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Falls Church is opening April with a monthlong community fitness challenge, a student job fair and Virginia Dream FC’s biggest test yet in the U.S. Open Cup.
Fitness challenge runs through April 30
The Falls Church Fitness Challenge began April 1 and continues through April 30, building on the city’s recognition last year as the Healthiest Community in America by U.S. News & World Report.
The event is open to residents of all ages and fitness levels, along with Falls Church City government and school employees.
Participants can complete activities ranging from walking and gentle yoga to team sports and group workouts. A bingo-style passport will track completed challenges, with prizes and raffle entries available to those who submit their passports at designated locations by the end of April.
Participants may also post photos on Instagram, tagging @fallschurchedo and using the hashtag #FallsChurchFit.
The challenge includes seven free fitness pop-ups at local parks and promotions from 21 area fitness and wellness businesses. Among the offers:
- Bikenetic is providing 5% off new in-stock bicycles and 15% off in-stock accessories and other merchandise for customers who mention the challenge.
- Falls Church Wellness Center is offering 50% off a 50-minute mental health intake session.
- Jazzercise is inviting participants to attend one class for free.
- Karma Yoga has an April-only membership covering all classes at half the price of its unlimited membership.
- Transitional Wellness for Women is offering 25% off its Wellness Program Creation service for women 40 and older.
Event spokesperson Tricia Barba, owner of Preservation Biscuit Co., described the challenge as a way for people to improve their well-being, connect with the community and earn rewards throughout the month.
Meridian High School hosts student job fair
Meridian High School will connect students with employers seeking seasonal, summer and part-time workers during a job fair Thursday, April 3, 2025.
The event runs from 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. in the school’s main lobby near the cafeteria. Participating employers are asked to arrive between 11:15 and 11:45 a.m. to park, set up their tables and obtain visitor passes at the security desk before the first lunch period begins at 11:47 a.m.
The school is located at 121 Mustang Alley in Falls Church. Construction around Route 7/Leesburg Pike and Haycock Road could affect traffic, and campus parking may be limited. Employers carrying materials may briefly use Mustang Alley for unloading before relocating their vehicles. Limited spaces are available in the south lot near the athletic fields, with additional visitor and paid-parking information available through the secondary campus parking website.
Tables will be supplied, and businesses are encouraged to bring printed applications, informational materials or QR codes linking students to online applications. Employers needing additional accommodations should make arrangements in advance.
Community Outreach Coordinator Regan Davis is handling RSVPs and can be reached at 571-545-2395. Businesses may also register through the Meridian High School Student Job Fair interest form.
Virginia Dream FC earns shot at highest-level opponent yet
Virginia Dream FC will face Loudoun United FC at 6:30 p.m. April 2 at Segra Field in Leesburg after delivering a major first-round upset in the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
The Falls Church-based semi-professional club advanced with a 3-1 road victory over the professional Richmond Kickers on March 19. Loudoun United competes in the USL Championship, one tier below Major League Soccer, making it the highest-level opponent Virginia Dream has encountered.
The victory has brought wider attention to a young club that combines soccer with art, fashion and music. Founded by former professional player and national high school player of the year Lucas Mendes, Virginia Dream is competing in only its second year.
That creative identity has been especially visible in the team’s uniforms. Its first kits in 2023 featured hand-dyed blue-and-pink square patterns. This year’s Crown Jewel Kit pairs a black shirt with gold crown designs—the uniform worn during the victory in Richmond.
Mendes said the club sees art and sport as complementary ways to expand soccer’s culture and attract supporters who may first connect with its creative side. The same approach extends to the team’s photography and videos, which often borrow the visual style of fashion productions.
Head coach CJ Taylor said that exposure has encouraged younger players to explore interests beyond the field. But the club’s results have increasingly matched its presentation.
After a difficult first season in the National Premier Soccer League, Virginia Dream returned with a deeper roster in 2024. Forward Angel Chavez scored 14 regular-season goals, sharing the league’s Golden Boot and earning Mid-Atlantic Conference MVP honors.
The Dream finished the NPSL regular season 6-2-2, placing third in the conference. It then overcame a halftime deficit to defeat Alexandria Reds in a road playoff match and advance to the conference championship.
Virginia Dream captured its first NPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference title with a 2-0 victory over Annapolis Blues FC at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium before more than 8,000 spectators.
The organization also fields teams in the United Premier Soccer League and Virginia Super Soccer League. Mendes said the club covers players’ participation costs rather than charging them to compete, an important consideration because many team members also work full-time jobs.
Now the Dream’s Open Cup run presents another opportunity to elevate local soccer—and an April 2 showdown with the strongest opponent the club has faced.