Prince William County, Va. –– The two sides of the American Civil War came to fight outside Manassas on Saturday, just as they did 150 years ago.
More than 8,000 reenactors from across the U.S. and in Canada descended on Pageland Farm in Prince William County to relive the Battle of First Manassas, or Bull Run. It was the cornerstone event of what a weekend full of Civil War remembrances and activities to commemorate the war’s sesquicentennial.
We invite you to follow PotomacLocal.com on Facebook and Twitter throughout the morning into early afternoon as we bring you updates from the battle reenactment taking place outside Manassas.
Ticket holders for the reenactment will be allowed to the battlefield beginning at 7 a.m., and the event is scheduled to last until after noon. You can find a full list of the day’s events by clicking here.
North Stafford — Virginia’s governor stopped in North Stafford on Thursday to stump for House of Delegates hopeful Mark Dudenhefer.
McDonnell touted the retired Marine’s leadership experience as well as his work as Chairman of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors.
Stafford, Va. — There won’t be an influx of new students and traffic because of BRAC in Prince William and Stafford counties.
That’s the word from Stafford’s BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) Coordinator Tom Ramora, who said many of the 2,000 federal workers that were supposed to transfer to Quanitco for the move have already done so, and despite fears of major traffic congestion, conditions hasn’t gotten worse.
Excessive heat warnings remain in effect for the Potomac Communities until 8 p.m. Saturday, and sweltering temperatures in the forecast will could it feel up to 116 degrees.
The National Weather Service calls for temperatures at 100 or better today and Saturday, and heat index values that can make it feel even hotter leaving residents searching for ways to beat the heat.
One hundred and fifty years ago this area witnessed the birth of a new kind of warfare. After years of contentious debate and the election of an anti-slavery president, the southern states decided to secede from the Union their forefathers had played such a pivotal role in creating.
The ensuing American Civil War was an ideological as well as an economic conflict. Its outcome would determine the course the American Nation and, ultimately, the world would take.
What can non-Civil War buff do this weekend in Prince William County? The rangers at Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge have a few ideas.
Water Exploration Day
Date: Friday, July 22, 2011
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Location: Visitor Center
Description: Come down to the Visitor Center to explore the unique properties of water. Conduct some experiments, learn what a watershed is, and meet the animals that live in Leesylvania’s water.
Stafford County will open a cooling center from Thursday, July 21 through Saturday, July 23. The center will be located at the Rowser building, 1739 Jefferson Davis Highway in Stafford. On Thursday, the center will be open from 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. On Friday (July 22) and Saturday (July 23), the hours will be 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Individuals should bring snacks, bottled water, medication and other basic necessities to the shelter.
Note: The websites for several of these events mention that they may change due to weather or alternate plans at any time without notice.
Thursday, July 21
STAFFORD, Va. — On June 14, The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, in cooperation with Stafford County Public Schools celebrated its 10th Anniversary of DARE Day at Pratt Park. Over 2000 Fifth Grade D.A.R.E. students from 17 elementary schools were in attendance.
Stafford County DARE Day originally started at Winding Creek Elementary School and was such a huge success that it was moved to Pratt Park the following year and included all elementary schools in the Stafford County School System. It is now an annual event.
