Storytime
When: 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Where: Manassas Park City Library, 100 Park Central Plaza, Manassas Park, VA
A perfect activity for young children, featuring engaging stories in a warm library setting.

Historical Trunk Show – Civil War
When: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Where: Montclair Library, 5049 Waterway Drive, Dumfries, VA
Hosted by the Prince William County Office of Historic Preservation, this interactive trunk show dives into Civil War history.

Manassas Park Photo and Video Club
When: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Where: Manassas Park City Library, 100 Park Central Plaza, Manassas Park, VA
Photography enthusiasts can connect, share tips, and work on projects together.

Post your event FREE on our community calendar! 

From Potomac Mills mall

On Thursday, Oct. 31 children and families are encouraged to dress in their spookiest costumes to enjoy free candy and fun at Potomac Mills. From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the mall will offer trick-or-treating at participating retailers, marked with a pumpkin sticker in their windows. Guests will also get to snap photos with Halloween characters roaming the mall and visit the photo station in Grand Court (near TJ Maxx) for more fun photo opportunities.

From chisels to chills, Stafford High School’s (SHS) carpentry students have found a new way to haunt locals with their talent.

The Fredericksburg Fairgrounds’ upcoming Dead Whispers Haunted Attraction will feature a haunted maze, which is entirely the work of these budding carpenters. Led by carpentry teacher Dan Harding, the students have spent weeks constructing the maze, which adds a new element of scare and excitement to the Halloween event. 

The SHS Carpentry Program is part of the BOOTS program (Bringing Occupational Opportunities to Students). Students learn about Residential Construction and various parts of Commercial Construction. The BOOTS program allows students to learn Construction trades off-site while building a house to be sold upon completion. Harding said this is a non-profit organization.

Harding, a residential carpenter for 25 years before joining Stafford High School 16 years ago, said he thought the project would be a good opportunity for first-year carpentry students. When he met with the Fairgrounds team, he learned the initial plans involved 180 framed panels and covered an area 50” by 80”. Harding asked if his students could build the panels and install them according to the plan. His second and third-year carpentry students enthusiastically signed off on the project.

Harding said the structure’s temporary nature provided a challenge.

“Students needed a way of connecting these panels in a way that they were rigid, yet easy to dismantle and store for future functions. These panels couldn’t be fastened to the floor, and with them having plywood on both sides, were not easy to connect.” The project also needed to follow strict Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) specifications, so the group had to revisit plans to make sure accessibility wasn’t blocked by some of the support posts.

Harding added, “We discussed options as a group and made it work.”

In the carpentry program, Harding said students learn workplace skills that will translate to any profession. If a student chooses carpentry, the hands-on, live construction experience from the BOOTS program enhances their chances for success and advancement.

Harding said visitors to Dead Whispers will notice the size and design of the maze. He said, “The students were walking the maze after completion…and it literally took us about 20 minutes.”

He said that was when students realized the scope of the work they just completed. Harding said, “The themes of the rooms and passageways are going to be scary and fun; I can’t wait to see reactions from the community.” He also added, “The folks we worked with at the Fredericksburg Fairgrounds were great to work with, and I welcome any chance to work with them in the future.”

The maze is part of Dead Whispers, an attraction that features live actors and effects designed to make visitors feel like they’re in a horror movie. Funds raised through ticket purchases will support musicians and veterans with disabilities through the Bill Carroll Foundation . The event website notes “Our Foundation’s built-in Design and Production Team has developed our Haunted Attraction with the help from people with all levels of disabilities.”

Dead Whispers will run October 25 through November 2, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. each night. On Oct. 27, a Family Day will run from noon to 4 p.m., before the evening hours.

The Fredericksburg Fairgrounds are located at 2400 Airport Avenue. Parking and the hayride are free, while food, beverages, and alcoholic drinks are available for purchase.

Press Release:

Sheriff Roger Harris is honored to host our 3nd annual celebration in honor of Veterans of all military branches. The event will be held on November 9, 2024, between 10am and 2pm at the Spotsylvania Public Safety Building located at 9119 Dean Ridings Lane, Spotsylvania, Virginia 22553. Please join us at the opening ceremony at 10 am. A variety of guest speakers will help kick off our event. There will be performances by the United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon and the Kena Highlanders Pipes and Drums Team.

Multiple military equipment displays and various presentations from other military vendors will be on hand for attendees along with all military recruiter branches. This event is open to the public and we hope you and your family can join us to honor our military veterans.

The Town of Dumfries will host the Pink and Purple Brunch on October 27, 2024, at the Clyde Washington Community Center to raise awareness about breast cancer and domestic violence. This free event will feature local advocates and healthcare professionals, and attendees must register by October 23, 2024, as seating is limited.

