OCCOQUAN, Va. — Two new historical markers have been installed in Occoquan, highlighting little-known aspects of the town’s early economic and environmental history.
Funded by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC), the markers are located near the Mill House Museum and Mamie Davis Park. The project is part of a broader effort to add interpretive signage along the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, which runs through the town.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – On the album cover of Karen Jonas’ “The Rise and Fall of American Kitsch,” released in August 2024, Karen is depicted holding a drink and a bottle of liquor, sporting a neutral expression and a few tattoos here and there. Throw in a 1960s floor-model television set, an ashtray, a religious statue, and an electric guitar, and it all screams “kitsch,” from the day when it was hip to be kitsch.
Jonas and a photographer tossed around a couple of ideas before settling on the art for the cover. “We were thinking about it for a couple of months, it was fun,” she said.
Event organizer Dalton Okolo sported two high-powered cameras as he mingled with the crowd. “This is our second year, we have to figure ourselves out,” he said. The festival is supported by the Fredericksburg Office of Economic Development and Tourism, as well as several local businesses. At the opening reception, it was too early to predict the outcome, but Okolo was optimistic. “There are large amounts of enthusiasm online,” he said. Okolo is joined on the management side by Executive Producer & Experience Designer Wa’ad Adam, and producers Carlos Naranjo, Antonella Membreno, and John Heyn.
Okolo is a director, writer, and producer based in Fredericksburg, known for his Virginia-based short films, including “She’s Mine Now” (2022) and “Missing You” (2021). He is with 1108 Media, where he encourages Virginia-based filmmakers, strengthening the local film community. After the reception, there was a “Shorts Block,” with films “Dirty Towel,” “How to Feel Fullfilled at Work,” and “Waiting for April,” a film by a couple of Alexandria filmmakers Timothy Parsons and Kyle Schick.
MANASSAS, Va. — There’s more than meets the eye at Liberia House, one of the most historic homes in Northern Virginia. On April 19 at 2 p.m., you’ll get the rare chance to explore every level of the house—from its mysterious basement to the sunlight-filled attic—during a guided tour offered in both English and Spanish.
This special “Basement to Attic Tour” invites visitors to experience the stunning architecture of the home and learn stories of the people who once lived there, including soldiers, servants, and presidents. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children. To reserve a spot, visit cityofmanassas.recdesk.com.
SuperCon is back in downtown Manassas and promises a weekend packed with geek culture, gaming, cosplay, and a brush with Hollywood.
The convention, hosted by ARTfactory, will take place Saturday, April 26, and Sunday, April 27, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at 9419 Battle Street. This year’s headliner is Jamie Flanagan, a Bram Stoker Award-winning writer and actor known for their work on Netflix series including “The Haunting of Bly Manor,” “Midnight Mass,” and “The Fall of the House of Usher,” as well as AMC Shudder’s “Creepshow” and “Peacock’s Hysteria!”.
At Old Mill Park along the Rappahannock River, there are spots where the mowers can’t reach, and to send a landscape professional in there with a weed whacker could be dangerous, so Fredericksburg has sent in the goats.
They munch the weeds until the job is done, leave a bit of organic fertilizer, and then jump on the truck to the next job, clearing invasive species at the following location.
Chief Allen Sibert of the Town of Haymarket Police Department is gearing up for the second annual Senior Summit, a free, one-of-a-kind event focused on empowering older adults with vital resources and protection from scams.
The event will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Park Valley Church, located at 4500 Waverly Farm Drive in Haymarket.
Families and adventure seekers in Stafford County can gear up for a fun-filled outdoor experience this spring as Blue and Terrence’s Excellent Egg Venture returns for another year. The event, which kicked off on April 1, 2025, encourages participants to explore local parks and tourism sites while hunting for hidden eggs and earning prizes.
“We created Blue and Terrence’s Excellent Egg Venture as a way to highlight our parks, get families outdoors, and bring more visitors to Stafford,” said Lisa Logan, Tourism Program Director for Stafford County. “Last year, we launched it in just two weeks, and we received so much positive feedback that we’ve spent this entire year making it even better.”
One of Fredericksburg’s most popular parks will transform into an eco-celebration zone on Saturday, April 26, as the city hosts its annual Earth Day Festival at Old Mill Park.
Now in its 20th year, the festival draws thousands of attendees and celebrates environmental awareness through hands-on activities, live entertainment, and eco-friendly vendors.
The Fredericksburg Film Festival (FFF) is back for its second year, promising an impressive lineup of films from around the world, including selections from prestigious festivals like Cannes, Sundance, and Tribeca.
Set to take place from April 16-20, 2025, this year’s event will highlight top-tier independent films, Virginia-based filmmakers, and a growing arts culture in Fredericksburg.
