Join Alexandria’s West End Festival, November 14

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Soccer fills Alexandria’s fall weekends. This November, West End businesses will be there, too.

The West End Festival at Harvest Cup will bring local businesses, youth soccer players and families together on Saturday, November 14, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Francis C. Hammond Middle School, 4646 Seminary Road, in Alexandria.

It takes place during the Alexandria Soccer Association’s (ASA) Harvest Cup, a three-day recreational tournament running Friday, November 13, through Sunday, November 15.

The West End Business Association (WEBA) is inviting local businesses to set up tents and tables, hand out information or samples, offer activities or meet residents.

Participation costs $25, and WEBA says all registration fees will be donated to ASA. Businesses can sign up at alexandriaweba.com.

The tournament

Now in its sixth year, the Harvest Cup is open to boys’ and girls’ teams from U10 through U19, according to ASA.

Each team is guaranteed three games on grass and turf fields, and championship and finalist teams receive medals.

The tournament is limited to recreational players. Travel and academy players are not eligible, and players must have participated with their recreational league teams during the fall 2026 season, ASA says.

Rosters will be checked against the Virginia Youth Soccer Association travel player database.

U10 teams play seven-on-seven, U11 and U12 teams play nine-on-nine, and U13 and older divisions play 11-on-11.

The event has grown since its early years.

The second Harvest Cup, held in 2021, guaranteed two games and charged teams $350 to enter. Teams are now guaranteed three games, and divisions begin at U10.

The organizers

ASA has been part of the city since 1970, when it started with 60 boys.

Today, the nonprofit says about 7,500 youth and adults participate in its soccer and futsal programs. It also offers travel soccer, camps and clinics.

WEBA, founded in 2005, held its first outdoor Best of the West End Festival on Saturday, June 6, along Ben Brenman Park Drive.

According to the association, more than 50 vendors participated, along with food, music, entertainment and family activities.

The November event brings WEBA’s business showcase to the soccer fields, putting businesses alongside families already attending the tournament.

If you go

What: West End Festival at Harvest Cup

When: Saturday, Nov. 14, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Francis C. Hammond Middle School, 4646 Seminary Road, Alexandria

Cost for businesses: $25, donated to ASA