County Fair (Celebrate Fairfax) really disappointing this year (Reston, McLean: house, bankrupt)

[kgottwald]

I dropped by the Fairfax County Fair* yesterday afternoon and it looked like a ghost town. Back in the 90s it used to be thronging with people and tons of stuff to see and do. I particularly used to enjoy the booths set up ni the Government Center building itself by every agency of the county government with information about their work.

This year? Some rides, a few outdoor booths from local merchants, a lot more empty space than I remember, but there were hardly any attendees, despite the weather not being especially hot or humid for DC.

And inside the Government Center itself there was a model train display . . . and nothing else. No booths, bupkis. The air conditioning even seemed to have been turned off!

What gives? Has the economy going south had that much of an impact?

They should at least have mentioned in the ads that it was only going to be 40% of a fair. I feel like I wasted $12.

* "Celebrate Fairfax" is a frigging stupid name. What's wrong with "County Fair"?

[Caladium]

Bummer that you didn't have fun, I hate when I go to an event and it doesn't turn out to be that great.

FWIW, the Fairfax County Fair is August 6 - 7 and it's held at Frying Pan Park. Admission is free, although if you drive, parking is $5.

Fairfax County Fair 2011 – Frying Pan Park

[ChristineVA]

I thought "Celebrate Fairfax" was more about Fairfax City versus the county. But I could be mistaken.

[OrangeFish]

Originally Posted by ChristineVA

I thought "Celebrate Fairfax" was more about Fairfax City versus the county. But I could be mistaken.

About Celebrate Fairfax, Inc.

"Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. (CFI), a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation, was created by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 1984, as the result of a citizen blue ribbon study. Today, CFI's mission is "The Celebration of Fairfax County and Its Communities."

CFI's "flagship" event, Celebrate Fairfax!, began as the Fairfax Fair. The Fair dates back to colonial times when the House of Burgesses mandated that an annual Fair be held to promote commerce, economic development and a sense of community.

The Fair existed as a for-profit corporation from the late 1700's to the mid-1940's, when it went bankrupt after three years of rain. In 1982, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors decided to create and host a countywide event: the "Fairfax Festival." The success of that event led to the creation of the nonprofit Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. which produces the festival today. The Board of Supervisors remains involved through its appointment of 5 members to 17-member CFI Board of Directors. "

And I guess there were weather-related issues even back in the mid-1940's.

[normie]

I think county fair and community fairs in general have gone out of style and have been in decline for the last decade. They were much more popular back in the 70's and 80's.

[user8]

fairfax has become too big to retain such small-town niceties. it's a bummer, but them's the breaks. i used to go to it as a kid.

[vermonter16]

Originally Posted by normie

I think county fair and community fairs in general have gone out of style and have been in decline for the last decade. They were much more popular back in the 70's and 80's.

Yep, I agree completely if you are in the more suburban/city areas. If you're in rural parts of the country - they are definitely still the highlight. But, certainly not here.

[JD984]

Part of it may also be that a lot of people attend annual events such as Viva Vienna and McLean Day that have a bit more of a local community focus. The idea of going to a Fairfax County "fair" and catching up with a million or so of one's neighbors may be somewhat daunting.

[alibaba1579]

Can I ask where you parked? We have free tickets and were thinking of checking it out just for a couple of hours this afternoon. But, I have 2 little kids and really don't want to deal with the shuttle bus, since we're taking a stroller. The website says that there is limited parking on site, but expect it to be full. Is this true?

[Lucky★]

Will Reston Festival 2011 be any better (July 9th - 10th)?

Reston Festival 2011