Summer Festivals, Fairs and Fun

From fests to parades, there’s always something going on in the nation’s capital when the weather starts to warm up. Locals are a little spoiled, especially since visitors often save for months or spend their life savings to come here when we have access to the greatest tastings, festivals, fairs, and events year round. Don’t be afraid to venture out to fests in the ‘burbs. You can have some fun, enjoy some good eats, and breathe some fresh air (for a change). For a comprehensive look at what’s happening now and throughout the summertime, check out this listing below for food, wine and good ol’ wholesome family fun.

Upcoming Food Events

July 4th Celebrations: Celebrate the Fourth of July in ‪‎Tysons‬! Let loose on America’s birthday by going to one of these fun, local events. Live music, food, drinks, parades, and more make up this year’s offerings. Don’t forget to cap off the evening with a spectacular ‪‎fireworks‬ display!

Smithsonian’s Folklife Festival – June 29- July 4; July 7-10: This engrossing two-week festival on the National Mall juxtaposes the rich traditions of various corners of the United States and cultures around the world. Highlights include traditional dance and music performances, storytelling, and ethnic food of all sorts.  Themes this year include Basque: Innovation through culture and California Music.  Discover how the Basque Country sustains culture, drawing on traditions to innovate in a rapidly changing world. Learn renowned cooking techniques and phrases in the Euskara language. Experience bertsolaritza poetry competitions and stone-lifting matches. Drink a refreshing glass of cider or rioja wine and meet master artisans.
Explore the Sounds of California through the music and stories of immigrant communities shaping the diverse state. Interact with artists in music workshops and stretch out on the lawn for an evening concert series. The Festival is held outdoors on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., between the Smithsonian museums. Activities include daily and evening music performances, crafts and cooking demonstrations, storytelling and discussions of cultural issues. There is no admission charge.  Festival hours are 11 am to 5:30 pm.

Truckeroo Food Truck Festival – July 8, 2016: Truckeroo brings local food trucks to the Fairgrounds at Yards Park (1299 Half St., SE) to dole out everything from cookies and milk to Vietnamese sandwiches. About two dozen wheeled food sellers show up, and there are picnic tables and shade to keep things cool. 11 am – 11 pm. Sample the fare from more than 20 food trucks while enjoying live music, cornhole, and a festive atmosphere. Free admission; food prices vary.

Barrel & Bushel Virginia Craft Beer Festival – July 16, 2016: Mark your calendar for the first Barrel & Bushel Virginia Craft Beer Festival! This event is bringing together more than 50 regional breweries showcasing the season’s best brews! You’ll be able to spend the afternoon meeting the brewers, tasting delicious handcrafted food, sampling the industry’s best bourbons, listening to live music, and working on your tan. Your ticket includes a limited edition tasting glass, 2 drink tickets and some fun summer swag! Saturday, July 16: 12pm – 7pm; Sunday, July 17: 12pm – 5pm

Brew at the Zoo – July 21, 2016: Raise your glass to conservation! Join FONZ at their 12th annual beer fest, where you’ll sample beers from more than 75 craft breweries. Guests will also enjoy live entertainment by local band The Reagan Years, lawn games, and animal demonstrations. Plus, purchase fare from popular food trucks that will be on site. Proceeds benefit animal care and conservation science at Smithsonian’s National Zoo. So raise your glass and toast to the animals! All guests must be 21 and over to attend. A photo ID is required. Children, infants, strollers, and infant carriers are not permitted. 6-9 pm

County Fairs

August 4-6 (2016)

• Loudoun County Fair: Held annually in Leesburg, VA, experience a true country fair featuring 4-H animals, crafts, carnival rides, entertainment, food, livestock auctions, professional bull riding, and a mini demolition derby. Enjoy a carnival, children’s activities, educational demonstrations, a pet show, vendors, kiss-a-pig contest, and much more!

