Real Estate and Reston, VA: Reston Holiday Parade and Events: Friday, November 27

If you happen to be sticking around this weekend, what better way to spend Black Friday (we all know the alternative, and that is not for me) than at the Reston Towncenter Holiday Parade? This will be the 19th annual parade, and based on the fact that my oldest will turn 20 soon, I am fairly sure we have been to most of them!

The parade kicks off Friday morning at 11:00 am with over 70 groups marching down Market Street.  Folks line up along the parade route, so come early!  This is a real civic event; you are likely to see the child from next door marching with the boy scouts or the girl up the street playing with the marching band. Over the years, Reston has done a fantastic job of making this a 'go-to' event.

 The retailers are open beginning  at 8:00 am, so you can get some shopping done and still wander over to the parade route in time to get a great seat.

The calendar of events, as published in the Reston Towncenter Press Release for the event is as follows:

• 8 AM: Reston Town Center retailers opening early
• 8 AM: Run with Alan Webb: 9th annual races for tots to teens to benefit Neediest Kids. Donation of $5 for participation encouraged. Participants can register at www.neediestkids.org.
• 11:00 AM: 19th Annual Reston Holiday Parade
• 12:30 – 4:30 PM: Visits and Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Located on Market Street, next to Talbots. Donations will benefit local charities.
• 6:00 PM: Tree Lighting and Sing Along. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive in a horse-drawn carriage to magically light up the Christmas tree, followed by traditional holiday songs led by Reston Chorale and brass quintet.
• 6:30 – 10:00 PM: Horse Drawn Carriage Rides. Proceeds benefit Volunteer Fairfax. Pick-up location is in front of Talbots on Market Street.$5 per person, children 5 and under ride free with adult.
• All day: Ice Skating Pavilion. Open every day for public skating until March.
• Santa’s Studio: Santa Claus will be at Reston Town Center in his portrait studio throughout the season. Dates and times vary, November 28 until December 24. His schedule is posted at his location on Market Street next to Talbots, and at www.restontowncenter.com.
• Holidays are Here! All through December, Reston Town Center will host performances of music and dance by community groups at Fountain Square, and strolling on Market Street. Horse drawn carriage rides are scheduled for Saturday afternoons, December 5, 12, and 19, from 12 PM until 4 PM. All proceeds benefit local charities. $5 per person, children 5 and under ride free with adult. The Ice Skating Pavilion is open every day until March. See the schedules and more details at www.restontowncenter.com.

Bring the family, grab your neighbors and friends and come out for a really special kick-off to the holiday season. As you can see, there is something for everyone!  For more information about this event, or other events at the Reston  Towncenter, go to www.restontowncenter.com