Sterling Fest 2023, October 7

In the 1950s, children freely wandered the creeks and fishing holes around Broad Run and Cabin Branch Creek and participated in the community through school, church, and 4-H Club events. The Methodist Church evening suppers on Church Road would bring out 15 people on a good weekday night. As time passed and the number of farm families began to sell off their land and residents moved east over to the new homes in Sterling Park, Old Sterling changed from a lively farming and commercial center into a ghost town cluttered with timeworn buildings.

Sterling Park was one of the first planned communities in eastern Loudoun County. It became a popular place for government workers to settle down outside Washington, D.C, and eventually Park View High School was built in 1976.

Can you believe this is the 35th Sterling Fest? Sterling Fest is a one-day rain-or-shine event that has been introducing the people of Loudoun County to the best businesses, organizations, artisans, and restaurants in and around Sterling, Va, for 35 years. The first festival was in 1988, to celebrate 25 years of Sterling Park living!

Bring the whole family and celebrate with us on Saturday, October 7, from 11 am – 5 pm. Streets surrounding the Sterling Community Center (120 Enterprise Street) will be closed and full of festivities.

The annual Knights of Columbus parade precedes Sterling Fest, leaving Park View High School at 10am, traveling down Laurel Ave, heading up Sterling Boulevard, turning on West Holly to conclude at Sterling Middle School. Bring your family out along Sterling Boulevard to enjoy the floats, first responder vehicles, sports teams, the clowns, the candy and the Park View marching band.

On your way into the fest area, pick up a map and a scavenger hunt sheet for your guide to everything Sterling Fest. Children use the scavenger hunt sheet to search for squirrels hidden among the vendor booths, turning them in at the Floris United Methodist booth near the Care Now building, to collect a prize.

Explore nearly 140 businesses and crafters that line both sides of Enterprise and Commerce Streets. Stop by the Sterling Foundation booth to pick up free seed packets and stickers, check your purchases, purchase mum decorations and commemorative t-shirts or sign up to become a Sterling Foundation member and volunteer.

In the Big Lots parking area, you will find a world class variety of cuisine with a dozen food trucks, plus funnel cakes and ice cream. Nearby, the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company and Rescue Squad will hold their open house at the newly opened Safety Center. The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office will bring hands-on equipment in the former Care Now lot.

While the kids enjoy inflatables, a petting zoo, arts & crafts, face painting and various other activities in the Children's area at the community center playground, adults can grab a bite to eat from more than a dozen options and have a glass of locally brewed beer, wine and sangria in the Beer & Wine Garden while enjoying a variety of performers and music on our main stage.

This year's featured artists are Unsullied, Cimonti and Caleb Mitchell. Take a selfie at the photo booth and catch some bonus performances on the Performance stage, located at the intersection of Commerce and Enterprise Streets. Head inside the community center and meet Bobby G's Reptile Pets. Due to unforeseen events the Car Show was cancelled this year. It will be back next year.

Proceeds raised from Sterling Fest support the Sterling Foundation, the Sterling Community Center Advisory Board, and the Sterling Playmakers - non-profit groups that enhance the cultural environment for our local community.

Adult volunteers are needed to guide vendor traffic, manage check points, and pour drinks in the beer & wine garden. If you would like to volunteer the day of the event, please sign up through our signup genius at Sterling Foundation: Sterling Fest Volunteer Sign Up (signupgenius.com) or just let me know.

For updates, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/SterlingFestVA

Cheryl Villalobos

Sterling Foundation Chair

[email protected]

P O Box 1036

Sterling, Va 20167

703 430-9472 - leave message

www.sterlingfoundation.org

www.facebook.com/SterlingFound...