Vienna to Transform Back into Historic Town for Country Fair on Aug. 20

Families can catch a glimpse of what Vienna was like hundreds of years ago when the town's historic Country Fair opens on Saturday, Aug. 20.

Try your hand at old ways of living, like churning butter, whitewashing a fence or cleaning clothes using a washboard and wringer. In fact, just about everything will be done as it was in the old days.

“We won’t have a modern midway or deep-fried food,” said Anne Stuntz, president of Historic Vienna, Inc., which is putting on the event. “Our Country Fair will provide an opportunity for folks to unplug and return to a simpler time. Folks at the fair are going to be spoiled for choice of hands-on opportunities to discover what it was like to live, work, farm and play more than 100 years ago.”

In addition to old-fashioned activities, there will also be a petting zoo with farm animals, sack races, barn dancing, square dancing, a flower show, bicycle parades, crafts, lasso lessons and history talks.

Admission to the event, scheduled to take place from noon to 4 p.m. at the Freeman Store and Museum at 131 Church Street NE, is free.

Exhibitors of historic crafts such as beekeeping, spinning wool, and wood carving will also put their works on display, and Difficult String Run Band will play bluegrass music throughout the afternoon.

“There will be something for every age group,” said Stuntz, adding that the inspiration for the Country Fair is the current Freeman House and Museum exhibit on the history of agriculture in Vienna. “This event is a celebration of Vienna’s farming roots.”

Local gardeners are also invited to participate in the fruit and vegetable competition. Those wishing to participate should bring their best tomatoes, squash, berries, and patio pots to the Freeman Store between 8 and 10 a.m. on August 20, the morning of the event.

While admission to the Country Fair is free, food, books, art, and other merchandise will be available for purchase. For more information, visit historicviennainc.org or call 703-938-5187.