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Occoquan A ‘Prettiest Painted Town’

OCCOQUAN, Va. —  Occoquan is one of the prettiest painted places in America.

The Paint Quality Institute for the third time since the 1990s has reviewed historic downtown areas that use and ranked them on what unique paint schemes they use to express the town. The national competition is called the “Prettiest Painted Places in America,” and more than 200 historic districts, main streets, and downtowns are competing in the competition.

In a periodical newsletter to residents, Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta said he’s pleased his town was nominated. He also thanked the Prince William County tourism board, Discover Prince William and Manassas for submitting Occoquan in the competition.

“We are thrilled competition officials recognized this beautiful hidden gem along the Occoquan River,” Discover Prince William & Manassas Executive Director Ann Marie Maher said. “The merchants and residents of the community work hard to maintain their historic buildings and charm and it’s one of the reasons why thousands come to visit Occoquan annually.”

It’s a busy time for the small town along the Occoquan River in Prince William County. Occoquan last weekend welcomed thousands to one of its two annual craft fairs.

Other pretty painted town finalists include downtown Bowling Green, Ky; Gulf Shores, Ala.; Historic Oakwood in Raleigh, N.C.; Key West, Fla.; Old Louisville, Ky.; Old Town Alexandria, Va.; Paducah, Ky.; Selma (Ward 3), Ala.; and Historic Downtown Smithfield, Va.

After the first Prettiest Painted Places in America competition was held in the 1990s, another was held in 2000. This marks the third time the competition has been held.