After 20 years in Occoquan, Mom's Apple Pie - a favorite of at least three U.S. presidents - is closing its location in town. But don't despair, the pies will still be there.
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Occoquan will light the town Menorah tonight during a public celebration starting at 6 p.m.
Mayor Earnie Porta writes:
Join us in the Town of Occoquan’s River Mill Park on Tuesday, December 20 at 6 p.m. for the ceremonial lighting of a Menorah on the 3rd evening of Chanukah.
The Menorah was generously donated by the Chabad of Greater Gainesville & Manassas, and Rabbi Shmuly Perlstein will lead us through the evening.
This is the first time we will be lighting a public Menorah in the town and I hope many of you will be able to attend and enjoy the brief ceremony.
Occoquan sits in eastern Prince William County, near Route 123 and Old Bridge Road. River Mill Park is at 314 Mill Street in Occoquan.
Prince William County Government press release
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors recently approved funding agreements with the Virginia Department of Transportation, or VDOT, for a total of $3.25 million to build and administer two sidewalks that will make pedestrians safer in the Town of Occoquan and along Token Forest Drive in the Coles Magisterial District.
Both new sidewalks will have ramps and crossings to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The Board budgeted and appropriated $1.9 million in federal funding for 140 feet of sidewalk along Ellicott Street from Mill Street to Poplar Alley in Occoquan and another 330 feet of sidewalk from about 300 feet south of the merger of Ellicott and Union Streets. Another $156,890 in matching funds will come from proffered funds from the Prince William Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, or DPRT.
An additional $341,978 will come from the general obligation park bonds from DPRT’s planned Occoquan Greenway Capital Improvement Project. The sidewalk project will overlap the greenway project, which connects communities from the McCoart Government Complex to the town of Occoquan.
The Prince William County Department of Transportation will oversee the project in Occoquan, which meets the requirements for the voter-approved 2019 Park Improvements-Outdoor Facilities Bond Referendum.
The Token Forest Drive project will run 420 feet along the south side of the road and will link the Estates of Forest Glen neighborhood to the entrance of the Prince of Peace United Methodist Church. The sidewalk will allow safer access to the church and the Hoadly Marketplace development and connect nearby neighboring paths.
Funding for the project will include $669,569 in federal Transportation Alternatives 80% funding and requires a 20% local match of $179,883 that will come from the Coles District Transportation Road Improvement Program funds. The federal funding can be used for design, rights-of-way acquisition and construction.
The design phases of each project are scheduled to begin next summer, with construction beginning in 2025.
As he does every year, Santa Claus will be coming to Occoquan this weekend by boat. Join us at 10:30 a.m. this Saturday, December 3, as Santa arrives at the town dock behind Mamie Davis Park.
From there, he will lead a procession up Mill Street to River Mill Park, where he will visit with families from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you cannot make it Saturday, Santa will be back in River Mill Park again on Sunday, December 4, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Come help us greet Kris Kringle on one of his annual visits to the Town of Occoquan.
A woman, who is said to be middle-aged, crashed her SUV into a jersey wall while traveling south on Interstate 95 near the Occoquan River. Multiple 911 callers reported the crash at about 4 p.m.
Prince William and Fairfax county rescue crews responded to the call and worked to pull the woman from the wreckage. The woman lost consciousness.
Once freed, they loaded her onto a helicopter that landed on the highway. The helicopter took the woman to a nearby hospital for treatment. Her condition is unknown.
Rescue crews and police worked together to stop traffic on the highway, making it safe for the helicopter to land.
It was a busy afternoon for fire and rescue crews on that stretch of the highway. Just 10 minutes before callers reported the crash near the Occoquan River, another woman hit a barrier wall while traveling on I-95 north near Prince Wiliam Parkway, about two miles from where the helicopter landed.
Rescue crews reported the woman in that crash was OK and was able to get out of her car on her own.
Update Occoquan: 95SB at Route 123. All lanes are closed and medevac has landed. Pls use alternate route. https://t.co/VbUfsENA83 pic.twitter.com/S4Pmaeh8zw
— VDOT Northern VA (@VaDOTNOVA) November 24, 2022
Join us in the Town of Occoquan this Saturday, November 19, for our annual town tree lighting and shop late event. While you shop from 4:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. you will be able to enjoy an adult beverage from participating restaurants as you stroll the streets of town.
Occoquan will be decorated for the holidays, the New Dominion Choraliers will perform, and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. River Mill Park will host fire pits for roasting marshmallows, with s’more packets and hot cocoa also available for purchase. Of course, don’t forget to stop in front of Town Hall (314 Mill Street) at 6 p.m. (note the time change from prior years) for the annual lighting of the town tree.
We hope you will be able to join us on Saturday for this wonderful town tradition with which we usher in the holiday season.
The Town of Occoquan and Occoquan Business Partners announced the lineup for the annual HolidayFest in historic Occoquan, Virginia.
ANNUAL TOWN TREE LIGHTING & SHOP LATE NIGHT
Saturday, November 19, 6 PM
Historic District
Join us at 6:00 pm in front of Town Hall for our annual holiday tree lighting. Mayor Porta will officiate this time-honored tradition as Occoquan residents and visitors gather to kick off the holiday season. The New Dominion Choraliers will create a festive ambiance at the gathering. From 5 pm to 8 pm at River Mill Park, fire pits will be burning and ready for visitors to roast some marshmallows. S’more packets and hot cocoa will be available for purchase. Many businesses will be open until 8:00 pm or later this evening. Shuttle service available. From 4 pm to 8 pm, visitors may also enjoy an adult beverage as they walk about town.
