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Mid-Week Freshness & Local Vibes: What’s Coming to the King Street Station Farmers Market!
The King Street Station Farmers Market is back in full swing at the plaza! Presented by the King Street Station Owners Association and CARR, the market offers nearby employees, commuters, and neighbors a mid-week local break. The market runs every Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM (through October 28, 2026) at 1800 Diagonal Road right on the Plaza surrounding the fountain. Whether you are stopping by after work or taking a quick break from your desk, here is a previ
Sep 232 min read


Merriweather Row Farmers Market: Cultivating Community, One Thursday at a Time
A successful farmers market is about more than fresh produce and local goods. It creates a reason for people to return, discover something new, support local businesses, and connect with their community. This season, Merriweather Row Farmers Market transformed Thursdays at Merriweather Row into a recurring community gathering, bringing fresh food, local makers, live music, and neighborhood energy to the heart of Columbia, Maryland. Presented by Howard Hughes and produced by V
Sep 163 min read


AMPED in the Park Turns Up the Volume on Community and Live Music
Thursday evenings come alive at Color Burst Park with AMPED in the Park, a summer concert series celebrating music, art, and community in partnership with the Merriweather Arts & Culture Center. Presented by Howard Hughes and produced by VVS Events + Marketing, this recurring evening event pairs live performances with hands-on activities, food and drink, and a genuinely festive atmosphere. What to Expect on the Turf Held from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM on select Thursdays from June t
Sep 162 min read


National Night Out at Olney Village Center
VVS Events & Marketing partnered with Olney Village Center and First Washington Realty to host National Night Out, a free community celebration honoring local first responders. Guests enjoyed giant yard games, inflatable games, a custom keychain station, a spin-to-win prize wheel, and live music from a DJ. National Night Out is a nationwide tradition built around one simple idea: strengthen the bond between neighbors and the first responders who protect them. At Olney Village
Sep 152 min read


South Riding Summer Fest: Event Recap
On July 19, South Riding Market Square transformed into the community's favorite summer destination. Summer Fest, presented by Rappaport, brought families out for an afternoon of games, giveaways, and hands-on fun—and VVS Events & Marketing was there to plan, staff, and run every moment of it. This annual celebration is a cornerstone event for the South Riding community, and this year's activation once again proved why turnkey event management matters: a packed schedule, seam
Sep 132 min read


Mount Airy Pirate Day: Event Recap
All Hands on Deck: Summer Fest Pirate Day Sets Sail at Mount Airy Ahoy! On July 18, families across Mount Airy traded their weekend plans for a treasure map and a good pair of sea legs. Summer Fest Pirate Day, presented by Rappaport and hosted at Mount Airy Shopping Center, brought together shoppers, tenants, and the local community for an afternoon built entirely around fun, discovery, and connection. VVS Events & Marketing was proud to design and execute this year's activat
Sep 132 min read


PlayPalooza Vienna Shopping Center: A Recap Worth Celebrating 🎉
PlayPalooza came to Vienna Shopping Center on August 15, 2026, offering bounce houses, a Rock Climbing Wall and Gaming Truck, a mascot meet-and-greet with Cinderella, a Children's Business Fair, and a Touch-A-Truck experience. Presented by Rappaport, the free community event welcomed families for an afternoon of interactive entertainment. Vienna Shopping Center opened its doors, and its parking lot, to families across the community for another exciting round of PlayPalooza. P
Sep 122 min read


PlayPalooza Potomac Festival: A Day Full of Joy, Community & Big Energy
What does a truly great community event look like? It looks like hundreds of families showing up ready to play. It sounds like kids screaming down a 40-foot obstacle course. It feels like foam, laughter, face paint, and a whole lot of love—all in one afternoon. That's exactly what went down at PlayPalooza Potomac Festival, and we're still riding the high. Brought to you by Rappaport and produced by the VVS Events & Marketing team, PlayPalooza returned to the parking lot of Po
Aug 123 min read


PlayPalooza at Festival at Bel Air: A Day the Community Won't Forget
The parking lot near the pond at Festival at Bel Air looked nothing like a parking lot on June 20, 2026. Rock climbing walls, a gaming truck, carnival games, face painters, and a surprise visit from Bluey transformed the space into something closer to a neighborhood celebration than a shopping center event. That was PlayPalooza—and it delivered on every front. From the energy in the air to the smiles on kids' faces, this inaugural event set a new benchmark for what community-
Aug 124 min read


