International Festival
Save the Date: Saturday, September 3 – Monday, September 5

International Festival Day
Monday, September 5: 12 – 4pm
Join us for a day of fun featuring children’s games and rides, Bingo, the Pub, Food Trucks, and more! Net proceeds from the International Festival fund the Shepherd’s Gate Grants. See below for all of our events including the online raffle, 5K, Yard Sale, and more!

Online Raffle
Our online raffle is live! This year, our goal is $25,000. We will have a $4,000, $3,000, $2,000, $500, and two $250 prizes!
Last year we raised $25,000 for grants being awarded to 6 different organizations:

5K or 1 mile Fun Run
Saturday, September 3
Join Father Tom as we run (or walk!) for charity. The Mile begins at 8am and the 5K begins at 8:30am.

Yard Sale
Saturday, September 3: 8am – 1pm*
*8 – 9am: Early Bird Special ($10)
Donations accepted Saturday, August 20 – Wednesday, August 31
Cleaning out closets and sheds this summer? Save usable, clean, good quality household goods, toys, purses, sports equipment, jewelry, and more.

Blood Drive
Saturday, September 3: 8am – 12pm
Give the gift of life by donating blood!

Volunteer at the International Festival
Click on the links below to sign up for the different volunteer opportunities. Thank you for supporting the International Festival!
- 5K: Volunteers are needed to register runners and help throughout the race course. Click here to sign up.
- Children’s Games: Volunteers are needed to run games with PreK festival goers. Click here to sign up.
- Children’s Rides: Volunteers are needed to help kids get on and off some rides, like the train, the obstacle courses and the tiny trikes. Click here to sign up.
- Bingo: Volunteers are need to be bingo callers, assist bingo players and sell bingo cards. Click here to sign up.
- Blood Drive: Volunteers needed to work the INOVA Blood Drive registration table and greet and check in donors. Click here to sign up.
- Grounds: Volunteers are needed to walk the grounds and pick up trash and empty trash cans. Click here to sign up.
- First Aid: Doctors or nurses are needed to assist festival goers with minor medical needs. Click here to sign up.
- Pub: Volunteers must be 21 years or older. Click here to sign up.
- Set up/Take Down: Volunteers are needed to load tables and chairs Bring work gloves if you have them. Click here to sign up.
- Traffic: Volunteers are needed to help with traffic flow in and out of the Good Shepherd parking lot. Click here to sign up.
- Yard Sale: Volunteers are needed as cashiers, and to work the jewelry and select seconds counter. Click here to sign up.
- Yard Sale Set up: Volunteers will help place donated items in Creedon Hall. Click here to sign up.
2022 Community Partners for the International Festival
- Good Shepherd Parishioners
- Alpha Graphics Alexandria
- Brooke Rental Center
- Burke & Herbert Bank
- Cali Burger
- Cream to Go
- Demaine Funeral Home – Dignity Memorial
- DJ Castro
- El Encanto Latino