Mayor Linda Colbert proclaimed July Parks and Recreation Month in the Town of Vienna at the Tuesday Town Council meeting, marking the national observance that encourages communities to get outdoors.

Vienna maintains 12 parks, and the proclamation points residents toward trails, playgrounds, athletic fields and natural woodland areas across town. The Parks and Recreation Department, led by Director Leslie Herman, runs programs year-round at the Vienna Community Center and Bowman House Arts & Craft Center.

Residents looking for a specific outing can rent picnic shelters at Glyndon Park, Meadow Lane Park or Southside Park through October for $50 per four-hour block. The Community Learning and Display Garden behind the Community Center offers guided tours by appointment at 703-255-6360.

The real draw this month is the lineup of free events on the Vienna Town Green at 144 Maple Ave. E.

Kids on the Green

The 9th annual series brings free Tuesday morning programs at 10 a.m., sponsored by the Rotary Club of Vienna and Vienna Presbyterian Church:

  • Tuesday, July 14: The Great Zucchini (magic)
  • Tuesday, July 21: Groovy Nate (kids music)
  • Tuesday, July 28: Blue Sky Puppets, "The Three Not So Little Pigs"

Summer on the Green concerts

Free shows on select Fridays at 6:30 p.m., sponsored by the Rotary Club of Vienna:

  • Friday, July 10: The Cassaday Concoction (rock, blues, soul, reggae)
  • Friday, July 24: Fat Chance (rock)
  • Friday, July 31: US Army Blues Swamp Romp (jazz and folk of Louisiana)

Wolf Trap Filene Center

  • Wednesday, July 9: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert. National Symphony Orchestra, Emil de Cou conducting. Pre-show discussion at 7 p.m. on the Farmhouse Lawn. All ages require a ticket.
  • Friday, July 11: Disney's The Little Mermaid in Concert. National Symphony Orchestra, Steven Reineke conducting. All ages require a ticket.
  • Wednesday, July 23: The Beach Boys, led by Mike Love, at 8 p.m. Pre-show discussion on the impact of Pet Sounds at 7 p.m. on the Farmhouse Lawn. Tickets from the postponed June 7 show transfer automatically.

Parks and Recreation can be reached at 703-255-6360 or [email protected], Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.