Check out the Frostival for family fun
Looking for something fun to do with the little ones during the break? Thanks to Jill Anderson of the Lake Barcroft blog for suggesting the Frostival, a new winter-themed family festival sponsored by Celebrate Fairfax. Geared to children ages 2-12, the Frostival runs from 10 a.m., Jan. 1 to 5 p.m., Jan. 3 at the Dulles Expo & Conference Center. Tickets are $12 for children up to age 12 and $5 for people 13 and older.
The event includes performances, storytelling, artists-in-residence, educational programs, interactive rides, games, crafts, science activities, demonstrations, exhibits, and vendors. The headline performances feature the Rocknoceros on Friday, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo on Saturday, and Yosi on Sunday. If you bring coats or cans to donate, you’ll be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a ski trip to Massanutten.
One response to “Check out the Frostival for family fun”
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We visited the Frostival with our twin two-year-old daughters yesterday, and we had a great time with one big exception. The food served inside the Frostival was outrageously priced and horrible. For example, a kids meal consisting of a cold, tasteless, and nitrate-laden hot dog, along with a tiny bag of plain Lays potato chips, a few slices of apple, and a warm tube of yogurt was $8.00. A large sign in the cafe area proclaimed, DRINKS NOT INCLUDED.” If you want a small bottle of water, it will run you $2.50. The hamburger I ordered was cold and nearly inedible; the patty was a discolored and disheveled thin thing that looked like no hamburger I had ever seen before — this was $4.00. My wife had to remove the cheap, fatty and nitrate-laden formed turkey from her “turkey wrap” after taking a bite of the tiny thing. It cost almost $30.00 for a few chicken nuggets for the girls, one water, and some food that neither my wife or I could finish.
Additionally, there was minimal seating, and one long line to place your order and get the food. It took me almost half an hour to get our miserable meal. The tables were smeared with food and condiments from previous diners and were basically filthy.
The nonprofit, “Celebrate Fairfax” (created by the Fairfax Board of Supervisors), runs the event; this is their second year. If there are other parents out there that were as unhappy as we were about the poor quality and exorbitant prices of the food, we suggest you write the Fairfax Board of Supervisors and express your displeasure.
If you are thinking of attending the Frostival, be sure to bring your own healthy snacks and a couple of bottles of water (easily hidden in your diaper bag or purse). They have a big sign posted at the entrance informing paying visitors that bringing in food is forbidden, but whatever. There are plenty of family-friendly healthy eating choices near the venue (e.g. Chick-fil-A); just ask for a bracelet to get back in so you don't have to pay twice.
Despite enjoying the rest of the Frostival, we probably won’t be making the trip from Falls Church next year. There are plenty of other family events in or near Falls Church. If I were on the Fairfax Board of Supervisors, I’d fire the current food vendor. It would have been a nice time, except for our disgust with ourselves for being fleeced on the food. I don’t understand why event planners would try to get away with serving such sub-standard food at such ridiculous prices. Conscientious parents will not come back, or they will choose to leave and eat elsewhere.