Come one, come all, to the 15th annual Centreville Day celebration, this Saturday, Sept. 16, in Centreville. Sponsored by the Centreville Community Foundation (CCF), it runs from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and offers a fun-filled day for everyone.
However, the event actually begins Friday night, Sept. 15, at St. John's Episcopal Church at 6:30 p.m. That's when several local residents, including Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully), will present "Tales from the Blanket," a lighthearted look at Centreville's past.
There'll also be a period dinner and a display of Centreville memorabilia, and proceeds from this event will go to St. John's, the Mountain View School scholarship fund and CCF. Tickets for the play, dinner and exhibit are $14; call Cheryl Repetti at 703-830-5407 for reservations, or purchase tickets at the door.
Saturday's festivities will kick off with a gala parade, with activities continuing afterward in Centreville's Historic District, off Route 29 and Braddock Road. Planned are live bands, craft vendors, business and community exhibits, and historic displays and tours, children's activities and food.
The parade begins at 10 a.m., traveling from Centreville High along Union Mill and Old Braddock roads to Old Centreville Crossing Shopping Center. Participants should arrive at the school by 9 a.m., and children with decorated bikes, wagons, scooters, etc. are welcome to join in.
The Centreville American Legion organizes and helps stage the parade, and parade chairman Bill Judd anticipates several hundred participants. See www.CentrevilleDay.com for more information.
CENTREVILLE DAY opening ceremonies will be Saturday, Sept. 16 at 11 a.m., with parade awards and Centreville's "Citizens of the Year" award presented from the Fairfax County showmobile in the Historic District. Supervisor Frey will give this year's award to Dan and Leslie Jenuleson of Sully Station II for all their service to the community.
Then at noon, led by Centreville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Pete Kirby, firefighters from Station 17 in Centreville will hold a memorial service for the New York firefighters who perished on 9/11. It's always a touching and moving event, and this year's ceremony — on the fifth anniversary of the tragedy — should be no exception. Also participating in it will be the honor guard from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.
Volunteer firefighters will also staff the first-aid tent at Centreville Day, and some of Station 17's fire engines and ambulances will be on display. Apparatus from both fire stations 17 and 38 (West Centreville) will take part in the parade.
Throughout the day, the public will be able to tour many of the sights and homes of the Historic District. These include: Royal Oaks House, Spindle House, St. John's Episcopal Church and cemetery, Mount Gilead, Havener House and the Old Stone Church.
There'll also be a Bull Run Civil War Roundtable display. And at St. John's, longtime resident Mildred DeBell will display her family's collection of Centreville memorabilia dating back more than a century.
MUSIC AND dancing will fill the Historic District, as well, with a wide variety of entertainment slated at the community stage all day long.
Scheduled performers are: Mia Saunders School of Ballet, Stage Door Dance Studio, AKA Martial Arts Studio, Capital Worship Center, UniStars Unicycling, Ronald McDonald, Lucky Stars Cloggers, Kewl Trax competitive jump rope team, and Street Legal Reggae Band.
Attendees will also find lots of tasty food at Centreville Day. Food vendors will be Sweetwater Tavern, Chick-Fil-A, Jamie's General Bean, Bonefish Grill, Border Cafe, Moe's Southwest Grill, Oliver Amusements and Cakes by Happy Eatery.
Some 75 craft exhibitors will sell their wares. And the Children's Fun Zone will feature inflatable slides, moonbounces, pony rides, face painting, a climbing wall and games.
For more details, see www.CentrevilleDay.com.