New Duck Donuts | Halloween Ready | Homecoming Spirit: NoVA Good News

VIRGINIA — This week's good news stories in Northern Virginia include the official dedication of Virginia's newest state park, Duck Donut holds grand opening for its newest store in the region, and a homecoming parade celebrates music through the decades.

Plus, residents and community groups decorate downtown storefronts for the Halloween season, local high schools honored for demonstrating excellence in their AP programs, and performance of "Alice in Wonderland" gets rave review.

Here are some of this week's good news headlines:

Virginia's Newest State Park Now Officially Open

Loudoun County's first state park is now open after an official dedication by Gov. Glenn Youngin. Sweet Run State Park had a soft opening in May before its official dedication this month. The 884-acre park is located near the West Virginia border in Hillsboro.

2023 Homecoming Celebrates 'Music Through The Decades'

Wet weather failed to dampen the spirit of spectators and marchers alike during the Oct. 14 Herndon Homecoming Parade 2023. This year's theme was “Music Through the Decades (70s-2000s).”

Duck Donuts Prepares For Opening Of New Store

Duck Donuts held its grand opening this week in South Riding. The new store, in the South Riding Town Center, is the first Duck Donuts in Loudoun County. Duck Donuts was founded by Russ DiGilio in the Outer Banks in 2007.

Halloween Display Guide: Check Out These Scary Houses Around NoVA

October means Northern Virginia's ordinary yards are turning into creepy displays filled with ghosts, zombies, skeletons and more. One of the best family traditions is visiting Halloween displays around the neighborhood up to Oct. 31.

Local Businesses Halloween-Ready After Window Painting Festival

Storefronts in downtown Falls Church are dressed in their Halloween best after children and community groups painted windows. The annual Halloween Window Painting Festival organized by Falls Church Arts encourages residents to contribute hand painted art to business windows.

• Vienna Halloween Parade 2023: Route, How To Participate

Trunk-Or-Treat Events

• Halloween 2023: See Trunk-Or-Treat Events Around Falls Church
• Halloween 2023: Where To Find Trunk-Or-Treat Events Around Alexandria
• Halloween 2023: See Trunk-Or-Treat Events In Greater Alexandria
• Halloween 2023: Where To Find Trunk-Or-Treat Events Around Vienna

High School Honor Roll

• South County High School Makes AP Honor Roll In 2023
• Lake Braddock Secondary School Makes AP Honor Roll In 2023
• Langley, McLean High Schools Make Highest Level On 2023 AP Honor Roll
• Herndon, Oakton High Schools Make AP Honor Roll In 2023
• Fairfax, W.T. Woodson High Schools Make AP Honor Roll In 2023
• West Potomac High School Makes AP Honor Roll In 2023

Celebrating the Arts

• Tickets On Sale For A Jazz Tribute to 100 Years of Disney At The Alden
• Chalk Walk To Turn Old Town North Into Outdoor Art Studio
• Cappies Review: 'Alice In Wonderland' At Langley High's Saxon Stage

Community Leaders

• Community Leader Kathy Blaine 'Provides A Skill Like No Other'
• Ann Kennedy's Work As A Mentor Has 'Changed Hundreds Of Young Lives'

More Good News Stories

• 2023 Best Of Braddock Awards Nomination Deadline Approaching
• Arlington Public Library's Holiday Gift Nook Event Accepting Donations
• Donated Items For Unsheltered People Collected By Arlington Police
• Help Support Local Nonprofits By Donating To 4th Annual Food Drive
• New Inova Mount Vernon Clinic Serves Uninsured, Underinsured

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