Taste of Annandale entertainment reflects region’s diverse cultures

The schedule isn’t quite finalized, but the organizers are
expecting the festival to open with a traditional Korean percussion performance
by Sunsook Lee at 10 a.m.

El Rey Mariachi Band

El Rey Mariachi Band will then get things going with
traditional music from Mexico. The band, featuring guitar, bass guitar,
accordion, and trumpet, plays all over the area at restaurants, weddings, and
festivals, says founder Javier Albornoz of Annandale, who sings and plays
guitar.

Beginning at 10:45, there will be an opening ceremony, with
brief remarks by county officials, a presentation of certificates to county
leaders in appreciation of their support for the Taste of Annandale, and awards
to the winners of the Taste of Annandale 5K.

La Decana will then perform the marinera, a
popular dance from the town of Trujillo on the north coast of Peru, says Aldo Kanamori, a leader of the group.

La Decana

Monarca in Flight will put on an aerial dance performance at
noon. Aerialists from the Monarca in Flight studio in Bailey’s Crossroads will perform
graceful acrobatic movements suspended in the air – on a vertical rope, a
length of fabric like a hammock, and a steel hoop called a lyra.

The Annandale High School Orchestra will play at 12:30
p.m., followed by a rock band from Crescendo Studios in Merrifield, a Gold Sponsor of the Taste of Annandale.

The Chili Cook-Off winners will be announced from the stage
at 1:30 p.m. The cook-off pits members of the Annandale Volunteer Fire Station
against officers at the Mason Police Station. Everyone will get a chance to
taste both types of chili and vote for their favorite.

The winners be presented with a massive trophy.

The contestants for the best-dressed pet contest sponsored
by Chico’s Natural Pet Market will be up next, at 1:35 p.m. The judging will take place earlier at Chico’s booth.
The three top winners will be announced on the stage, and all the pets will
parade on the fashion “catwalk.” 

The Nanuri Dance Company

The pet getting the loudest applause will be deemed the
audience favorite. All four winners will then have a chance to compete to be
“Chico’s Next Pet Model,” with the winner chosen by social media popularity. Register your pet here.

At 2:05, there will be a brief tango performance by Charo
Jones and partner, followed by a traditional Korean musical performance from
the Nanuri Dance Company.

Nanuri was founded in 2005 with the motto, “Communicate and
Share Together,” and more recently focuses on educational programs in
collaboration with actors and educators.

The Chinese Culture Institute will present a traditional
music and dance performance at 2:50, and the Bach to Rock center in McLean will
close out the day.