Historic Centreville Park is the place to be this Saturday, Oct. 15, as area residents celebrate the 30th annual Centreville Day. The free event at 5714 Mount Gilead Road (off Braddock Road, across Route 29 from the IHOP) runs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and offers fun activities for the entire family.

“It’s exciting to mark 30 years of Centreville Day” said Planning Committee Chair Cheryl Repetti. “It began in 1992 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the town charter, and it’s kept going since then.”

“It’s a friendly, welcoming event; and thanks to our sponsors and vendors, Centreville Day is free,” she continued. “With no fees for parking or shuttles, plus free children’s rides, everyone in the community can come and enjoy a beautiful fall day with family and friends.” 

The festivities include a parade, crafters and other vendors, live entertainment, a safety expo, food court, trick-or-treating, a cavalcade of pets and tours of historic buildings. While people are arriving, the Magic Hands Orchestra will perform on the main stage at 9:45 a.m. Then at 10 a.m., Supervisor Kathy Smith (D-Sully) will present awards to the Centreville Day Citizens of the Year.

American Legion Post 1995 organizes the parade, which includes fire, police and sheriff’s personnel, McGruff the Crime Dog, various Scout groups and dancers. And individuals and families are welcome to decorate a bike or scooter and join the fun; costumes are encouraged. Participants gather near Wharton Park Court, with the parade stepping off from Wharton Lane at 11 a.m., passing the stage shortly before noon and continuing along Mt. Gilead Road to Braddock Road.  

Entertainers featured onstage throughout the day will be the Liz Deal Trio, Centreville Dance Academy, Chroma Harp Korean Women’s Ensemble, Amici Harmonica Ensemble, Harang Sori Korean Folk Dance Group, Northern Virginia Wushu Academy, and singer-songwriter (and Westfield High student) Kylie Brown.

All types of pets are welcome in the pet cavalcade, which begins at 2 p.m. Those interested are encouraged to stop by the Rotary Club table near the stage, before then, to sign up their pets. Then at 3:30 p.m., people will vie for the coveted pineapple award in Centreville Day’s always entertaining hula contest. 

Children may wear their Halloween costumes and trick or treat in the vendors’ marketplace. They may also challenge themselves on the Boy Scout monkey bridge, whoosh down a giant, inflatable slide or see how high they can go on the climbing wall. 

They can try their skill at old-fashioned games on the lawn of the Mount Gilead house, learn about recycling from the Girl Scouts, and meet archaeologists and WWII reenactors. They and their parents may also enjoy rides on the trackless history train which travels throughout the venue and even visits the Old Stone Church. St John’s Church, the Spindle Sears House, and Mount Gilead – which will all be open for tours. 

And when everyone has worked up an appetite, they may quell their cravings in the food court, which features tasty food from around the world. Bangkok House will offer its popular Pad Thai and other Thai dishes, and El Chef Latino is bringing pupusas, quesadillas and other dishes. 

Comfort food is on the menu at A Southern Fish Fry, and Home Made Sweets, Kona Ice and Pop’s Praiseworthy Popcorn will fill anyone’s sweet tooth. In addition, the Old Stone Church will sell hot dogs and baked goods, and St. John’s Church will offer coffee and desserts.

At the Safety Expo, Sully District police officers, Fairfax County Sheriff’s personnel and other agencies will display their special equipment – including a ride that will convince children to wear their seatbelts. The Sheriff’s Office will make free child IDs, and McGruff will be on hand for photos with children.

Besides local businesses and nonprofits, a wide variety of artisans will be in the Marketplace. There’ll be jewelry, home décor, games, puzzles, prints and paintings, fantasy novels and many other items, just in time for holiday shopping. 

Parking is at Carrabba’s Italian Grill off Trinity Parkway and Route 29. Free shuttles will run throughout the day. Braddock and Mount Gilead roads will be closed that day, as will part of Wharton Lane – especially during the parade.

Centreville Day benefits the Friends of Historic Centreville, which puts on this event, and it’s made possible by the generosity of many local sponsors. For more information, go to www.CentrevilleDay.org.

Daisy Scouts on parade during the 2021 event.