Reston has always been a town that honors diversity — its planners and developers emphasized from the beginning that people of all races and incomes were warmly welcomed. Now Reston has a beautifully diverse and progressive population, and the annual Reston Multicultural Festival is a perfect way to celebrate it.

      Every September, Lake Anne Plaza fills with dancers, musicians, crafts, foods, costumes, and hundreds of people from all over the world. I love this festival and rave about it every year.

      I photographed the festival for Reston Community Center, who hosted it. I love working with RCC and documenting their excellent community events. (But this festival is a personal favorite!) Here are some of the many delightful scenes from the 2019 Reston Multicultural Festival.

       

      Beverly Cosham sings God Bless America
      Beverly Cosham sings God Bless America

       

      Fairfax County Supervisor Cathy Hudgins
      Fairfax County Supervisor Cathy Hudgins

       

      American flags at a US naturalization ceremony
      The festival begins each year with a naturalization ceremony. I love all the American flags that the new citizens are given.

       

      US naturalization ceremony
      Some of America’s newest citizens

       

      Performer with Nomad Dancers
      Middle Eastern dancer with the performance group Nomad Dancers

       

      Bolivian dance performance by Tradiciones Bolivianas
      Bolivian dance performance by Tradiciones Bolivianas

       

      Origami instruction
      Origami instruction

       

      Gin Dance Company
      Gin Dance Company

       

      Nomad Dancers
      Nomad Dancers

       

      Black Storyteller Linda Goss
      Black Storytelling by National Heritage Fellow Linda Goss

       

      Performer with Slavic Folk Group LADA
      Performer with Slavic Folk Group LADA

       

      Gin Dance Company
      Gin Dance Company

       

      corn on the cob
      Deliciousness in the food court

       

      Tradiciones Bolivianas
      Tradiciones Bolivianas

       

      Shu-Chen Cuff with Gin Dance Company
      Taiwanese dancer Shu-Chen Cuff of Gin Dance Company

       

      Folk Ensemble LADA
      Slavic dancers

       

      National Heritage Fellowship medal
      Linda Goss’s National Heritage Fellowship medal

       

      Bellydancers with Raqs El Hob
      Bellydancers with Raqs El Hob

       

       

      Bellydancers with Raqs El Hob
      Bellydancers with Raqs El Hob

       

      Slavic folk group LADA
      Slavic folk group LADA

       

       

      New Line Brass Band
      New Line Brass Band

       

      Gin Dance Company
      Gin Dance Company

       

      LADA Folk Group
      LADA Folk Group

       

      Kimono dress-up booth
      Kimono dress-up booth

       

      Black storytelling
      Black storytelling

       

       

      Tradiciones Bolivianas
      Tradiciones Bolivianas

       

      Slavic dancers
      Slavic dancers

       

      New Line Brass Band
      New Line Brass Band

       

      Foley Academy of Irish Dance
      Foley Academy of Irish Dance

       

      Kids' crafts
      Kids’ crafts

       

      To see more photos like these, check out my Events gallery. If you’d like me to photograph an event for you or your organization, please get in touch. I’d love to hear from you.


      Related posts:

      Photos from the 2018 Reston Multicultural Festival

      Photos from the 2016 Reston Multicultural Festival

      Photos from the 2014 Reston Multicultural Festival

      Interview: A feature in Northern Virginia Magazine about the Reston Multicultural Festival

      The first annual Lake Anne SUP Triathlon was a total riot

      The Lake Anne Cardboard Boat Regatta gets bigger and more hilarious each year

      Bristol’s Upfest: Europe’s largest street art and graffiti festival

      The Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival at Reston Town Center

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      Charlotte Geary

      CHARLOTTE GEARY

      Lifestyle, event, and portrait photographer with a vibrant, joyful style and 17 years of professional experience.

      Located in Reston, Virginia near Washington, D.C. and available for travel.

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