July is chalking up to be a busy month around Prince William County with several events, meetings, and activities scheduled.
Take a look at some highlighted events.
- Today (July 2)
- Board of County Supervisors meeting, 2 p.m.
- Friday (July 5)
- The first “Friday at 5” of the summer (Woodbridge)
- Coffee & Art with a Cop, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Woodbridge)
- July 9
- Board of County Supervisors work session, 11 a.m.
- July 13
- West County Household Hazardous Waste Event, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Manassas)
- Seals on Wheels, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Woodbridge)
- Fire & Rescue Life Safety Pop Up, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Dumfries)
- July 16
- Board of County Supervisors meeting, 2 p.m.
- July 19
- Fridays at 5, 5 p.m. (Woodbridge)
- Walking Tours of Historic Towns: Nokesville, 7 p.m. (Nokesville)
- July 20
- 25th Celebration of Americans with Disabilities Act, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Manassas)
- Dad’s Pool Day, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (Dale City)
- Full Moon Hike, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. (Woodbridge)
- July 25
- Responsible Gaming & Gambling Webinar, 10 a.m. (Virtual)
- July 26
- Paint & Pour, 6 to 7:30 p.m. (Dale City)
- July 27
- Fire & Rescue Life Safety Pop Up, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Woodbridge)
Historic Manassas Inc. (HMI) is now selling tickets for a July 4th Stars & Stripes Rooftop Picnic, set to provide the best view of the City of Manassas fireworks display. The event will occur on July 4, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., atop the downtown parking garage at 9102 Prince William Street.
The rooftop picnic promises a variety of food and drinks. Attendees can look forward to hamburgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, chips, green beans, cupcakes, beer, wine, soda, and water. The evening will also feature a DJ and games, ensuring entertainment for guests of all ages.
This private event is limited to 200 tickets. Proceeds from ticket sales will support HMI’s efforts to cover the event’s expenses and contribute to keeping Historic Downtown Manassas vibrant and thriving, HMI states on its Facebook page.
Tickets are priced at $103.50 for adults (ages 11 and up) and $27 for children aged 10 and under. Please note that parking is not provided, and attendees must bring their chairs.
Jesus Rosa, owner of The Puerto Rico Cafe in Manassas, is hosting the Manassas Puerto Rican Festival again. This marks the second year Rosa and his wife, Jamari, organized the event in Manassas.
“It’s a celebration of Puerto Rican culture, family, and bringing everyone together,” Rosa said. “It’s diverse; it’s not just for Puerto Ricans, it’s for everyone. We want everyone to come down and enjoy the food, the music, the entertainment of your Puerto Rican friends and neighbors.”
The festival, which begins at noon on Saturday, June 15, is free to attend and will feature over 90 vendors. “There will be things for kids to do, so it will be fun for the whole family,” Rosa added. The event will be centered around the Harris Pavilion and include a dance competition on Battle Street called “Battle on Battle Street.”
Throughout the day, attendees can enjoy a variety of live performances from Puerto Rican entertainers. The lineup includes Luis Figueroa, a four-time Grammy-nominated singer in the Tropical Music genre, Musica Tipica de Harold Pratts, Elysani, Max Rosado, and merengue singer Juan Luis Juancho. The festival will run through 9 p.m.
Last year’s event attracted more than 10,000 people from 17 states and Puerto Rico; organizers expect to surpass those numbers this year. Despite the anticipated crowds, festival-goers can find free parking at various locations, including the parking garage, Baldwin Elementary School, Baldwin Park, Art Factory, Museum, City Hall, and the Farmers Market (after 1:00 pm). Parts of Center, West, and Battle streets will be closed all day for the event.
“The City of Manassas is excited to host the 2nd annual event that celebrates the city’s diversity, and we wish attendees a lot of fun and success tomorrow,” said Manassas City spokeswoman Kelley Koch.
Alan Gloss is a freelance reporter for Potomac Local News. If you’re not getting our FREE email newsletter, you are missing out. Subscribe Now!
Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC) is gearing up for its annual Free Community Baby Shower.
Following the success of last year’s event, which saw 1,000 attendees, this year promises to be even bigger and better. To accommodate the growing number of participants and enhance the experience, the event has been moved to a new location, offering more fun, education, and prizes for new and expecting mothers and their families.
