Editing Fairfax, Virginia (section)

==Annual events==
[[File:Clifton Horse Society.jpg|thumb|The 2010 4th of July parade, including the [[Clifton, Virginia|Clifton]] Horse Society]]
* '''Chocolate Lovers Festival'''
:The annual Chocolate Lover's Festival is held in the heart of Old Town Fairfax during the first full weekend in February. Events have included craft shows, historic building open houses, children's activities, collections of vendors selling various edible chocolate products, and even chocolate sculpture contests.<ref>[http://www.chocolatefestival.net/ About The Chocolate Lover's Festival]. Chocolatefestival.net.</ref>
* '''Fairfax Civil War Day'''
:Every year, during the Spring, a Civil War re-enactment camp is held at the Blenheim estate, a city-owned historical property. The encampment features cultural information about Civil War-era people and practices, military muster, drill, and a firing demonstration.<ref>[http://www.fairfaxva.gov/SpecialEvents/CWW/CWW.asp City of Fairfax – Special Events, Civil War Weekend] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060508230024/http://www.fairfaxva.gov/SpecialEvents/CWW/CWW.asp |date=May 8, 2006 }}. Fairfaxva.gov (May 5, 2012).</ref>
* '''Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts'''
:Each April, Fairfax, in cooperation with [[George Mason University]], [[Northern Virginia Community College]], and Fairfax schools, sponsors the Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts Festival. The festival runs for three weeks and features music, dance, theater, art and choral concerts. Events take place at venues throughout the city and the colleges.<ref>[http://www.fairfaxspotlight.org Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104184117/http://fairfaxspotlight.org/ |date=November 4, 2018 }}. Fairfaxspotlight.org.</ref>
* '''National Trails Day'''
:In June, a National Trails Day is held to celebrate the trails, open spaces and parks in the Fairfax.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fairfaxtrailsday.com/|title=City of Fairfax Trails Day - June 2, 2007|website=www.fairfaxtrailsday.com|access-date=November 2, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222122530/http://www.fairfaxtrailsday.com/|archive-date=February 22, 2008|url-status=usurped}}</ref>
* '''Independence Day Celebration Parade and Evening Show'''
:The largest hometown parade and fireworks celebration in the Washington metropolitan region is held in the Fairfax. The day's events include a parade through Old Town Fairfax, tours of historic buildings and local museums, an Old-Fashioned Fireman's Day at the Fire Station #3, and a live concert and fireworks display at [[Fairfax High School (Fairfax, Virginia)|Fairfax High School]].<ref>[http://www.fairfaxva.gov/specialEvents/IDC/IDC.asp City of Fairfax – Special Events, Independence Day Celebration] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060428192720/http://www.fairfaxva.gov/specialEvents/IDC/IDC.asp |date=April 28, 2006 }}. Fairfaxva.gov.</ref>
* '''Irish Festival'''
:In September, a festival of Irish and Celtic song, dance and music is held in and around Old Town Fairfax.<ref>[http://www.fairfaxva.gov/SpecialEvents/SpecialEvents.asp City of Fairfax – Special Events] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041012152359/http://www.fairfaxva.gov/SpecialEvents/SpecialEvents.asp |date=October 12, 2004 }}. Fairfaxva.gov.</ref>
* '''Fall for the Book Festival'''
:Each fall, the Fall for the Book Festival features readings, discussions, lectures and exhibits from nationally recognized writers and professionals. Festival events are held in the Fairfax at [[George Mason University]] and throughout the [[Washington metropolitan area]]. Two community reading programs coordinate with Fall for the Book: "All Fairfax Reads," coordinated by the Fairfax County Public Library, and "Mason Reads" at George Mason University.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fallforthebook.org|title=Front Page|website=Fall for the Book Festival}}</ref>
* '''Fall Festival'''
:A Fall Festival is held in historic Old Town Fairfax on the second Saturday in October. This event includes more than 500 arts, crafts, and food vendors, and is usually held outdoors on the streets of the city. Attendance is about 35,000 to 45,000.<ref>[http://www.fairfaxva.gov/SpecialEvents/FallFestival/FallFestival.asp City of Fairfax – Special Events, Fall Festival] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008225629/http://www.fairfaxva.gov/SpecialEvents/FallFestival/FallFestival.asp |date=October 8, 2008 }}. Fairfaxva.gov.</ref>
* '''The Holiday Craft Show'''
:An annual Holiday Craft Show is held at Fairfax High School on the third Saturday and Sunday of November. The event features hundreds of craft vendors. Attendance is about 8,000 to 10,000.<ref>[http://www.fairfaxva.gov/SpecialEvents/HCS/HolidayCraftShow.asp City of Fairfax – Special Events, Holiday Craft Show] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040821050030/http://www.fairfaxva.gov/SpecialEvents/HCS/HolidayCraftShow.asp |date=August 21, 2004 }}. Fairfaxva.gov.</ref>
* '''Festival of Lights & Carols'''
:On the first Saturday in December, the city holds a Festival of Lights and Carols. Activities include photos with Santa, caroling, a yule log, hot mulled cider, illumination of Old Town Fairfax, and the lighting of the city Christmas tree.<ref>[http://www.fairfaxva.gov/SpecialEvents/FLC/FLC.asp City of Fairfax – Special Events] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060427014938/http://www.fairfaxva.gov/SpecialEvents/FLC/FLC.asp |date=April 27, 2006 }}. Fairfaxva.gov.</ref>