In case you didn’t have a chance to take a look at the events around town this weekend, we have a video recap for you. The food festival was fun, had good food, plenty of wine and beer, and was a good opening event to kick off a new identity to Tysons that goes beyond the parking lot. What was once just a construction laydown and asphalt lot became Lerner Townsquare, where food trucks, vendors, musicians, wineries, and local chef celebrities could welcome the Tysons Community.
[tube]mxPFmYY5gnE, 700, 394 [/tube]The event wasn’t without hiccups, as can be expected from being the first time on what is still a quickly changing area. Of course the Silver Line was not up and running, but beyond that there were several cross walks missing on the way to the festival. Getting more restaurants and food trucks to participate would go a long way also. And with all events, word of mouth of letting people know when and where was a challenge, for what is essentially a new community space.
That being said, part of the weekend was for goal of promoting the kinds of pedestrian improvements that would have solved some of the hiccups like the cross walks. Joined by some fellow urban, or atleast local pedestrian, enthusiasts I helped lead people from the farmer’s market (check it out on Sundays, it’s becoming pretty popular) to the Silver Line Metro next to Lerner Townsquare, highlighting areas where improvements are needed.
Unfortunately, staff and local leaders were not in attendance, which hurts our ability to show where small but necessary improvements could be championed and implemented immediately.
All together, a great improvement on normal happenings in Tysons. While the events in town have a long way to go, I don’t think anyone can argue that getting the community together; combining music, food, and drink; as well as talking about the future of town is something that most would like to happen more often. There are still a half dozen more events planned for the summer/fall so hopefully all the kinks can be worked out and build on the successes of this weekend.