UPDATE: The event has been cancelled for Sunday, November 13th due to damage from the winds last night. We appreciate the support of the artists and everyone who visited the event on Saturday.

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A juried arts festival featuring the best of the best.

The Stafford Museum and Cultural Center is super proud to be bringing this premiere event to Embrey Mill. Free to attend and browse.

THIS IS A FAMILY FRIENDLY FESTIVAL

What better way to do your Christmas shopping than shopping at this event. As you stroll through the rows of tents where you will meet and be able to talk with the creators of sculptures, paintings, pottery, photography, one-of-a-kind jewelry designs, batiks, and much more.

This Festival offers a wide variety of mediums, styles, sizes, subject matters, and price ranges. There will be something that will appeal to everyone who attends.

​“History lives in Stafford!” You can visit a wide variety of attractions and combine your business or golf trip with off-the-beaten-track side-tours through history, local award-winning wineries and breweries, and a wide selection of shopping and arts.

November 12th 10am – 5pm
November 13th, 11am – 4pm

401 Coneflower Lane, (Embrey Mill), Stafford, VA

It’s a great outdoor space for social distancing and following safety rules to ensure the safety and well-being of our Exhibitors and Shoppers.

Stafford County Commissioner of the Revenue, Scott Mayausky, will be presenting a status update on the proposed Stafford County Museum.

About the Stafford Fair

The first annual Stafford County Club and School Fair was held at Stafford High School on October 21, 1922 for two days conducted by the School Board, and officers of the Fair; W.D Peyton, president; James Ashby, secretary & treasurer; V.B Perry, manager. The first fair also involved a school parade, marching from Stafford High School to the Courthouse. On October 18, 1929, it was reported that the Agricultural Department, directed by R.L. Reid, Hayden Silver and Grafton Greenlaw, was one of the best exhibits in years. They also held educational and domestic art exhibits inside the school building. The fair was cancelled in 1930 due to drought conditions and revived in the fall of 1931 by combining “Achievement Day” with the County Fair. At that time, it was reported that this fair would be the most notable of all county-wide gatherings. “It is designed for all the people and it is estimated that more people meet at it and intermingle in social pleasure than at any other event in the county’s annual history.” The Fair did not operate during WWII. It was revived in 1948 to be held for many years at the new Falmouth High School. In 1959, Mrs. Deichman former manager of the Stafford County fair and other officers of the Stafford County Fair were sought after to renew and organize the “area-wide” Fredericksburg Fair where Mrs. Deichman served as Treasurer.

Over fifty years of history had passed since Stafford held its own fair. Gordon Shelton stepped up to revive the Stafford Fair in the fall of 2010. In keeping with tradition, he held the fair in the fall on school grounds. The Fair, held at Mountain View High School for the first few year had quickly outgrown the field in front of the school and moved behind the Margaret Brent Elementary School in 2014.

At the new location, we were able to add a demolition derby and a tractor pull arena and make room for a temporary homemaking building, tents for the 4H and animals, pony shows, music concerts and more exhibits. In 2015, we held our first Miss Stafford County Pageant bringing our queen to the VAF competition.

The Fair continues to grow as a non-profit, volunteer organization. We are not supported by any government entity. We are in need of permanent grounds.

Each year we are able to promote agriculture, community spirit, family fun events, motor sports, home making contests, 4H competition, vendor’s, petting zoo, pumpkin patch, pony rides, and carnival rides, food and overall fun for everyone!

We are proud to have been able to provide the opportunity for Fire & Rescue teams to demonstrate and receive special training in the Jaws of Life recovery from automobiles.

We happily dedicate our time to the Stafford County Christmas Parade, which began in 2015 dedicated to Sheriff Charlie Jett and Clerk of the Court Barbara Decatur. In 2020, due to COVID, the parade location was moved to the fairgrounds. The parade is now held on the 3rd Saturday in December every year at the Fairgrounds.

Gordon Shelton, Fair Manager is honored to be on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Association of Fairs.

Save the date! Our 2nd annual Via Colori Stafford! will take place September 24-25, 2022. Look for even more artists, entertainment, and fun!

Melisa Butler will share the history of her family’s 18th century Stafford farmhouse, Cedar Hill, and the people who have called it home.

We regret that our scheduled presentation on memories of Hartwood Winery by Connie Hilker will have to be postponed for a future date.

Instead, Jerrilynn Eby will be presenting about the land record challenges following the Civil War. During their fourteen-month occupation of Stafford County, Union soldiers made at least two destructive raids on the courthouse and clerk’s office. They stole or destroyed about two-thirds of the county’s court records along with Stafford’s colonial seal and courthouse Bible. The impact of the loss of these records continues to impact landowners, researchers, and genealogists today.