Children enjoy a carnival ride at a previous festival.
Attendees appreciating a magician’s tricks at a past fall festival.
The 45th annual Fairfax Fall Festival is this Saturday, Oct. 9, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and the fun includes crafts, food, beer gardens, children’s rides and activities, plus three stages of live entertainment. Admission is free, and people of all ages will find lots to see, do and enjoy. (Pets, however, are discouraged).
Vendors and the carnival will end at 5 p.m. But the entertainment revs up again from 5:30-8:30 p.m. with a music concert by 1980s tribute band, The Reflex, in Old Town Square, at University Drive and North Street.
“The Fall Festival celebrates the best that Fairfax City has to affirm as a community that supports local businesses,” said Fairfax Mayor David Meyer. “Our festival is a premier event celebrating the creative vendors who share their talents and products, especially for the upcoming holiday season. For several decades, this festival has attracted new and long-time customers and is a mainstay of the fall season in our City.”
More than 400 crafts booths and displays will line both sides of University Drive, Main Street and Sager Avenue. And back by popular demand, there’ll be professional lumberjack shows on University Drive, throughout the day, including interactive lumberjack camps for children.
The festival fun also includes a business expo and Touch-a-Truck. Presented by Fairfax City Parks & Recreation and Department of Public Works, Touch-a-Truck will be on University Drive near Armstrong Street and will enable children to see and explore City of Fairfax work vehicles and equipment.
A wide variety of food will be available at two food courts – one at University Drive and Sager Avenue, and the other at University Drive next to the SunTrust Bank parking lot at 4020 University Drive. In addition, three 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 SunTrust Bank parking lot will feature singers, dancers and magicians. Carnival rides and face painting will be in that area, too. (Rides are weather-dependent).
Fun is also on tap, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at Fire Station 3 at 4081 University Drive. The Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department will host Sparky's Harvest Bash, including an open house where children can learn about fire prevention and safety, plus an appearance by Sparky the Fire Dog.
A full slate of entertainers will perform at the Main Stage and in Old Town Square, as well as on the front porch of Earp’s Ordinary and in the Shoppes on Main Street parking lot. (See Entertainment Schedule for details and addresses).
Open houses will also be at the City of Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, 10209 Main St., from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and the Ratcliffe-Allison-Pozer House, 10386 Main St., from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Historic Blenheim and Civil War Interpretive Center, 3610 Old Lee Hwy., will offer an interpretive walking trail from noon-4 p.m., plus tours of the historic home’s first floor and a guided tour of the site at 1 p.m.
Festival parking is at The Judicial Center parking garage B on Page Avenue and the Old Town Village parking garage (Chain Bridge Road between Whitehead and North Street). In addition, handicap-accessible shuttle buses will travel to the festival from Fairfax High, 3501 Lion Run, and GMU’s Rappahannock Parking Deck, 4400 University Drive, and back again, from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Handicapped parking is at City Hall, 10455 Armstrong St. (accessed via Chain Bridge Road) and Old Town Village parking garage on Chain Bridge Road.
First Aid stations are at the entrance to Old Town Hall and at Fire Station 3. For more festival information, go to www.FairfaxFallFestival.com.
Entertainment Schedule
Main Stage
University Drive and South Street
Sponsored by Fair City Mall
Emcee: Marc Goldman
11 a.m. - Lesson Zero
2:30 p.m. - Hypnotic Willie
Old Town Square Stage
University Drive and North Street
Sponsored by HB Home Services
10:30 a.m. - Main Street Community Band
12:30 p.m. - Brian Sanders
2:30 p.m. - Scott Kurt & Memphis 59
Children’s Stage
SunTrust Bank parking lot, 4020 University Drive
Sponsored by Lidl
10:30 a.m. - Mr. Gabe & the Circle Time All-Stars
11:40 a.m. - C4 Performing Arts
12:30 p.m. - Bach2Rock
1 p.m. - McGrath Academy of Irish Dancers
1:25 p.m. – Kids’ Nature Show
2 p.m. - McGrath Academy of Irish Dancers
2:25 p.m. - Drew Blue Shoes
3:45 p.m. - Groovy Nate
Earp’s Ordinary Porch
10420 Main St.
10:30-11:30 a.m. - Dirty Gold Brass Band
Noon-2 p.m. - Cat Janice and Cathy DiToro
2:30-4:30 p.m. - Justin Suede
Shoppes on Main Street Parking Lot
Haus Marzipan Show
Forever Marzipan Circus combines dazzling aerial choreography, comedic acrobatics and whimsical dance in this 25-minute, two-woman show.
Show times are 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
All American Lumberjack Show
University Drive
Sponsored by JL Tree Service
This popular, All-American Lumberjack Show is back at the festival. Watch competitors throw axes, race across floating logs and wield a variety of sharp saws.
Show times are 10:30 a.m., noon and 3:30 p.m., with an interactive camp at 1:30 p.m.
After Fest Concert
Old Town Square
5:30-8:30 p.m. - The Reflex