Marshall Day, a beloved community event celebrating Fauquier County Parks and Recreation (FCPR), has been a staple for seven years now, offering something special for all ages. Traditionally known for its family-friendly atmosphere, the event has primarily focused on activities for kids. However, this year, Michelle Hermsdorf, the Community Center Manager and Program Coordinator of FCPR, made a conscious effort to expand the range of activities, ensuring that there was fun for everyone.
Marshall Day wasn’t always as successful. Starting out as a “health and wellness event,” and then facing obstacles with COVID-19, making it “a smaller version..with just a…band outside where people could social distance,” she sees much improvement from the work that she and her predecessors have put into it. “There were 286 attendees that came to Marshall Day and there were about [34] vendors who set up,” ten more vendors than last year, states Mert Cook, a Library Assistant at John Marshall Library. The event seems to be growing larger each year.
From food trucks to face painting, Marshall Day incorporated activities designed for all ages. One of the most popular attractions was the ‘Raging Reptiles’ interactive educational exhibit, which allowed attendees to get up close and personal with exotic animals including “lifting [an] eighteen 18 foot long Burmese Python,” says an anonymous vendor for the exhibit. For the younger kids, there were bouncy castles, creative booths and interactive games. This creates a festive, family-friendly space. Adults, however, had options of their own such as embroidery/monogramming vendors like “Sew-Southern Ladies” or designer vendors such as “Bougue Bags.” Flower booths, hypoallergenic alpaca wool products and multiple vendors advertising free, helpful resources were also placed around the premises.
Separately, a scavenger hunt was attached to the event, encouraging visitors to explore different vendors. In the end, participants received a free meal from “Law Dawgs Food Truck” and a “Kona Ice,” ensuring no one went hungry while enjoying the attractions.
Marshall Day is a dynamic event that is being continuously shaped by vendors and community suggestions through a survey, “so we can build upon it,” says Hermsdorf. Lindsey Do, a Fauquier High School (FHS) senior, wishes, “that there was..a better range of crafty [activities],” suggesting that coordinators continue to incorporate more booths similar to the “Sand Art” activity. Jessica Nalls, an FHS junior, thinks “the event could be improved if they [included] more [interactive] activities like the bounce house,” such as “pony rides for little kids,” she continued. Slowly, but surely, Marshall Day is incorporating suggestions into their event, one of the most prominent ones being the inclusion of animals like goats, reptiles and even “some alpacas for the first time this year,” noted Hermsdorf.
The excitement surrounding Marshall Day is palpable. Attendees echoed the sentiment that this event fosters community connections. “It just brings everyone together, just like any other community event would do,” says Lindsey Do. “I think it’s appropriately planned out,” she continued.
Many helping hands such as vendors, attendees, sponsors and volunteers alike are needed to make this event a success. Elizabeth Berman, a junior attending FHS, is a consistent volunteer at John Marshall Library. From helping with everything from weekly initiatives, such as the “culture bag program” to Marshall Day, working the “face painting” station. Berman believes that the environment within John Marshall Library is “warm and welcoming,” and she continues to recommend this opportunity to students at FHS. Cook states, “Many people don’t even know we have a library in the Northern end of the country,” but free resources, programs and volunteering opportunities are available to anyone interested.
Marshall Day has long been a cherished part of the community calendar, and this year’s efforts to broaden its appeal were met with enthusiasm from residents and newcomers of all ages. Whether it’s the joy of seeing a child’s face light up after a turn on the bouncy castle, a teenager interacting with an eighteen-foot-long python or the excitement of a spouse’s face when receiving flowers, Marshall Day continues to bring the community together in unique and exciting ways. As this event continues to grow, we can only expect more creative and diverse activities to be added in the future, solidifying its place as a free-entry, must-attend celebration for the entire town.