Features - Page 2 of 140 - Potomac Local News

Holy Habits and Hilarity: ‘Nunsense’ Brings Broadway-Worthy Laughs to Manassas

Published April 7, 2026 at 1:00PM

Imagine five nuns in full habit, tapping their way across a school auditorium stage while belting out show tunes about bingo, bad soup, and buried sisters. That’s not a fever dream—it’s the opening number of Nunsense, the long-running musical comedy that Actors Theatre is bringing to the Virginia ARTfactory in Manassas for a limited run next week.

The production opens Friday, April 10, and runs through Sunday, April 19, giving Northern Virginia theater fans a perfect excuse to trade their weekday routines for an evening (or matinee) of pure, unfiltered fun. Presented as a fundraiser for Actors Theatre, every ticket sold helps keep community theater thriving right here in our backyard. If you’ve been looking for a show that delivers big laughs without a big-city price tag, this is it.

Brick-lined Streets vs. Palm Trees: Caroline Street Faces Off Against Florida’s Artsy Woodland Boulevard

By Potomac Local News

Published April 3, 2026 at 3:00PM

Shoppers line Caroline Street in Downtown Fredericksburg on Small Business Saturday.

Caroline Street has danced its way all the way to the finals of Garden & Gun magazine’s “Best Main Street in the South” showdown, and it’s time to turn up the volume on those voting fingers.

In a March Madness-style bracket that’s had the whole South buzzing since mid-March, Fredericksburg’s historic downtown drag finds itself in the ultimate two-street final against Woodland Boulevard in DeLand, Florida.

Little Women Sisters Shine at Riverside Center

By Uriah Kiser

Published April 2, 2026 at 11:00AM

Audiences are stepping back in time with the March sisters in Little Women: The Broadway Musical at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, where four talented performers are bringing Louisa May Alcott’s beloved story of family, ambition, and resilience to vivid life amid the backdrop of the Civil War era.

The production, running through Sunday, April 26, 2026, at the Riverside Center in Fredericksburg, features Ashlee Beary (often credited as Ashley Berry in local coverage) as the fiery Jo March, Sarah Mae Andersen as the responsible Meg March, Ella Schnoor as the gentle Beth March, and Madison Cox as the artistic Amy March. In a recent Potomac Local Podcast interview, the quartet shared their excitement for the show, their personal connections to the material, and what makes this classic feel so fresh and relatable on stage.

Tulips, Theater & Easter Skating: April 3–5 Roundup

By Uriah Kiser

Published April 1, 2026 at 3:00PM

Spring is bursting with color and fun across Northern Virginia this weekend! From vibrant tulip fields to family skating parties and a clever twist on a classic tale, there’s something for everyone in our community and just a short drive away. Grab your calendar and get ready to celebrate the season with neighbors and friends.

For more details and to register or buy tickets, https://bloomiaflowers.ticketspice.com/tulip-festival

From Elementary School Courts to National Title Game: Patriot High Trio Fuels Mary Washington’s Historic Run

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published April 1, 2026 at 11:00AM

Mens Basketball - Sweet Sixteen

The University of Mary Washington men’s basketball team is making history. For the first time in program history, the Eagles are heading to the NCAA Division III national championship, set for Sunday, April 5, in Indianapolis.

A big part of this story is the remarkable bond among three players: juniors Kaden Bates, Jay Randall, and freshman Ethan Kacou. All three share roots that trace back to Patriot High School in Bristow, Virginia. For Kaden and Jay, their connection goes even further—they’ve been playing basketball together since elementary school.

Haymarket, Prince William medical centers add drug take back receptacles

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 27, 2026 at 9:00AM

UVA Health has installed secure drug take-back receptacles in the emergency departments of its Culpeper, Haymarket, and Prince William Medical Centers to make safe year-round disposal of unused and expired medications more convenient for patients, visitors, and staff.

1.500 Gather for Eid Prayer at Masroor Mosque

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 26, 2026 at 1:00PM

About 1,500 men, women, and children from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community gathered at Masroor Mosque in Manassas on Friday, March 20, to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. Members began arriving at 9:30 a.m. for the special day marking the end of Ramadan.

Imam Salman Tariq led the Eid prayer and delivered the sermon, urging the community to live simply and follow the example of the Holy Prophet Muhammad. He reminded worshippers that true success lies in serving God and continuing the good deeds practiced during the holy month, rather than chasing wealth. Chapter President Kareemullah Kaleem then shared an Eid message from the National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, quoting the community’s second Caliph on striving for a deeper union with God.

The PEEPS Are Coming to Occoquan: 9th Annual Diorama Show Brings Sweet Whimsy to Historic River Town

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 25, 2026 at 3:00PM

Get ready for the annual Occoquan PEEPS Show in Occoquan

Now in its 9th year, the free, family-friendly event runs April 1-4, 2026, with no tickets required. Businesses and community members craft whimsical PEEPS marshmallow dioramas displayed in shop windows throughout the town and at Town Hall.

Echoes of Courage: The Rowser Building and the Women Who Lit the Path to Freedom in Stafford County

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 20, 2026 at 9:00AM

Stafford County Parks and Recreation is highlighting stories rooted in the county’s history, with a focus this month on the Rowser Building and the Path to African American Mural.

The Rowser Building, built in 1939 as Stafford Training School, was the only facility in the county where Black students could pursue education beyond the seventh grade during segregation. Local African American families helped fund the land purchase, and the school served students. Over the decades, it evolved into H.H. Poole Junior High and later H.H. Poole High School. In 1976, it was renamed to honor Ella Rowser, an educator who served as a teacher, guidance counselor, and principal.

New Signs Point Way to Chopawamsic Backcountry Gem in Prince William Forest Park

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 19, 2026 at 9:00AM

Drivers along Joplin Road (VA Route 619) next to Prince William Forest Park may have noticed them recently: a few new signs directing visitors straight to the parking lot for the Chopawamsic Backcountry Area.

These fresh markers are shining a spotlight on a hidden gem tucked within one of Northern Virginia’s most treasured outdoor destinations. For those who love getting away from it all without traveling far, the improved visibility makes this special section easier than ever to find and explore.