OCCOQUAN, Va. – There was excitement in the air in Occoquan on Friday, July 11, 2025, as FOX 5 brought its popular “Zip Trip” morning show to the historic riverside town. The live broadcast transformed Mill Street into a street fair filled with residents, shopkeepers, and visitors eager to show off their community to the D.C.-area audience.
Among the crowd was David Bloxsom, who drove in from Charlottesville to take part. “It gets me to communities I’ve never been before,” he said, adding that he’s also attended Zip Trips in Solomons and Annapolis. “Gets me out of the house. Gets me a nice day. Nice summer day”.
The day’s events included a live wedding, officiated by Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk Jacqueline Smith, with flowers and a romantic backdrop donated by Brandon’s Flowers of Woodbridge. “We did some beautiful silk flowers in whites and pinks,” said Jo Gale, assistant manager and wedding coordinator for the flower shop. “It’s great to bring the town together and really get a bunch of people in town when a lot of people are on vacation”.
Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta spoke with the FOX 5 crew during the broadcast, highlighting the town’s unique charm. “We consider ourselves to be an oasis of calm in an otherwise really busy Northern Virginia area,” he said. Porta noted the appeal of the six-square-block historic business district, which features restaurants, boutique shops, and historic buildings.
Sherry Mangus, owner of Ballywhack Shack CafĂ©, reflected on the town’s unique charm and sense of community. “You feel like you’re in an enclave,” Mangus said. “You’re in the D.C. area, you’re in NoVA, but you are in a very, very special place. Time warp. Absolutely”
FOX 5’s visit was part of its popular Zip Trip series, which highlights communities across the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area. Later this month, the show will head to Fredericksburg, with a live broadcast scheduled from 7 to 11 a.m. at Riverfront Park, located at 713 Sophia Street.
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OCCOQUAN, Va. – The Town of Occoquan is celebrating both a heartfelt farewell and an exciting new beginning.
Julie Little, who has served as the town’s Events Director for the past eight years, is retiring. Town officials praised Little for her unwavering passion, dedication, and creativity, which helped grow beloved traditions like the Craft Festivals and bring new energy to Occoquan’s calendar of events.
“Julie’s ability to bring people together made Occoquan’s events truly special,” the town shared in a statement. “She went above and beyond in everything she did, and we are deeply grateful for her service and the joyful memories she created.”
As the town wishes Little well in her next chapter, it also welcomes new creative energy to its arts community with the grand opening of Laura D Jones Fine Art at 125 Mill St, Suite #10. Laura is a contemporary visual artist whose work spans realism, impressionism, and abstract styles. Her gallery offers original artwork for sale and features a scenic studio space along the river, where she teaches art classes and accepts commissions.
You can learn more at lauradjonesart.com or stop by the gallery in person to explore her vibrant new addition to Occoquan’s creative scene.
The development, The Flats at Westminster, will be next to Rockledge Elementary School at the intersection of Clipper Drive and Mariner Lane in Occoquan. The developer proposed 24 units in a residential community, with an estimated 36 total residents, according to the staff report.
The proposal before the Commission was to rezone the land, as it was zoned as agricultural; the areas surrounding the undeveloped site were residential and assisted living facility, open spaces and recreational and community buildings, including the River Ride Community Center, the Lake Ridge Baptist Church and Westminster Presbyterian Retirement Community.
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OCCOQUAN, Va. – Residents and visitors gathered in Occoquan earlier this month for a series of beloved community events, showcasing the town’s vibrant culture, outdoor spirit, and appreciation for volunteerism.
The Spring RiverFest and Craft Show, held June 7–8, drew crowds despite intermittent rain, thanks to the efforts of nearly 90 volunteers and a dedicated town staff. New events coordinator Tammy Hassett and Town Manager Adam Lynn were credited with steering the complex operation. Hassett, known for her modesty, emphasized the team effort and praised police officers, municipal employees, and volunteers alike.
Mayor Ernie Porta extended his appreciation to the participants and supporters who made the festival a success. “We appreciate all of you and the substantial effort you exerted,” Porta said on the Occoquan Radio Podcast. “Without you, of course, it could not have been such a success.” He also thanked former events director Julie Little, who recently retired but helped with the event right up to her official departure.
A major highlight of the weekend was the Occoquan River Paddle Challenge, the second race in the Mayor’s Occoquan Race Series. Athletes competed in various categories, including stand-up paddleboard, surf ski, and kayak.
Race Results:
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Stand-Up Paddleboard (10K)
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Top Male: Daniel Goff (1:14:39)
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Top Female: Brendan Norman (1:22:56)
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Surf/Ski/Kayak
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Top Male: Gabor Vida (56:34), averaging nearly 7 mph
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Top Female: Stephanie Schell (1:03:40)
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The rain that fell during the festival postponed another annual tradition—the Duck Splash race, a fundraiser for the local nonprofit Patriots for Disabled Divers, which uses scuba diving to support wounded veterans. The race was rescheduled for June 15 and went off smoothly.
