Sunny conditions are expected, with temperatures reaching a high of 87°F and northwest winds blowing at 6 to 8 mph. By Tuesday night, the weather will become partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to around 69°F and a light northwest wind continuing. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas A. Edison
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People aid a cyclist struck by a driver along Wilson Blvd (via traffic cam)
A man on a bike was injured in a crash along Wilson Blvd in the Bluemont neighborhood this afternoon.
The incident happened shortly before 3:30 p.m. at the intersection with N. Lexington Street. Initial reports suggest that a driver struck the cyclist in the intersection, sending him hurtling to the ground.
This regularly scheduled sponsored column is written by Carolanne Korolowicz, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. If you would like to work with Carolanne in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. Metro area, you can reach her directly at [email protected].
2026 Arlington County Fair Logo
The Arlington County Fair has always been the unofficial ode to summer. Funnel cakes and flashing lights act as the bridge between the memories of summer and the anticipation of the school year ahead. From early-morning trips with my family as a child to staying until curfew as a teen, the “urban fair” has been a tradition for myself and most every Arlingtonian I know.
This year marks the fair’s golden jubilee. For five decades, the fair has been one of the East Coast’s largest free events. The mission of the fair has always been to bring premier entertainment for everyone and to highlight the diverse makeup of the county. Community involvement has always been the backbone of pulling off this one-of-a-kind fair.
Photo Courtesy of The Arlington Historical Society
In 1976, the local garden program wanted to show off the fruits of their labor at a “Harvest Day”. As the event planning started, the idea to expand to include more community members led to the county fair concept. The inaugural fair was immediately praised by Arlington residents and local press. An old-school, rural-style event situated amongst an urban area was intriguing. The Washington Post previewed the fair stating, “Where can an exceptional chrysanthemum raised on the tenth-floor balcony of the Crystal House apartment complex in Arlington receive its just due? Until this week, nowhere. However, if entered before 9 a.m. Friday it could be a blue-ribbon winner in the First Annual Arlington County Fair.”
On Friday, August 28, 1976, the ceremonial ribbon was cut and Arlingtonians were given the opportunity to showcase their crafts, hobbies and talents. Ranging from eggplants to bundt cakes, many of the competitive exhibits were similar to the ones residents still enter today. The event’s pioneers also brought in livestock from the Loudoun County 4-H Club, keeping with the traditional elements of a fair. By the early 1980s, the exhibit and vendor applications skyrocketed. Live entertainment, including a barbershop quartet, Hungarian folk musicians, and even a ventriloquist, was added to the docket. Eventually, livestock appearances started to fade, but the midway rides we know today were added.
In recent years, the volunteer-driven Arlington County Fair Board has continued to include entertainment, vendors and spaces for all residents (and all 150,000 visitors in attendance). Additions have included cuisine outside of the traditional candied apple and hot dog, featuring local businesses that reflect the area’s diverse food scene. A beer garden, featuring Solace Brewing Company’s libations, now makes for a great space to sit down and appreciate the performances. And as a toddler mom, I personally appreciate the recently established sensory-friendly hours during the opening hours on Saturday & Sunday.
The week leading up to it, Thomas Jefferson Community Center starts its transformation from soccer fields to fairground. Driving down 2nd St. South acts as a sneak peek at the fun ahead. Though the fair continues to expand outwards, there is still a comfort and nostalgia, year after year, walking the same route around the fair. Whether you beeline for the Zipper, or skip over to the ring toss, or make sure to sample the food trucks first — you know exactly where to find it.
This September, Ballston Children’s Center (BCC), a longtime daycare and preschool in Arlington, VA, celebrates 30 years of serving Arlington families and building a preschool around one belief: the early years are more than preparation for kindergarten — they are the foundation for a child’s future.
Marymount University entrance where students will go to move in (staff photo by Ryan Cole)
Students are arriving at Marymount University this week for their fall semester, potentially resulting in some traffic delays near the main campus.
Move-in began yesterday (Sunday) and will continue through this upcoming weekend, but the busiest day is expected to be Wednesday from 6:45 a.m.-5 p.m. This is the university’s official move-in day, with first-year convocation scheduled for Thursday morning.
Join us for Pike Fest, Columbia Pike’s signature fall festival, on Saturday, October 10!
Celebrate everything that makes Columbia Pike one of Arlington’s most vibrant and diverse communities with an afternoon full of live music, delicious food, family fun, and local shopping. From incredible restaurants and food vendors to artisan makers, community organizations, and small businesses, Pike Fest is your chance to experience the very best of the Pike all in one place.
Lil' Cakes & Creamery at 120 Founders Avenue in Falls Church (staff photo by Ryan Cole)
A new spot for cupcakes, ice cream and other sweet treats is preparing to open in Falls Church.
Lil’ Cakes & Creamery, a local chain, is hoping to open at 120 Founders Avenue by the end of August, a spokesperson told ARLnow. The shop specializes in gourmet cupcakes with flavors such as key lime pie and caramel macchiato, plus treats like milkshakes and cookie ice cream sandwiches.
