DUMFRIES, Va. – Fireworks will light up the sky over Garrison Park this Sunday as the Town of Dumfries hosts its annual Independence Fireworks Show.
The event takes place on July 6, 2025, from 5 to 10 p.m. at 17749 Main Street and promises an evening full of family fun. According to a news release from the Town of Dumfries, attendees can enjoy live music, food trucks, games, vendors, and a fireworks show starting at 9:30 p.m.
The town says the celebration is a chance for residents and visitors alike to gather in the spirit of community and patriotism.
Click here to see more Independence Day events happening across the region.
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – A Dumfries woman was struck and killed early Tuesday morning while walking along Interstate 95 in Prince William County.
Virginia State Police say the crash happened at 4:56 a.m. on July 1, 2025, in the northbound lanes near mile marker 152.
According to investigators, a 2012 Toyota Corolla was heading north when it hit Karen S. Rosa Hernandez, who was in the travel lane. She died at the scene.
Troopers found a gas can nearby and located a disabled vehicle registered to Hernandez just south of the crash, in the Express Lanes.
The incident remains under investigation.
DUMFRIES, Va. – The Town of Dumfries will host its Independence Day Fireworks Show on Sunday, July 6, from 5 to 10 p.m. at Garrison Park.
According to a flyer from the Department of Recreation and Civic Engagement, the free event will feature live music and food vendors from 5 to 9:30 p.m., with fireworks launching at dark. Garrison Park is located at 17749 Main Street.
Families are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the evening. A rain date is scheduled for July 12. For more information, residents can call 571-363-5200.
WOODBRIDGE, Va. –A surge in riders across OmniRide commuter bus routes is triggering overcrowding issues on several key lines, prompting officials at the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) to weigh how and where they can expand service — especially as the region heads into a busy fall season.
Speaking during the June 5 PRTC Board of Commissioners meeting, Executive Director Dr. Bob Schneider said ridership dipped slightly in May due to seasonal factors like Memorial Day and rainy weather, but overall remains strong.
“Ridership is still fantastic… We are hitting that beginning of the summer seasonal adjustment,” Schneider told the commission.
Among the standout performers is Route 981, which runs from Lake Ridge to the Pentagon and downtown D.C. — ridership on that route has doubled since January. Western express routes that operate from the University Boulevard commuter lot are carrying more than 40,000 monthly riders, while southern routes serving Stafford, Fredericksburg, and Spotsylvania counties have topped 30,000 riders a month.
Still, the agency is confronting the downside of growing demand: overcrowded buses.
Schneider said OmniRide recorded 74 overcrowded trips in May, all of them in the afternoon as commuters returned from D.C. to Northern Virginia.
“The issue isn’t the number of people going in — it’s everyone leaving at the same time,” he said.
The biggest pinch points are on the following routes:
- Route 612 – Warrenton/Gainesville to Pentagon/Navy Yard
- Route 943 – Stafford to D.C.
- Route 953 – Montclair to D.C.
- Route 971 – Dale City to D.C.
Routes 612 and 943 are grant-funded, giving the agency more flexibility to add trips if needed. However, Routes 953 and 971 are locally funded, and Schneider cautioned that OmniRide currently lacks dedicated funding to expand service on those lines.
Commissioners raised questions about how ridership trends align with overall population growth. Staff explained they track commuter lot capacity and development trends — not just raw population figures — to guide service decisions. That includes monitoring ongoing residential growth along I-66 and Route 28, as well as major developments like the planned Manassas Mall redevelopment.
Officials expect to have a clearer picture of ridership patterns by mid-July.
“If the summer dip is minimal, we’re concerned that overcrowding will worsen in the fall,” Schneider added.
DUMFRIES, Va. – A beloved annual tradition at Williams Ordinary allowed visitors to step into the past—and into a tavern—during Tavern Night, hosted by the Prince William County Office of Historic Preservation.
Held at the 18th-century tavern in downtown Dumfries, the event featured reenactors, colonial-era games like Shut the Box and Nine Men’s Morris, and live music from Colonial Faire. This year’s event spotlighted proclamations tied to the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and George Washington’s appointment as commander-in-chief.
The evening also marked the opening of a new exhibit, Resolves to Revolution, inside the historic building. The exhibit connects Prince William County to the broader events of the American Revolution, highlighting local residents like William Grayson and Andrew Leitch who played significant roles in the war. A large map traces the battles where these residents served, showing the far-reaching impact of their efforts.
Though the county didn’t host any major battles, the war still shaped its people. The exhibit challenges the common belief that Prince William County’s wartime history begins and ends with the Civil War.
Community members welcomed the opportunity to explore Williams Ordinary—usually closed to the public—and connect with its history. The Office of Historic Preservation hopes to expand access to the site in the future.
For more Revolutionary War history, residents can explore Prince William County’s Revolutionary War History Trail or attend Road to Victory at Rippon Lodge on Saturday, October 25. That event will include colonial living history demos and a visit from the VA250 Mobile Museum Experience.
Join us for an in-depth, inspiring conversation with Mayor Derrick Wood of the Town of Dumfries, Virginia’s oldest continuously chartered town. Hosted by Uriah Kiser, publisher of Potomac Local News, this live podcast dives deep into the major transformations reshaping the town—making it a destination rather than a drive-through.
