Pictured are two runners after going through the bubble pile of foam.

Planning for the fourth annual Fluvanna Fest weekend is underway. The Fluvanna Community Historical Society, in collaboration with other cornerstone Fluvanna organizations, is excited to bring all the fun and community spirit of the last three years to the area again. Many of the favorite activities from years past, as well as some new and exciting events, are in the works for everyone to enjoy. The Fluvanna Fest 5k will commence the weekend’s family friendly activities with a start time of 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 15 and the weekend will come to a close with the Classic Car Show hosted at the War Vets on Sunday.

The 5k offers a great course, beautiful scenery and wonderful neighbors that cheer and encourage the runners. After the morning 5k activities the Fluvanna fire department will be giving children fire-truck tours and games and story-time will be hosted at the Library. The Historical Society building will be open and cemetery tours will be available. The annual community picnic lunch will be at the fire hall and much more is planned for the day. Saturday evening at 4 p.m. a community-wide chicken barbecue will be hosted at the Fluvanna Church, with eat-in and take-home options available!

Cindy Rodgers, a Historical Society Board Member, volunteers for the event each year, “It’s a great weekend to be in Fluvanna. I’ve volunteered each year, but decided also to walk the 5k last year. It was such a great atmosphere and so much fun that I’ll be walking again this year with a group of friends!” The 5k continues to grow and a majority of participants continue to come back each year. Lacey Keefer Wilson, Race Director, attributes its success to the Fluvanna Community spirit, “Fluvanna people like to have fun and laugh together, it’s a small community but it is warm and welcoming and it has its own little personality — that resonates with people who come for the race. You can make the 5k what you want it to be. We have some excellent runners that come back year to year to compete and we also have a solid group of walkers that enjoy the scenery and comradery, we always welcome families with strollers and we’re working out some details to make the course hand-bike friendly.” In regards to what she feels has led to the continued growth and interest in the event from year to year, Keefer Wilson notes that, “regardless of one’s purpose for participating, community togetherness is at the heart of this event. In a pop-culture in which we’ve moved quite far from our community-based roots, people crave this type of positive and wellness-focused social connection and gravitate toward this event each year. We are thrilled to be able to host this for our area and look forward to it growing each year!”

The 5k starts and finishes at the Fluvanna Community Church, free on-site parking will be available. Along the course you’ll cruise by Fluvanna landmarks like the historic War Vets and the Old Church (currently being restored), be cheered on by spirited Fluvanna neighbors and finish under a fireman’s tribute American flag before you slide (or slip) through a massive bubble pile of foam. Two $50 Cash prizes will be presented to the overall fastest male and fastest female finishers which were made possible this year by an in-kind contribution made by the family of the late Frederick Puleo, Fluvanna friend and resident for many years, in his honor. Age category prizes and many other fun and non-traditional prizes will be awarded thanks to additional donations made by Rick R. Keefer, Honey Comb Hair Salon and more!

The Fluvanna non-profit organizations and businesses work closely together all year round, but specifically come together during this weekend each year to provide family fun events for the community. Proceeds from this year’s events will go to the respective Fluvanna organizations hosting the events, with the proceeds of the 5k going to the renovation projects underway at the Historical Society’s building.

Please register to walk or run the 5k at www.runsignup.com/fluvannafest5k or the morning of the race at the Fluvanna Church — registration is $25.