Claremont Immersion Elementary School principal Liza Aldana-Broughman and Washington Wizards cheerleaders (photo courtesy APS)
Local students got in the back-to-school spirit last week with some help from the Washington Wizards.
Featuring appearances by Wizards mascot G-Wiz, the Wizards Dancers and DJ Chalant, the “Back-to-School Tip-Off” celebration provided students with backpacks filled with school supplies and free haircuts on Friday at Claremont Immersion Elementary School.
Flooding from July 8, 2019 storm in Arlington (via Arlington County)
Members of an Arlington advisory panel are expressing concerns that feedback on the county’s proposed Climate Action Plan doesn’t fully represent the broader community.
Jason Schwartz, representing the Housing Commission on the county’s Climate Action Plan Advisory Group, raised concerns about the underrepresentation of renters and those living in multifamily properties in an online survey being used as a planning tool by staff.
Superintendent Francisco Durán (screenshot via Arlington Public Schools)
Arlington school leaders are getting creative about recruiting and retaining special education teachers.
Arlington Public Schools has embarked on a partnership with George Mason University’s Project Patriots initiative, giving current staff the ability to earn required degrees and obtain special-education certification while still working full-time for the school system.
Queuing up for the Rancho mi Tacos truck in Courthouse (courtesy George Brazier)
Arlington Businesses Aid Colombia — Inca Social and Dov & Company have been collecting donations for victims of the Aug. 10 earthquake in Colombia, which killed more than 270 people. Through Aug. 21, Inca Social is donating all sales of its Colombian ceviche and arepas to relief efforts. [DC News Now]
Pedestrian Dodges Runaway SUV — Video posted by Dave Statter shows a driver losing control of an SUV on the south side of the Pentagon last Thursday night as a man ran to get out of the way. Arlington County firefighters responded and the injured man was sitting up when they arrived. [Dave Statter/X]
Arlington House Intruder Indicted — A federal grand jury indicted a man accused of assaulting a U.S. Army police officer inside Arlington House at Arlington National Cemetery. Park Police found him lying in a second-floor bed on July 14, a day after citing him for trespassing there. He remains held without bond. [Patch]
Spanberger Tours Rosslyn Apartments — Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) visited Wholey Legacy Homes, a 234-unit income-restricted building at 1300 N. Pierce Street in Rosslyn, while highlighting nearly $100 million for housing programs in the state budget. She toured with state Sen. Barbara Favola (D-Arlington). [Patch]
DCA Safety Fixes Lag — Six months after the NTSB issued its final recommendations on the January 2025 midair collision near Reagan National Airport, 51 of the 52 remain open. Chair Jennifer Homendy said the country is “no closer today to addressing many of the serious safety gaps” behind the crash. [Washington Post]
Community Foundation Honorees — The Arlington Community Foundation has announced Devanshi Patel will receive the Spirit of Leadership Award and Alejandra Underwood the Spirit of the Rise Award at the 33rd annual William T. Newman, Jr., Spirit of Community Awards, to be held Nov. 12 at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View. The event also will honor the legacy of Judge William Newman, Jr., who died earlier this year and who in 1991 founded the foundation. [Arlington Community Foundation]
Police vs. Sheriff, Explained — Arlington law enforcement was once handled by a sheriff, one deputy and about a dozen special officers who were paid per arrest and supplemented their income by inspecting the county’s outhouses, Bill Fogarty writes. A separate police department formed with nine officers on Feb. 1, 1940. [Falls Church News-Press]
Ulta Theft Suspect Held in Arlington — A D.C. man, 28, faces a petit larceny warrant after an Aug. 13 theft at an Ulta Beauty store in Springfield, police said. Arlington County police located the man and his car in Pentagon City and took him into custody on unrelated charges. [WUSA9]
Virginia Lands Leap Day Primary — The Democratic National Committee approved its 2028 presidential primary calendar Saturday, giving Virginia the last of six early slots on Feb. 29, leap day, as ARLnow reported last month. South Carolina votes first, on Jan. 22. [New York Times]
MOM’s Bans Employee Masks — Employees are demanding answers after the Rockville, Maryland-based grocery chain barred masks and face coverings on the clock, effective Aug. 10, citing customer experience. Workers with medical needs are exempt with a doctor’s note. MOM’s has an Arlington store on N. Veitch Street. [WTOP]
Colorful Kicks Rule the Track — Shoe-color options used to be limited for local high school and collegiate track-and-field participants, but these days, runners have a rainbow to choose from — and often take great care in deciding which colors to pick. [RunWashington]
It’s Monday — Expect mostly sunny skies today with a high near 90 and a west wind of 5–8 mph. There’s a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low around 72. [NWS]
Today’s Morning Notes are brought to you by Industrious. ARLnow has been in an Industrious office for years and we love the convenience — you get to focus on your work rather than worrying about brewing your own coffee or keeping the copy machine stocked. Industrious has several Metro-accessible coworking locations in Arlington.
