The Coles District will hold its annual Dumpster Day on June 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at West Gate Elementary School, located at 8031 Urbanna Road near Manassas. This event is open to all county citizens at no cost. The county’s website provides additional information on Dumpster Days, including what items are accepted and specific guidelines for the event.
Residents are asked to ensure that refrigerators are emptied of their contents and cleaned. Glass trays should be removed from microwaves, and the doors should be secured with tape. The following items will not be accepted at the event: fuel tanks, motor oil, fuel drums, household hazardous waste, antifreeze, paint thinners, pesticides, pool chemicals, commercial waste, and electronics. These items can be disposed of at the county landfill.
For more details on correct disposal procedures, contact the Prince William County Solid Waste Division at 703-792-5750.
USA BMX is hosting a “National Registration Week” in Woodbridge on June 8, offering a glimpse into the world of BMX racing. Participants can try out the track, borrow equipment, and learn about the opportunities available through USA BMX. The organization, with over 70,000 members across the US and Canada, aims to promote cycling from grassroots to Olympic levels through various programs and events.
NOVA BMX is hosting the free event. Participants need long pants, long-sleeved shirts, closed-toe shoes, a bike, and a helmet. Limited rental bikes will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. All participants will receive a certificate.
Open House and Race Registration begin at 10 a.m., ending at 11:30 a.m. Registration is in-person only. The race will begin at noon.
(Historic Manassas, Inc.) This free, family-friendly event celebrates the rich history of trains in Manassas.
The Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk's Historical Online Portal (HOP) now includes marriage licenses from the Civil War era to the early 1900s, making historical documents more accessible for research. Funded by a technology grant, this initiative provides genealogists, academics, and residents worldwide with access to pre-20th century court records at no cost to taxpayers.
Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk: The Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk's Historical Online Portal (HOP) now contains marriage licenses recorded from Civil War times to the early 1900’s. This is part of the Clerk’s ongoing initiative to make historical papers more easily accessible for research. The HOP, which launched in early 2023, also offers access to Deeds, Wills and Lists of Heirs.
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The Sweet Julia Grace Foundation (SJGF) marked its 10th anniversary with a spectacular 5th Annual Field Day Fundraiser on May 18, 2024. The event brought the community together in an inspiring display of resilience and support for the foundation’s “Raindancers.”
Despite a rainy day, the event at The Farm Brewery at Broad Run was a resounding success. It emphasized the foundation’s motto of rising to challenges, just as the Raindancers do daily.
Over 150 volunteers and nearly 50 sponsors contributed to the event’s success, including event, vendor, and prize sponsors. The Farm Brewery at Broad Run, a long-time partner of SJGF, generously provided the space at no charge and even renamed their best-selling blonde ale to “Dance in the Rain Ale” in honor of the occasion.
This year, 70 teams comprising 6-10 players aged 18 and older participated in the event. Pre-event registration for sponsors sold out in under an hour, highlighting the excitement and support from the community. The Field Day featured 10 games, a mix of classic schoolyard activities with unique twists. Participants engaged in activities ranging from the potato sack race, leapfrog, and egg relay to more whimsical challenges like a donut-themed game, a t-shirt relay, a dizzy bat, and a blindfolded pool noodle game.
The event was a joyous spectacle, with spectators enjoying the sight of adults embracing their inner children, competing, and laughing together. The atmosphere was filled with cheers and encouragement as the teams vied for the coveted “King of the Field” title. This year, the honor went to “Alex’s Dawg Pound,” a team composed of friends of Alex Green, one of SJGF’s beloved Raindancers who passed away in 2016.
The event raised over $60,000, demonstrating the community’s unwavering support for SJGF. The top three teams, as well as winners in categories such as Best Costume, Best Team Spirit, and Best Effort, received prizes donated by local businesses, including Vertical Rock, RXR3 Recovery Lounge, Heroic Axe, Studio B Salon, Bobby McKeys, and Rock Box, among others.
SJGF, founded in 2014, and based in Bristow, by Sara Knight in honor of Sara and husband Jason Knight’s daughter Julia, who passed away in 2013 due to complications of a rare disease called I-cell. Julia lived 12 beautiful years, inspiring everyone who knew her, read about her, and loved her.
