Features

See The Sound of Music in Fredericksburg—with Manassas’ Own in the Spotlight

By Uriah Kiser
Glyptis

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – International opera and musical theater performer Kelly Glyptis is returning to her roots this month, starring as Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts.

Glyptis, who grew up in Manassas and graduated from what was then Stonewall Jackson Senior High School—now Unity-Reed High School—called the opportunity to perform back home “really special.” She previously toured with The Sound of Music in 2018 and now steps fully into the role for a limited run that begins August 20 and continues through October 26. Glyptis is scheduled to perform through October 6.

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Swing Into August with the Marine Big Band

By Potomac Local News

QUANTICO, Va. – If you love jazz and big band music, mark your calendar for Thursday, August 7. That’s when “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Big Band brings its swing-era style to the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

This high-energy jazz ensemble performs the music of legends like Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, and Count Basie. It’s part of the U.S. Marine Band, the oldest professional musical group in the country.

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Riverside Expands Concert Series with Motown, Rockabilly, Big Band, and More

By Uriah Kiser

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — The Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is tuning up for a year of music, nostalgia, and dance as it formally launches a new concert series featuring tributes to Motown, Jerry Lee Lewis, and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra—with even more to come in 2026.

Artistic Director Patrick A’Hearn confirmed the lineup will bring a variety of genres to Riverside’s mainstage beginning in August, alongside a newly adopted strategy of shorter theatrical runs to make room for more live music.

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Riverside Center Plans Tighter Runs, Bigger Impact for 2026 Season

By Uriah Kiser

As Next to Normal prepares to close on August 3, the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is already looking ahead—unveiling the first details of its 2026 season, which promises to blend musical nostalgia, literary beauty, and patriotic charm.

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From Pups to Passports: First Friday Celebrations Sweep Across Manassas, Manassas Park, and Fredericksburg on August 1

By Potomac Local News

With summer winding down and school bells on the horizon, three localities are getting ready to send the season off in style. Friday, August 1, 2025, promises a trifecta of celebrations across Manassas, Manassas Park, and Fredericksburg, each with its own unique theme, local flavor, and community focus.

🐶 Manassas: Dog Days of Summer First Friday

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The Prince William County Fair is Back: What’s New and Returning in 2025

By Caitlyn Meisner
[Graphic courtesy of Prince William County Fairgrounds]

The Fairgrounds have been a regional staple since 1949, when it was first used for a dairy show organized by World War II veterans who wanted to promote agriculture in the county, a Visit Prince William website states. It is the largest county fair in the Commonwealth, and it has consistently drawn more than 90,000 visitors in recent years.

Bridget Mullins with the Fair said attendees can visit the 4-H Club demonstrations or the livestock shows to delve into the Fair’s history.

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Free Dog Adoptions This Weekend—It’s ‘Dogust,’ and Everyone’s Invited

By Potomac Local News

The folks at the Prince William County Animal Shelter just gave Potomac Local News a heads-up about something special happening this weekend: they’re throwing a big birthday bash for shelter dogs—and covering all adoption fees to celebrate.

It’s all part of “Dogust,” the annual celebration for pups without known birthdays. From Friday, August 1 through Sunday, August 3, you can adopt a dog for free at the shelter on Bristow Road in Manassas. Prince William Animal Advocates and Dave’s Dogs are teaming up to sponsor the event, making it easier for local families to bring home a new best friend.

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Stafford’s Getting a New Dog Park—And You’re Invited to the Ribbon Cutting

By Potomac Local News

STAFFORD, Va. – A new dog park is opening soon in Stafford County’s Rock Hill District, and the community is invited to celebrate. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 10 a.m. at 2085 Mountain View Road, just south of Margaret Brent Elementary School.

The park’s name—chosen by residents through a contest—will be revealed at the event. The naming honors retired and deceased working dogs from the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office and other local agencies.

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Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center, Chatham to Close for Major Upgrades Beginning August 4

By Potomac Local News
Fredericksburg National Battlefield Visitor Center

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center and Chatham Manor, two of the most prominent sites within Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, will temporarily close for extensive upgrades starting August 4, 2025, according to the National Park Service.

The closures will allow for essential infrastructure improvements and safety upgrades. The Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center will be closed for approximately six to seven months to accommodate the installation of a fire suppression system, a waterline upgrade, and an overhaul of the building’s aging electrical systems. Chatham will close for about one year for interior rehabilitation, including lead paint encapsulation, new carpet installation, and plaster repairs.

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Occoquan Targets Invasive Snakeheads with One-Night Fishing Event at River Mill Park

By Uriah Kiser
Occoquan riverwalk. [Photo: Occoquan Town Government Facebook page]

OCCOQUAN, Va. – In an effort to curb the spread of a harmful invasive species while offering a rare fishing opportunity in town limits, the Town of Occoquan will host the inaugural Snakehead Roundup on Sunday, August 3, from 8 to 11 p.m. at River Mill Park.

The nighttime fishing event is designed to draw attention to the ecological threat posed by northern snakeheads — an aggressive, non-native fish that has become a persistent problem along the Occoquan River. The event is open to licensed anglers and will focus exclusively on the catch and removal of the invasive species.

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