April: Children’s
Spring Festival
The Great Falls Optimist Club is
holding the annual Spring Festival on May 4 this year from 11:30 am
to 4:00 pm. It will be expanded considerably over years past. In
addition to the traditional inflatable carnival activities such as a
giant moon bounce and obstacle course for young people, and the
children’s treasure hunt with gems donated by Adeler Jewelers, ilt
will also include demonstrations, activities and games provided by
local organizations; a 5k run; hay rides; several raffles; music and
entertainment; food sales; antique cars and more. This year, the
Optimist Club is also inviting local nonprofits and businesses to
participate. It will be a fun-filled, family-oriented day of
activities. More information will be available soon at
www.greatfallsoptimist.org
Organizers:
: Great Falls Optimist Club.
May: Great
Falls Day
The Great Falls Historical Society will
host Great Falls Day at the Great Falls Grange Park. Next year’s
event is scheduled for Saturday, May 6. This event brings together
the Great Falls Community with great food, performances, and time
outside. For more information contact Betty Swartz (703) 759-2378.
Organizers:
Great Falls Historical Society - Fairfax County Park Authority.
June-August: Summer Concerts on the Green
Sunday evenings in the summer mark the
beginning of the concerts on the Green. Come out with your
picnic baskets and bottles of wine for an entertaining evening of
live music from 6pm—8pm at the Great Falls Village Centre. The
concerts are sponsored by local merchants and feature a full range
of musical talents from eclectic rock/pop to Celtic, Jazz and more.
They are free to the public. For a full list of dates and band
entertainment contact Kelly Rafko at Gfvcca@aol.com
Organizers:
Great Falls Village Centre
July: 4th
of July fireworks and Parade
From the dozens of children decked out
in red, white and blue for the Baby Parade to the legions of
youngsters riding their bikes in the Main Parade, the Great Falls
Hometown Fourth of July celebration is all about family fun.
Families paraded down the sidewalk lining the Green at the Village
Centre wearing red, white and blue from head to toe, some waving
flags, others wearing streamers or fuzzy antennae. Evening activities
include inflatable rides for the kids and a spectacular fireworks
display for over 30 minutes at the Turner Farm organized by Mike
Kearney. For more information please contact Great Falls Charitable
Foundation (703) 759-6563 or GFCharities@aol.com
Organizers:
Friends of the Great Falls Fireworks - Great Falls Charitable
Organization - Great Falls Friends - Great Falls Village Centre.
September-October:
The Great Falls Park Discovery
Day
Come to Great Falls Park and enjoy a
day of family fun. The park will offer chances to learn more about
the interesting history of the park with a full day of activities
including music, hikes, animal programs, gold panning, wildlife
rescue, and fire fighting. Kids can participate in fun activities
such as our Junior Ranger program or get a close look at, and learn
more about, some of the wildlife that live here in the park. For
more information on the scheduled events, please contact the park at
(703) 285-2965.
Organizers:
The Great Falls Park.
October: Halloween
Every year, on October 31st, princesses
and goblins come out to play and take part in the annual costume
parade in the center of town while the merchants of Great Falls
provide a safe and festive area for the children of the community to
"trick or treat". There is even a Haunted House, which is a favorite
stop for the bravest of these trick or theaters. For more
information please contact Great Falls Optimist Club - Contact Mike
Mullens
Organizers:
Great Falls Newcomers
October:
The Taste of Great Falls
Restaurants in the Great Falls area
eagerly await the Taste of Great Falls event where each restaurant
is given the opportunity to expose its best dishes to the public
during the fall weekend. A “fair” is set up and restaurant owners
plate their best food and citizens can explore dishes from their
favorite restaurants. This event is a balance between publicity for
restaurants and filled bellies for the citizens of Great Falls. For
more information please contact Terry or Chris Graves (703) 759-4900
or CapRealty@aol.com
Organizers:
Terry & Chris Graves - Great Falls Business and Professional Association.
December:
Tree
Lighting
The large pine in the Great Falls
Village Centre serves as the sight for the annual kick off to the
holiday season. The old fashion tree lighting ceremony event
includes a live Nativity pageant, hot cider and petting zoo
animals. Mr. and Mrs. Claus make their grand entrance on a fire
truck to the squeals of delighted children waiting to sit on Santa’s
Lap to tell him their wish. This event is free to all. For
more information please contact Kelly Rafko at Gfvcca@aol.com
Organizers:
Great Falls Village Centre - Mr. Moore
