Hey there, it’s Uriah!
We’ve got a great lineup of things to do this weekend and in the weeks ahead. Whether you’re staying local for the long weekend or planning ahead for summer fun, there’s something here for everyone.
🎉 Events and Features
🗣️ TONIGHT: Black Arts Town Hall in Fredericksburg
Thursday, May 22 – The Harambee 360° Black Arts Festival Town Hall continues the celebration of 50 years of Black arts and culture. Held at the Fredericksburg Area Museum.
Join the town hall.
🎬 Saturday: First-ever feature at the community center!
Saturday, May 24 – Join your friends for Disney’s “Moana” at 3 p.m. at the City of Manassas Community Center. Limited space — pre-registration is a must.
Register now.
🎨 Also Saturday: Free craft hour at the Manassas Museum
May 24 at 11 a.m. – Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a drop-in art session.
Event info.
🎆 Celebrate Memorial Day in Quantico
Saturday, May 24, 7–11 p.m. – Head to Raftelis Potomac River Park in Quantico for a family-friendly night of fireworks and live music! It’s a great way to honor the holiday and kick off summer.
Get event details.
🕯️ Luminaria Honors the Fallen in Fredericksburg
Saturday, May 24, 8–11 p.m. – Witness a breathtaking tribute at the Fredericksburg National Cemetery, where 15,300 candles will illuminate the graves of those who gave their lives in service. Park staff will share stories of the fallen, and “Taps” will be played every 30 minutes. Free and open to the public.
Event details here.
🎟️ On stage now: To Kill a Mockingbird
Don’t miss the Riverside Center’s emotional and critically acclaimed live adaptation.
Get tickets.
🎉 Stafford Summer Bash is Coming!
Friday, May 30 – Get ready for a high-energy kickoff to summer with Stafford Parks, Recreation & Tourism’s Summer Bash featuring live entertainment by Jonathan Austin! Great music, mind-blowing magic, delicious food truck bites, electrifying performances… And it’s all FREE!
See the event here.
🏊♀️ Swim lessons start in June
New sessions begin June 2, 3, and 16 at Chinn and Dale City Rec Centers. Register now — spaces are limited!
Sign up here.
🚂 June 7: Historic Manassas Railway Festival
All aboard for one of the region’s most beloved family events! Don’t miss model train displays, food vendors, raffles, and affordable $8 excursion rides to Clifton.
Festival info + tickets.
🐝 Manassas Bee Festival Buzz
BEE Happy! The 5th Annual Manassas Bee Festival returns Saturday, June 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 8601 Portner Ave. Big thanks to early sponsors like UVA Health, GMU’s Honey Bee Initiative, Bull Run Rotary, and more Want to get involved? Vendor, sponsor, and volunteer spots are still open: Sign up here.
Pre-festival fun:
🍺 Bee City Lager on tap now at Sinistral Brewing
🎬 Bee Movie on Main – Saturday, June 7 at 8 p.m.
🎭 June 9–28: Legally Blonde youth summer intensive
ARTfactory’s summer program for ages 10–18 kicks off at Osbourn High School with final performances on June 27–28.
Register now.
💪 On now: Summer Pass Sale
No initiation fees. Flexible student bundles for 30, 60, or 90 days at Chinn and Dale City fitness centers.
Learn more.
*Potomac Local Sponsor, so please support this org!
🎤 July 23–26: Riverside Musical Theatre Intensive
Prepping for auditions? This summer workshop helps high school and college-bound performers sharpen their skills.
See details.
⚾ A new name for a special place
Prince William County dedicated a field at Hellwig Park to the late Christian Thom — honoring his life of service and community spirit.
See the moment.
☀️ Looking ahead: Summer Solstice Festival
📅 Wednesday, June 18 – Sip, celebrate, and support Downtown Fredericksburg with drinks, food, music, and local vendors at Riverfront Park. Proceeds support Fredericksburg Main Street.
Mark your calendar.
💌 Want to be featured?
Send us your upcoming events, milestones, or performances.
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Subscribe to Potomac Local News.
That’s all for now. I hope you find something fun to do this weekend! We’ll see you back here at 4 o’clock with a recap of the day’s headlines. Thanks for reading.
-Uriah Kiser, founder and publisher, Potomac Local News
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Looking for art opportunities in the DMV? ArtsFairfax.org is your online destination to find and promote artist calls in and around Fairfax. Our Artist Calls directory is always free to use and highlights opportunities to audition, exhibit artwork, or secure commissions. Be sure to check out ArtsFairfax Artist Calls on an ongoing basis – new opportunities are added every week.
In addition to a dozen or so Artist Calls from throughout the region, ArtsFairfax is proud to host the following:
Fairfax250 RV Wrap
For illustrators, visual artists, and graphic designers, we are working with the Fairfax250 Commission to wrap a 37’-long RV that will travel to hundreds of events across Fairfax County. A signage company will handle the installation – all we need is the design. See your art on this rolling billboard all year long!
On June 20th, 2025, Woodbridge Rotary Club will be holding our 21st annual charity golf tournament. This tournament is in memory of two of our past Presidents and valued members of the community. Joe Devaney passed away March 22, 2005 and a few years ago, Bill O’Hop passed away barely a week after playing in this tournament in 2015. Both Joe and Bill were each other’s best friends and they both loved golf! Please help us pay tribute to our dear friends by participating in this tournament and helping us to support our local and international charities. If you are interested in golfing, sponsoring, donating a door prize and/or know someone who is, please contact us (Mark Worrilow [email protected] or 703-244-8702). Signing up is also possible using the QR code.
Your Weight Matters National Convention
Hosted by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) since 2012, this highly-anticipated gathering is the nation’s leading gathering focused on empowering individuals with science-based education, support and practical tools for managing weight and improving health.
This unique Convention truly has something
Van Metre 5K Run
Participate in the 33rd Annual Van Metre 5K Run—a race that goes further than 3.1 miles, where every stride you take supports Children’s National Hospital. The Van Metre 5K Run donates 100% of proceeds to Children’s National Hospital and has
