Workhouse Haunt is back for its 11th season, delivering spine-chilling thrills with a twisted take on classic fairy tales. Running every weekend from October 4 to November 2, this haunted trail through the historic Workhouse prison will transport guests into reimagined, terrifying versions of Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and more. With pre- and post-trail festivities, including food trucks, Halloween art, and DJ music, it's a must-see for thrill-seekers.
Special sensory-friendly sessions are available for families on October 20. Tickets start at $25.
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There will be several different special guests, performances, challenges and local agencies present at the expo. Read more below for the event schedule.
Schedule
- Noon to 12:10 p.m.:Â Opening ceremony (Ball Field 2)
- 12:10 to 12:35 p.m.:Â Prince William County Pipes & Drums
- 1 to 1:30 p.m.:Â Woodbridge High School Marching Band
- 1:30 to 2 p.m.:Â Make the Right Call Presentation
- 2 to 2:30 p.m.:Â Manassas Park High School Drum Line
- 2:30 to 3 p.m.:Â Egg Drop Challenge (Demo Alley)
- 3 to 3:30 p.m.:Â Vehicle Extrication
- 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.:Â School of Rock Haymarket House Band (Courtyard)
Exhibitors
FIRE & RESCUE
- PWC Fire & Rescue System
- Fire Marshal’s Office
- HAZMAT
- Life & Fire Safety Programs
- Office of Emergency Management
- Department of Fire & Rescue CPAT/Human Resources Office
- City of Manassas Fire & Rescue Department
- Manassas Park Fire & Rescue Department
LAW ENFORCEMENT
- Prince William County Police Department
- Prince William County Sheriff’s Office
- Manassas Park Police Department
- Town of Haymarket Police Department
- Town of Occoquan Police Department
- Quantico Police Department
- Dumfries Police Department
- Virginia State Police
LOCAL & REGIONAL AGENCIES
- AirCare 1 (PHI Air Medical Manassas)
- Department of Forestry
- Virginia Forestry
- Civil Air Patrol
- Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital
- Prince William District Scouts
- Prince William County Community Foundation
- NOVA Food Rescue
- PWC Animal Services
- Saving Prince William’s Littles
- Area Agency on Aging
- PWC Public Safety Communications 911
- Office of Executive Management
- Human Rights Commission
- Community Services Wellness & Prevention
- Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court Seals on Wheels
- PWC Building Development Building Code Enforcement
- Prince William Public Libraries’ Mobile Library Unit
- Office of Housing and Community Development
- Neabsco District Supervisor Victor Angry
- Volunteer Prince William
- Public Works/Solid Waste Management
- Office of Procurement Services
- PWC Department of Facilities & Fleet Management
ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
- PWCFRS Honor Guard
- Prince William County Pipes & Drums
- Antique Fire & Rescue Apparatus
- MedStar Health – Bleeding Control VR Experience
- PSCC 911 – Make the Right Call Presentation
- Firefighter/EMS Gear Dress Up Station
- Face Painting
- Egg Drop Challenge
- Rules
- Registration Form (closes Wed., Oct.9th @ 5 p.m.)
SPECIAL GUESTS
- Sparky the Fire Dog
- McGruff the Crime Dog
- Smokey the Bear
MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
- Woodbridge High School Marching Band
- Manassas Park High School Drum Line
- School of Rock Haymarket House Band
FOOD TRUCKS
- Two Smooth Dudes
- Virginia Grill
- Sweet Frog
- Bella’s Cafe
AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!
Occoquan Elementary is set to become the first net-zero school in Prince William County Schools and will be located in Woodbridge. The new 120,000-square-foot, three-level building will replace the oldest school in PWCS.
"The new Occoquan Elementary School will be a beacon of progress, embodying our dedication to providing an exceptional learning environment while respecting and preserving our planet,” Babur B. Lateef, chairman of the PWCS School Board, said at the ceremony. "This school will be a place where innovation thrives, where students are inspired to think critically and creatively and where they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to become the leaders of tomorrow. By harnessing the power of the sun and the earth, we are setting a precedent for future generations, teaching them the importance of sustainability and the impact of their choices on the world around them."
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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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Greetings, Prince William: Mark Your Calendars for Volunteer Prince William’s Fall Reverse Raffle & Dinner in support of Untrim-A-Tree, October 19, 6:30pm at Prince William County Fairgrounds 10624 Dumfries Road, Manassas 20112. Doors open at 6pm, the raffle begins at 7pm. Your $100 donation includes dinner for 2, two drink tickets per ticket and the opportunity to win prizes leading up to the Grand Prize of $10,000! It should be a fun evening of good food, networking, and a chance to win the Grand Prize, all to support a cause which will guarantee vulnerable children in our community will have a Merry Christmas on December 25! Please email [email protected] for more information.
- Support our veterans by giving the gift of a lift! Our VETS program has an ongoing need for volunteers age 21+ to provide transportation to local veterans and their spouse on weekdays to medical appointments, shopping, etc. If you’re a veteran looking to connect with fellow vets or looking to fill up your day, this is a meaningful experience. Schedules are flexible, and you’ll feel great as you provide a ride, a friendly face and help this population meet their needs! Please visit https://bit.ly/4eWwrdB for details, email [email protected] for more information. This opportunity is made possible by a grant from Potomac Health Foundation.
