Features - Page 26 of 139 - Potomac Local News

Festive Fun in Manassas: Tree Lightings, Parades, and Ice Skating Await

Published November 11, 2024 at 8:00AM

The Christmas lights are up on Meredith House in Downtown Manassas, a newly renovated, 165-year-old house turned social club.

We’re getting our first look at Christmastime events in and around Manassas, and it’s shaping up to be a season full of festive fun for the whole family.

Manassas City has a lineup of holiday happenings in early December. On Friday night, December 6, at 5:15 p.m., the city will light up with Santa Lights Manassas. Santa will arrive to bring holiday cheer and officially kick off the season with the lighting ceremony. The celebrations continue with the 78th Greater Manassas Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 7, at 10 a.m. This year’s theme, Christmas in Candyland, promises a delightful parade filled with sweet surprises, from colorful floats to festive marching bands.

Successful Occoquan Arts and Crafts Show Sets Tone for Holiday Season

By Potomac Local News

Published November 8, 2024 at 10:45AM | Updated November 9, 2024 at 10:53AM

The 2024 Fall Arts and Crafts Show in Occoquan, held from September 27 to September 29, wrapped up with positive reviews, high attendance, and valuable lessons learned. Despite challenges, the community and vendors enjoyed a weekend filled with art, crafts, and unique experiences, establishing the show as a beloved event in the town’s calendar.

Organized by town employee Julie Little and her team, this year’s show featured hundreds of vendors offering handmade items, artisanal products, and creative experiences. Many vendors were excited to showcase and purchase items before the upcoming Christmas, recognizing the show as a prime opportunity to kick-start holiday sales and stock up on unique gifts and decorations.

Today: Flags For Heroes Ceremony Honors Local Heroes

By Potomac Local News

Published November 8, 2024 at 10:35AM | Updated November 8, 2024 at 2:21PM

Today, the Bull Run Rotary Club kicks off its 8th Annual Flags for Heroes ceremony, a moving tribute honoring veterans, active-duty service members, frontline workers, and local first responders. This event, hosted on the lawn of the Manassas Museum at 9101 Prince William Street, begins with an opening ceremony at 5:30 p.m. and will remain on display until November 16.

Throughout the morning, Bull Run Rotary members and volunteers have been busy setting up the flag display and transforming the museum lawn with hundreds of American flags, each dedicated to a hero. Over the past eight years, the Flags for Heroes initiative has raised more than $35,000 through flag sponsorships, with proceeds benefiting the Warrior Retreat at Bull Run. This organization provides a peaceful sanctuary for wounded veterans, helping them reconnect with family and find respite.

Tower and Memories Remain of Old Fredericksburg TV Station

By Mike Salmon

Published November 8, 2024 at 10:26AM | Updated November 13, 2024 at 2:33PM

A sign on the fence surrounding the tower

Uriah’s note: Welcome to another installment of our History and Heritage Feature Series, which was made possible through the support of Sentara. This series celebrates the rich cultural heritage and history of Prince William County, Stafford County, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Fredericksburg.

Through articles on crucial historical events, profiles of notable landmarks, and personal stories from residents, we aim to connect you to the past meaningfully. Sentara’s commitment to community involvement helps bring these stories to life, preserving our region’s heritage for future generations.

Cox Farms in Centreville Seeks Anti-Trump Messages for Roadside Marquee

By Potomac Local News

Published November 8, 2024 at 9:29AM

Cox Farms, a staple of Fairfax County’s fall festivities, has sparked conversations once again – not for its famous pumpkin patch, but for the witty political messages it displays on its roadside marquee. The farm, known for taking a clear stance against President-Elect Donald Trump, has become a local landmark for seasonal fun and its outspoken signage.

The popular Centreville farm, which recently wrapped up its fall season on November 5, is seeking input from the community to help keep its marquee fresh with new anti-Trump messages. Known as a “Never Trump” farm, Cox Farms’ previous signs have included statements like, “OMG SO EMBARRASSING,” “EW CRINGE,” “WE NEVER LIKED HIM,” and “WE’RE NOT MAD, WE’RE DISAPPOINTED (AND AFRAID).”

