Oct. 9, 2021
this year’s theme is
King George Coming Together
Our community has been coming together to celebrate the fall season with this special event since 1959. Did you know that the first parade was on Halloween? I noticed (from achieves in Free Lance Star) that our neighbor George Poudrier was leading a horse and buggy (sulky) with Princess Jean Walker sponsored by Fairview Beach. The Festival Queen was Ann Richardson and the winning float was 3 Witches, by the Dahlgren Civic Association. Does anyone know who the 3 witches are? If so, let me know. The Ruritan Club originally came up with this idea as a fundraiser for the King George Volunteer Fire Department. Over the years more than $400,000 has been donated. The famous Fall Festival Bar-B-Q, real pit-cooked, was worth the long wait in line. Does anyone know Ms. Benedetti? Her notebook was the keeper of the sauce recipe. It was a joint effort from many of the different civic clubs in the county.
Today, planning for the Fall Festival is usually a year-long event. Due to Covid, the committee was not sure until April if the Festival would happen. The King George Fall Festival Committee is made up of members from local county businesses, non-profits, County Government, the Sheriff’s office, KG Fire & Rescue, KG Parks & Rec, KG Optimists, and DECA at KGHS, the King George Builders Association, and others. KG Farm Bureau, Ruritans, and Dahlgren Lions Club, and individual residents volunteer their help. The volunteers work hard to make the festival a success, they have worked even harder this year. So when you see a volunteer on October 9, make sure you thank them.
The Festival is an annual tradition, people come home to see family, friends, and the parade. Rides and games have been added over the years so now it really is a celebration of and for our community, not just a fundraiser. Marching groups, floats, bands, and horses have been a part of this parade for a very long time. This year ProSoDel will sponsor, the 1st Annual Corn Hole Tournament at the YMCA on September 25, so get your team together and sign up! All sign-up forms can be found on the sign-up link. Get your friends and neighbors and build a float!
The Parade, the Pageant, the activities all make for a very busy and exciting weekend. A car show, a 5K race/run on Saturday morning, parade at 11AM, and then food & craft vendors, games, and rides will carry you through the afternoon. Special thanks to Wendi Wynn, Dee Strauss, Lori Deem, and Priscilla Morgan for helping me get the info needed for this Spotlight.
Let’s all come together and have a great day!!