DOSWELL, Va. – Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) lineworkers are among hundreds of utility professionals heading to Meadow Event Park this weekend for the 21st annual Gaff-n-Go Rodeo, one of the largest events of its kind in the U.S.
According to the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives, which hosts the event, this year’s rodeo will feature more than 350 competitors from 12 states — including teams from as far away as Hawaii — making it the biggest turnout in event history. NOVEC crews will join linemen from across the region to showcase their safety skills, speed, and teamwork in events that simulate real-life challenges, including pole-top rescues and equipment operations.
“Gaff-n-Go is a great way to highlight the talent and dedication of our NOVEC crews,” the cooperative said in a statement. “It’s a chance for their families and the public to see the level of expertise that goes into restoring power during storms and emergencies.”
Events begin Friday, May 16, with a special recognition of May 17 as Electric Utility Lineworker Day in Virginia. Saturday’s main competitions kick off after a tribute to the military, featuring U.S. Navy Vice Admiral (Ret.) Ted Carter. The event is free and open to the public, with family-friendly activities, interactive displays, and a barbecue competition all scheduled as part of the weekend.
For more information, visit gaff-n-go.com.
Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) is a not-for-profit electric utility headquartered in Manassas. Serving more than 175,000 customers across six counties—including Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford, and Clarke—as well as the City of Manassas Park, NOVEC is one of the largest electric cooperatives in the nation.
NOVEC provides reliable, affordable electricity to residential, commercial, and industrial customers, operating with a commitment to customer service, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. As a member-owned cooperative, NOVEC returns excess revenues to its customers in the form of capital credit refunds. For more information, visit novec.com.
MANASSAS PARK, Va. – The Manassas Park High School Theatre Department is bringing a delightfully spooky classic to life this week with performances of The Addams Family Musical. The show runs from May 1 through May 4 and promises an evening filled with laughter, eerie tunes, and all the charm of the famously offbeat Addams clan.
In a post on social media, Manassas Park City Public Schools invited the community to enjoy “a spooktacular night of laughter, music, and macabre fun,” encouraging folks to snag tickets before they disappear. The musical, based on the iconic characters created by Charles Addams, follows the family’s hilarious antics as daughter Wednesday falls in love with someone “normal.”
The performances showcase the talents of MPHS student actors, singers, and crew members who’ve worked hard to transform their school stage into the Addamses’ gothic world.
Tickets can be purchased online at this link.
Thursday (May 1)
- Backyard Birds Scavenger Hunt, All day through May 31 (Bull Run Library)
- Crafting with Cricut: Mother’s Day Cards, 2 to 3 p.m. (Central Library)
Friday (May 2)
- Gel Plate Printing Workshop, 2 to 3 p.m. (Bull Run Library)
- First Friday, 6 to 9 p.m. (Manassas City)
- Can You Grok?! This?, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (Virtual)
Saturday (May 3)
- Family Archery, 9 to 11 a.m. (Woodbridge)
- Nature Seekers, 10 to 11:30 a.m. (Woodbridge)
- Mugs for Mom, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. (Lake Ridge Library)
- A Star Wars Celebration, 10 a.m. to noon (Haymarket Gainesville Library)
- Old Town Manassas Art Show & Craft Spring Fair, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Mariachis Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, 5 to 11 p.m. (Manassas City)
May 4 (Sunday)
- Thai Street Food & Culture Festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Manassas City)
May 5
- Fallen Officer Tribute, 6 to 8 p.m. (Bristow)
May 6
- Pattern Reading 101, 6 to 7 p.m. (Bull Run Library)
- Acoustic Tuesday Concert, 7 p.m. (Manassas City)
May 7
May 8
- Walk with a Doc, Noon to 1 p.m. (Woodbridge)
May 9
- Stuffed Animal Slumber Party, All day (Lake Ridge Library)
- Drive-In Movie in the Park, 8 to 10 p.m. (Manassas)
May 10
- Seals on Wheels, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Manassas City Library)
- Model Railroad Program, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Haymarket Gainesville Library)
- Draft Your Own Pattern 101, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Bull Run Library)
- Golden Hour, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. (Woodbridge)
May 11
- International Food & Culture Festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Manassas City)
May 12
- Project Lifesaver Golf Tournament, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Haymarket)
- Miniature Painting Sessions, 5:30 to 7 p.m. (Potomac Library)
- Manassas City Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m.
- Flower Full Moon Yoga, 8 to 9:30 p.m. (Woodbridge)
May 13
- Prince William Board of County Supervisors Meeting, 2 p.m.
- Sew Tuesday: Bookmarks, 6 to 7:30 p.m. (Chinn Park Library)
- Manassas City School Board Meeting, 6 p.m.
- Acoustic Tuesday Concert, 7 p.m. (Manassas City)
May 14
- Pendants Pending, 5 to 7 p.m. (Central Library)
May 15
- Watercolor Collaborative, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Montclair Library)
May 17
- Free Paper Shredding for Residents, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Woodbridge)
- Nokesville Day, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Jazz Society (One Man Band), 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. (Triangle)
- Equality Prince William Pride Festival, Noon to 4 p.m. (Greater Prince William County)
- Father Daughter Dance, 6 to 8:30 p.m. (Woodbridge)
May 19
- Manassas City Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m.
May 20
- Walk and Wear Purple Day, 8 to 10 a.m. (Woodbridge)
- Prince William Board of County Supervisors Meeting, 2 p.m.
- Acoustic Tuesday Concert, 7 p.m. (Manassas City)
May 21
- Crochet and Coffee, 11 a.m. to noon (Nokesville Library)
- Prince William School Board Meeting, 7 p.m.
