Founded in 1733 by a group of Quakers from Pennsylvania, Waterford is a quintessential colonial town just over ten minutes from Leesburg. Although the town itself is less than half a square mile, it is rich with history. At a time when slavery was a prominent practice in Virginia, this small town became a haven for escaped enslaved people due to the Quakers’ disbelief in slavery. This helped create a diverse community with a sense of equality that was unattainable in surrounding areas. 
Today, Waterford is not only a National Landmark, but home to the popular Waterford Fair. People flock from all over the country to share their handywork in a gathering of over 85 talented artisans, similar to how a community of different backgrounds once worked together in this very town. Artisans in the fair set up stands all over the town and sell a variety of wares including homemade jewelry, art, glassware, pottery, flowers, and so on. 
It is an exciting opportunity to promote and share their work with an audience of over 15,000 visitors. Furthermore, in a nod to the town’s colonial roots, many of the vendors and participants dress up to fit the era, bearing bonnets and overalls. Visitors are entirely immersed in the towns history as they walk by people straight out of a history book. In Waterford, 64% of the homes were built before 1861. In addition to exploring the different vendors, pedestrians can enjoy live music from numerous different artists or stop by The Corner Store for coffee, pastries, and other refreshments. 
The fair is catered toward all ages, which is evident by the large number of families who attend each year. There are many fun activities; for instance, younger kids can do arts and crafts, view a magic show, learn how honey is made, or meet a team of working horses. The Waterford Fair is a three day event that this year is taking place on October 4-6. It is the perfect time of year where individuals can enjoy the last few warm days before winter and the colorful foliage as the landscape blends into an array of reds and oranges. It is the perfect fall activity to attend with friends and family and feel good knowing that all proceeds go towards the Waterford Foundation to preserve the Landmark District. Be sure to put aside a weekend next fall and experience the art and ambiance of the beautiful town of Waterford!
Photos by Sophie Fella