đź“Ś Topics We Cover:
🏗️ Major development projects, including the closure and transformation of the landfill into The Rose Gaming Resort
🏞️ The town’s ambitious plans to reclaim and revitalize the Quantico Creek waterfront
🚧 Progress on the Route 1 (Fraley Boulevard) widening project, paving the way for a new Main Street
🍽️ What’s inside The Rose: Restaurants, off-track betting, and Dumfries’ own fine dining 1609 Steakhouse
🏨 Upcoming hotels, convention space, and community growth
🦅 A vision for ecotourism, vocational learning, and reconnecting Dumfries residents with their historic roots
🚀 The economic boom: 500+ jobs, millions in new revenue, and the potential return of iconic establishments like Tim’s Rivershore
✨ Whether you’re a Dumfries resident, local history buff, or someone interested in smart town development, this conversation is a must-watch!
🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more local coverage!
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DUMFRIES, Va. – Mayor Derrick R. Wood outlined a bold and hopeful vision for the future of Dumfries during his annual State of the Town Address on June 5, 2025. From the John Wilmer Porter Municipal Building, Wood highlighted the town’s major milestones and ambitious plans, drawing applause from residents, community leaders, and elected officials in attendance.
Mayor Wood opened his remarks by paying tribute to the late Congressman Gerry Connolly (D), who died late last month, for his longtime support of small towns like Dumfries. He reflected on the town’s founding in 1749, its past decline, and its rebirth, most notably the 1961 election of John Wilmer Porter, Virginia’s first African American municipal official post-Reconstruction. “We hadn’t just lost our port — we lost our purpose,” said Wood, emphasizing how Dumfries has reconnected with its roots while looking ahead.
Wood spotlighted the transformation of a former landfill into the $500 million Rose Gaming Resort. The project has generated $3 million in new revenue and created 500 jobs. “This is not just a cleanup — this is a comeback,” said Wood. Phase Two, which includes a hotel and convention center, is expected to open by 2027.
He also announced the launch of the town’s first Economic Development Authority (EDA). This citizen-led board will help bring new businesses to Dumfries and accelerate projects like the future waterfront district along Quantico Creek, inspired by the National Harbor model.
Dumfries continues to show signs of fiscal strength, with a clean audit and a $7 million unassigned fund balance. The town is up for the prestigious Triple Crown Budget Award and is working toward earning a bond rating.
On public safety, Wood shared that the Dumfries Police Department is fully staffed and has seen a 25% drop in violent crime. The department is also moving toward full accreditation.
Wood highlighted several community initiatives, including the town’s first Youth Council and the ongoing “Move with the Mayor” wellness campaign. He noted a $75,000 grant awarded to the Boys & Girls Club for kitchen upgrades and a new healthy eating and sustainability program for local youth.
Closing his remarks, Wood called on residents to stay involved and help shape what’s next. “This is your table. This is your town. This is your Dumfries,” he said.
Framing his address around the theme of “Progress, Partnerships, and Possibilities,” Mayor Wood offered a roadmap for continued transformation—rooted in history, focused on community, and aiming high.
Mayor Derrick R. Wood has served as Mayor since 2018. He is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, entrepreneur, and advocate for youth and families. Under his administration, Dumfries has secured historic investments, including the $500 million Rose Gaming Resort, launched its first Economic Development Authority, and expanded access to community services through new recreational, public safety, and civic engagement initiatives.
Founded in 1749 along Quantico Creek, the Town of Dumfries is a 1.5-square-mile community in Prince William County with a rich colonial heritage and a growing reputation as a gaming and entertainment destination.
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Covington-Harper Elementary School marked a special milestone this spring as its very first students returned—this time as high school seniors.
The school, which opened in 2017, welcomed back its original group of students for a celebratory “senior walk.” The event, shared by Prince William County Public Schools on Facebook, gave graduating 12th graders a chance to visit their former elementary teachers and inspire younger students.
Located at 2500 River Heritage Boulevard near Dumfries, Covington-Harper was established to serve the area’s growing population. Since then, it has faced overcrowding. As of 2024, the school was operating at 124% capacity, with 988 students enrolled in a building designed for 796. Eight trailers have been added to accommodate the overflow.
To help ease the strain, two new elementary schools are planned in Prince William County. One near Marumsco Plaza is expected to open in the 2026–27 school year, with another in Potomac Shores following in 2027–28.
Photos: Prince William County Public Schools
According to a press release on May 8, the county's Department of Economic Development and Tourism worked with outside firms Hunden Partners and Convergence Design to better understand the supply and demand in the area, the opportunities available in the corridor and what was needed to revitalize the area to create a Small Area Plan.
"The study notes that heavy traffic on nearby major roadways creates significant visibility for potential retailers, while the growing local population ensures a strong customer base," the release states.
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DUMFRIES, Va. – In the 1984 movie Footloose, a small town famously banned dancing, sparking pushback from teens who just wanted to have fun. This week in Dumfries, a similar debate surfaced over whether the small town is going too far with proposed new rules for music festivals.
During its May 6, 2025, meeting, the Dumfries Town Council held a public hearing on a proposal to revise the town’s Musical and Entertainment Festivals Ordinance. Among the proposed changes is a requirement that anyone under 18 be accompanied by an adult at outdoor concerts and festivals.
