The Prince William County Police Department hosted its fourth community fair, dubbed “Diversity Day,” on Saturday, September 7, 2024. The community came together to celebrate the things that make Prince William County unique. The event, created in 2020, is held every year to humanize the badge and introduce the community to those entrusted to keep the community safe.

Prince William County Police has consistently received high marks from the public in annual customer satisfaction surveys.

 

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.

Stafford Tourism Program Director Lisa Logan said the Fall Family Festival was designed “to promote a sense of community, to provide new and innovative programming for all ages, and to enhance family-oriented recreational opportunities within our community.”  The event was first began in 2015, and was centered around the Annual Pumpkin Derby, Logan said. The festival typically has around 500 guests.

There is no charge for admission.

Prince William County is celebrating improvements at Braemar Park and preparing for a new playground at Fairmont Park.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for Braemar Park will be held on Thursday, September 26, at 11 a.m. at 12401 Braemar Parkway in Bristow. The park has seen several updates, including a new playground, repaved parking lot, renovated basketball and tennis courts, and the addition of two pickleball courts. The event is open to the public.

A new playground design has been finalized at Fairmont Park, located at 9801 Fairmont Avenue near Manassas. The community is invited to participate in Build Week from October 23 to 26. Volunteers are needed to help with tasks such as assembling equipment and mixing concrete. All necessary tools and safety gear will be provided, along with food and drinks for participants. Volunteers must be 18 or older, though those aged 14 and up are welcome to assist with certain tasks.

 

Fredericksburg’s STEP VA Inc. has announced Disney’s “Finding Nemo, Jr.” will be its 2025 spring musical. The organization, which empowers people with disabilities through artistic expression, has chosen the show as its fourth licensed musical, following previous productions like “The Lion King, Kids!” and “Seussical Jr.”

The STEP VA musical selection committee of 14 STEP VA participants ranging from middle school-age to adults worked together over four sessions to narrow down show options. The committee then presented the options to the production team, who made the final choice and submitted it to the licensing organization for approval.

The musical will be performed on April 12-13, 2025, at Courtland High School.

STEP VA, Inc., a non-profit organization founded in 2013, provides sensory-based theater and arts programs that empower people with disabilities and their families.

 

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.

Tickets are available for $8 in advance or $10 on-site, with free admission for children under three. Parking is complimentary, and FredNats concessions will be available throughout the event. Inclement weather changes will be announced on the Fredericksburg Alert system and on social media.

Stafford County’s fourth annual Via Colori will return the weekend of Sept. 28-29, 2024. The annual street painting festival is a free family-friendly event where artists create large-scale chalk drawings, attracting thousands of spectators each year. while food, vendors, and live music add more activity.

Discover Stafford, formerly known as the Stafford County Museum & Cultural Center, established Via Colori Stafford, an annual signature fundraising event. Funds raised through sponsorships of Via Colori Stafford go back to the county through the Museum and local efforts of the Rotary Club of North Stafford and the Rotary Club of Stafford.

Stafford County Public Schools has been selected as the 2024 beneficiary. The funds raised will support Stafford in Action Week, a community initiative to provide nutritious meals to students, culminating at Via Colori. This initiative aims to ensure all students have the resources needed to succeed academically.

Artists can sign up online to participate in the chalk drawing; artists can pick up their materials at an Artists’ Reception on Friday, Sept. 27.

The event will take place at the Stafford Regional Airport, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

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.

The fiftieth anniversary celebrations will kick off on September 4 with a series of “Concert by Canoe” events. Each Wednesday in September at 6 p.m., visitors can enjoy live music from local bands while paddling on the reservoir. The festivities will culminate in a grand Anniversary Celebration on September 28 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., featuring an opening ceremony, live music, food trucks, and various recreational activities.

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.”

Adoption fees for Saturday’s event have been covered for the day by Ginger Walker and Give Back Team Real Estate. Walker helped start the “Clear the Shelter” program at the Stafford Animal Shelter, having sponsored animals for the past six years at the current location at 26 Frosty Lane, and an additional four years at the prior location. Winter said “my goal every year is for the shelter to be completely empty” after the event; after last year’s, there were still a few dogs and cats left at the shelter. Winter said almost everyone on the Give Back Team has adopted an animal from the shelter. The Give Back Team donates to a charity of the client’s choice after every closing, and has donated over $1 million to local charities.

The animal shelter will be open at 9 a.m. and will have several vendors who have each pledged a portion of their proceeds to the shelter. At the event, Lianafit Canine Training, offering mini training sessions for the first 10 adoptions.  Whimsical Faces will provide face painting,  and B101.5 is providing music.

The shelter’s event has been shared on their social media. In addition to visiting the event’s vendors and adopting animals, citizens can help by donating to the shelter or purchasing supplies from their Amazon and Chewy wishlists.

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. 

After more than fifty years, local Gordon Shelton reignited the fair in 2010 at Mountain View High School. By 2014, the growing fair moved behind Margaret Brent Elementary School, adding new attractions such as a demolition derby, tractor pull, and the Miss Stafford County Pageant. In 2022, the fair found a new home at the UMW Stafford Campus, where it continues to flourish as a non-profit, volunteer-run organization.

This year’s Miss Stafford County Fair Pageant will be held at 2 p.m. on Aug. 17 at the Fredericksburg library theater room. Applications are due by Aug. 11, and a wide range of ages may participate.

As the fair gears up for another exciting year, it invites local vendors, music acts, and sponsors to participate and contribute to this vibrant community event. Interested parties can contact Shelton, who not only manages the fair and the Stafford County Christmas Parade but also serves on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Association of Fairs. 

The fair, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, is also searching for a larger, permanent home to continue the annual tradition.