August 4-6 (2016)

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  Pig Races

  68th Annual Fairfax 4-H Fair and Frying Pan Park Farm Show: This 68th Annual event is great fun for the whole family! Fairgoers will also enjoy the fantastic Frying Pan Park Farm Show and Fairfax County Park Authority’s 1920′s-era Kidwell Farm. Held at Frying Pan Park (2709 W Ox Rd.), activities include live entertainment, carnival rides and games, hayrides, cow milking, blacksmith and farrier demos, animal washing and grooming, sheep shearing, and lots more! Enjoy a free concert (Thurs), see the Big Truck show (Fri), watch the Tractor Pull (Sat), see the 4H exhibits, animal shows, and entertainment (Sat & Sun), or ride the carnival rides all 4 days of the event. There will be a $7 parking fee, however admission to the Fair is free. Saturday: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m

August 12-21 (2016)

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  Cole Amusements

  Arlington County Fair: Now in its 40th year, enjoy a classic county fair with carnival rides, face painting, competitive exhibits, arts and crafts, great international cuisine, live entertainment, pony rides, pig and goat races, a petting zoo and much more, held at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center (3501 South Second St.). Cole Shows Amusement Company will return this year to provide amusement rides, midway games, and nostalgic carnival food for fair-goers of all ages. All of the most popular rides from past years, including the Zipper, the Heart Flip, and the Rainbow, will be back!  Rides: single tickets for $1, 24 tickets for $20, and 48 tickets for $40. Catch an outdoor flick at the fair: Friday night’s movie will be family-friendly and Saturday night’s movie will be for teens. The movies will be shown on the tennis courts next to the midway and will start as soon as the sun goes down.Wed/Thur: 5-10 p.m.; Fri/Sat: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Admission: Free

August 12-20 (2016)

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  Photo by Johnathon Potts

  The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair is the largest county fair in the State of Maryland. Since 1949, the Fair (500 Perry Pkwy, Gaithersburg, MD) has been a showcase of farm life and is a family event with lots of carnival rides, great entertainment, wonderful foods, and fun activities for all ages. This event is chock full of amazing events and performances, including dog show, pick races, demolition derby, tractor pull, monster truck rides, and more! Adult: $10 (12yrs+); Child: FREE (11yrs and younger). Ticket packages and discounts available online. 10am-midnight.

August 12-20 (2016)

• The Prince William County Fair started in 1949 by a group of WWII veterans, and is the largest in the state of Virginia, held at the Prince William County Fairgrounds (10624 Dumfries Road, at Route 234 Manassas, VA ).  The annual event includes livestock exhibits, home arts exhibits, tractor pulls, a rodeo, demolition derbies, baby contests, live music and a variety of midway shows. Adult: $8 in advance; Child/Senior (5-13yrs and 60+yrs): $5. This year, Half Price Day will be Monday, August 11th. Admission to the Fair and ride wrist bands will be half price! That’s $4.00 for adult admission and only $10.00 for the ride wrist band.

August 20 (2016)

• Vienna Country Fair: On Saturday, August 20, from noon to 4 PM, Historic Vienna, Inc. will host the first Vienna Country Fair on the grounds of the Freeman Store & Museum, 131 Church Street, NE, Vienna, VA 22180. Unplug and return to a simpler time at this family friendly event. The Country Fair will feature farm animals, cow milking, butter to churn, barn dancing, woodcarving, beekeeping, farm crafts and games, races for the kids, a flower show, live music by the Difficult Run String Band, and a farm tractor from Vienna’s Maple Avenue Market. There will also be a fruit and vegetable competition during the Fair. Members of the public wishing to participate in the competition should bring their best tomatoes, squash, berries, patio pots or other items to the Freeman Store between 8 and 10 AM the morning of the Fair.
  The afternoon will feature Historic Vienna’s second annual Bike Decorating Contest and Bike Parade at 3 PM. “Kids” of all ages are welcome to participate, no pre-registration is necessary.
  Burgers, hotdogs and other refreshments will be available for purchase at the Fair from the Sons of the American Legion of Vienna’s Dyer-Gunnell American Legion Post 180.
  Bring your family and friends to this wonderful event. Admission to the Fair is free. For more information visit historicviennainc.org or call 703-938-5187.