The annual Taste of Annandale street festival is set for this weekend, bringing food, entertainment and community fun to the area.
The festival kicks off Saturday, Sept. 21, from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Eileen Garnett Civic Space (7200 Columbia Pike).
Festivalgoers can sample a variety of cuisines, with vendors offering dishes from Thailand, Korea, Indonesia, Jamaica and Argentina, along with American favorites like pizza and ice cream.
Entertainment will include cultural performances such as K-pop, a lion dance, and a B-boy showcase. Attendees can also dress up their pets for a costume contest, where awards will be given out for best in show, best human/pet duo, and funniest costume. Grammy-winning educator Annie Ray is expected to judge the pet contest.
“The Taste of Annandale is aimed at encouraging conversation among people from different backgrounds, shining a spotlight on local businesses and organizations, and promoting community engagement,” said Ellie Ashford, a member of the planning committee.
Organized by the Annandale-Mason Roundtable, a nonprofit focused on community engagement, the event is expected to draw even more attendees than last year’s crowd of thousands. Proceeds will support local youth programs.
Ashford says this year’s event is anticipated to be the largest yet and will be the first to take place at the Eileen Garnett Civic Space, which opened in October 2023.
“There will be 35 food vendors and 53 tables hosted by businesses, nonprofits, and crafters. The beer vendor, Commonwealth Brewing Co., will offer hard cider, as well as several beers,” she said. “For the first time, we’re inviting attendees to work on a community art project hosted by Community Art For Everyone (CAFE).”
Initially launched in 2015, the goal of the event is to encourage community engagement, celebrate Annandale’s diversity and shine a spotlight on local businesses and organizations, per the release.
The day kicks off with the Taste of Annandale 5K, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the K Market parking lot (4239 John Marr Drive). Participants can register online or in person the day of the race.
Annandale High School’s Boosters Club and PTSA will sell spirit wear, while the school’s culinary students will offer baked goods.
Sponsors include Scarlet Haven Residential Services, the Virginia Players Alliance, and local businesses like Annandale Today, Ahn Nguyen State Farm and Patient First. Several Fairfax County departments, including Neighborhood and Community Services and the police, are also helping support the event.
