2025 Waterford Fair
A Celebration of Americana
October 3-5 | Waterford, Virginia
A Fall Celebration of American Arts and History Since 1944
The Waterford Fair is the mid-Atlantic’s quintessential fall festival with demonstrating fine heritage & contemporary craft artisans, living historians, a juried art show, historic properties tour, local libations, and entertainment for all ages.
Located in the National Historic Landmark of Waterford (f. 1733), this unique village is situated in Western Loudoun County, Virginia. Noted as “DC’s Wine Country”, we are only 55 minutes from the District of Columbia.
Event proceeds support the preservation and education efforts of the Waterford Foundation, a 501(c)(3).
2025 Waterford Fair News & Updates
What You’ll Find at the Waterford Fair…
Juried Artisans
Artisans who demonstrate at the Waterford Fair are juried by professionals in their field. Their work must be made with traditional methods and display the highest quality of their craft. You can watch these artisans and interact with them throughout the village during the Fair as they demonstrate their craft. Many artisans have special activities for children.
Historic Home Tours
Homes on tour during the 2025 Waterford Fair will be marked with signs in the Village. Locations can be found in the Fair booklet, which will be available on-site.
Exhibits & Demonstrations
The Waterford Fair values the preservation of traditional skills and historic methods, which is why demonstrations, talks, and exhibits are an important part of every Fair.
Music & Entertainment
Enjoy local favorites as they play traditional American music on the Main Stage at the Old School.
Historical interpreters will delight you as you walk the historic village throughout the weekend. You will be entertained and educated as musicians, illusionist, soldiers, perfumer, and more display their traditional talents!
Food & Libations
Delicious foods are available throughout the village so you can have meals, indulge in treats and buy home-made and artisan goods to take home.
The fair always features local beer and wine offerings for you to enjoy with your meals or while enjoying great American music and entertainment.
Kids Unplugged
The Waterford Fair is a great place to bring kids for a day of unplugged fun.
Children 12 and under are FREE with an adult ticket purchase!
Download your Waterford Fair Cryptogram here and bring it to the Fair for a good old fashioned scavenger hunt.
Waterford Art Awards & Judges
2025 Cover Art
Thanks to Loudoun County artist, VC Garrison, for her painting “Waterford Shadows,” chosen as the 2025 cover art for the Waterford Fair.
Best Demonstrating Artisan 2024
Harriet Giles is a professional hand weaver who creates beautiful, historically-inspired and contemporary rag rugs. She taught herself to weave in 1973 and began weaving professionally in 1981.
Working near Slate Mills, Virginia, Harriet designs and weaves custom, room-size rugs on her wooden hand-looms, using the same techniques that weavers have used for centuries. Her work focuses on the sophisticated interplay of color, design, and woven structure. She cuts fabric into strips—including both floral and printed as well as solid fabrics—to achieve a rich color blend. She then weaves them into a groundwork of loom-controlled threads, creating unique rugs that range from densely warped bold stripes to subtle, intricate twills.
In addition to room-size rugs, Harriet also produces a line of smaller area and throw-size rugs, as well as totes.
Stop by her tent in the Bond Street Barn Area to see her unique woven creations and learn more about her work.
2025 Fine Art Judge Jordan Xu
We are pleased to announce that portrait painter Jordan Xu will be judging our fine art entries this year!
Jordan began studying at the Art League School in Alexandria, Virginia in 2002. His award-winning style blends classical realism with vibrant colors and expressive brushwork. He focuses on portraiture, capturing the stories and emotions that make us human, often showing subjects in their favorite spaces or activities. An avid musician, he also paints portraits of performers from bluegrass jams to concert stages.
We can’t wait to see you at the Fair!