OCCOQUAN, Va. — There are burning desires to build a better regional identify for the Occoquan area and a bonfire might be the way to do just that.
As the weather gets cooler and Halloween approaches, Occoquan River Communities has invited residents to Occoquan Regional Park on the Fairfax County side of the Occoquan River for a free bonfire event where marshmallows will be roasted and ghostly tales of Occoquan’s past will be told.
Occoquan River Communities will hold the event, as the organization serves as a cheerleader for all things Occoquan. The organization entices visitors to the come to the small Town of Occoquan in Prince William County, urges them to visit the Rivergate complex in Woodbridge, and to take in the sights at the Workhouse Arts Center in Fairfax County.
The ORC group hopes this free event and others like it will draw more people to the Occoquan area.
“Our members know that each event provides them with a fun and unique opportunity to discover something that may not have known about the region, meet new people and enjoy the fellowship and sense of community that we all share,” said ORC spokeswoman Bryanna Altman.
The bonfire starts at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22. As the sun goes down and skies get darker, Occoquan Regional Park manager John Houser is expected to share stories about the area’s past to include tales of women suffragists who were brought to the Lorton Workhouse in the 1920s. Later, Kay Pietrewicz of Occoquan Ghost Tours will share some of her own paranormal experiences she’s had while trolling through the historic town that dates back to 1804.
About 25 to 45 people are expected to attend the event.
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