October 12, 2026

VTCRC celebrates community at inaugural Fall Family Festival

October 12, 2026 

By Heidi Angle 

The Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center (VTCRC) welcomed more than 300 attendees to its inaugural Fall Family Festival on Oct. 7 at Sinkland Farms in Christiansburg. 

The first-time event brought together Virginia Tech Foundation and VTCRC employees, tenants, members, community partners, families and friends for an evening of fall activities and connection. The turnout marked a successful debut for the new addition to VTCRC’s community events. 

Guests enjoyed hayrides, the corn maze, petting zoo, playground and line dancing with an instructor, while Vendor Alley provided an opportunity to meet and connect with organizations from across the region. Food offerings included a special Oktoberfest-inspired menu from Commonwealth Catering, featuring festival favorites such as Polish and Italian sausage, bratwurst, jalapeño bratwurst, barbecue pork, barbecue nachos and French fries. Sinkland Farms also offered kettle corn, ice cream and other treats through its country store, while pumpkins were available for purchase from the farm’s pumpkin patch. 

Costumes were another highlight of the festival, with children, adults and pets encouraged to dress up and enter the event’s costume raffle. Winners took home prizes donated by local businesses and community partners, including family experiences, entertainment, gift cards, pet items and more. 

Guests 21 and older also received a complimentary beverage ticket courtesy of Courtyard Marriott, the festival’s beverage sponsor. 

Community partners support inaugural festival 

The success of the first Fall Family Festival was made possible in part by the businesses and organizations that supported and participated in the event. 

Courtyard Marriott served as the festival’s beverage sponsor and was also represented in Vendor Alley. 

Vendor Alley participants included InternshipsVA, Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Tech Police Department, Courtyard Marriott, ITT Cleaning and Northpoint Insurance Advisors, giving attendees another opportunity to connect with organizations serving the New River Valley and surrounding region. 

VTCRC also thanks Wonder Universe, B&B Theatres, NRV Superbowl, Petco, Sinkland Farms, Poppy’s and the Roanoke-Blacksburg Innovation Alliance for their contributions and support of the festival’s prize giveaways. 

The inaugural festival builds on VTCRC’s efforts to create opportunities for tenants, members, employees and partners to connect beyond the workplace and strengthen relationships across the broader community. 

See more from the Fall Family Festival 

A full photo album from the inaugural VTCRC Fall Family Festival, featuring photography by Meredith White, is available on the VTCRC Facebook page. 

Thank you to attendees who helped make the first Fall Family Festival such a success, as well as the sponsors, partners and staff members who helped bring the event to life. 

Want to join us at the next VTCRC event? Explore the VTCRC events calendar, subscribe to our newsletter, and follow VTCRC on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to learn about opportunities to experience the VTCRC community for yourself.