400-Person Longest Table Outdoor Dinner To Be Held In Vienna: How To Participate

VIENNA, VA — Imagine hundreds of people dining together at a table outdoors, sharing dishes represented from a diverse range of homes. That's exactly what will be happening as the Longest Table brings an event to Vienna.

On Saturday, May 3, Longest Table Vienna will be held on Mill Street next to the Town Green from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. The Longest Table, a large potluck dinner, invites 400 people to sign up to attend. The event is free, but attendees will be assigned potluck dishes to contribute.

"We are so excited to bring this lovely community-building event to our town," said Trisha Stotler, The Longest Table Vienna Committee lead. "We hope this simple meal brings together our neighbors and introduces them to more friends in the community."

The Longest Table idea originated in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City in 2022. What started as a neighborhood potluck meal in post-pandemic times has spread globally in places like Paris, San Francisco, Seattle and more. The movement has been featured on Good Morning America and appeared on a season four episode of the Netflix show "Emily in Paris."

Vienna's event will feature two long tables set up on Mill Street, with overflow on the Town Green lawn. There will be a DJ, live band and lawn games. DECA members from James Madison High School will be the volunteers for the event.

The event in Vienna is sponsored by Compass Real Estate, Modera Wealth Management and United Bank. The nonprofit partner is Rustic Love, known for its heart-shaped signs and raising money to address food insecurity. Rustic Love will be the recipient of any financial donations given during the event.

There were 400 free spots provided for the event, but organizers say few spots remain. Sign up to participate.