New for 2018: Performances by Favorite Local Bands
Slapnation and Good Shot Judy
The 45th Newport News Fall Festival will be held on Saturday, October 6 & Sunday, October 7, 2018 each day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at Newport News Park in Newport News, Virginia. The festival, which attracts 35,000 visitors each year, will feature over 150 exhibitors showcasing art, crafts, heritage trade demonstrations, entertainment, children’s activities, and food.
New for 2018 are performances by favorite local bands Slapnation (Top 40/R & B) on Saturday (2:00 pm – 3:00 pm, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm) and Good Shot Judy (Jazz/Swing/Big Band) on Sunday (2:30 pm – 3:15 pm, 3:45 pm – 4:30 pm). Free new activities include an archery area, scarecrow making, a rock climbing tower, and Virginia-grown fruit fishing. The parking fee has been reduced to $5.00 per car, admission is free.
In the Juried Area, highly-skilled artists and craftspeople compete for a $500 Best in Show Award. The Heritage Area features craft/traditional tradespeople showcasing their skills with an award given for Best Demonstration ($250). The Marketplace Area artists and crafters sell a wide variety of handmade items that are great for holiday gifts, collecting or home decorating. The Country Store Area vendors sell country-inspired merchandise including farm products. Best Display Awards ($250) are presented in the Country Store and Marketplace areas.
The Food Lion Arboretum Stage will feature Red Crooked Sky (Native American Dancing) on Saturday at 10:00 am and 12:30 pm and on Sunday at 10:15 am and 12:45 pm, the Kountry Kickers (Mountain Dance) on Saturday at 11:15 am and on Sunday at 11:30 am, Slapnation (Top 40/R & B) on Saturday at 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm and 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm, and Good Shot Judy (Jazz/Swing/Big Band) on Sunday at 2:30 pm – 3:15 pm and 3:45 pm – 4:30 pm. The Daily Press Marketplace Stage will feature the Michas Polish Folk Dance Ensemble (Traditional Polish Dance) on Saturday at 10:30 am – 11:30 am, Scrapper Tuesday (Goodtime Roots) on Sunday at 10:30 am – 11:30 am, Jerry Brown (Old-time Vaudeville) at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (Saturday & Sunday), In Layman Terms (Blues) at 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm on Saturday, Chase Payne (Country) on Sunday at 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm, Paul Urban & Friends (Blues/Roots) on Saturday and Sunday 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm, and Atumpan- The Talking Drums (West African Folklore) at 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm (Saturday & Sunday).
Twenty-four booths in the Folk Foodway will sell seafood, barbeque, pork rinds, funnel cakes, and other favorite festival foods. The Virginia Beer & Cheer Pavilion will again feature local and seasonal brews from the Tradition Brewing Company and Bold Rock ciders from Central Virginia. Children can “make and take” free crafts in the Children’s Area . In the Pumpkin Patch ($), families can purchase their favorite pumpkin. All ages can enjoy climbing a rock tower, trying archery, and having a “fun fortune” reading by Lady Mirra the Gypsy Fortune Teller. Newport News Fall Festival t-shirts and festival tote bags will be sold at the Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism Booth.
Admission is free; parking fee $5.00 per vehicle on-site and at satellite areas (Greenwood Elementary School/Woodside High School/New Horizons). Free shuttle bus service will run continuously between the satellite parking areas and the festival. No pets permitted in the festival area. Newport News Park is located at the intersection of Ft. Eustis Boulevard and Jefferson Avenue (Exit 250B from I-64). Traffic updates, weather updates, and other event updates will be posted on Twitter @nnfestivals, Instagram- nnspecialevents, and Facebook www.facebook.com/NewportNewsFestivals . For more information or special assistance, call 757-926-1400.