Falls Church Memorial Day 2018: Guide To Parade, Festival

FALLS CHURCH, VA—More than 10,000 people are expected to converge on the streets of Falls Church for the 37th Annual Memorial Day Festival and Parade. The Little City's largest event of the year on Monday, May 28 features a parade, entertainment, food, fun run, vendors and much more.

The parade will start at 2 p.m. in between festival activities and live music by the Convertible Jerk Band and the City of Falls Church Concert Band around downtown Falls Church. Midge Wang, founder of the Victorian Society of Falls Church and member of Friends of Cherry Hill Farmhouse, will serve as grand marshal.

The parade names winners for a number of categories, including: Best Emergency Vehicle, Best Float, Best High School Marching Band, Best Professional Marching Band, Best Vehicles, Best Walking Group, Best Youth Group and Best Military Group.

Schedule

Warm-Up with Brian Sulc and Colonel's Fitness - 8:15 a.m.

• Cherry Hill Park (312 Park Ave.; behind City Hall and the Community Center)
• Get ready for the Fun Run with a 30 minute warm-up

Don Beyer Volvo 3K Fun Run: 9 .a.m

• Start line: Great Falls St. at Little Falls St.
• No registration required
• Rollerblades and bicycles not permitted

Music on the Main Stage: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

• located on Park Ave. at Little Falls St.
• 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.-Convertible Jerk Band
• 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.-Louis the Magician (Children's Magician)
• 12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.-Falls Church Concert Band

Amusements for Children in Cherry Hill Park: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• Moon bounces, pony and train rides, and more
• 10:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.-"Cornhole with the Chief": children and adults can challenge Police Chief Gavin to a round of cornhole behind City Hall
• Inova Blood Drive, outside the Community Center from 11:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
• Food and drinks for sale
• Vendor booths, including civic groups, crafters, and local merchants

Tours of Cherry Hill Farmhouse: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Veterans' Ceremony at Veterans Memorial, Community Center: 11 a.m.-noon

• Keynote Speaker is Ret. Army Colonel Ward Nickisch

Parade Begins: 2 p.m.

• Parade route on Park Avenue
• Led by 2018 Grand Marshal Midge Wang
• Trophy Presentation after parade
• See the parade lineup here.

Vendors and Booths

• Beyer Auto Group
• Compass Realty
• Falls Church News-Press
• Galleria Florist
• Goldfish Swim School
• Gutter Helmet
• Homefix Custom Remodeling
• Kitchen Saver
• Leaf Filter
• Passanante's Home Food Service
• Ballet NOVA Center for Dance
• Falls Church Chamber of Commerce
• Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation
• See the full vendor list here

Road Closures

The following road closures will be in effect the day of the parade from 5:30 a.m.-7 p.m.:

• Park Ave., from N. West St. to N Washington St.
• Little Falls St., from Park Ave. to Great Falls St.
• Great Falls St., from Little Falls St. to Virginia Ave.
• Lincoln Ave., from Great Falls St. to N. West St.
• N. West St., from Great Falls St. to Park Ave.
• Greenwich St., from Lincoln Ave. to N. West St.
• N. Oak St., from Lincoln Ave. to N. West St.
• Highland Ave., from N. West St. to Sycamore St.
• Governors Court

Portions or all of certain streets along the route of the Don Beyer Fun Run will be closed from 6 a.m.-11 a.m.:

• Pennsylvania Ave., from Great Falls St. to Fulton Ave.
• Fulton Ave., from Pennsylvania Ave. to N. Oak St.
• N. Oak St., from Fulton Ave. to Lincoln Ave.
• Lincoln Ave., from N. Oak St. to N. West St.
• Great Falls St., from Little Falls St. to Pennsylvania Ave.

Parking

Free public parking is available at the Kaiser Permanente garage (North Washington St. and Park Ave.) and the George Mason Square garage (103 W. Broad St.). Free parking is available on some side streets, but please check signs for time limits.

Visitors to the Memorial Day festivities should not park in private parking lots with posted "No Parking – Towing Enforced" signs, including shopping centers and office buildings. Many businesses enforce parking restrictions on weekends and holidays and may tow without notice.

Patch will update this guide up to the day of the parade.

Screengrab via Youtube video