Okra’s will throw a Louisiana-style picnic again this year in Historic Downtown Manassas.
The celebration — Okra’s Cajun Occasion 2 — invites residents to the lawn of the Manassas Museum where they can be with family and friends, listen to live music, and treat themselves to a bounty of Louisiana fare.
“This is the kind of thing where everyone can come down, bring a lawn chair, listen to live music and get their dance on, or they can go to our all-you-can-eat buffet and feast on our lagniappe,” said Okra’s Cajun Creole Restaurant Owner Charles Gilliam.
This year’s feast takes place May 15, from noon until 4 p.m. It is a traditional crawfish boil with other Louisiana fare featuring favorites such as Jambalaya, Red Beans & Rice, and cornbread.
For music fans, Kitty and the Fat Cats will take the stage to liven up the scene with more fun and entertainment. The Northern-Virginia based band will play jazz, blues, swing, and soul music.
Most importantly, says Gilliam, this event is designed to be a relaxing day on the museum lawn. Attendees are encouraged to come as they are, bring blankets, lawn chairs, even pop-up tents and relax and enjoy the day.
Okra’s Cajun Creole has been a staple of the Historic Downtown Manassas restaurant scene for almost 18 years. In years past, Gilliam organized a day-long street festival in Downtown Manassas, with multiple vendors and musicians.
“It was hard to keep up and maintain the kind of all-day energy you need for an event like that,” he said. “We came in, starting setting up tents at 3 a.m., would work all day, and would be breaking down tents and pulling home trailers full of stuff at 2 o’clock the next morning.”
Yet, he still wanted to bring a bit of the Bayou to Manassas, so the First Annual Cajun Occasion was held on the Manassas Museum Lawn last June. The event was such a success Gilliam brought it back this year with hopes it will grow into an even bigger event as the area’s premier Louisiana-inspired gathering.
In addition to the great Cajun food, there will be a shaded Wine and Beer Garden with four Louisiana beers, including Abita, available for purchase on tap. A portion of all proceeds will go to support Volunteer Prince William – a local non-profit whose mission is meeting community needs through volunteer resources.
General Admission “Crazy Cajun” tickets for the event are $35 each (thru April 30 when they increase to $40) and include the all-you-can-eat authentic Louisiana buffet and crawfish boil.
VIP “King Rex” attendees ($60 each) will be treated to a tented, seated area within the Wine & Beer Garden area. They will also enjoy their own private buffet which includes the Louisiana fare and crawfish boil.
Tickets are limited in the VIP area and are selling fast. Children ages 12 and under are admitted to the festival free of charge (kids burgers, hot dogs, and ice cream treats will be available a la carte).
Those who purchase King Rex or Crazy Cajun tickets before April 30 will also receive a free Cajun Occasion t-shirt.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please go to cajunoccasion.net.
Recent Stories
Join us on Friday, January 10, 2025, from noon to 4 p.m., with a special Ribbon Cutting at 2 p.m. Be inspired by keynote speaker Rita McClenny, President & CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation while enjoying a light reception featuring classic Fredericksburg favorites.
Location: 601 Caroline Street, 1st Floor, Fredericksburg
For event inquiries, contact: 540-372-1216 | [email protected]
Do you have an event you’d like to share with the community? Submitting your event to Potomac Local News is FREE and easy! Just fill out our form using this link: Submit Your Event.
Planet Fitness opened its first location in Stafford. The new 30,900-square-foot facility, located at 1455 Stafford Market Place in the Stafford Market Place shopping center, is designed to provide a welcoming, judgment-free environment for individuals at all fitness levels.
The building used to house a Best Buy that announced its closure one year ago after 16 years in business. Our coverage of the closure was some of the most-read content on Potomac Local News in 2024.
The Stafford location features state-of-the-art equipment, including strength machines, free weights, a dedicated area for high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and a functional training room with turf for agility exercises. Members can also access amenities such as fully equipped locker rooms with showers, a mobility and stretching space, and free WiFi.
A highlight of the facility is the Black Card Spa, available to those who pay for a higher membership tier. The spa includes Hydro Massage Loungers, massage chairs, recovery loungers, and salon-grade tanning beds, offering members an opportunity to relax and recover post-workout.
Called to Jail
A 44-year-old man found himself back at Rappahannock Regional Jail after making a false report and harassing a jail officer with obscene phone calls. Initially, deputies responded to a call about a death and gunshot outside the jail, which turned out to be false. The suspect, located at a local motel, was arrested and charged with using obscene language and filing a false report.
Assault
– Marion Manor Nursing Home: A staff member assaulted another during a disagreement. The suspect was charged with assault and battery and held without bond.
– Shasta Place: A male suspect bit the victim during a verbal altercation. He was charged with assault and battery but released on personal recognizance.
DUI
Deputies discovered a car in a ditch on Courthouse Road. The driver admitted to drinking beer, with three empty cans found in her vehicle. She was charged with DUI, drinking while driving, and refusal, and held on a $3,000 bond.
Hit and Run
A vehicle struck a VDOT sign and two unoccupied trucks at EZ Auto Sales before the driver fled. Deputies identified the suspect using evidence left in the vehicle, and warrants for hit and run and property destruction were issued.
Several schools in our region have announced closures and delays for Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to icy road conditions and inclement weather. Here is the latest list of updates:
Spotsylvania County Public Schools
Spotsylvania County Public Schools are closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to icy road conditions.
Code 2: 12-month employees report two hours late as safety permits.
Essential personnel will report at specified times.
All school-sponsored activities and student externships are canceled.
—
King George County Public Schools
King George County Public Schools will be closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to adverse road conditions and inclement weather.
Code 2: 12-month employees report at 10 a.m.
Liberal leave will be in effect.
We’ll update this post with additional school closures and delays as they are announced.
Start 2024 on the right foot by prioritizing your mental health and well-being. At Peaceful Mind Solutions, we understand how challenging life can be—whether it’s managing stress from work, family dynamics, or navigating the complexities of the world around us. Our team is here to help you create balance and find the peace you deserve.
We’re offering a free 15-minute consultation to help you explore how therapy can work for you. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, looking for support, or just want to talk things through, this is the perfect opportunity to take that first step toward a healthier, happier you.
Scheduling is simple and convenient. Choose the option that works best for you:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra, this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
Featuring:
