Fairfax County's 75th Fair Returns This Weekend header image.

Why it matters: The Fairfax County 4-H Fair and Carnival is celebrating 75 years of community, agriculture, and family fun. Hosted at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon, this event blends classic fair nostalgia with youth leadership, hands-on exhibits, and big entertainment.

Driving the news: From Thursday, July 31 through Sunday, August 3, the fairgrounds will come alive with rides, live animals, exhibits, and carnival eats.

The Big Picture

This year’s fair marks a milestone: three-quarters of a century of 4-H in Fairfax County. Youth from across the region will showcase their work in agriculture, civic engagement, and science while the public gets to enjoy everything from sheep shearing to…

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7 Things to Know About Living in Haymarket, VA | ColganTeam.com header image.

Nestled in the heart of Northern Virginia, Haymarket is a charming town that perfectly blends small-town charm with modern convenience. Originally known as "Crossroads" in the 1700s, this historic community has evolved into one of the region's most desirable places to live. Whether you're considering a move or just curious about this growing area, here are seven essential things you need to know about living in Haymarket, Virginia.

1. Prime Location with Excellent Connectivity

Nestled on the outer edge of Northern Virginia, Haymarket offers an ideal location. You have direct access to Interstate 66, which can take you east to Washington D.C. (about 27 miles away) or west towards the beautiful wineries and breweries of Front Royal. This…

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Modern and spacious restaurant interior with communal tables and a vibrant counter area, illustrating the contemporary dining experience expected from a stand-alone IKEA restaurant in Chantilly, Northern Virginia.

Breaking news from the Washington Business Journal is creating buzz across Northern Virginia, and as someone who's lived here my entire life, I'm excited to share what this could mean for our community.

Swedish furniture giant IKEA is reportedly exploring plans for a stand-alone restaurant in Chantilly, marking a potentially game-changing addition to the Dulles corridor's dining and entertainment landscape. This isn't just about meatballs—this development could signal broader changes coming to one of Northern Virginia's most dynamic growth areas.

What We Know About the IKEA Chantilly Restaurant

According to reporting by Daniel J. Sernovitz from the Washington Business Journal on July 18, 2025, IKEA has filed a food application permit…

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A wide view of the Washington Dulles International Airport terminal and control tower at dusk, showing the scale of the facility set to expand under the new Master Plan.

I just got my hands on the latest Dulles International Airport Master Plan that was approved by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority this July, and it's a game-changer for anyone living, working, or investing in Northern Virginia. As someone who's been watching this region evolve for decades—and has helped over $1 billion in real estate transactions in the area—I can tell you this plan will fundamentally reshape our local market.

The Numbers That Matter for NoVa Real Estate

Let me start with the headline figures. Dulles is planning for 90 million passengers annually at ultimate build-out, more than doubling from the current 27 million. By 2040, they're projecting 38 million…

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Official logo of the Purcellville Wine and Food Festival with grapes, fork, and spoon

Why the Purcellville Wine & Food Festival Is Northern Virginia’s Can’t-Miss Summer Event

Imagine this: The warm July sun shining down on Fireman's Field Park, the air buzzing with lively music, the clinking of glasses, and the tantalizing aroma of delicious food wafting through the air. You’re surrounded by smiling faces, sipping on exquisite local wines, and discovering unique artisan crafts. This isn't just a daydream; it's the experience awaiting you at the annual Purcellville Wine & Food Festival!

Your Guide to Western Loudoun's Premier Summer Celebration

As a lifelong Northern Virginian and a local real estate expert, I can tell you that the Purcellville Wine & Food Festival is more than just an event – it's a quintessential…

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Mark Zuckerberg on stage speaking, with

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is assembling a luxury real estate compound in Northwest Washington's exclusive Woodland Normanstone neighborhood, spending over $31 million to create a private estate steps from the nation's political power center.

The big picture: Tech executives are increasingly investing in Washington DC luxury real estate as regulatory scrutiny intensifies, with Zuckerberg leading the charge through strategic property acquisitions that prioritize privacy and proximity to lawmakers.

What's happening

A Delaware LLC with direct ties to Zuckerberg purchased the mansion next to his $23 million Woodland Normanstone estate for $8.8 million on June 30 — nearly double the property's…

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A wine tasting experience at Vint Hill Winery with a bottle of Covert Vineworks wine, two glasses, and a charcuterie board on an outdoor table.

From Dairy Farm to Spy Station: The Secret History of Vint Hill, VA

If you're driving through Fauquier County on a quiet Sunday afternoon, you might pass by Vint Hill and think it's just another charming Northern Virginia community. Nice houses, rolling hills, maybe a winery for the weekend – what's not to love? But here's the thing: you're actually cruising through one of America's most legendary spy hubs, a place where codebreakers helped win World War II and Cold War operatives spent decades listening in on Soviet secrets.

And the best part? You can now call it home.

It All Started With Cows (Really)

Back in the 1940s, Vint Hill was nothing more than a peaceful dairy farm owned by the Vint family. Picture rolling pastures,…

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Summer's Grand Finale: 7 Must-Visit Fairs and Festivals in Northern Virginia This August header image.

As the summer heat reaches its peak, Northern Virginia transforms into a festival wonderland, offering residents and visitors alike a chance to celebrate community, culture, and the season's bounty. From traditional county fairs with their nostalgic charm to vibrant cultural celebrations, August delivers some of the region's most beloved events. Here are seven outstanding fairs and festivals that should be on every NoVA enthusiast's calendar this month.


Courtesy: www.visitpwc.com

1. Prince William County Fair - Manassas

August 12-20, 2025

The crown jewel of Northern Virginia's summer fair season, the Prince William County Fair has been a cherished tradition since 1949. Located at 10624…

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Tasting Northern Virginia: Seven Restaurants That Turn Dining Into Destination header image.

The Potomac River glints silver in the rearview mirror as you leave D.C.'s urban sprawl behind, trading concrete canyons for the gentle undulations of Northern Virginia's countryside. Here, where horse farms give way to tech corridors and historic estates neighbor modern shopping plazas, a culinary revolution has been quietly brewing. This isn't the Virginia of roadside diners and chain restaurants—this is a region where James Beard Award winners craft menus in converted mills, where Michelin-starred techniques meet local terroir, and where a single meal can transport you from the hills of Provence to the bustling streets of Belgrade.

The drive itself becomes part of the experience. Roll down the windows on Route 50 as you pass through…

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Realtor Chris Colgan smiling and pointing at an aerial shot of a new suburban housing development, with text overlay reading 'Incredible New Homes!'.

Are You Priced Out of Northern Virginia? There’s a Better Way.

As a lifelong Northern Virginia native and a real estate agent with over 20 years of experience, I’ve seen the market explode. Fighting over million-dollar properties in Loudoun and Fairfax County has become the norm. But what if I told you there’s a place where you can still buy a brand-new, four-bedroom single-family home with luxury finishes and a finished basement, all for a price in the high $500s?

I’m not kidding. This isn’t a dream; it’s Culpeper, Virginia.

While many buyers are stretching their budgets to the breaking point, Culpeper’s newest community, Kite Acres by Ryan Homes, is offering incredible value on homes that…

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