MANASSAS PARK, Va. – Teens with a flair for cooking can spice up their summer at the Manassas Park Community Center’s Chopped Teen Summer Camp. 🍳

Open to ages 13–17, this weeklong camp immerses participants in the culinary arts, teaching them to prepare budget-friendly meals, experiment with diverse flavors, and compete in a “Chopped Challenge” inspired by the popular TV show. Campers will work in teams to tackle mystery ingredient baskets, honing their creativity and kitchen skills.

The camp is part of the Community Center’s broader summer program lineup, which includes field trips, arts, and sports activities. Teen camps also feature outings to local attractions like museums and water parks.
Manassas Park Community Center

Registration is now open, and spots are limited. To enroll, visit the Manassas Park Community Center’s summer camps page or stop by the center at 99 Adams Street. For questions, call 703-335-8872.

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Riverside Center for the Performing Arts has five performances this week of its stage adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird, starring Fredericksburg native Tug Coker as Atticus Finch.

In a Facebook post, Riverside shared that showtimes are today at 1:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. Guests can enjoy a full dining experience before the show, making for a memorable evening of food and theater.

The production, based on Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, has drawn attention for its powerful themes and local connection. You can read more about Coker’s role and the Riverside production here.

Students and teachers are eligible for a 10% discount on tickets as the school year comes to a close. Riverside invites the community to end the season with a classic story brought to life on stage.

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Want to enjoy a picnic for free in one of Fredericksburg’s beautiful parks? Here’s how!

The City of Fredericksburg is inviting groups to join the Park Steward Volunteer Program, which runs from May through September. In return for helping clean up one of the city’s parks, your group can receive a free picnic shelter rental — a perfect reward for your service.

In a Facebook post, Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation & Events thanked The Publisher, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, for being the first group to kick off this year’s program by sprucing up Alum Spring Park.

To participate, simply:

• Pick a month and day of the week

• Show up — the city provides all cleanup supplies

• Enjoy a free shelter rental (available on a first-come, first-served basis)

It’s a great way for businesses, organizations, or friend groups to give back while enjoying the outdoors. Learn more and sign up here: Fredericksburg Park Steward Volunteer Program

MANASSAS, Va. – The 31st Annual Historic Manassas Railway Festival is just around the corner — and it’s free to attend!

In a Facebook post, organizers reminded train lovers that while the festival itself doesn’t cost a dime, tickets are required for the popular excursion train to Clifton, Va. Seats are selling fast, so now’s the time to grab yours if you want to enjoy a scenic ride through Northern Virginia.

The festival is a beloved local tradition that brings together train displays, vendors, entertainment, and more in downtown Manassas. Don’t miss this chance to soak up some small-town charm with a side of locomotive nostalgia.

Tickets for the excursion train are available here: https://form.jotform.com/251045253991154

HAYMARKET, Va. – The Town of Haymarket is hosting a K–5 Open House on Friday, June 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Town Hall. 🎨

In a Facebook post, town officials invited local families for a day of discovery and fun. Kids will enjoy story time with the Town Council, create tie-dye crafts, explore Haymarket’s history, and participate in activities hosted by local groups, including Crossroads Arts Alliance. A touch-a-truck experience and more surprises are also planned.

The event is free and open to children of all ages, though activities are primarily geared toward those in kindergarten through fifth grade. Siblings and families are welcome.

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Celebrate the longest day of the year with an evening of fun, food, and music at the Summer Solstice Festival on Wednesday, June 18, from 7 to 10 p.m.

The event, hosted at Riverfront Park in downtown Fredericksburg, will feature local craft drinks, live music, food trucks, and art. All proceeds will support Fredericksburg Main Street’s efforts to promote and enhance the downtown district. Tickets are available now and help fund year-round community programs.

For more details, visit the Facebook event page or FXBG Government’s post.

It’s National Burger Day, and local spots are rolling out the red carpet for burger fans! 🍔

In Manassas, Philadelphia Tavern is celebrating with their Tuesday Burger Day special. Guests can enjoy dine-in pricing on burgers starting at $8 for a specialty burger and $12 for a premium option, both served with their signature homemade chips. Want fries instead? Add them for just $1 more. It’s the perfect excuse to enjoy a burger and a beer at this beloved neighborhood tavern.

Down in Fredericksburg, Eats Burgers is honoring International Burger Day with a sizzling deal — half off the Eats Classic burger all day long on Wednesday, May 28. It’s a one-day-only offer to mark the “holiday of all holidays,” and a delicious way to treat yourself.

National Burger Day is a food holiday celebrated in the United States to honor one of the country’s most beloved comfort foods — the hamburger. While its exact origins are a bit hazy, here’s what we know about how this tasty tradition began and evolved:

🍔 Origins of the Burger

The hamburger’s roots go back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While several people and locations claim to have invented the hamburger, the most widely accepted story credits Louis Lassen, a Danish immigrant in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1900, he allegedly served the first hamburger at his small lunch wagon, Louis’ Lunch, using steak trimmings ground into patties.

📅 When National Burger Day Began

National Burger Day, as celebrated in the U.S., doesn’t have an official government designation but has grown into a popular unofficial holiday. It is typically observed annually on May 28. The day likely emerged from food marketing campaigns and the cultural love affair with burgers, which are a staple at backyard cookouts, diners, fast food chains, and gourmet restaurants alike.

Over the years, restaurants began using the day to run promotions, showcase creative burger specials, and celebrate regional styles — from smash burgers to veggie and plant-based patties.

SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. – What began as an unexpected career pivot has led to an achievement for one Fredericksburg-area couple. Drs. Edmond and Sherri Bergeron, both United States military veterans, recently earned their Doctorates in Education from Liberty University—crossing the stage together on May 8, 2025, after four years of hard work, determination, and mutual encouragement.

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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.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Damien and Quadrell Sylvester have been named Prince William County’s 2025 Foster Parents of the Year, honored by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) for their outstanding commitment to children in care.

The Sylvesters, who currently care for a sibling group of three, have repeatedly stepped up, offering emergency, respite, and long-term placements, often on short notice. County officials say the family consistently provides nurturing and stability, even under challenging situations.

One example: Over the holidays, the Sylvesters invited the children’s biological parents into their home so the kids could wake up and open gifts with them—a gesture made possible through “Bridging the Gap,” a program designed to support shared parenting and family reunification.

The COG Foster Parents of the Year program recognizes dedicated foster families from ten area jurisdictions, including Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington, and the District of Columbia. The annual award highlights how foster parents play a critical role in supporting children when they cannot remain with their biological families.

“Every community needs committed foster parents,” said Fairfax County Supervisor and COG Board Chair Rodney Lusk, “and our region is privileged to have a strong network of caring, supportive, and dedicated individuals.”