Keen said city staff has been discussing the strain hosting several events has on the city's infrastructure and their workload.
"We have been a victim of our own successes," Keen said. "All of our events, when we first started [First Friday], we were just hopeful to get a few people to come to Old Town. ... We're so crowded. But what that has caused ... is the strain on our infrastructure for some of the locations, the strain on our staff and the strain on our community as a whole."
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Following concerns over underage drinking and unregulated alcohol consumption, the Manassas City Council has implemented a new policy to limit the number of events held downtown. The decision, discussed at the October 21 council meeting, aims to reduce the strain on city resources and improve public safety, particularly for the popular First Friday gatherings in Downtown Manassas.
The policy will reserve one weekend each month as a “respite weekend,” when no significant events will be held in downtown, allowing city infrastructure and staff a much-needed break. Furthermore, city officials are considering reducing the frequency of First Fridays and other recurring events to manage safety risks and improve the experience for residents and local businesses.
Concerns surrounding First Fridays, a popular monthly event featuring a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) where patrons can carry alcohol in marked zones, have escalated in recent months. Text messages exchanged on September 6, 2024, between Interim City Manager Doug Keen and Police Captain Tara Petty revealed growing worries about underage drinking and attendees bringing alcohol purchased outside the event’s permitted areas, including from nearby liquor and convenience stores. The DORA guidelines specify that alcohol should only be purchased from local restaurants participating in the event.
Still, city officials report that many patrons bypass these regulations, undermining public safety and harming local businesses.
“We’re thrilled that Old Town is such a popular destination,” Keen said, “but the high volume of events, particularly First Fridays, has created ongoing safety challenges that we need to address for the well-being of residents, businesses, and visitors.”
As part of the new policy, the city will also evaluate event permits to restrict how often individual organizations can host events in downtown. Some community members have voiced concerns that the abundance of large gatherings, while beneficial for tourism, has led to congestion, parking shortages, and noise, impacting the area’s day-to-day quality of life.
Local businesses have had mixed responses to the policy. Many welcome the changes, citing disruptions during First Fridays and other events that draw large crowds. Business owners note that while events are valuable for drawing new patrons, the influx of people—often with alcohol brought in from outside—can deter regular customers.
“Manassas has become a hub of activity, which is wonderful,” said Councilmember Ralph Smith. “But our priority has to be ensuring these events don’t overburden the community or compromise public safety. This policy lets us strike a balance between tourism and community needs.”
In response, event organizers and local businesses are working with city officials to adjust to the new policy and promote safer, more sustainable event practices. Some First Friday organizers are exploring measures like increased signage about DORA guidelines and added police presence to address potential safety risks.
The city plans to review the new policy after one year, gathering feedback from residents, businesses, and event organizers to ensure it meets the community’s needs.
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Concerns over underage drinking and people bringing outside alcohol into the First Friday event in Manassas have prompted city officials to reconsider how the popular downtown gathering is managed. Interim City Manager Doug Keen and Police Capt. Tara Petty exchanged text messages on September 6, 2024, discussing growing issues with public safety and communication during the event.
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The Manassas City Council is re-evaluating the popular First Fridays event, a staple in the city’s historic downtown, following feedback from residents, businesses, and local authorities regarding public safety and overall event management.
At the heart of the review is the need to balance the community appeal of First Fridays with growing concerns about safety, traffic congestion, and parking. The council is considering changes to ensure the event remains a vibrant part of city life while addressing logistical challenges.
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According to Jheanel Butler, HMI event coordinator, the diverse soups include Sancocho from Puerto Rico Café, a hearty stew with a unique blend of beef cuts, chicken, and root vegetables. Grounds Central Station will serve roasted butternut squash soup, while SemiFreddo Italian Cuisine will present green lentil soup with prosciutto. Other highlights include Creamy Potato Soup from Vera’s Kitchen, Beef Brisket Chili from The Bone, Brunswick Stew from Hog Shack Bar-B-Q, and the intriguing Cheese Burger Soup topped with bacon from The Philadelphia Tavern. Vegans can delight in the Vegan Tomato Soup with a non-vegan grilled cheese bite from Honey & Ivy Gluten-free.
This year's ticket includes a collectible anniversary mug for attendees, who can choose to use it at the event. Disposable tasting containers will also be provided. To add an interactive element, attendees will receive a map of all the stops with a QR code for online voting.
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"The story is told from the point of view of Mary Worthington, the eldest spirit, who serves as both the group matriarch and narrator. When items for sale arrive at the store without spirits attached, the group becomes concerned. In attempting to figure out why, the spirits discover that the old farmhouse itself conceals a century-old secret. A 'cozy' mystery engages the reader in the story without overly graphic violence or language."
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