.

We’re also told that thanks to you, the incredible readers of Out & About Fairfax, they received donations from outside of the Vienna community, as well!

Above, you will find photos of Violette and Reese outside of two Vienna-area schools where backpacks have been donated during this school year.

Great work!

Know about some good news in the community? We want to hear about it!

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Thanks for reading! See you next week.

Matt Knoedler
Publisher, Out & About Fairfax