Sky Dantinne looks forward to his fifth year as SterlingFest chair.
"There is a lot to look forward to this year, like a rock band and kids carnival," Dantinne said.
The community event offers, arts, crafts, music and games to Sterling residents, and goes toward town improvements.
The 18th annual SterlingFest will take place Saturday, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Sterling Community Center parking lot, 120 Enterprise St. The day will begin with the 24th annual Columbus Day parade, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. The festival is rain or shine.
"It is going to be a beautiful day. We think positive," Dantinne said.
The six-hour event offers two stages of entertainment, emceed by Mrs. All American, Shari Murray, as well as business vendors, a children’s marketplace, open house at the fire station and a children’s game area.
The Gazebo Stage will host The Faithful Singers and rock band, October Skies. Chris McCaoay will perform on the guitar and the Mike Ault Band will play in the afternoon. The Arena Stage, in the community center gym, will host Yawari, a Latin American pipe band. Animal Ambassadors will be on stage to showcase animals and interact with the audience. Dyno-Might Clowns and Puppets, Sterling Sword Players, America’s Girls Dance Team, All Star Legacy Cheerleading and Dance and Sterling Playmakers Variety Show will perform in the afternoon. The kid’s carnival will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sterling Foundation Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making Sterling and surrounding areas an attractive place to live. SterlingFest proceeds go to the beautification of Sterling. The foundation is working on the Main Street Loudoun Project, which is a new landscaping plan for Sterling Boulevard. The foundation has received $70,000 in federal matching grant funds. Its ultimate goal is $150,000.