ARTfactory Looking for ‘Off the Wall’ Exhibit, Competition Entries

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published November 7, 2024 at 9:00AM | Updated November 9, 2024 at 10:53AM

ARTfactory Wind River Theater

The ARTfactory is looking for high school students to submit their artwork to their 21st annual “Off the Wall” art exhibit and competition.

The exhibit, which runs from Dec. 18 to Jan. 19, 2025, features art created by Manassas City, Manassas Park and Prince William County high school students. Eligible mediums of art include art and technology; painting and drawing; poetry; wearable art; and photography. Students have the opportunity to showcase their work and be judged by a professional in their respective fields.

Journey Theater Premieres ‘Voices From Vietnam’: Honoring Veterans Through Stories of Courage and Sacrifice

By Potomac Local News

Published November 4, 2024 at 10:00AM

[Photo by Paolo Chiabrando on Unsplash]

Journey Theater is pleased to present the World Premiere of Dr. Harry J. Kantrovich’s and Bruce H. “Doc” Norton’s Voices From Vietnam, a collection of interviews, stories, letter and reflections from Vietnam Veterans; Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines as well as the Nurses and Women who served, POWs, MIA families, a Vietnamese refugee, an embassy statesman and college and school students.

In February 2023, Harry Kantrovich, a retired Navy Master Chief met Bruce H. “Doc” Norton, a retired Marine Corps Major and Vietnam Veteran. Harry asked Doc to collaborate on a play and an accompanying book about Vietnam. Journey Theater in Warrenton, VA agreed to premiere the play and the accompanying book.

2024 Good Scout Award Dinner Honors Carlos Castro, Cheryl Macias, and Marion Wall

By Potomac Local News

Published October 29, 2024 at 12:31PM

The Prince William District of National Capital Area Council, BSA (NCAC) hosted a successful 2024 John D. Jenkins Good Scout Award Dinner on October 17, 2024, at Old Hickory Golf Course in Woodbridge, VA. The event honored outstanding individuals who exemplify the ideals of Scouting and attracted community leaders, elected officials, business owners, Scout volunteers, and friends, creating a memorable evening of inspiration and recognition while raising $40,000 for Scouting programs.

The evening commenced with a warm welcome from Host Committee Co-Chair Marty Nohe, followed by an invocation led by Pastor Stephen Bohannon of St. Matthews Lutheran Church. Guests enjoyed a delicious dinner while connecting with fellow attendees and reflecting on the importance of community service.

8th Annual Flags for Heroes to Honor Veterans and Local Heroes at Manassas Museum Lawn

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 25, 2024 at 10:08AM

The Bull Run Rotary Club will host its 8th Annual Flags for Heroes event from November 8 to November 16, 2024, at the Manassas Museum lawn at 9101 Prince William Street, Manassas. This event will feature hundreds of American flags displayed in honor of Veterans, Active Duty Service Members, frontline workers, and Local First Responders who have sacrificed significantly to protect and serve their communities and country.

The opening ceremony will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, November 8, 2024, marking the beginning of this week-long tribute. All proceeds raised through hero sponsorships will benefit the Warrior Retreat at Bull Run, a facility dedicated to supporting wounded veterans by providing them a peaceful place to heal and reconnect with their families.

Photos: Occoquan at Halloween

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 25, 2024 at 9:40AM | Updated October 25, 2024 at 1:27PM

Update from Mayor Earnie Porta:

Join us Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. for our annual family-friendly Halloween Costume Parade and Contest. Meet at the Riverwalk Shops at 125 Mill Street, from which we will begin our parade down Mill Street to River Mill Park. At the park judging will take place for the categories of cutest, scariest, funniest, most original, and family/group. First place winners in each category will receive $25 gift certificates that can be used at select businesses in town. No advance registration is necessary, there is no fee to participate, and this event is open to everyone. (To accommodate the parade Mill Street will be closed briefly on a rolling basis between 10:00 and 10:30 a.m.). For more information go to the Visit Occoquan web site at https://www.visitoccoquanva.com/costumeparade. Hope that you can join us for this popular annual Occoquan event.