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Lake Anne Village Center Celebrates Forty Years
From the Times Community
By John C. Marcario
Dec. 7, 2005

Lake Anne Village Center held its 40th anniversary rededication ceremony on a sunny but blustery cold afternoon Saturday.

Local political leaders and Reston founder Robert E. Simon gave brief speeches, and Santa Claus arrived on a barge from the lake. Festivities, which included a small petting zoo, continued throughout the day as well.

“We think of this as a rededication of Reston and the purpose it was founded on,” said Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins to a large gathering of people inside the plaza.

Also scattered about were local merchants selling paintings, artwork, crafts and other items.

In his remarks, Simon emphasized that changes are on the horizon for the village center and Reston as a whole in the coming years.

“It does strike me that we're going to have changes here and we should get used to it,” he said.

On Dec. 4, 1965, the village center held its grand opening with nearly 12,000 people in attendance. A few hundred people attended this year's ceremony.

In 1985 the center was widely regarded as the turning point in the county's more urban development.

“We moved into this community with a purpose. It's an amazing place,” Sen. Janet Howell (D-32nd) said.

The founding principles of Reston, a diverse community that welcomes all people, stand true today. Howell said she moved into the area because everyone was welcome and wanted to live here.

“I tell my wife every day how thankful we are to live here,” said Del. Ken Plum (D-36th).

© Times Community Newspapers 2005