SHOP, DINE, & WIN! CONTEST
November 19 – December 4
Historic District
Shop and dine at your favorite Occoquan businesses for a chance to win $1,600+ in Occoquan business gift cards! Occoquan merchants have unique offerings of home decor, clothing, gourmet food, fine art, beauty, chocolates, jewelry, stationery, and of course gifts for all ages.
SHOP SMALL WEEKEND
November 25 – 27
Historic District
Get a jump on (or finish up) your holiday shopping at the best small boutiques and retailers in the area! When you #shopsmall and #shoplocal, you’re supporting your neighborhood artists, shop keeps, restaurant owners and their hardworking staff. Businesses are busy curating unique holiday selections just for you!
HOLIDAY ARTISAN MARKET
Saturday, December 3, 11am – 5pm
Sunday, December 4, 11am – 4pm
River Mill Park
Our annual Holiday Artisan Market transforms River Mill Park into a magical holiday shopping experience! Join us on December 3 & 4 when artisans and makers will offer original, handmade work in a full range of media. From handmade bath and body
products, candles, gourmet food products and home décor to fine art and jewelry, you are sure to find the perfect gift for everyone on your holiday list-and maybe something for yourself too. Shuttle service into town available. Santa will be in the park from 11 to 1 each market day.
VISIT WITH SANTA
December 3 & 4
River Mill Park
Visit with Santa while you are in town! The big guy will arrive by boat at the town dock at Mamie Davis Park (202 Mill Street) on December 3 at 10:30am. Kids of all ages are then invited to escort Santa to River Mill Park. He will be ready to visit with families from 11am to 1:00pm both market days.
CONCERTS IN THE PARK
December 3 & 4
River Mill Park
Concerts are scheduled both days at the Holiday Artisan Market: Saturday brings Lake Ridge Chorale to River Mill Park and we’re pleased to host The Hot Lanes, a 16-piece big band on Sunday. Both concerts are at 2pm.
GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST
December 3 & 4
River Mill Park
While here, don’t pass up the opportunity to vote for your favorite gingerbread creation in each of these categories:? Traditional Gingerbread, Authentic Reproduction, Gingerbread Creations (Youth). Winners will be announced December 4 at 3:30pm.
LETTERS TO SANTA
November 19 – December 4
Drop your letter to Santa in our special North Pole mailboxes at Town Hall (314 Mill Street) or Hitchcock Paper Co. (125 Mill Street). Free coloring and fill-in Santa letters with envelopes will be available to kids of all ages at Hitchcock Paper Co. If you include a return address, Santa will send a personalized letter back!
Looking to write Santa this year? Drop your letter to Santa in our special North Pole mailboxes at Town Hall (314 Mill St, Occoquan, VA) or Hitchcock Paper Co. (125 Mill St, Occoquan, VA). Santa will send a personalized letter back if you include a return address!
Nov. 19 -Dec. 4 pic.twitter.com/Nw7V8jEVvJ— Visit Occoquan (@VisitOccoquan) November 7, 2022
FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE
Free shuttle service into town from the commuter lot at 123 and Old Bridge Road will be available each weekend throughout the holiday season:
November 19, 12pm -9pm
- November 26, 12pm -9pm
- December 3, 11am-6pm
- December 4, 11am-6pm
- December 10, 12pm -9pm
- December 17, 12pm-9pm
Tomorrow is Election Day across Virginia. Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
This year’s big races in our area are congressional seats in Virginia’s 7th District (Abigail Spanberger (D) / Yesli Vega (R) and in Virginia’s 10th District (Jennifer Wexton (D) / Hung Cao (R).
While some cities and towns also have municipal elections. Click here to find out who is on your ballot.
Sample ballots for Prince William County towns:
Here’s a sample ballot for Manassas and one for Manassas Park.
Click the link in the Tweet below to find out where to vote. Early voting ended Saturday, November 5, 2022.
Got a plan for tomorrow? Make sure you know where to go to make your voice heard. Look up your polling place on the Virginia Department of Elections’ website >> https://t.co/ebouy8SeWR pic.twitter.com/o6MIpiVfvU
— VA Dept of Elections (@vaELECT) November 7, 2022
Fairfax Water will test the warning siren on its dam near Occoquan at 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 16, 2022.
The siren is used to warn those who live nearby the dams on the Occoquan River in the event of a dam break. Residents in the town of Occoquan and Belmont Bay in Woodbridge would be affected by rising water if the dam broke.
Officials said, “if the dam sounds seek higher ground.” The siren is tested frequently.
Occoquan Mayor Earnie porta writes about the upcoming test:
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, November 16, at 10:00 a.m., when Fairfax Water will once again be testing the Occoquan Dam warning siren. Established in part through funding secured by Congressman Gerry Connolly, the siren is designed to alert people and encourage them to seek higher ground in the highly unlikely event of a massive failure of the high dam that is located approximately a mile to the west of town.
For more information on the dam, the impact zone, and the test itself, — including how you can expect the siren to sound — go tohttps://www.fairfaxwater.org/
occoquan-reservoir/occoquan-da m-siren.
The dam sits upstream from Occoquan on the Occoquan River. It holds back water on the river to form a drinking water reservoir that serves 1.5 million people in Fairfax and Prince William counties. The reservoir produces more than 17 million gallons of water per day.
