Had enough of Snowzilla by now? Ready to get outdoors more often? Perhaps get rid of some cabin fever? Fortunately, with Earth Day and spring just around the corner, there are numerous opportunities to visit and participate in some local festivals. Below is a sampling of some in our region. Go ahead, get out there and live a little more!
4th Annual Grow Your Health Festival
March 5, Fairfax High School, 3501 Rebel Run, Fairfax, Virginia 22030. 9:00 am – 5:30 pm.
A project of the Northern Virginia Whole-Food Nutrition Meetup Group, the festival presents 60 exhibitors plus learning opportunities and more for home gardening, sourcing organic and local food, and nutrition and wellness for adults and children.
Classes and talks on gardening, nutrition and wellness will be offered through the day in the exhibit hall of farmers, food artisans, gardening services, and wellness products and services. The classes will empower festival attendees to start gardens, source better quality food, and learn holistic techniques to achieve better health. In the Food & Farming section of the exhibit hall, attendees will be able to meet farmers who sell direct to consumers and deliver weekly to convenient drop sites throughout Northern Virginia, and shop in the festival’s 2016 Pre-Season Farmers Market. The Grow Your Health Festival will also present the Northern Virginia debut of the documentary film Growing Cities. A family-friendly event, the Grow Your Health Festival offers several hours of supervised, age-appropriate activities for children, including gardening classes, kids’ yoga, indoor recess and quiet floor play. All activities, classes, and the film are included in the admission price – $10 online/$15 at the door; free for children 16 and under. Organic, non-GMO snacks and lunch will be available for purchase.
“We’re very pleased that our fourth annual Grow Your Health Festival has grown to a larger venue with many more exhibitors and offerings than ever,” according to Jack Moore, leader of the Northern Virginia Whole-Food Nutrition Meetup Group. “This event is important for learning of the benefits of local, organic, foods, and for the contributions we’re able to make to foster the whole-food perspective on good nutrition.” Proceeds from the Grow Your Health Festival will benefit the Weston A. Price Foundation and local non-profits that share the festival’s mission.
Get tickets and details for the 4th annual Grow Your Health Gardening, Local Foods & Wellness Festival at www.GrowYourHealthNoVa.com and follow on Facebook: GrowYourHealthFestival for more information and healthy tips.
16th Annual Jewish Film Festival
April 7 – 17, Angelika Film Center, Mosaic District; 2911 District Ave, Fairfax, VA 22031;
Phone: 571- 512-3301.
The 16th annual Northern Virginia Jewish Film Festival, powered by the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, will screen 10-12 contemporary Jewish-themed and/or Israeli-made feature films that explore identity and place in the world. Festival home from April 7-17, 2016 is Angelika Film Center and Café at Mosaic. Specific line up of films will be released in February and can be found at the website at www.jccnv.org/film-festival/northern-virginia-jewish-film-festival.
Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival
April 16 – 17, Downtown Leesburg, Virginia. Contact: Ida Lee Park Recreation Center at 703-777-1368 or visit www.flowerandgarden.org.
Historic Leesburg will once again be in full bloom as lush landscapes and gorgeous gardens fill the streets. On April 16 and 17 over 120 vendors will be on display featuring landscape designs, gardening supplies, outdoor living items, plants, flowers, herbs and so much more! Stroll through the streets and take in the sights and sounds of springtime. Whether it’s gathering ideas for your new outdoor patio, stocking up on gardening supplies, or searching for a perfect gift for the avid gardener in your life, this event will have something for everyone! The event runs from 10:00am – 6:00pm on Saturday and 10:00am- 5:00pm on Sunday.
Festival goers can take a break from exploring the treasures vendors have to offer by stepping inside the Beer and Wine Garden located on the Town Green. Here, they can relax and sample ice cold brews and wines from around Loudoun County and beyond.
The Flower and Garden Festival will also host two entertainment stages. The Main Stage, located on the Loudoun County Courthouse grounds, will feature acoustic performers all day on Saturday and Sunday. The music kicks off on Saturday with local favorite, Gary Smallwood. This is a great place to sit under a tree, take in the tunes, and savor a tasty treat from one of the many food vendors onsite.
The second stage is all about our younger festival attendees and is located in the Children’s Area. The Children’s stage will feature interactive, live entertainment all day Saturday and Sunday afternoon. In addition to the entertainment, children can paint large wooden animal cut outs, create a garden marker, or participate in one of the other crafts available in this area.
89th Annual Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival
April 22 – May 1, 2016. 135 North Cameron Street, Winchester, VA 22601; Phone: 540-662-3863
The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, a six-day festival held annually in Winchester, Virginia, is known for its many guest celebrities and events. The festival was first held Saturday, May 3, 1924, and was originally celebrated as a one-day event (although not held in 1942-1945 due to World War II). Features include a Grand Feature Parade, Firefighters’ Parade (first held on Thursday, April 18, 1929), a carnival and midway, luncheons, races, walks, dances, and concerts, as well as a field show competition which formerly gave out the Queen’s Cup trophy to the winner, starting with the original Queen, Elizabeth Steck.
Springfest Fairfax
April 30, 2016, Lorton Workhouse Arts Center, 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA 22079; Phone: 703-324-5471.
Clean Fairfax produces SpringFest with partners Fairfax County Park Authority and The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, VA! SpringFest Fairfax grows every year and we hope you’ll celebrate with us on Saturday April 30, 2016. This year we welcome FCPA Healthy Strides Expo–workshops, vendors and activities to help us be healthier and happier. Healthy People-Healthy Earth! Stay tuned for more details. This is Fairfax County’s official Earth Day and Arbor Day event.