The Free Community Baby Shower will feature 32 vendors, including notable names like Children’s National, Office of Vital Records, Storkpump, Little Fish Swimming, RACSB / Healthy Families, Fredericksburg Parent Gives, First Village Doula Services, Weecycled Wardrobe, and Gratefully Wearing Bairn. Mary Washington Healthcare’s own Women Services team will be present alongside a host of specialists. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Drs. Lethbridge (pediatrician), Arshad (MWH NICU medical director), Attridge (neonatologist), Helmly (GME director), Markowsky (Children’s National pediatric hospitalist), and Ismail (pediatric hospitalist medical director).
Certified lactation consultants, mental health counselors, physical, occupational, and speech therapists, labor and delivery nurses, mother-baby nurses, NICU nurses, and many more professionals will be available to provide valuable information and support.
Attendees will have the chance to participate in raffles, receive goodie bags, and enjoy light refreshments. The Fredericksburg Police Department will also be on-site performing free car seat safety checks.
Mary Washington Healthcare invites everyone to join this joyous occasion and take advantage of the resources and services available. Journalists and photographers are encouraged to cover the event, capturing the stories and excitement that make this event unique for the community.
The event will occur Saturday, June 29, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fredericksburg Convention Center, 2371 Carl D. Silver Parkway, in Fredericksburg.
On June 15, 2024, Widewater State Park will host an event dedicated to the life and work of Palmer Hayden, a celebrated artist from Widewater. The event will run from 1 to 3 p.m. throughout the park.
Palmer Hayden, born on January 15, 1890, in Widewater, in Stafford County, became a prominent painter during the Harlem Renaissance. His paintings are known for depicting everyday life in African-American communities.
Despite holding various jobs throughout his life, including being a member of the Ringling Brothers’ Circus and serving in the Army’s all-African American 24th infantry regiment during World War I, Hayden remained dedicated to his art. Some of his notable works include “A Midsummer Night in Harlem,” “A Janitor Who Paints,” and “Baptism at Widewater.”
The event will include a walk to the Palmer Hayden marker inside the park, where attendees will learn about his life and contributions to art. Following this, participants will have the chance to watercolor a scene, inspired by Hayden’s style. The event is open to all ages and skill levels.
A standard $20 visitor parking fee applies. There are no extra fees for participating in the event, and children are welcome.
For more information, contact Widewater State Park at 540-288-1400 or email widewater@dcr.virginia.gov.
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.
The concert series will feature live music, food trucks, beer and wine for purchase, and face painting for kids. Admission and parking are free. Attendees can bring chairs or picnic blankets. Pets are not allowed, except for service dogs.
The schedule for the concert series is as follows:
July:
– July 5: Uncle Drew & The Scoundrels
– July 19: Collective
August:
– August 2: Lloyd Braun Band
– August 16: Perfekt Blend
September:
– September 6: TBA
– September 20: TBA
Concerts will be canceled in the event of inclement weather. Updates will be available on Facebook and the Prince William County Parks website. Attendees can also sign up for text alerts by texting “Fridays” to 703-382-6716.
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.
On June 8, 2024, two free programs will take place in Dumfries to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Prince William Resolves.
These events mark a significant historical step taken by Prince William County citizens in 1774 when they protested the British parliament’s “Intolerable Acts” by drafting and signing the Prince William Resolves.
Resolve & Revolution
The first program, Resolve & Revolution, will occur from 10 am to 3 pm at Merchant Park, located at 3944 Cameron St., Dumfries, VA 22026. This family-friendly event will include:
– An immersive play reenacting the historic debate
– Children’s activities
– Puppet shows
– Tours of Dumfries and the Weems-Botts Museum
– Food and music
This event offers an opportunity to learn about the historical significance of the Prince William Resolves. For more information, call 703-792-1731.
Tavern Night at Williams Ordinary
The second program, Tavern Night, will be held from 6 pm to 9 pm at Williams Ordinary, located at 17674 Main Street in Dumfries. This 21+ event will feature colonial music, reenactors, and 18th-century games.
Attendees can taste a historically inspired brew from Water’s End and enjoy a themed menu from Dixie Bones BBQ. Food, drinks, and Sip of History mugs will be available for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds donated to the Prince William Historic Preservation Foundation.
For more details, call 703-792-1731 or visit Water’s End Brewery Tavern Night.