Stafford County's third Panera restaurant will open at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29. The first 50 guests will receive a year's free "You Pick Two" meals.
"You Pick Two" meals will allow rewarded guests to select any combination of two half-size entrees from the Panera Bread menu.
The new restaurant will be at 940 Wonder Road, in the Embrey Mill Town Center in Stafford. Even if you don't make the first 50, all guests who visit on opening day between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. will have a chance to spin a prize wheel to win free tumblers, car coasters, cookies, bagels, and more.
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The Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is staging a production of “The Wizard of Oz.” This classic tale follows young Dorothy Gale as she travels from Kansas to the magical Land of Oz. Audiences will join Dorothy on her journey along the yellow brick road to the Emerald City in this stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s work, which includes the iconic score from the MGM film.
Performances are scheduled as follows: Wednesday matinees will have meal service from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., with show-only arrivals at 12:45 p.m., and the performance starting at 1:30 p.m.. Thursday to Saturday evenings will have meal service and appetizers from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., show-only arrivals at 6:45 p.m., and the performance starting at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinees will feature meal service and appetizers from 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., show-only arrivals at 2:15 p.m., and the performance starting at 3 p.m.
Ticket prices are as follows: for the dinner and show, adults pay $82, seniors (65+) pay $77, and children (3-17) pay $70, all plus applicable taxes. For the show only, adults pay $65, seniors (65+) pay $60, and children (3-17) pay $55. An online processing fee of $5 per ticket will be added.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts website.
The Riverside is at 95 Riverside Parkway, just off Interstate 95 and Route 17 in Stafford County.
When Woodbridge resident Patricia Breeden first started as a cashier at her local Food Lion grocery store, Bill Clinton was president. On average, a dozen eggs cost less than a dollar, and a gallon of milk typically costs less than three dollars. The now 30-year employee of Food Lion says she’s seen a lot of changes in the grocery industry and was recently recognized by the grocery chain for her career milestone.
“I've seen a lot of changes in the last few decades, especially with the technology we use on a daily basis,” Breeden said. “And, of course, the prices have changed so much during that time, too.”
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The highlight of the “Greatest Half in History” was Samuel Yakulis, Jr., a 20-year-old from Stafford, who claimed victory with a time of 01:13:27. “I’ve done the five miles in recent years, but with that being discontinued, I decided to move up and give it a shot,” said Yakulis in a press release. Last year, Yakulis won the Semper 5ive with the second-fastest time in the event’s history at 26:34.
Jonathan Ladson, 32, from Woodbridge, finished just over a minute behind Yakulis with a time of 1:14:33. James Erickson, 38, from Woodberry Forest, Virginia, secured third place with a time of 1:15:55.
Natalie Daniels, 32, from Fredericksburg, was the top female finisher with a time of 1:24:12. “I’m actually four months pregnant. This is my last race before I have a baby,” Daniels shared in a press release. She was also the Historic Half female winner in 2022 when the event returned to in-person racing following the pandemic.
Grace Vandegrift, 31, from Washington, D.C., finished second among the women with a time of 1:27:39, followed by Stacy Mercer, 38, from Charlotte, N.C., who finished in 1:29:19.
All results are currently unofficial and are available at marinemarathon.com.
Also at the annual event, Fredericksburg Mayor Kerry Devine served as the ceremonial starter for the Marine Corps Historic Half. Other officials in attendance included Colonel Michael L. Brooks, commanding officer of Marine Corps Base Quantico, and Sergeant Major Michael Brown. Major General David Maxwell, commander of Marine Corps Installations Command, also participated in the event.
The Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard, currently on an East Coast Tour, presented the colors to start the race. Participants and spectators had the opportunity to meet the horses and their riders at the Finish Festival.
Another 203 runners from across the U.S. and around the world are registered to complete the Historic Half virtually. Both in-person and virtual participants received a specially designed technical shirt, finisher medal, and more.
The next event in the series is on August 24 at the Quantico 12K aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico.
