Those Christmas lights on buildings in Downtown Manassas–the ones that have hung for longer than usual–are about to come down.
Today, Historic Manassas Inc., the firm that manages and promotes the city’s downtown neighborhood, told us the lights are coming down on March 15.
Usually hung in November, ahead of the holiday season, the lights were left burning to honor police, fire and rescue crews, doctors, and nurses who are all spent a year working on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Keeping the lights on for a little longer is a way to recognize those who have helped us during the pandemic and to instill a message of hope,” said Debbie Haight, executive director of Historic Manassas, Inc.
“We hope that they continue to stay safe, and we hope that we can all be back together enjoying downtown Manassas soon,” Haight added.
The pandemic was a trying time for downtown businesses, some of which were forced to change their hours and struggle to keep employees.
Dine-in restaurants had to reinvent their business models, switching over to carry-only service between March and May. While restaurants are once again open to dine-in guests, Gov. Ralph Northam continues to allow only half the tables inside an establishment to be used.
By contrast, today Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced he’s lifting capacity limits put in place last year on businesses and restaurants in that state. Restaurants may once again open at full capacity, but no one will be allowed to stand around crowded bars.
Maryland’s facemask requirement remains in effect, according to a statement from Hogan.
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On Sunday afternoon, nearly 100 people gathered in a Taco Bell parking lot less than a mile from the clinic’s doors with a shared aim: taking ownership of its now-precarious future.
The project to widen Balls Ford Road between Doane Drive and Ashton Avenue to a four-lane, divided roadway is now officially complete. The county’s Department of Transportation held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the parking lot of the General Shale Brick Company last week.
Another round of weather challenges is in store today as a robust cold front approaches. The front will bring gusty winds and low relative humidity.
Join us on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., for the dedication of the Town of Occoquan’s LOVEworks sign in River Mill Park (415 Mill Street, Occoquan), designed by artist Darby Leondra. This event is free and open to the public.
To celebrate Air Quality Awareness Week (May 6-10, 2024), Clean Air Partners is working with A Few Cool Hardware Stores to exchange DC, Maryland and Virginia residents’ gas-powered lawnmowers, trimmers, and leaf blowers at select Ace Hardware locations in the region. DMV residents who turn in their gas-powered lawn tools will receive a FREE Ego Power+ replacement including batteries and chargers, while supplies last.
Compared to gas, electric lawn equipment can reduce emissions, noise pollution, health risks and maintenance costs and time. The program aims to remove about a hundred gas-powered polluting tools from yards in the greater Baltimore-Washington region.
The exchanges will take place the weekends of May 17-19, 2024, and May 31-June 2, 2024, at A Few Cool Hardware Stores network of employee-owned Ace Hardware stores in the DC and Baltimore metro areas. To participate and get your free Ego Power+ lawn tool, sign up at https://qrco.de/CAPExchange to reserve your tool and select your trade-in date and location.
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Free Irish Music Concert
Welcoming Spring with music from the Emerald Isle, the New Dominion Choraliers offer a FREE concert on Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City.
Joined by Legacy Brass and members of Old
Spring Ceili: An Irish Music Festival
The New Dominion Choraliers of Prince William County and McGrath Morgan Academy of Irish Dance invite you to join them at our Ceili, a grand celebration of Irish music and dance.
A gathering of performance groups throughout Prince William County
