Viva Vienna's 40th Anniversary Honored By Town Council, County Board

VIENNA, VA — When Rotary Club of Vienna's Gunnar Spafford first got involved with Viva Vienna, he witnessed a good reason why the organization works hard to plan the festival every year. Spafford recalls seeing a 5-year-old boy look up at his mom and say 'this is the best day of my life.'"

"You think about the impact each and every one of us by doing what we do for with Viva are impacting kids and I think it's a great thing," said Spafford.

Viva Vienna, which will take place from Saturday, May 25 to Monday, May 27, is organized by the Rotary Club of Vienna. Viva Vienna, which dates back to May 27, 1984, started as a hometown celebration to celebrate Vienna businesses and organizations, host a Memorial Day ceremony and provide rides and other entertainment. The first Viva Vienna festival in 1984 drew an estimated 15,000 attendees. Today, that attendance number has grown to 60,000.

Bob Dix, who chaired the first Viva Vienna in 1984, had a full circle moment by accepting resolutions this week from the Vienna Town Council and Fairfax County Board of Supervisor's honoring Viva Vienna's 40th anniversary. Dix, dubbed the "father of Viva Vienna," attributed the success of Viva Vienna to partnering organizations and town staff.

"The true success of Viva from the time started all the way till now has been an incredible partnership between the sponsoring organizations and the town," Dix told Town Council. "And I want to give a shout out to the men and women of the staff of the parks and recreation, public works to police fire and rescue, of course, the leadership and former council, manager and others in leadership. But the men and women of the staff of this town who put their heart and soul into supporting this effort and the community based organizations, perhaps aren't as recognized and acknowledged as maybe as appropriate."

Dix, president of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce who went on to become a Vienna Town Council and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors member, served as Viva Vienna's first chair. The festival was initially organized by the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Vienna, Vienna Jaycees and volunteers, but the Rotary Club of Vienna took over the festival in 1997.

Vienna Mayor Linda Colbert, who was in high school when Viva Vienna was first held, recalls the excitement her daughters had before the festival.

"On the Friday before Viva Vienna, my daughters used to just be there. Grammy would take them up, and they'd watch it all get set up. They'd be so excited," said Colbert. "And then Monday night, they would just fall because they knew they had to wait another year for Viva."

Viva Vienna is more than just food and entertainment for the Vienna community. All proceeds from the festival benefit local and international causes. The first Viva Vienna in 1984 raised $2,000 to send handicapped children to Camp Virginia Jaycee.

Spafford said the festival raised $230,000 last year. To date, the festival has provided over $3 million in fundraising.

"Every penny of it goes back to the community. That's 80 percent local, helps different charities around the town here, and then 20 percent internationally, so we have an impact truly around the world," said Spafford.

Through money spent on rides and other features, the festival raises money that goes back into the community. But Spafford says the festival also provides a free activity to attendees.

"Bob started this with the idea of anybody could show up and have a great time without having to spend a dime," said Spafford. "And that's still true today. We have free shuttles. You can come and just view and window shop. Then you can go sit on the green and watch a show. Whether it's the Vienna Singing Princesses, or Ocho de Basto which is one of the bands in the evening, there's something here for everyone."

The mayor noted planning Viva Vienna is a year-long effort.

"They put in so much work into this. They will start planning Viva Vienna 2025 the day after Viva Vienna 2024," said Colbert.

Dix, Colbert and Rotary Club of Vienna president Mark Rogoff were present at Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting to accept the Viva Vienna 40th anniversary resolution. On Monday, Vienna Town Council presented a resolution to make Sunday, May 26 Viva Vienna Day.

Learn more about the upcoming Viva Vienna festival at vivavienna.org.