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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Manassas Chorale presents “Gathered As One” on Saturday, March 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the Hylton Performing Arts Center’s Merchant Hall in Manassas. This annual Voices United concert unites the Chorale with the Voices United Festival Choir, directed by a nationally renowned guest clinician. More than 150 singers join the Chorale’s instrumentalists for a program of fifteen selections that celebrate shared music and community spirit.
The Manassas Chorale, founded in 1994 as a small group of about 25 singers, has grown into a 100-voice auditioned community choir under the direction of Artistic Director Rebecca Verner since 1997. Based in Manassas, Virginia, the organization promotes appreciation for quality classical and contemporary music through four major concerts each season and community events. It also sponsors the Greater Manassas Children’s Choir, established in 2015 to offer performance opportunities for young singers in grades K-8.
The Manassas Young Marines, a dedicated unit of the national youth development program, has just been named Division 1 Unit of the Year—a testament to years of hard work, heart, and community impact.
The national Young Marines is a nonprofit youth education and service program open to boys and girls ages 8 through high school graduation (or age 18+). It emphasizes character building, leadership, discipline, teamwork, and a commitment to drug-free, healthy living—drawing inspiration from Marine Corps values of honor, courage, and commitment, without requiring any military family background or pushing enlistment.
Council Member Theresa Coates Ellis highlighted the event during the March 9, 2026, City Council meeting, calling it “a big favorite in our city.” She encouraged everyone to “wear your green so you don’t get pinched” and to “support our businesses afterwards—our restaurants and our shops, and our factory and our museum… so much to see and do in Manassas.”
The parade offers a classic seasonal kickoff, with participants and spectators alike filling the charming downtown area to celebrate Irish heritage and local spirit.
