Manassas

MANASSAS, Va. – Elle Woods is heading to Harvard Law — and to the local stage!

Pied Piper Theatre, the youth division of the ARTfactory in Manassas, is bringing the high-energy musical Legally Blonde to life on Friday and Saturday, June 27 and 28, from 7 to 9 p.m. Based on the 2001 hit movie and the novel by Amanda Brown, the show follows Elle, a stylish sorority queen who proves she’s more than just a pretty face when she enrolls at Harvard to win back her ex — and ends up finding her true self instead.


Prince William

DUMFRIES, Va. – The Town of Dumfries will host its Independence Day Fireworks Show on Sunday, July 6, from 5 to 10 p.m. at Garrison Park.

According to a flyer from the Department of Recreation and Civic Engagement, the free event will feature live music and food vendors from 5 to 9:30 p.m., with fireworks launching at dark. Garrison Park is located at 17749 Main Street.


Prince William

BRISTOW, Va. – The Prince William Board of County Supervisors has approved a third deferral for the Bristow Campus data center proposal, following a last-minute request from the applicant. The decision, made during the board’s June 24 meeting, postpones the vote on the project until September 9, 2025.

The proposed project from Stack Infrastructure seeks to rezone approximately 58 acres along Nokesville Road to accommodate a 540,000-square-foot data center campus. The site lies outside the county’s Data Center Opportunity Zone Overlay District, requiring both a rezoning and a special use permit.


Prince William

The Spring RiverFest and Craft Show, held June 7–8, drew crowds despite intermittent rain, thanks to the efforts of nearly 90 volunteers and a dedicated town staff. New events coordinator Tammy Hassett and Town Manager Adam Lynn were credited with steering the complex operation. Hassett, known for her modesty, emphasized the team effort and praised police officers, municipal employees, and volunteers alike.

Mayor Ernie Porta extended his appreciation to the participants and supporters who made the festival a success. “We appreciate all of you and the substantial effort you exerted,” Porta said on the Occoquan Radio Podcast. “Without you, of course, it could not have been such a success.” He also thanked former events director Julie Little, who recently retired but helped with the event right up to her official departure.


Neighborhood Notes

Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to headline a Fourth of July naturalization ceremony in Mount Vernon, while a truck fire temporarily shut down Route 17 in Stafford. Plus, dangerous heat is slowing VRE trains and prompting new cooling options across the region.


Fredericksburg

On June 16, the Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (FAMPO) Policy Committee approved Resolution 2550, selecting Option C—a route connecting Celebrate Virginia Parkway in Stafford County with Gordon W. Shelton Boulevard in Fredericksburg—as the preferred corridor. The approval allows consultants to complete cost estimates and finalize documents ahead of a federally required environmental review (NEPA).

Fredericksburg officials supported Option C with a 6-1 vote, and Stafford County unanimously endorsed it. Spotsylvania County declined to endorse a specific route, raising concerns about potential impacts on local roads such as Fall Hill Avenue, Bragg Road, and River Road.


Manassas

MANASSAS, Va. – The Hylton Performing Arts Center is inviting the community to “share in the joy of the performing arts” with the launch of subscriptions for its newly announced 2025–26 season. The announcement comes as the center celebrates its most popular shows of the current season, led by the world-renowned vocal ensemble Chanticleer.

Subscriptions for the upcoming season are on sale now and include a dynamic mix of returning audience favorites and exciting new performers. The 2025–26 season kicks off with Broadway and television star Jeremy Jordan on Saturday, September 21. Jordan is currently performing in the critically acclaimed Floyd Collins at Lincoln Center and is best known for starring roles in The Great Gatsby, Newsies, Bonnie & Clyde, NBC’s Smash, and The CW’s Supergirl.


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