Thank you, Taste of Annandale sponsors

The Annandale-Mason Roundtable appreciates the businesses and organizations that have stepped up to support the community by sponsoring the Taste of Annandale.

The Taste of Annandale is a free, family-friendly street festival on Sept. 21, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m., at the Eileen Garnett Civic Space at 7200 Columbia Pike.

This huge event will have lots of food, live entertainment, a 5K race, a children’s program, a pet contest, a chili cookoff, and vendors. It would not be possible without the generous support of the following sponsors:

• Scarlet Haven Residential Services, based in Annandale, provides a range of services for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities and medical challenges. Staff members develop individual treatment and living plans for clients that promote independence, and improve their quality of life.

Scarlet Haven’s services include group homes, skills training, skilled nursing care, support for caregivers and families, case management, crisis support, transportation, and recreational activities.

• The Westminster School is a private school in Annandale offering K-8 students a classical education that prioritizes language as the foundation of thought. The curriculum emphasizes classic works of literature and the contributions of ancient civilizations, especially the Greeks and Romans.

Westminster also hosts the Griffin Academy for children ages 3 and 4.

• The Virginia Players Alliance is an advocacy organization that supports the development of casinos in Virginia. The group argues that casinos, like the one proposed for Tysons, would bring the state a huge revenue boost that could result in lower tax rates for residents. (The No Tysons Casino Coalition will have a vendor table at the Taste of Annandale.)

• Patient First offers primary and urgent walk-in care 365 days a year. Services include treatment for routine illnesses and injuries, immunizations, women’s healthcare, physical exams, and telehealth.

There are dozens of Patient First locations on the East Coast including Annandale.

• The Plaza at Landmark is a large shopping center in Lincolnia with Giant Food, Five Below, Hobby Lobby, LA Fitness, Game Stop, Marshalls, and several restaurants, other retailers, and health-related businesses.  

• Real estate agent Jamie DeSimone, with the Homes for All Team at Keller Williams Capital Properties, specializes in residential properties, from condos to single-family homes. Jamie is organizing the Pet Parade and Costume Contest at the Taste of Annandale. Sign up your pet here.

• Expedia Cruises, located in Barcroft Plaza, is a travel agency that helps clients sort through all the options for a cruise vacation and find the one that best meets their needs. The agency makes all the arrangements, including flights.

• Brightview Woodburn is a senior living community in Annandale with a memory care section and lots of amenities, including a restaurant, library, exercise room, casual café, pub, and library.

• Chik-fil-A in Annandale is a fast-food restaurant specializing in hand-breaded chicken sandwiches. Other items include salads with fresh produce, waffle fries, sausage biscuits, honey-pepper pimento chicken sandwiches, and more. Chik-fil-A is also a food vendor at the Taste of Annandale.

• The Annandale Rotary Club is a local organization that promotes community service, supports high ethical standards for its members, and sponsors the Interact Club at Annandale High School. The Bailey’s Crossroads Rotary Club will also be at the Taste of Annandale along with the classic Mustang that it’s raffling off as a fundraiser.

• RAMP Optimal Performance and Wellness, based in Annandale, provides one-on-one personal training and group fitness. Clients range from professional athletes to seniors. RAMP is hosting the Taste of Annandale 5K on Sept. 21 before the main event. Sign up here.

• The ACCA Child Development Center provides early education programs for children from 3 months to 5 years old. Located next to the Eileen Garnett Civic Space, the CDC is hosting a full program of performances, crafts, and games for children at the Taste of Annandale.

• Finally, Annandale Today, which you’re reading now, is an online news source covering Annandale, Bailey’s Crossroads, Seven Corners, and Lincolnia.

The Taste of Annandale is the sole project of the Annandale-Mason Roundtable, an all-volunteer group of local stakeholders.

Other organizations helping to make this event a success: the Fairfax County Community Revitalization Section, Mason District Police Station, Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, Celebrate Fairfax, and the Asian American Community Center.

The Taste of Annandale is still accepting sponsor applications. Visit this page for details.

Businesses, nonprofits, and crafters are invited to host vendor tables. Apply here.