Stafford’s Celebration Stage Opens June 25

STAFFORD, Va. — The Stafford Board of Supervisors and Stafford’s 350^th Blue Ribbon Committee are announcing the grand opening of Celebration Stage at Pratt Park on Wednesday, June 25, 2014. The event will include a family festival, a ribbon cutting and live performances to herald an artistic renaissance for Stafford County. The stage was built in honor of Stafford’s 350^th anniversary this year and is Stafford’s first covered amphitheater. It will be able to host performing arts, theatrical and dance events, concerts, movies and other large-scale events, contributing to Stafford’s economic development and tourism efforts.

“The 350^th Anniversary Blue Ribbon Committee set out to leave a lasting mark with our commemoration this year, and Celebration Stage will help create that legacy in Stafford,” said Harry Crisp, Chairman of the 350^th Anniversary Blue Ribbon Committee. “The stage will nurture artistic expression and help us foster community spirit among our residents.”

The evening’s festivities will begin at 5:00 p.m. at Pratt Park, 120 River Road, with a family festival that will feature a number of attractions including delicious food vendors, live animals, and “Golfzilla,” a large scale golf arena modeled after what is arguably the world’s most popular monster. The official opening of Celebration Stage will begin at 7:00 p.m. with a special ribbon cutting ceremony. Live performances will follow that include various bands such as an exciting African American Ensemble. The stage is outdoors, and visitors should bring comfortable chairs and blankets on which to sit.

The schedule for the day follows:

Scheduled Performances:

7:00 p.m. – National Anthem

7:05 p.m. – Grand Opening – Ribbon Cutting

7:15 p.m. – The Believers – Bluegrass

7:35 p.m. – Riverside Center – Children’s Theatre

7:45 p.m. – Winding Creek African Ensemble

7:55 p.m. – Mt. Hope Baptist Choir

8:05 p.m. – Stafford Dance Center

8:15 p.m. – Stage Door Productions

Food Vendors:

Beach Fries

Family Pizzeria

McCoy’s BBQ, LLC

Poppa Bear’s Kettle Korn

Scotty’s Hot Dogs

Celebration Stage was sponsored by the Stafford Board of Supervisors and Stafford businesses Atlantic Builders, Earls True Value Hardware, and Henderson Productions.

Stafford’s 350th Anniversary Blue Ribbon Committee has planned a year-long series of events to celebrate the County’s special anniversary. Thousands of folks around the community have attended many of these events, including the special launch of the celebration on January 4 and the May 3-4 Founders Day parade and activities. Other events are ongoing throughout the year including the special 350^th Lecture Series by the Central Rappahannock Regional Library.

For more information on the 350th Anniversary events and other activities, please visit

www.Stafford350.com.