The Falls Church Festival is coming back for its 50th year this weekend, with music, food and a scavenger hunt.
“We’re celebrating it very much like a big bash,” Falls Church spokesperson Mary Catherine Chase told ARLnow. “We want an anniversary or a birthday party. I think that’s going to play up a whole lot, is the celebratory mood of this.”
The festival will take place on Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on City Hall grounds (300 Park Avenue) and admission is free. Visitors can expect craft vendors, live music and a beer garden — plus pony rides, moon bounces and spinning mechanical rides for kids.
The city expects around 10,000 to 13,000 attendees in good weather.
“The Falls Church Festival is one of our most beloved traditions in the city of Falls Church,” Chase said. “Celebrating our 50th is a big deal for us.”
For the milestone year, attendees can participate in a festival-wide “Big 50 Scavenger Hunt” to win swag. Taste of Falls Church is also returning, with $3 “Taste” tickets that can be exchanged for a bite to eat or something to sip from 18 local businesses.
“Our community absolutely loves Taste of Falls Church because it brings together the restaurants that so many people who live in Falls Church in the area, [and] people who visit Falls Church absolutely adore,” Chase said.
Offerings include favorites and newer Falls Church restaurants such as Cafe Kindred, Clare and Don’s Beach Shack and Fish Taco. The food will also be judged and attendees can vote for their favorite in the “People’s Choice” category.
Tickets will be sold at the festival and can be purchased in advance at the City of Falls Church Community Center beginning on Monday, Sept. 14.
Live acts will kick off on both the main stage and the children’s stage at 10 a.m. Rock cover band Villains and Saints will open the festival, followed by performances from The Coozies and Moonshine Society. Children can participate in an interactive science show or watch a magic show.
Little Falls Street from Park Avenue will be closed to two-way traffic on Sept. 19 for the festival until noon. However, one-way traffic onto Little Falls Street from Great Falls Street will be allowed from 10 a.m. to noon.
Parking is available on side streets and the Kaiser Permanente Garage. Accessible parking is found on Great Falls Street.
