Prince William County Government: “Prince William County leaders, staff and members of the Lake Ridge community came together to celebrate the officially opening of the Occoquan Greenway Hedges Run Segment 3 Bridge that was installed earlier this summer.”
“The new bridge, for both pedestrians and bicyclists, is an upgrade to an existing trail, leased for public access from Lake Ridge Parks and Recreation Association, in the Lake Ridge community near the Occoquan Reservoir. The bridge and associated trail reroute replaces three splash-through creek crossings with a single elevated pedestrian/bicycle route.”
The ribbon cutting took place on December 7, 2023.
Occoquan Mayor Earine Porta: “Visit River Mill Park in the town of Occoquan on Thursday, December 7, at 5:30 p.m., as our friends from Chabad Lubavitch of Greater Gainesville & Manassas celebrate the first night of Hanukkah by lighting the menorah they generously donated to the town last year. This event is free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome.”
Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta: “Come down to Occoquan this Saturday, December 1, and greet Santa as he arrives by boat at the town dock behind Madigan’s Waterfront Restaurant at 10:45 a.m. After disembarking Santa will walk down Mill Street to River Mill Park where he will meet with children of all ages starting at 11:00 a.m.”
Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta: “Saturday, November 18, the town will host two dedications. First, at 3:00 p.m., town officials will cut the ribbon for the new welcome mural at the Route 123 entrance to town. This work, by artist Alethea Marie Robinson and commissioned by the Town Council, was selected from a number of wonderful submissions.”
“Then, at 3:30 p.m., town officials will cut the ribbon for the official naming of the island under the Route 123 bridge. For a period of approximately one year the island will be known and signed as ‘Heron’s Haven’, the name submitted by Tom and Mary Craig during the town’s island naming contest held last June during Riverfest. Please feel free to stop by both dedications this Saturday.”
“And don’t forget that there is no need to worry about finding parking in town for all of Saturday’s activities. The town will be running the FREE Occoquan Express shuttle service from noon until 8:00 p.m. from the VDOT commuter lot at the corner of Route 123 and Old Bridge Road. Shuttle service will run approximately every 20 minutes, depending on traffic.”
Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta: “This Saturday, November 18, is the kickoff for the town of Occoquan’s annual HolidayFest. From 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, one block of Mill Street will be turned into a pop up market with almost 30 vendors, while many town businesses will be open until 8:00 p.m. as well. From 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.”
“Sip & Stroll rules will be effect enabling visitors to walk and shop in the historic district while enjoying adult beverages from participating restaurants. Then, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. there will again be fire pits with free marshmallows to roast, as well as cocoa, cider, and s’mores kits available for purchase adjacent to River Mill Park. And, of course, the centerpiece of the event will be the annual town tree lighting in front of the Occoquan Town Hall (314 Mill Street) at 6:00 p.m.”
“We hope you will consider joining us for this annual town tradition. For more information go to https://www.visitoccoquanva.com/holiday.”
Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta: “Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 14, at 10:00 a.m., 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 to www.occoquandamsiren.com.”
Friends of the Occoquan: “On a cold and windy Saturday morning, eighty volunteers cleaned up the Occoquan River/Reservoir. Collectively, they removed 45 trash and 49 recyclable bags, including two tires, one car door, two pallets, two tarps, one bench seat, one paint bucket, one plastic board, and multiple balls. Three balls were taken home by the children.”
“Volunteer Sheldon Greenberg concentrated on picking up cigarette butts, filling a quarter of a large plastic bag. Cub Scout Pack 1365 came out in full force with 23 members and high school students from several Eastern PWCounty schools, including returning kayakers, SEVTech1 employees, and families with their children.”
“FOTO thanks all their devoted volunteers for helping clean up the Occoquan Watershed and the park managers’ cooperation, their helpful staff, and our sponsors.”
Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta: “As we gear up for Occoquan’s annual Spirit & Spirits Halloween event the last weekend in October, please consider volunteering to help out with setting up our popular Haunted Maze [Saturday, October 28, 2023]. The maze boasts 15 themed areas and 32 scare zones (we rate the maze PG-13 – it’s for adults and brave, older kids). All the net proceeds from the maze benefit the Occoquan 501(c)(3) organization Patriots for Disabled Divers, which uses scuba as a therapeutic tool for wounded warriors. To volunteer to help set up the maze go to https://form.jotform.com/232664710969163.”
Friends of the Occoquan: “The new date for the river clean-up is set for October 21, 2023. We sincerely hope that you can adjust your schedules and join us on this rescheduled date. Your participation is invaluable to us, and your efforts contribute to the betterment of our community and environment.”
“Thank you once again for your unwavering support. We look forward to seeing you on October 21st. In the meantime, please stay safe and well.”
Organizers canceled the original event planned for October 14, 2023, due to rain.
