Lovaas Honored By County For 26 Years As Reston Farmers Market Manager

RESTON, VA — If you asked somebody in Reston who it was that managed the Saturday farmers market at Lake Anne, they would likely say John Lovaas.

For the last 26 years, that would've been the correct answer. However, Lovaas announced in December that he would be stepping down as manager of the market he founded in 1998.

Last Saturday morning, Supervisor Walter Alcorn (D-Hunter Mill) presented Lovaas with a plaque on behalf of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recognizing his years of service to the community as Reston's market manager.

Amid the raindrops falling on the farmers market, Alcorn read the following proclamation:

"Whereas in May 1998, Reston founder Robert E. Simon Jr. and Del. Ken Plum were among those who joined Reston Farmers Market founder/manager John Lovaas for the opening of the first Reston Farmers Market at Lake Anne;

"And, whereas John Lovaas was a member of the Reston Association Board when he volunteered to organize and manage the market at the request of a community group;

"And, whereas the Reston Farmers Market, which Runs from April to December, rain or shine, has been a welcomed and well-loved addition to the community since its inception, growing from nine vendors in its first year to at least 34 today;

"And, whereas John Lovaas has added valuable features and programs to the market, including SNAP participation and a gleaning program that collects excess fresh foods to distribute to those in need;

"And, whereas during the pandemic John Lovaas successfully managed the Reston Farmers Market to safely serve the community with over 64,000 customers in 2020;

"And, whereas the Reston Farmers Market has been recognized by numerous publications as the best in Northern Virginia and one of the best in the region;

"Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on behalf of all Fairfax County residents, does hereby thank John Lovaas for his contributions to the community and outstanding stewardship of the Reston Farmers Market."

— Signed Jeffery C. McKay, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and Walter L. Alcorn, supervisor of the Hunter Mill District.

After the presentation, Lovaas told Patch that he was of two minds about the honor.

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"I'm really appreciative. I thanked Walter especially for the proclamation and I feel good about retiring on a Saturday morning like today," he said, referring to the rain. "But I miss it already. It's only been, what? Three or four weeks? This is my fourth week and not being manager of this market in 27 years."

In spite of his mixed feelings, Lovaas is proud of what the market has become and the role it plays in the Reston community.

"At the beginning it revitalized this place," he said. "On Saturday mornings, Lake Anne was absolutely a desert. Nothing was happening here except for two people who'd setup to sell homemade jewelry on the plaza. Almost no one was here. This is a place that's alive."

In addition, Lovaas acknowledged the contribution of Eve Thompson, the owner of the Lake Anne Coffeehouse & Wine Bar. About 10 years ago, she took over management of the craft market, which is open Saturday mornings on Lake Anne Plaza.

"She turned it into a beautiful addition," he said. "Taken together, you've got a huge central market that has made a very different place."