Wednesday, October 11, 2023
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<36hd>Fairfax Fall Festival: Food, Crafts, Music
<1b>By Bonnie Hobbs
<2b>The Connection
When the leaves start changing color and the weather cools down, it’s time for the Fairfax Fall Festival. This year’s event, the 47th annual, is Saturday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The fun includes three stages of live entertainment. food, crafts, beer gardens, plus children’s rides and activities.
Admission is free, and there are activities for all ages. (Except for service animals, pets are discouraged). Vendors and the carnival will close at 5 p.m. But the musical entertainment will continue with Scorpion Rose performing rock, country and reggae tunes from 5:30-8:30 p.m. in Old Town Square, at University Drive and North Street.
More than 400 crafts booths and displays will line both sides of University Drive, Main Street and Sager Avenue. And at Fire Station 3 at 4081 University Drive, the Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department will host Sparky’s Harvest Bash with Sparky the Fire Dog, teaching children fire prevention and safety.
A wide variety of food will be offered at two food courts – one on Sager Avenue and the other on University Drive next to the fire station. In addition, three food vendors will be at Old Town Square. And a trio of beer gardens will be at the Main Stage at University Drive and South Street, in Old Town Square, and at University Drive and Sager Avenue.
The Children’s Stage in the Truist Bank parking lot at 4020 University Drive will feature singers, dancers and magicians. Carnival rides and face painting will be there, too. (Rides are weather-dependent).
Vendor Lynette Reed with her hand-marbled paper at last year’s festival.
Open houses will also be at the City of Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, Ratcliffe-Allison-Pozer House, Historic Blenheim and Civil War Interpretive Center, and the Fairfax County Circuit Court historic records area. For details, times and addresses, go to www.FairfaxFallFestival.com.
“The second Saturday in October, for the City of Fairfax, means the Fall Festival,” said City Mayor Catherine Read. “This event draws vendors and artisans from around the region. Good food, lively music, activities for the kids, and the start of the holiday shopping season. It’s one of my favorite events of the year.”
Festival parking is at The Judicial Center parking garage B on Page Avenue and the Old Town Village parking garage (3925 Chain Bridge Road). Accessible parking is at City Hall, 10455 Armstrong St. (accessed via Chain Bridge Road) and the Old Town Village parking garage.
In addition, handicap-accessible shuttle buses will travel to the festival from Fairfax High, 3501 Lion Run, and GMU’s Rappahannock Parking Deck, 4393 University Drive, and back again, from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. And a First Aid station will be at Fire Station 3.
Entertainment Schedule
Special Featured Performers
4081 University Drive (next to Fire Station 3)
11 a.m. & 2 p.m. - Haus of Marzipan
A dazzling combination of aerial choreography, comedic acrobatics and whimsical dance.
Main Stage
University Drive and South Street
11 a.m. - Riptide
3 p.m. - Perfekt Blend
Old Town Square Stage
10415 North St.
10 a.m. – Main Street Band
Noon – Rob Hornfeck Enterprise
2:30 p.m. – Zac Quintana Band & the Sages
Children’s Stage
4020 University Drive (parking lot)
10 a.m. - Virginia Ballet Company and School
10:45 a.m. - Turley the Magician
11:30 a.m. - McGrath School of Irish Dance
12:30 p.m. - Crickett
1:15 p.m. - C4 Performing Arts
2 p.m. - Eric Energy
3 p.m. - Center for Ballet Arts
3:45 p.m. - Groovy Nate
4:30 p.m. - Bach to Rock