Press Release:

The Town of Dumfries is proud to present the Pink and Purple Brunch, an event dedicated to raising awareness and promoting an end to breast cancer and domestic violence. This free event will occur on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at the Clyde Washington Community Center, located at 3800 Graham Park Road in Dumfries, VA. The Pink and Purple Brunch is a timely and urgent call to action. It serves as a platform for education, support, and solidarity with survivors and those affected by these two pressing issues. Attendees will hear from local advocates, healthcare professionals, and community leaders who are working tirelessly to bring about change. By combining the fight against breast cancer with efforts to end domestic violence, this event fosters a unique opportunity to shed light on these critical challenges that impact many lives. The urgency of these issues should motivate us to act now, and your participation is a crucial step in this direction. Vice Mayor Monaé Nickerson, a strong advocate for community empowerment, and Chair Pro Tem Selonia Miles, recognized for her leadership in public service, are championing this event, reinforcing the Town’s commitment to health and safety. “We come together in pink and purple to support not only those who have been impacted but to take meaningful action as a community,” said Vice Mayor Nickerson. “We hope this event encourages others to continue raising awareness and advocating for change.”

Event Details

• Date: Sunday, October 27, 2024
• Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Location: Clyde Washington Community Center, 3800 Graham Park Rd, Dumfries, VA
• Cost: Free (Seating is limited; registration is required)
• Registration Deadline: Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Space is limited for this impactful event. Early registration is encouraged to ensure participation. Register online at https://bit.ly/pinkandpurplebrunch. Together, we can make a difference by raising awareness and taking steps to bring an end to breast cancer and domestic violence.

The annual Stafford County Agricultural and Homemaking Fair is this weekend, October 17 through 20.  The fair is located at University of Mary Washington’s Stafford Campus, 121 University Boulevard.  The fair is open Saturday from 12 to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 12 to 7 p.m. In addition to vendors, rides, and carnival treats, Saturday and Sunday will feature Children’s Power Wheel Derbies and  Pedal Tractor Pulls.

Next week, the Fredericksburg Nationals will host FredNats Fall Fest on Oct. 25. The family event is free to attend, but parking is $6 per vehicle. In addition to a pumpkin carving contest, the stadium will feature arts and crafts, fall-themed foods, goats, and trick or treating on the concourse. Pumpkins must be labeled with contact information, carved and dropped off during the week for the competition. Costumes are encouraged. FredNats Fall Fest is open from 6 to 9 p.m.

The annual Art and Wine Festival will be held at Caledon State Park on November 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and November 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This family-friendly event features local art, wine tastings, live music, and food trucks. Attendees can enjoy free wagon rides, archery, and camping programs. Tickets are $25 online or $30 at the gate, with free admission for children and non-tasters. Pets are welcome but must be leashed. The festival will proceed rain or shine.

Press release:

The annual Art and Wine Festival will take place over two days at Caledon State Park on Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The festival is an annual crowd pleaser with family-friendly activities and music for all to enjoy. There will be tastings available from local wineries, delicious foods available for purchase from local food trucks and vendors along with beautiful art on display from artists.

“Experience the beauty of fall along with the spectacular variety of local art, flavorful wine and rhythmic music,” said Caledon State Park Manager Nina Cox. “This event is sponsored by our Friends Group, and we are so grateful for everything they do for our park. We hope you come out and celebrate fall with us.”

The park will be offering free wagon rides several times during both days as well as archery and camping programs led by the “Let’s Go” staff.

Tickets are required for each day and are available online at Zeffy for $25 or guests can pay $30 at the gate. Non-tasters and children enjoy free admission.

The Art and Wine Festival is a pet-friendly event. All pets must be supervised and kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Pet owners must clean up after their pets.

This event will be held rain or shine.

For more information, visit the Caledon State Park website.

There’s still time to secure your spot for one of the most exciting fall events in Prince William County—the Fall Reverse Raffle & Dinner. This Saturday, October 19, 2024, the event promises an evening of fun and a chance to win the $10,000 grand prize.

The event, hosted by Volunteer Prince William, is a fantastic way to spend an evening and supports the Untrim-A-Tree program, which helps provide Christmas to 4,000 local children and 800 seniors in need at Christmas.

Event Highlights:
– Only 300 tickets available
Every ticket includes dinner for two and two drink tickets per person. A cash bar will also be available.
– 50/50 raffle for extra chances to win.
– Bring a new toy donation for the Untrim-A-Tree program.

You don’t have to be present to win the $10,000 grand prize. Donations are tax-deductible.

Doors open at 6 p.m. at the Prince William County Fairgrounds, 10624 Dumfries Road, near Manassas. Dinner will start at 6:30 p.m., and the raffle will kick off at 7 p.m. Even if you can’t attend, your participation will help make the holidays brighter for children and seniors in the community.

For more information and to purchase your tickets, visit Volunteer Prince William’s website.