Stafford County will host its annual 9/11 ceremony at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. The ceremony will be held at the George L. Gordon, Jr. Government Center in recognition and remembrance of the September 11, 2001 attacks.
This year marks 23 years since over 3,000 people died during attacks on the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
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September is chalking up to be a busy month around Prince William County with several events and activities scheduled; the Board of County Supervisors is back this month, too, and their first meeting is Sept. 3.
Take a look at some highlighted events.
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Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation, and Events will host its inaugural "Day of Play" at the Virginia Credit Union Stadium on September 21, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The family-focused event will feature a variety of activities like an obstacle course, kayak paddling pool, baseball pitch, and Ga Ga ball. University of Mary Washington's Cheerleading team will teach cheerleading skills, while Mary Washington Healthcare will host Wellness Workshops. The event will also have a Toddler Area, designed for the youngest attendees.
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The Zoe Freedom Center is gearing up for its fourth annual 5K run, a fundraising event supporting its mission to assist those struggling with addiction. The event on Aug. 24, 2024, will begin and end at the University of Mary Washington’s Jepson Alumni Executive Center, with participants running a course that stretches to the halfway point near Lafayette and Blue & Gray Parkway before looping back.
Founded by Dana and Mark Brown in March 2020, the Zoe Freedom Center launched the same day widespread shutdowns were announced for the COVID-19 pandemic. "We were surprised by the happenings, but we knew we were called to open this organization," said Dana, “It proved to be the perfect time to open.” As other addiction services were forced to close or transition to virtual operations, the Zoe Freedom Center remained an in-person resource for those in need.
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Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation and Events is celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of Motts Run Reservoir, which was established in 1974. The reservoir itself spans 160 acres, and is within a total of 860 acres of land. The reservoir was initially created to ensure a reliable water supply for the region. Over the years, it has become an important area for wildlife, fishing, and other outdoor activities.
Callie Brown, Superintendent of Recreation for Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation & Events, stated, “Motts has gone from being one of Fredericksburg’s hidden gems to being a family favorite park over the past 50 years.” She highlighted the reservoir’s diverse offerings, including hiking, biking, boating, and fishing, noting its role as a community asset.
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The Prince William County Fair is returning tomorrow (Friday, Aug. 9) for the 75th year.
It’s being held at the Fairgrounds Expo & Event Center and 10624 Dumfries Road in Manassas. Starting at 6 p.m. tomorrow and not stopping until Aug. 17, the fair will have dozens of activities, rides and attractions each day it’s open.
Each day of the fair will have many of the same events except at the largest stage and the show barn. New acts and different performances will be hosted at each location every day at various times. Here’s a list of those special acts, broken down by day:
Friday, Aug. 9
- Grand Stand:Â Tractor Pull, 6 p.m.
- Show Barn:Â Miss and Teen Miss Pageant, 6 p.m.; Leroy Burks, 8 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 10
- Grand Stand:Â Demolition Derby, 7 p.m.
- Show Barn:Â Pre-Teen Pageant, 2:30 p.m.; Little Miss Pageant, 3:30 p.m.; Tiny Miss Pageant, 4:30 p.m.; Soho Down, 7 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 11
- Grand Stand:Â Rodeo, 6 p.m.
- Show Barn:Â Baby Ms./Mr. Pageant, 2:30 p.m.; Wee Baby Ms./Mr. Pageant, 3:30 p.m.; Teeny Baby Ms./Mr. Pageant, 4:30 p.m.; DK Wolf, 7 and 9 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 12
- Grand Stand:Â Taylor Swift Tribute Act, 7 p.m.
- Show Barn:Â Lantz Exotics Kangaroo Facts, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 13
- Grand Stand:Â Bull Run Cloggers, 7 p.m.
- Show Barn:Â Reptile Education Show
Wednesday, Aug. 14
- Grand Stand: Strong Man Wrestling, 7 p.m.
- Show Barn:Â DJ Karaoke, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 15
- Grand Stand:Â Monster Trucks, 7 p.m.
