Food, fun, live music and the opportunity to watch the Kentucky Derby on a gigantic, outdoor screen are all on tap for the upcoming Derby-Q. It’s slated for Saturday, May 6, from 2-8 p.m. in Old Town Square, 3999 University Drive in Fairfax.
Featured at this community festival will be specialty beer and bourbon tastings from 20 different breweries, as well as mint juleps and food from a variety of barbecue vendors. Live blues bands will perform on stage while attendees look forward to what’s dubbed “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports” – the Kentucky Derby.
The entertainment schedule is as follows: 2-4:30 p.m., Blues band Mojo Mothership will perform; 2-6 p.m., sports on the big screen; 4:30-8 p.m., blues with a funk edge performed by Anthony “Swamp Dog” Clark; and 6:30 p.m., viewing of the Kentucky Derby on the big screen.
Ticket packages
Various ticket packages are offered, with the price depending on whether alcoholic beverages are desired and how many. Purchase tickets at www.fairfaxva.gov/government/parks-recreation/special-events/derby-q/tickets. People buying tickets online should print and save their receipt for entry into the event.
General Admission for no alcohol is $10 for people 21 and older; anyone younger enters free. Those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, 21 or older. It includes the live entertainment, and food vendors will have barbecue for sale.
$25 beer-tasting packages include general admission, a souvenir tasting glass and 10 beer-tasting tickets and one mint julep.
$65 beer-tasting packages include general admission, a souvenir tasting glass, a wristband for unlimited beer-tasting, plus one mint julep.
The costs to purchase tasting tickets are: one ticket, $1; one taste, two tickets, $2; and one full beer, six tickets, $6.
Free Parking
Bank of America, 10440 Main St. (accessible from Route 236 and North Street);
City Hall, 10455 Armstrong St. (accessible from Route 123/Chain Bridge Road and George Mason Boulevard);
City of Fairfax Regional Library, 10360 North St. (accessible from University Drive and Old Lee Highway);
East Street parking lot (accessible from Route 236/Main Street and East Street);
Fairfax County Courthouse Garage B, 4400 Chain Bridge Road (accessible from Page Avenue);
Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, 10209 Main St.;
Fire Station 3, 4081 University Drive;
Old Town Plaza, 3955 Chain Bridge Road (accessible from Route 123/Chain Bridge Road and University Drive).
Handicapped parking is available at all locations.