Celebrate Fairfax Inc.

Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. (CFI), a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation, was created by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 1984, as the result of a citizen blue ribbon study. Today, CFI's mission is 'The Celebration of Fairfax County and Its Communities.' CFI's 'flagship' event, Celebrate Fairfax!, began as the Fairfax Fair. The Fair dates back to colonial times when the House of Burgesses mandated that an annual Fair be held to promote commerce, economic development and a sense of community. The Fair existed as a for-profit corporation from the late 1700's to the mid-1940's, when it went bankrupt after three years of rain. In 1982, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors decided to create and host a countywide event: the 'Fairfax Festival.' The success of that event led to the creation of the nonprofit Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. which produces the festival today. The Board of Supervisors remains involved through its appointment of 5 members to 17-member CFI Board of Directors.