- You can help senior citizens facing food insecurity! ACTS needs dedicated volunteers to deliver boxes of food to homebound seniors and people with disabilities in eastern Prince William County Monday-Thursday, 11am-1pm. Volunteers need a valid driver’s license and can use any size vehicle, though a van may be provided if necessary. Boxes can weigh up to 40 pounds. Volunteers typically call or text recipients to notify them that their delivery is on the way. You’ll feel great as you ensure that those who are unable to leave their homes receive the food they need! Note: Client Intake Volunteers are also needed! Duties include assisting clients with booking appointments, registering new clients, and ensuring every client receives the support they need. Familiarity with client intake software and fluency in Spanish helpful, but not necessary! For more information, please email [email protected].
- Catholic Charities in Manassas is looking for Fall Semester Interns to support their Migration and Refugee Services which helps newly arrived families find community and support to thrive in the US. Numerous projects need intern support such as outreach, client assistance, database work, newsletter and much more! You’ll have a busy and rewarding semester as you help immigrants successfully navigate the various systems to get settled in the US! Please email [email protected] for more information.
- Do you enjoy supporting live concerts? Clearbrook Center of the Arts located in Lake Ridge needs volunteer Event Stagehands age 18+ to contribute to the smooth running of their events. Jobs include guiding show bands to their designated staging areas, assisting bands with load-in/breakdown and helping with stage setup/breakdown. You get to enjoy some great live music and get Free admission to a future Clearbrook concert of your choice! To view the concert schedule, please visit
www.clearbrookcenterofthearts.org, visit their SignUp Genius page at
https://signup.com/go/gjAhPZb to volunteer. Please email [email protected] for more information. - Lace up your running shoes - Girls on The Run Northern Virginia is preparing for their Fall season September 23-November 24, and they need Volunteer Coaches age 16+ to coach teams in the greater Prince William community! No experience needed; just a desire to support and encourage the next generation. Must commit to 2-3 hours a week for the season with a few additional hours required for Coach Training and the GOTR NOVA season-ending 5K celebration. Coaches receive all the tools and support they need and find that they get as much out of coaching as they give. You’ll feel awesome as you help young girls gain confidence in themselves and their abilities! Please visit www.gotrnova.org/coach to learn more, email [email protected] for more information.
- It’s that time again – Historic Manassas, Inc. needs volunteers to support the upcoming Fall Jubilee October 5, 6am-6pm in Old Town Manassas! Volunteers of any age are welcome, volunteers under age 16 must volunteer with an adult over 18. Duties include setup, keeping trash picked up, helping to monitor Kids Areas and the Stage Area. You’ll have a fun time enjoying all the sights, food, and music of this event while you help to promote the advantages of visiting Old Town! Please visit https://bit.ly/3Sp91TJ to sign up, email [email protected] to learn more.
- Are you a fan of gardening? Prince William Conservation Alliance is looking for volunteers to help prepare the wildlife garden at Merrimac Farm, 15014 Deepwood Lane, Nokesville for the winter season on September 21, 9am-12pm. Jobs include pulling trees, removing plants, clearing paths, hanging deer deterrents, taking inventory, and cleaning the very small pond. Please feel free to bring your own tools, especially to cut and remove small trees; tools and gloves will be available for use. This family-friendly event is a wonderful opportunity to support native wildlife, get outside, and welcome the changing of the seasons! Please visit https://bit.ly/3XmbWyJ for more information, email [email protected] to learn more.
- “Farm livin’ is the life for me…” Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District is hosting Farm Field Days October 9 and 10, 8am-1pm at the Prince William County Fairgrounds, 10624 Dumfries Road, Manassas 20112. Volunteers are needed to support this event which educates 4th graders about agriculture and farm life. Duties include helping set up, check in volunteers, monitor various agricultural stations, set up/monitor the concession stand and guide student groups from one station to the next. No farm experience is needed! Lunch will be provided to volunteers once the event ends. This should be lots of fun as you help educate students about farm living! Please visit https://bit.ly/3smBobx to register. Questions? Please email [email protected] or call 571.379.7514 to learn more.
- You can help clean up the Occoquan River! On September 21, 9am-2pm Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition (PWTSC) is conducting its 15th Annual Clean-Up of the Upper Occoquan River from nine different sites along 25+ miles of the Occoquan River. Experienced kayakers, canoeists, Jon boaters, and pontoon boaters are also requested for the on-the-water portion of this conservation effort. Homeowners’ associations, civic associations, and businesses are encouraged to join in this effort. T-shirts and refreshments provided, you’ll feel great knowing you’re helping to beautify an area which provides water for most of eastern Prince William and Fairfax counties! Please visit https://bit.ly/3MfMRjR to sign up, email [email protected] to learn more. Rain Date September 28.