May 23
- Knitting with Tanis Gray, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Central Library)
May 24
- Adaptive Flatwater Kayaking, 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. (Woodbridge)
May 27
- Wood Carving Club Night, 5 to 7 p.m. (Bull Run Library)
- NOVA Novels, 6 to 7 p.m. (Chinn Park Library)
- Manassas City School Board Meeting, 6 p.m.
- Acoustic Tuesday Concert, 7 p.m. (Manassas City)
May 30
- Family Movie in the Park (Mufasa: The Lion King), 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. (Woodbridge)
May 31
- Watercolor III with Mark Murphy, 1 to 4 p.m. (Central Library)
Editor's Note:
This is the final part of our three-part series exploring Virginia Railway Express' vision for the future. Thank you for following along.
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Editor's Note:
This is the second in our three-part series on the future of Virginia Railway Express (VRE). We're breaking down VRE's bold System Plan 2050 — and what it means for you.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Editor's Note:
This is the first in a three-part series exploring Virginia Railway Express’ (VRE) ambitious System Plan 2050, which outlines a vision for how the commuter rail system could grow over the next 25 years. We'll break down what the plan means for the region, what riders can expect, and how the system hopes to pay for its bold goals.
Be sure to sign up for our free email newsletter to get local transportation, government, and business news sent directly to your inbox.
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MANASSAS PARK, Va. — Manassas Park homeowners could see their tax bills rise by hundreds of dollars under the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget, despite a planned reduction in the city's real estate tax rate.
City Manager Carl Cole presented the $129 million budget to the Governing Body on April 22, 2025, proposing a one-cent reduction to the real estate tax rate, which would lower it to $1.395 per $100 of assessed value. However, because the average assessed value of residential properties increased by 7.48%, the typical single-family homeowner, with an average home value of $507,689, would still pay approximately $483 more in real estate taxes next year.
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MANASSAS PARK, Va. — A major residential project proposed just outside Manassas Park's borders is moving through its second round of review in Prince William County, and city leaders are taking a close look at the plan's potential impact on local roads and services.
Representatives from D.R. Horton, the developer behind the Mayfield Crossing project, and attorney Noah Klein of Venable LLP presented an updated site plan to the Manassas Park Governing Body during its April 15, 2025, meeting. The project site, approximately 20 acres located at the intersection of Manassas Drive and Signal View Drive, is nearly surrounded by Manassas Park city limits.
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The Manassas Park Governing Body will meet on Tuesday to review several vital items impacting regional development, transportation, and public safety.
Here’s what residents can expect:
Mayfield Crossing Development Presentation
The Governing Body will hear a presentation from DR Horton and legal representatives about the proposed Mayfield Crossing development, located at the corner of Manassas Drive and Signal View Drive in Prince William County.
The site is currently undeveloped, and the developer has submitted a second rezoning application to Prince William County. Manassas Park staff, who have been engaged in the planning process since 2023, submitted comments on April 1, 2025, voicing the city’s priorities and concerns. The current concept includes:
- 180 townhomes (a reduction from the original 288)
- Enhanced pedestrian connections to nearby parks and trails
- Open space amenities like a dog park, playground, and recreation fields
- Off-site improvements such as underground utilities and sidewalk expansions
- City officials will review how the project may affect traffic and community character.
Rail with Trail Study Moves Forward Without Federal Funding
After failing to secure a federal grant last year, Manassas Park, the City of Manassas, and Prince William County are moving forward with a self-funded Rail with Trail Phase 1 Study.
- The study, with a total cost of $268,600, will examine the feasibility of constructing a 3-mile multi-use trail running alongside the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Manassas Line—from Downtown Manassas to the Bull Run Trail in Fairfax County. Manassas Park will contribute $90,000 toward the study.
- The study will evaluate potential alignments, estimate construction costs, and include public input. It is part of a larger long-term effort listed in the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority’s Six-Year Program and the Visualize 2045 National Capital Trail Network.
- The goal is to complete the study in time to submit a joint funding application for the next NVTA funding cycle.
Crime Solvers Program Presentation
Manassas Park residents will get an in-depth look at the Manassas City / Manassas Park Crime Solvers program, which allows citizens to anonymously report crime tips to local police.
Key highlights include:
- A 24-hour confidential tip line (703-330-0330) and online P3 Tip Portal
- Cash rewards of up to $1,000 for tips that lead to arrests
- A volunteer board that manages fundraising, program promotion, and reward distribution
- Founded in 1987 and expanded to Manassas Park in 2012, Crime Solvers is a community-based, nonprofit organization working to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the public. Both cities’ police departments endorse the program and relies on donations to operate.
The meeting will take place at City Hall, 100 Park Central Plaza, Manassas Park, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. inside the city hall board meeting room
For more information or to view the full agenda, manassasparkva.gov/government/governing_body/meetings_agendas___minutes/index.php
Let us know if you plan to attend or have questions about these agenda items. You can also follow our continuing coverage for updates after the meeting.
Public transportation in Northern Virginia is seeing a significant rebound as ridership continues to climb on both Virginia Railway Express (VRE) trains and OmniRide commuter and local buses. However, transit leaders warn that increased demand may soon outpace available resources, especially for locally funded services.
During its March 2025 meeting, the VRE Operations Board reported that ridership in February topped 152,000 trips—despite only 19 service days and early-month weather disruptions. March figures are on pace to surpass that total significantly. With only 14 service days logged by mid-month, March had already recorded more than 162,000 trips. Average weekday ridership has climbed to more than 11,500 trips.
