The Prince William community knows by now that Youth For Tomorrow puts on an entertaining Country Fair every October; however, it seems every year they manage to out-do themselves.
Youth for Tomorrow (YFM) is sponsored by the Joe Gibb’s organization. It is a campus along Linton Hall Road in Bristow that provides an education, counseling and support as well as an on-site home for at-risk teens and children included those rescued from sex-trafficking and young mothers and their children.
Every year Joe Gibb’s, the legendary Red Skin’s coach and NASCAR owner, throws this fun-filled, family event to spotlight, and most-importantly, raise money for the school and campus.
This year saw big-draw events like pig racing. The stands were full of attendees. Those in the back were holding young children on their shoulders, trying to peak over the crowd. Meanwhile, children ages 5-12 snuck up close for a first-row view.
Five little piggies tore through the gates, wearing ribbons in red, blue, green and other bright colors. They all looked adorable as they rushed around the circle. Red was in the lead, but the others were close on his tail.
This live-action festivity took place at 3 p.m.; however, the fair saw other exciting events throughout the day. There was something for children and adults of all ages and interests.
Adults who came to the fair, enjoyed the auctions and of course, the food, included BBQ, ice-cream and seasonal favorites.
Gibbs helped to host the live-auction to raise money for the school through selling high-priced items to the highest bidder - items such as vacations, artwork and autographed pieces and sports memorabilia. Most items were donated to the school and foundation.
A few feet further down the campus, under another tent, was a silent auction. There, people could place bids on an array of items donated by organizations, businesses and community members. Items included baskets, Redskins and NASCAR memorabilia, seasonal items, home goods and toys.
Near the auctions, the community support was evident in the selection of vendor tables where local businesses such as One Life Fitness, Sport Clips and Glory Days advertised while offering samples, couples, candy and treats or fun games for their visitors.
However, what the fair seemed to be most about this year was families having fun together. There were so many fun games, rides and other amusements to keep the little ones active all day long as well a challenging rides and games for teens and tweens.
Animals were a big draw. From the cute and cuddly rabbits and chickies to exotic camels and playful goats, even the older children wanted in on the action.
“ is really fun. The bunnies are so cute and the little chicks,” said Chloe Ouellette, 11, of Manassas. Chloe was helping her mom, Holly, at the Sports Clip booth, but took a break to visit the petting zoo.
After checking out the petting zoo, some of those kids want to take those pets out for a ride. Fortunately, pony rides are available for kids as young as one-years-old to as old as 10.
Mom Liz Barrows enjoyed seeing her little one, Dayton, have a pony ride at just 16-months old. Her father and two attendants guided Dayton, who giggled and smiled in amusement.
“It’s my first time here. It’s pretty nice, and we liked the pony rides,” Barrows said.
Barrows said she heard from a woman at her job in Sterling that this was the best fall festival around with something for all-ages.
Some children looked for something more fast-paced to do after visiting with the animals. YFT has all the typical carnival rides such as the Ferris wheel, scrambler and tilt-a-whirl, but they also have the modern attractions that are all the craze.
Children could play laser-tag in a futuristic alien orb, or run around paint-ball style to an outdoor laser-tag game via Games 2U. A Games 2U representative said the company offers a variety of games that they bring to the party or event, and Games 2U has patented most of their games.
Likewise, children seem to love the bouncy-houses, slides and challenging wall climbs, along with the bungee bounce jumps.
However, some children were not only at the fair to enjoy the amusements but to perform for others.
Angela Teatsch is with Youth Sports Gymnastics out of Potomac Mills. They had been asked to perform at YTF Country Fair before, but this was her first year performing as part of the troupe.
“[We did] parts of our routine and basics like forward rolls, headstands and tumbling,” said the 11-year-old from Woodbridge, Virginia.
Afterwards, she and her friends were looking forward to rides like the bungee cords that let them jump and fly high into the air, but were contemplating whether they wanted to wait in the long ride, or go on some other rides.
Some attendees came because they were big supports of YFT, such as Principal Nathaniel Provencio of Prince William County’s Minnieville Elementary School who was there with his wife and five-year-old son, Evan.
Provencio said he came because of his school’s partnership with YFT and the Joe Gibb’s Foundation.
“We have a partnership with the Joe Gibb’s Foundation; we support them, and they support us. Minnieville is a Title I School with various needs. Youth For Tomorrow provides a counseling every single day. This event goes a long way to support students in Prince William County,” Provencio said.
The children at the fair never seemed to grow bored since there was so much to do. Parents were happy that the rides, games and even some treats were all included in the reasonable entrance price of $5 per child, $10 per adult. And, although the rides and games were aimed at children and teens, parents like that it provided plenty of photo opportunities, or as one mom said, the opportunity to make lasting-memories with her family.
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