- Show Barn:Â Trey Schneider, 7 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 16
- Grand Stand:Â Monster Trucks, 7 p.m.
- Show Barn:Â Animal Education Show, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 17
- Grand Stand:Â Demolition Derby, 7 p.m.
- Show Barn:Â Lionel Ward and the New World Band, 7 and 9 p.m.
But, many things will remain the same. There will be an exotic petting zoo, a local craft and vendor area, a showcase of farming antiques, wine tastings, camel and pony rides, monster truck rides and food vendors. These will be scattered throughout the Fairgrounds.
There will also be a goat show on Saturday, Aug. 10 and Saturday, Aug. 17 at 4 p.m., a sheep show at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15 and a dairy cattle show at 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16.
Admission costs are somewhat standard across the entirety of the fair. Adult tickets cost $25 and child and senior tickets cost $15. Senior citizens will have free entry on Monday, Aug. 12 only. Ticket prices drop on Tuesday, Aug. 13 from 2 to 5 p.m. and on Wednesday, Aug. 14 to $15 for everyone.
On weekends, the fair opens at 2 p.m. and on weekdays at 5 p.m.
On Saturday, Aug. 10, the Stafford County Animal Shelter will host its sixth annual "Clear the Shelter" adoption event. This summer, the shelter has been overwhelmed by the number of pets surrendered by owners for many reasons, including increasing costs of pet care.
The shelter is legally required to take in all animals brought to them. Stafford County Sheriff’s Capt. Joseph Bice, who oversees the shelter, said, "We’re getting dogs at a rate of three to one compared to the rate of adoption." He added, “We want to provide care and a place for them to stay, but the problem is space...In 2014, we took in around 330 dogs. Last year, we took in over a thousand, and this year we’re on track to take in 1,200 to 1,400.”
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August will be a busy month around Prince William County with several events and activities scheduled. The Board of County Supervisors won’t be meeting this month due to the month-long recess; their first meeting back will be Sept. 3.
Take a look at some highlighted events.
Wednesday (Aug. 7)
- KABOOM! Design Day, 5 to 8 p.m. (Manassas)
Aug. 9
- Escape the Mummy’s Curse Escape Room, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Dumfries)
- Prince William County Fair, through Aug. 17 (Manassas)
Aug. 10
- Bristow Station Battlefield Heritage Park, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Aug. 11 (Bristow)
- West County Household Hazardous Waste Event, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Manassas)
Aug. 16
- Fridays at 5: Perfekt Blend, 5 to 9 p.m. (Woodbridge)
- Walking Tours of Historic Prince William Towns, 7 to 8 p.m. (Manassas)
Aug. 17
- Rippon Lodge Bug and Bird Day, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Woodbridge)
Aug. 24
- Winged Wonders: Birding for Beginners, 8 to 10 a.m. (Woodbridge)
- Fire & Rescue Life Safety Pop Up, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Woodbridge)
- Bristow Station Battlefield Heritage Park, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Aug. 25 (Bristow)
Aug. 26
- Walking Tour of “Stonewall” Jackson’s Raid, 6 to 7:30 p.m. (Bristow)
The Stafford County Agricultural and Homemaking Fair will return Oct. 17 through Oct. 20 at the UMW Stafford Campus (121 University Boulevard). The fair features family-friendly activities like a children’s power wheel derby and tractor pull, a petting zoo, and carnival rides. Attendees can enjoy live music, explore a variety of vendor stalls, and experience displays from first responders. This year’s fair continues the legacy of a community-focused event that celebrates local culture, agriculture, and togetherness.
The roots of the Fair trace back to October 1922, when it was first held at Stafford High School. The inaugural event, organized by the School Board and fair officers, featured a school parade and a range of exhibits highlighting agricultural achievements, domestic arts, and educational displays. Over the years, the fair has faced interruptions, including a cancellation in 1930 due to drought and a hiatus during World War II. It was revived in 1948 at Falmouth High School, where it continued for several more years before coming to an end.Â
