For the first time ever, Annandale will host a Taste of Annandale, a community

celebration where 20 local restaurants showcase their cuisine. The Taste of Annandale is

scheduled for Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The event will take place along Tom

Davis Drive in central Annandale, between Columbia Pike and John Marr Drive. The event is no

charge.

Not only will there be cuisine tasting, but also live entertainment all day long. Different

types of music groups will be playing, Tahitian dancers performing and several bands playing

roots, rock, and persian music. Annandale Terrace Elementary School’s jump rope champions

will also be performing.

Other activities that will occur is a chili cook off between the fire department and police

department and a 5K “Diamond Dash.” Two randomly selected runners will win a halfcarat

diamond, donated by the title sponsor, Lambros Goldsmith. The 5K will begin and end at the

Annandale United Methodist Church on Columbia Pike.

“The idea is to promote community engagement and getting the community involved as

well as supporting youth,” editor of the Annandale Blog, Ellie Ashford said.

A steering community, made up of local stakeholders and chaired by Reverence Clarence

Brown, created the Taste of Annandale as a way to enhance community participation. Proceeds

gained from the Taste of Annandale will help and assist the Annandale Youth Fund, a program

meant to create projects to strengthen life in the Annandale community.

Commander of the Resource Management Bureau and major with the Fairfax County

“Annandale is consisted of diversity where we have so many beautiful, wonderful individuals

and citizens who call this home,” Police Department, officer Gun Lee said, “By having the Taste

of Annandale, I want people who are not a part of Annandale to learn more. Hopefully this

would increase visitors and the business aspect.”

The Taste of Annandale is meant to attract people living or are a part of Annandale, but

also those who are new to the area.

“Everybody should attend. It is for families and for people of all ages,” Ashford said.