OCCOQUAN, VA — Visitors will flock to Occoquan for one of its largest events of the year this weekend. The Occoquan Fall Arts And Crafts Show will be held Saturday, Sept. 27 and Sunday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The annual event features hundreds of artisans showcasing their works, from fine art to woodworking. There will a beer garden and live music sponsored by Fair Winds Brewing Company from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at River Mill Park. An estimated 20 food vendors will participate in the food court.
Children can get involved with arts, crafts and performances at Imagination Alley. Some of the activities planned are a caricature booth, art bar, alpacas, bead bar, face painting, kids give back activity, rocket building, touch-a-truck, and a magician.
There will be various road closures in place. Mill Street, the 100 to 200 blocks of Union Street, 200 to 300 blocks of Ellicott Street, 200 block of Washington Street and 200 to 300 blocks of Commerce Street will be closed to all traffic from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and closed to through traffic from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Center Lane, the 100 block of Commerce Street, and Washington Street south of Commerce Street will be closed to through traffic from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Festival vendors, business owners, and residents living in the festival area will have access before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
The affected portions of Mill Street, Ellicott Street, Union Street, Washington Street and Commerce Street close all new parking at 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26. No parking will be allowed on Saturday and Sunday. Depending on the zone, towing will begin at 10 p.m., 11 p.m. and 12 a.m.
Due to road and parking closures, shuttles for $10 round trip will serve festival attendees. The Purple Lot shuttle picks up at the Lake Ridge Commuter Lot (Old Bridge and Minnieville Roads in Lake Ridge) and drops off at the Commerce Street and Washington Street shuttle stop. The Green Lot shuttle picks up at the Route 123 Commuter Lot (Route 123 and Old Bridge Road in Woodbridge) and drops off at the Footbridge shuttle stop by River Mill Park. The Yellow Lot shuttle picks up at the Workhouse Arts Center (9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton) and drops off at the shuttle stop under the Rt. 123 Bridge.
Shuttle passes can be purchased online.
Limited on site accessible parking will be available under the Route 123 Bridge via Poplar Lane. A wheelchair accessible shuttle will be provided through the Yellow Shuttle Stop (Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton) with flat, paved road access to the event.
For more information, see an event map and full event details at www.occoquanfestivals.com/fall.