PlayPalooza Central Park: A Retail Event Success Story
PlayPalooza Central Park was a highly successful community festival held at Fred Nats Stadium on May 30, 2026, in partnership with Rappaport. VVS Events & Marketing executed this turnkey activation to drive foot traffic for Central Park retailers, utilizing family-friendly attractions, a Children’s Business Fair, and a strategic gift-with-purchase program to generate measurable ROI. When marketing decision-makers at commercial real estate companies look for ways to boost tena
Jun 34 min read


Earth Day 2026: Engaging the Merriweather District community
The April 2026 Earth Day Celebration at Merriweather District’s Color Burst Park successfully engaged 800 attendees and generated over 2,400 onsite impressions. Produced by VVS Events on behalf of Howard Hughes, the turnkey community event featured 10 local eco-friendly makers, live outdoor yoga, and hands-on family activities, demonstrating the massive impact of experiential marketing on commercial real estate properties. Springtime community events offer commercial real es
May 283 min read


Books in Bloom 2026: A Masterclass in Event Marketing
The 2026 Books in Bloom festival at Merriweather District successfully engaged thousands of attendees through immersive literature activations, seamlessly managed by VVS Events & Marketing. By integrating local authors, tenant partnerships, and interactive creator labs, this turnkey event solution significantly boosted property foot traffic and strengthened community ties. Creating a memorable community experience requires more than just booking a venue and setting up a few t
May 214 min read


Spring magic: Driving traffic at The Clarendon with Cherry Blossom Pop-up
Spring is a season of renewal, bringing warmer weather and an undeniable urge for people to get outside and explore. For commercial real estate properties and retail centers, this seasonal shift presents a massive opportunity. Capturing that natural foot traffic requires more than just open doors. It requires a compelling reason for the community to gather, stay, and engage. On April 11, 2026, The Crossing Clarendon did exactly that. By embracing the beauty and energy of the
May 173 min read


Taste of RIO 2025: A Flavorful Celebration of Community Connection
When the sun shines and the community gathers, magic happens. On September 28th, 2025, the RIO boardwalk came alive for the annual "Taste of RIO," and to say it was a success would be an understatement. With the weather playing along perfectly—a sunny 80 degrees—the energy was absolutely infectious from the moment the first guest arrived. For property managers and marketing directors, events like these are the gold standard of placemaking. They aren't just about food; they ar
Jan 64 min read


Making Spirits Bright: Highlights from the 2025 Merriweather District Holiday Market
What do you get when you mix 35+ local artisans, bottomless s’mores, and a whole lot of holiday cheer? The 2025 Holiday Market at Merriweather District! 🎄✨ For three magical days (December 5–7), Colorburst Park transformed into a winter wonderland, welcoming over 12,000 visitors to celebrate the season. Hosted by Merriweather District and Howard Hughes, this annual tradition isn't just about shopping; it's about bringing the community together to support small businesses and
Jan 53 min read


King Street Station Farmers Market Delivers Community Connection
The King Street Station Farmers Market on October 2nd proved that perfect weather and thoughtful vendor curation create magic. With sunny skies, 68-degree temperatures, and a diverse lineup of 12 local vendors, this Thursday evening event drew 125 attendees and generated 625 onsite impressions—exactly the kind of community engagement that transforms retail spaces into vibrant destinations. From 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., the plaza near the water fountain at 1800 Diagonal Road buzzed
Oct 14, 20253 min read


King Street Station Farmers Market Kicks Off TODAY! 🎉
Get ready, Alexandria! A vibrant, community-focused farmers market is setting up shop right at your doorstep. VVS Events is thrilled to...
Sep 25, 20253 min read


Community Spirit Shines at Merriweather Farmers Market
Last Thursday, the Merriweather District Farmers Market was a perfect example of community strength and spirit. Despite strong winds and...
Sep 11, 20253 min read


The PlayPalooza Tour: A Trio of Triumphs Case Study
At VVS, we believe in the power of bringing people together. Our PlayPalooza events are designed to do just that, creating vibrant,...
Sep 11, 20254 min read


PlayPalooza: A Sun-Soaked Finale Full of Fun, Foam, and Smiles!
On Saturday, August 16th, Springfield Plaza was transformed into a colorful wonderland for the final PlayPalooza event in our series—and...
Sep 10, 20253 min read
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