The Observer Newspapers | Week of July 4 Events

July 4, 2008

Independence Day Fireworks Planned

The Town of Herndon will host its annual July 4 celebration from 6:30 to 10 p.m. near the Herndon Community Center, located at 814 Ferndale Ave. The event will feature a community kickball game, arts and crafts activities, bingo and additional activities, and the fireworks display starts at 9:30 p.m. Javier Mendoza will also perform at the celebration. In addition, the Fairfax County Park Authority will sponsor fireworks at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston on Friday with food vendors and free admission to the park. Visitors to the Water Mine water park must pay regular admission fees. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m. The rain date is July 5. Lake Fairfax is located at 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive in Reston. Call 703-471-5415.

Live Entertainment, Activities Planned at Lake Anne This Weekend

• Tuesday and Thursday mornings offer free entertainment for area families with children's shows from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Peter McCory One-Man Band will perform July 8 and Gleemania takes the stage on July 10.

• Tuesday nights attract area talent to Lake Anne's Tavern on the Lake with open mike night, beginning at 8 p.m.

• Thursday nights feature Take A Break Concerts. On July 10, Trio Caliente, a Flamenco pop and rumba group, will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. on the Plaza.

• Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, beginning at 9 p.m., at Tavern on the Lake feature live music. Call 703-471-0121.

• Friday evenings bring live jazz to the Lake Anne Village Center with "Fountain Notes" from 7 to 9 p.m. on the Plaza.

• Saturday morning concerts are presented each week by the Friends of Lake Anne. Feel the Wag will perform lively dance tunes on the guitar, fiddle, mandolin and hammered dulcimer from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday by the Lake Anne Plaza fountain. The concert is free to attend.

• Saturdays at Lake Anne also feature Children's Art Workshops from 10 a.m. to noon at the Reston Museum. This weekend, artist Pat Macintyre will help children celebrate "Christmas in July" with pinecone critters.

• Saturday nights from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Jasmine Cafe hosts free live music. Call 703-471-9114.

28th Herndon Olympics to be Held Tuesday

The Fox Mill Estates Foxes swim team of Herndon will host the 28th annual Herndon Olympics from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Fox Mill Pool, located at 2720 Viking Dr. in the Herndon area. This year's event will be attended by more than 1,000 swimmers from nine local Herndon swim teams, including the Hiddenbrook Hurricanes, Hunters Creek Stingrays, Four Seasons Tidal Waves, Reflection Woods Riptides, Herndon Community Center Halibuts, Fox Mill Estates Foxes, Kingstream Kahunas, Kingston Chase Fighters and the Herndon Hammerheads. The swimmers range in age from 7 to 18 years old and will be competing in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and relay events.

Church Plans 'Mission Possible' Program

Saint Matthew's Episcopal Church is putting on their Mission Possible program once again this year. From 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 7 to 11, rising second to eighth graders are invited to come and help out in the community. This free series of missions work was quite successful in previous years with participating youth visiting Habitat for Humanity sites, serving lunches, assisting the elderly, and contributing to environmental causes. Youth may register either for one day, all of the days, or any of the days. Contact Jodie Leach at jodieleach2@aol.com or 703-421-6310. St. Matthew's is located at 201 E. Frederick Drive in Sterling. Registration is free, but donations are accepted.

Writer to Visit Book Store

On July 8 at 7 p.m., Barnes & Noble in Reston will host "Cockatiels at Seven" with local mystery writer Donna Andrews, who will sign and discuss her latest mystery. Andrews leads the store's writers' workshop, which meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Residents are invited to join Andrews for tea and cookies on July 8. Barnes & Noble is located at 1851 Fountain Dr. in Reston. The event is free and open to the public.

Opening to be Held at Eyewear Gallery

Eyewear Gallery will host a grand opening celebration from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 9 at its location in Reston Town Center. A trunk show also will run from 4 to 7 p.m. Attendees will have an opportunity to celebrate "The Art of Looking Good" with prizes, giveaways, refreshments and Maui Jim on the ukulele. Call 703-709-5400 or visit www.eyewear-gallery.com.

Farmers Market Fun Days Return

The Herndon Parks and Recreation presents "Farmers Market Fun Days" every Thursday from July 10 through Aug. 14. The July 10 show will run from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. at the Herndon Municipal Center Town Green, located at 777 Lynn St., and it will feature Mr. Brian and the Boppets, a rock 'n' roll puppet show.

On July 17, Jessie and James with Mutts Gone Nuts presents a variety show with pups, and on July 24, Michael Shwedick's Reptile World showcases alligators, crocodiles, anacondas and other reptiles. On July 31, the Farmers Market Fun Days showcase physical comedy at its best with Paul Hadfield, The Funny Guy.

Rocknoceros will perform its award-winning children's rock on Aug. 7 and Cincopation presents Carnival of the Animals, a narrated story with musical accompaniment, on Aug. 14. The events are free to the public and open to children of all ages. Visit www.herndon-va.gov or call 703-787-7300.

GRACE to Present Artist's Perspective

The Greater Reston Arts Center will host an artist's perspective on arts council @ grace exhibit at 7:30 p.m. July 10. Residents are invited to come for a evening of dialogue with some of the 21 artists participating in this all-media exhibition, on display through Aug. 2. Call 703-471-9242 or visit www.restonarts.org.

Town Center Hosts Weekly Live Entertainment

• Monday mornings provide fun for families with performances by Mr. Knick Knack. Events begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Reston Town Center pavilion and are free to attend.

• Saturday nights bring live music to Reston Town Center with Reston Concerts on the Town. The concerts run from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at the pavilion and are free to attend. Performing this weekend is the J Street Jumpers, a swing and jump blues band. The events are held rain or shine.

Artist to Visit Town Center Store

Disney and Olympic poster artist Tim Rogerson will visit ArtInsights at Reston Town Center from 2 to 6 p.m. July 12. Rogerson has created posters of movies such as "Peter Pan," "The Lion King," "Lady and the Tramp" and "Winnie the Pooh. His pieces will be on display at ArtInsights through Aug. 16. Visit www.artinsights.com.