Stafford County's Sheriffs will host Coffee with a Cop on October 30 at The Grounds Coffeehouse from 9 - 11 a.m.
The Coffee with a Cop program is a free, public event that allows community members to ask questions or have casual conversations with deputies. Spokesperson Ryan Wilbur said, “The goal has been and will always be to build a meaningful relationship with deputies and community members.”
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Fredericksburg's streets were full of costumed children (and adults) for the annual Treats in the Streets.
Fredericksburg has hosted this event since 2016, where families are invited to dress up in Halloween costumes and stroll downtown, stopping at participating businesses to collect treats, toys, books, and gifts.
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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.
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Dear Readers,
We are excited to present to you the second installment of our History and Heritage Feature Series, sponsored by Sentara. This special series celebrates the rich cultural heritage and history of Prince William County, Stafford County, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Fredericksburg.
We will delve into the historical events, landmarks, and personal stories that have shaped our communities. From in-depth articles on significant historical milestones to spotlights on notable landmarks and engaging oral histories from long-time residents, our series aims to connect you with the past in a meaningful and enlightening way.
We are proud to partner with Sentara, a name synonymous with community involvement and support. Sentara’s sponsorship helps make this series possible, allowing us to bring these important stories to you while highlighting their commitment to preserving our local history.
Join us as we explore the places, events, and people that tell the story of our region’s past. Understanding our history is crucial to building a better future and maintaining the rich traditions that define us.
Thank you for your continued support of local journalism.
Uriah Kiser
Founder & Publisher
Potomac Local News
Annaburg Manor Unveils First Phase of Renovations, Opens to Public
This Saturday, the City of Manassas will celebrate the ribbon cutting for the newly renovated Annaburg Manor, a historic estate built in 1892 by the Portner family. Once a nursing home and hospital, the manor was purchased by the city in 2019 with the vision of transforming it into a public park. After years of renovations, the first phase of the project is complete, opening the grounds to the public.
Mary Helen Dellinger, Curator at the Manassas Museum, spoke about the challenges the city faced while restoring the manor. “The single biggest challenge for us was that there were no architectural plans showing what the building looked like before. We don’t know what the inside of it looked like during Portner’s time; we only have pictures of the outside,” Dellinger explained. Changes made by previous owners complicated efforts to determine which parts of the house were original and which were later additions. To aid the process, the city worked with Portner’s descendants and used old photographs.
The restoration of Annaburg Manor was more of a renovation than a true historical restoration, according to Dellinger. “The home was in rough shape. There was mold, debris, and old systems that needed to be replaced,” she said. While they chose not to fully restore the home to its original 1892 condition, the team aimed to stay as faithful as possible to its historic design.
One notable feature of the renovation is the addition of a fountain to the manor’s grounds. While the original fountain was custom-cast and could not be replicated, a new fountain was installed that pays homage to the original water feature. “It’s not the exact sculpture that was there, but I think it’ll make the house look nice and is a nod to the original fountain,” Dellinger noted.
Beyond the structural renovations, the project aims to enhance the community’s green spaces. “One of the things we heard from the community was that there was nowhere in that area of town that was walkable,” Dellinger shared. Annaburg Manor is expected to provide much-needed green space where locals can relax and enjoy nature.
Looking ahead, there are plans for further development. While the public will initially only be able to tour the grounds, Dellinger hinted at future events and rental opportunities. “You’ll be able to rent the space for any kind of event,” she said, adding that the manor’s spacious porch would make it a picturesque wedding venue, with meetings and other gatherings possible inside the house.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, October 19, at 9201 Maple Street, Manassas.
The 4th Annual Manassas Park Latino Fest, "Unidos en Fiesta," will occur Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, on September 29, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event will feature live performances, food, games, and activities, promoting community unity and cultural appreciation.
The event was rescheduled, according to Manassas Park Council woman Yesi Amaya, who said, "We had to change the date to Sunday, October 6 due to weather."
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Ferry Farm, the historical boyhood home of George Washington, will host a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community Day on Oct. 6. Visitors will be provided with American Sign Language (ASL) tour guides at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tours begin at the back porch of the Washington house, a five-minute walk from the Visitor Center, and pre-registration is encouraged. Each session is limited to 10 guests.
The event began around 10 years ago as part of Virginia Archaeology Month in October. In 2018, the focus of the tours shifted to the Washington House, and in Spring of 2023, the program was added to Historic Kenmore as well. Allison Ellis, the George Washington Foundation's Manager of Public Programs, said in addition to programs at Ferry Farm and Historic Kenmore, they are adding a new archaeology-focused Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community Day where guests will be able to speak with Ferry Farm archaeologists at the lab and at the dig site with an ASL interpreter.
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The 2025 Fall Arts and Crafts Show will be held in historic Occoquan on September 28 and 29 from 10 am to 5 pm, featuring over 300 vendors, live music, and a Beer Garden. Attendees can enjoy artist demonstrations, participate in painting lessons, explore Imagination Alley for kids' activities, and use shuttle services from nearby parking lots for $8 round trip.
Press Release:
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Prince William County Police has consistently received high marks from the public in annual customer satisfaction surveys.
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Stafford County has announced the return of its annual Fall Festival on Oct. 5 at John Lee Pratt Memorial Park. The family-friendly event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The festival will include several food trucks and vendors, as well as live music from the Leroy Burks Band. Alpacas, hayrides, a petting zoo and pony rides will be on site. Those wishing to participate in the Pumpkin Derby are asked to pre-register.
