Memorial Day is this coming Monday, May 25, 2015, and the holiday weekend is filled with celebrations around the area. Whether you prefer to spend the weekend honoring the military or welcoming summer, we have ideas for you. Here’s what’s happening in Reston and the surrounding areas of Northern Virginia and Washington.
Kayak rentals at Lake Anne in Reston
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2015
Lake Anne Boat Rentals open for the season
4pm-8pm: Reston Used Book Shop, Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
Explore Lake Anne with a kayak, canoe, rowboat, or pedal boat. Rentals are available Thursdays through Sundays until Labor Day weekend. Tickets can be purchased at the Reston Used Book Shop for $6 per hour.
The Backyard at Reston Station
4pm-7pm: 11389 Reston Station Blvd, Reston
This happy hour fundraiser supports community projects such as camp scholarships, tree planting, and bike racks. There will be live music and four food trucks. Rain or shine. FREE, with beer and wine sales for fundraising.
SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015
Reston Association Pools open for the season
15 locations throughout Reston
Most of the RA pools open on Memorial Day weekend for the summer season. You can find a list of the pools and their hours here. Purchase your pool/tennis passes at the RA headquarters or online.
The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole opens for the season
Lake Fairfax Park 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr. Reston
Reston’s water park has over an acre of slides, sprays, floatables, and interactive play features. The park is designed for elementary-aged children, but also offers a toddler area. Teens and adults enjoy it, too. Admission $11.25-$14.50. Season passes are available.
Salute the Troops: Patriotic Sing-Along with The Reston Chorale
2pm: Reston Town Center Pavilion, Reston
Take part in a sing-along of patriotic music to salute America’s troops. The Reston Chorale will collect donated items to send to servicemen and women to boost their morale while deployed. See the list of recommended donations here. Concert is FREE.
Jim McDonnell Lake Swim: Open Water Swim Clinic
7am-10am, Lake Audubon, Reston
Learn the swimming techniques of Chloe Sutton and Larsen Jensen, two of the best open water and distance freestylers in the world.
ViVa Vienna
10am-10pm: Historic Downtown Vienna
This annual Memorial Day celebration offers carnival rides, food, crafts, artists, local history, and live music. Admission is FREE.
Flags at half-mast at the Washington Monument in DC
SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015
Wolf Trap Summer Blast Off
8pm: Wolf Trap, 1645 Trap Road Vienna, Virginia
“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band will launch Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts’ summer season with a program of concert band favorites. A fireworks display will follow the concert. FREE.
Jim McDonnell Lake Swim: Races
Lake Audubon, 2070 Twin Branches Road, Reston
The Jim McDonnell Lake Swims are hosted each year on Memorial Day weekend, in honor of Reston Masters’ Swim Team team member Jim McDonnell, who died of non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Two races are be held: a 1-mile swim and a 2-mile swim.
Rolling Thunder
12pm: From the Pentagon (Arlington) to the Vietnam War Memorial (DC) along the Memorial Bridge
This annual motorcycle rally is held in Washington, DC during the Memorial Day weekend to call for the government’s recognition and protection of Prisoners of War (POWs) and those Missing in Action (MIAs). About 900,000 participants and spectators are expected to be involved. FREE.
ViVa Vienna
10am-10pm: Historic Downtown Vienna
This annual Memorial Day celebration offers carnival rides, food, crafts, artists, local history, and live music. Admission is FREE.
National Memorial Day Concert
8pm: Capitol Building, Washington
This star-studded tribute to military service will feature appearances by Gloria Estefan, Colin Powell, Laurence Fishburne, and the National Symphony Orchestra. It will be hosted Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise. FREE.
The World War II Memorial in DC
MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015
Memorial Day Festival and Parade
9am-5pm: Park Avenue, Falls Church
Festivities include a 3K Fun Run, amusement rides, live entertainment, and a lively parade down Park Avenue. A Veteran’s Ceremony will begin at 11am outside the Community Center. Admission is FREE.
ViVa Vienna
10am-6pm: Historic Downtown Vienna
This annual Memorial Day celebration offers carnival rides, food, crafts, artists, local history, and live music. Admission is FREE.
Memorial Day Festival and Parade
9am-5pm: Park Avenue, Falls Church
Festivities include a 3K Fun Run, amusement rides, live entertainment, and a lively parade down Park Avenue. A Veteran’s Ceremony will begin at 11am outside the Community Center. Admission is FREE.
Alexandria Memorial Day Jazz Festival
1pm-7pm: Waterfront Park, 1 Prince Street, Alexandria
The annual event features big band, swing, and contemporary jazz. Bring a picnic or buy food from the festival’s vendors. In case of inclement weather, the festival will take place at the Lee Center’s Kauffman Auditorium. FREE.
Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony
11am and 4pm: Arlington National Cemetery, 214 McNair Road, Arlington
At 11am, there will be a wreath-laying ceremony and concert at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. At 4pm, there will be a ceremony at the Women In Military Service For America Memorial, which will include the scattering of rose petals in tribute to departed comrades. FREE.
World War II Memorial Ceremony
9am: 17th Street, between Constitution and Independence Avenues, NW, Washington
There will be a wreath-laying and speeches. Many surviving WWII veterans will be in attendance. FREE.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Ceremony
1pm: 5 Henry Bacon Dr NW, Washington
Thousands of veterans and their families congregate at The Wall to remember and to honor the U.S. armed forces. FREE.
Air Force Memorial Wreath Laying
9am: 1 Air Force Memorial Drive, Arlington
Activities include the national anthem, invocation, speeches, the laying of the wreath and the sounding of Taps. FREE.
Navy Memorial Wreath Laying
10am: 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington
There will be wreath laying at 10am and 1pm. At 12pm, there will be a concert by the U.S. Navy Band. FREE.
National Memorial Day Parade
2pm: Constitution Avenue and 7th Street, NW, Washington
This annual parade is the largest Memorial Day event in the nation. The parade will include floats, high school marching bands, veterans, service members, local and national celebrities, and more. FREE.
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Photo credit for all photos: Charlotte Geary. All rights reserved.