Girlz, Girlz, Girlz—Girls, big and small, rocked out with the pop cover band on the Main Stage during the city’s 36th annual Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 13. Photo courtesy of City of Fairfax
The weather could not have been more perfect for the 36th annual City of Fairfax Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 13. Under bright blue skies, and crisp fall temperatures, more than 30,000 visitors enjoyed headliner bands, amusement rides, three stages of entertainment, the always-popular arts & craft show, a parade and festival food for every palate.
Shoppers could peruse the wares and display of an A-to-Z list of more than 400 vendors—from American Heritage Girls and Barking Dog Gallery to My Daddy Puzzles and Yarn Chef Creations.
The Diggidy Dudes, Mr. Knick-Knack and Turley the Magician were just a few of the children’s favorite entertainers during the day-long festival. The Old Town Hall parking lot was transformed into a children’s paradise with crafts, face-painting, a petting zoo, balloon art and other fun.
For the “Bob the Builder” crowd—who got their photos taken with Bob himself—the City of Fairfax Parks & Recreation Department held “Touch-A-Truck,” where children (young and old) could explore work vehicles and equipment.
The Festival Stage, presented by the Fairfax Commission of the Arts, hosted a variety of cultural performances, including Shepard’s Pie, featuring music and dance of Ireland, and Los Quetzalas Mexican Dance Ensemble, Northern Virginia’s premier Mexican folklore performance company.
The historic Ratcliff-Allison House on Main Street was open for tours all day, and the Fairfax Host Lions sponsored two locations for this year’s Octoberfest Beer Garden.
“The festival was fantastic this year. It’s a perennial family favorite that showcases everything the city has to offer,” said Mayor Scott Silverthorne.