- Jazz Lovers! Please join the Virginia Women and Family Support Center for an enchanting evening under the stars at Jazz on the Lawn September 21, 4pm-9pm at 14019A Glenkirk Road in Gainesville! Immerse yourself in the soothing melodies of live jazz presented by The Continental Jazz Congress. Relax and unwind as you sip on unlimited wines and indulge in a delicious dinner provided by BJ's Brewhouse and complemented with a dessert bar. Whether you're a lover of jazz, looking for a date night or want to unwind in the company of friends and neighbors, this event promises to be a delightful fusion of music, community, and culinary delights! You’ll feel great as you treat yourself to an unforgettable night out and know that 100% of proceeds will go towards housing women and families in need. Please visit www.vawfsc.org/jazzonthelawn for more information and ticket purchase, email [email protected] to learn more.
If you are looking for other opportunities, please don’t forget to call our wonderful team at Volunteer Prince William at 703.369.5292. You can also visit our website at www.volunteerprincewilliam.org. Thanks so much for all you do in our community.
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Press Release:
This week, the Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department (OWL VFD) proudly unveils its newest community initiative: a Little Free Library dedicated to Assistant Chief Michael Clark. Located in front of Station 14, the library is a tribute to Chief Clark's 35 years of service, commitment to education, and lifelong dedication to the OWL VFD.
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Sanctuary jurisdictions typically have regulations that limit cooperation with ICE, impacting the enforcement of immigration laws. These measures may include refusing ICE detainers, restricting agency interactions with ICE, or hindering the sharing of information about incarcerated aliens.
ICE uses detainers as a key mechanism to detain aliens involved in criminal activities, ensuring their custody transfer for deportation. These detainers provide details about the individual’s criminal and immigration history, highlighting their public safety or security risk.
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Tropical Storm Debby is expected to bring two to three inches of rain, possible tornadoes, and wind gusts of 40-50 mph to our area. Significant inland flooding from the Occoquan River and local creeks such as Ballywhack Creek is likely. Occoquan Town staff prepare for the storm by stocking emergency materials and cleaning drainage grates. At the same time, residents are advised to exercise caution, report power outages, and stay alert for potential flash flooding and downed power lines.
From Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta:
As many of you are probably aware, Tropical Storm Debby is expected to impact our area most heavily this evening through Friday. Projected impacts include 2-3 inches of rain, possible tornados, and wind gusts of 40-50 mph. Those of you who have lived in Occoquan for 10-15 years likely recall it is often less the winds that impact the town, but inland flooding from the prodigious amounts of rain that such storms may bring.
Of course, one source of such flooding is the Occoquan River itself. Yet thanks to the capabilities of Fairfax Water and others, the amount of potential flooding from both water coming over the dam (which does not and has never had any flood control gates) and water coming upriver from a tidal bore is fairly predictable, and riverfront property owners are generally well prepared, knowing that the occasional downside of a beautiful waterfront location is that the river will sometimes overflow its banks.
Much less predictable and a more consistent source of damage in town is flash flooding from the creeks that enter town, particularly Ballywhack Creek at Tanyard Hill Road. This is an inevitable feature of living in a riverfront valley, but over the last ten years a great deal of progress has been made in addressing flooding associated with the creek. Prince William County has retrofitted the storm water retention pond on LRPRA property to slow the water that flows into the creek from outside of town.
Typically, Prince William County also checks the catcher devices upstream from town before a storm to ensure they are clear of debris and ready to stop new debris that might flow downstream and block the culvert under Tanyard Hill Road. VDOT has also installed and deepened drainage trenches along the roadway to catch and redirect more water.
Video: Occoquan floods during Tropical Storm Alex in 2011
Heavy rainfall across portions of the Carolinas is expected to persist through today along with areas of considerable flooding. Heavy rainfall will also result in considerable to locally catastrophic flooding impacts across portions of the Mid-Atlantic States and Northeast… pic.twitter.com/tmQqE6qVMH
— National Weather Service (@NWS) August 8, 2024
For the past week, crews have been working to replace underground water pipes in Occoquan.
If you’re a business owner, resident, or frequent town visitor, please let us know how this work has affected you in the comments.
Mayor Earnie Porta issued this statement over the weekend to describe the ongoing work.
I have received a number of inquiries regarding the construction on Union and Commerce Streets from individuals who may not have signed up for AlertOccoquan or viewed updates on the town web site. The construction is to replace degraded storm water pipes. Funding for this particular project was secured by Virginia Delegate Luke Torian and is a precursor to a more comprehensive storm water system upgrade that will be funded by the federal government through the efforts of Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger. This particular construction is expected to be completed next week, weather permitting, and will continue to be accompanied by temporary parking restrictions and road closures. Town Manager, Adam Linn, has indicated that Deputy Town Manager Matt Whitmoyer and Deputy Chief Jason Forman were instrumental in negotiating the use of state funding for this project. For regular updates, please subscribe to the town’s official public notification system, AlertOccoquan, by going to the following link: occoquanva.gov/government/public-safety/alertoccoquan/. Photos below are courtesy of Councilmember Cindy Fithian.
Occoquan sits on the banks of the river of the same name, just off I-95 near Woodbridge.
