Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta: “This Saturday, November 18, is the kickoff for the town of Occoquan’s annual HolidayFest. From 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, one block of Mill Street will be turned into a pop up market with almost 30 vendors, while many town businesses will be open until 8:00 p.m. as well. From 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.”

“Sip & Stroll rules will be effect enabling visitors to walk and shop in the historic district while enjoying adult beverages from participating restaurants. Then, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. there will again be fire pits with free marshmallows to roast, as well as cocoa, cider, and s’mores kits available for purchase adjacent to River Mill Park. And, of course, the centerpiece of the event will be the annual town tree lighting in front of the Occoquan Town Hall (314 Mill Street) at 6:00 p.m.”


Manassas City Government: “Keep your eyes on the weather. The sooner it gets chilly, the sooner the Harris Pavilion will be ready for ice skating. The projected date is this Friday.”

“Ice skating will be starting soon, and it’s very weather dependent,” said Acting City Manager Douglas Keen during the Monday, November 14, 2023, city council meeting.


Hylton Performing Arts Center: Two performances at the Hylton Performing Arts Center near Manassas.

The first is a family-friendly show featuring Mexican singer-songwriter Sonia De Los Santos on November 18. The second is a holiday and gospel music concert by The Legendary Ingramettes on December 3.


ARTfactory: “ARTfactory Rooftop Productions is bringing the holiday classic, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas to the newly named Wind River Theater at the ARTfactory.”

“Featuring well-known standards including ‘Blue Skies,’ ‘I Love A Piano,’ ‘How Deep Is the Ocean’ and the title song, White Christmas.”


Spotsylvania Towne Centre: “X-Golf is getting ready to open its doors in the first quarter of 2024. The 8,500 square foot golf simulation experience will be located near Park Lane Tavern, in The Village section of the complex.”

“X-Golf features seven state-of-the-art indoor golf simulators that give players unparalleled realism through a combination of camera systems, infrared lasers, impact sensors and advanced gaming software. Short-game and putting capabilities allow players to fully experience a round from tees to greens with acute accuracy.”


Historic Manassas Inc.: “Historic Manassas, Inc. (HMI) has named Kristen Kiefer as its new Executive Director. Kiefer has served as HMI’s Interim Executive Director since April 2023 and will oversee the organization’s efforts to sustain revitalization efforts of Historic Downtown Manassas as a Virginia Main Street program.”

“As a 20-year resident and stalwart advocate for the City of Manassas, Kristen has deep roots in this community,” said Mark Olsen, HMI Board Chair. “Her passion and commitment to the betterment of Manassas and its residents, her national nonprofit executive expertise, and her dedication to excellence as exhibited over the past five months as HMI’s Interim Executive Director make this a milestone moment for HMI.”


Press release: “Carly and Kristy McDowell decided to become foster parents a couple of years ago. Recently, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, or COG, named the McDowells as foster parents of the year in Prince William County.”

“Being named foster parents of the year requires commitment to the children and a willingness to be a part of a team that is focused on reuniting children with their families.”


Press release: “The Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (PWCAC-DST) will host its 14th Annual Red Carpet Showcase on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at the Montclair Country Club, located at 16500 Edgewood Drive in Montclair, VA.”

“This is a free, public event to encourage literacy and exposure to the arts while providing an opportunity for emerging artists, authors, and musicians to showcase their talents to the community.”


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