REGISTRATION DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR SENIOR OLYMPICS: Registration is continuing for the 2024 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics, open to Northern Virginia residents who will be age 50 or older by Dec. 31.
More than 70 events will be available to participants when the annual games begin Sept. 14.
“Hundreds of folks are registering as they check out the wide variety of both indoor and outdoor events,” said Riley Geary, who chairs the event.
Registration (online only) continues through Aug. 29 at www.nvso.us. The $20 fee covers as many events as a participant wishes to register for. A few events have additional fees to cover specific costs.
Competition will take place at 26 venues across the local area.
FOURTH ANNUAL ‘OAKTON DAY IN THE PARK’ TO FEATURE MUSIC, FOOD, ANTIQUE CARS: The Greater Oakton Community Association (GOCA) will host its fourth annual Oakton Day in the Park on Aug. 25 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Oakton Community Park, 2841 Hunter Mill Road.
The family-friendly event, which attracted some 600 attendees last year, will offer activities for all ages. This year’s festival will feature music by local duo Molly and Mark, food and drink from Famous Dave’s, Taco Rock, Ben & Jerry’s, and Settle Down Easy–Oakton Tasting Room. OWS Wine also will bring wines to taste.
Acclaimed magician Eric Henning will perform shows in the historic, circa-1897 Oakton Schoolhouse, located next to the park. Teddy the Mini-Horse and a display of antique cars will be back this year.
Friends of Oakton Library will sell books, invasive-plant specialists will lead a guided walk through the woods, local non-profits will be on hand to discuss their efforts and there will be plenty of crafts and games for children.
Festival organizers will distribute complimentary copies of the newly published third edition of the Oakton Community Directory. This guide to local businesses and government services aims to build a sense of community and showcase local enterprises.
Supported by generous donations from local sponsors, the directory provides an important source of revenue for GOCA, helping to support Oakton Day and other community efforts throughout the year.
Several beautiful birdhouses, hand-painted by local artists, also will be raffled at the event as another fund-raiser.
Festival parking will be available a short walk away at Unity of Fairfax, 2854 Hunter Mill Road, and Oakton Library, 10304 Lynnhaven Place. There is no rain date. In case of threatening weather, organizers advise attendees to check GOCA’s Website (greateroakton.com) for any updates.
MCC FORUMS TO LOOK AT BUDGET FOR FISCAL 2026: The McLean Community Center (MCC) Governing Board will hold two public meetings in September to discuss the center’s proposed fiscal 2026 budget, which runs from July 2025 to June 2026.
The first meeting, to be held by the board’s Finance Committee, will be held in person Sept. 4 at 6:30 p.m. The committee will not take public comment.
The Governing Board will hold its fiscal 2026 budget public hearing in person Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m. Testimony will be taken at that meeting, and can be submitted through Oct. 14.
The Governing Board is slated to approve the budget on Oct. 23 and forward it to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
For full details on the process, and how to participate, see the Website at www.mcleancenter.org.
FRIENDS OF TYSONS-PIMMIT LIBRARY HOLDING BOOK SALE: Friends of the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library will host its next quarterly book and media sale Sept. 5-8 at the library, 7584 Leesburg Pike.
A wide array of items will be available for purchase from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
Donations of items are welcomed in advance of the sale, and volunteers also are needed. For information, see the Website at https://www.tysonslibraryfriends.org or e-mail [email protected].
‘DOG DAZE’ EVENT ROUNDS OUT YEAR AT WATER PARK: The Fairfax County Park Authority’s Water Mine Swimmin’ Hole at Lake Fairfax Park will host its annual “Dog Daze” event on Sept. 7, with the waterpark open just to canines for an end-of-year celebration.
“During this popular event, dogs can play, swim and enjoy the waterpark,” Park Authority officials said. “Their human friends can enjoy a canine resource fair with pet-related vendors and information about more fun opportunities for dogs across the county.”
Running from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the $10 admittance charge supports the Fairfax County Park Foundation.
The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole at Lake Fairfax is located at 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive in Reston. For more information and restrictions, and to register, see the Website at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/watermine/.
‘NARFE’ CHAPTERS TO HOST INTRODUCTORY EVENT: A special event hosted by NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employee Assn.) chapters across Northern Virginia will be held on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center.
“Join us for refreshments, networking and a great opportunity to meet Virginia chapter and Virginia Federation leaders to learn more about NARFE and how its programs may help you,” the organization said.
Registration is requested by Sept. 9; for information and to register, e-mail Nancy Palmerino at [email protected].