Duck Splash Winners:
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Grand Prize ($500): Kathy Madigan
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Second–Fifth Place ($100 each): Beniranda Light, Melissa Callahan, Smokey Harnett, Greg Sager
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Sixth–Tenth Place ($20 each): Ian Morrison, Daryl Oreske, Skyler Hilliard, Anne Cruz, Melissa Goebel
Mayor Porta also thanked volunteers Bob, William, Michael, Barb, Sarah, and Zoe for their assistance with the race, adding that their work helped make the event a “popular annual tradition.”
The early summer weekend in Occoquan was a reminder of the town’s enduring community spirit and its growing reputation as a destination for unique events and local celebrations.
With its pastel earrings, woodland-themed accessories, and shelves full of colorful handmade creations, To Bee is more than just Occoquan’s new gift shop — it’s a deeply personal tribute to love, loss, and artistic resilience.
Owned and operated by artist Thalia Wyatt, To Bee officially opened in May after a whirlwind journey that began with a chance sighting of a vacant storefront last fall. The charming two-room space on Mill Street now houses both her shop and a working clay studio.
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OCCOQUAN, Va. – A charming new boutique is now open in Occoquan’s historic downtown.
To Bee, located at 308 Poplar Alley, welcomed shoppers during its grand opening weekend on May 10–11, 2025. Owned by Thalia Wyatt, the shop features handmade candles, custom earrings, and curated gifts—many crafted by Wyatt herself. Guests can also join “Master Salons,” creative workshops led by Wyatt’s mother, Alma, to make their own one-of-a-kind treasures.
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OCCOQUAN, Va. – Leaf & Petal is welcoming customers to its new location at 204 Washington Street after celebrating a grand re-opening on Friday, May 23, 2025. 🌿
The shop has moved just around the corner from its former home at 201 Union Street, affectionately described as a “sweet little shop.” The new space carries a bit of local history — it’s where Ogle Harris began selling ice cream and later opened the Ogle Harris & Son grocery store in the early 1900s.
According to a congratulatory announcement by town Mayor Earnie Porta, Leaf & Petal has thoughtfully reimagined the space to include cozy seating areas both inside and outdoors, giving visitors even more reason to stop by, linger, and enjoy the charm of downtown Occoquan.
OCCOQUAN, Va. – A downed tree and a blown transformer caused road closures and power outages in the Town of Occoquan on Friday evening, prompting a quick response from town officials and utility crews.
Around 7 p.m., a public safety alert from the Town of Occoquan announced that Tanyard Hill Road was closed in both directions between Old Bridge Road and Union Street due to fallen trees. At the same time, a power outage hit the Route 123 traffic light, and drivers were urged to steer clear of the area.
Initially, officials thought the fallen trees caused the outage. But Mayor Earnie Porta later explained that the real culprit was a blown transformer on the Fairfax County side of the Occoquan River. The clarification suggested repairs might wrap up faster than first expected.
During the disruption, town police updated Google Maps and Waze with the road closure, helping guide drivers around the blocked section.
By 8:30 p.m., the town shared that Tanyard Hill Road was back open and full power had been restored. Traffic signals, including the one at Route 123, were expected to be functioning again.
No injuries were reported, but officials are reminding residents to avoid storm-damaged areas and report any remaining issues. The fallen trees come as the region received several inches of rain earlier in the week.
WOODBRIDGE, Va. – According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, drivers in Woodbridge can expect some long-term changes and temporary traffic headaches as construction begins on major improvements at the I-95 Exit 160 interchange with Route 123 (Gordon Boulevard).
The $76 million project aims to improve safety, traffic flow, and pedestrian and bicycle access. Among the most noticeable changes will be the removal of the current northbound Route 123 loop ramp to southbound I-95, replaced by a signalized left turn. Crews will also widen the southbound Route 123 ramp to I-95 from one to two lanes and add a shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists between Annapolis Way and Devil’s Reach Road.
VDOT says drivers should expect daytime and overnight lane closures throughout construction. Single-lane closures are already underway on Route 123 and southbound I-95 for clearing work and will continue for the next two weeks. Sidewalks along Occoquan Road may also be closed, with pedestrians directed to use posted detours.
A public “pardon our dust” meeting is planned for this summer, with more information to come. Construction on the southbound I-95 bridge over Occoquan Road is expected to wrap up in late 2027, with the full interchange project set to be completed by late 2028.
VDOT urges all travelers to be extra cautious in active work zones and to stay alert to changing traffic patterns. Updates are available at 511Virginia, through the 511Virginia app, or by calling 511.
OCCOQUAN, Va. – Plans to extend the popular Occoquan Riverwalk have hit a major roadblock after Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed $1.2 million in state funding that town leaders had counted on to move the project forward.
The veto was one of 37 line-item cuts to the bipartisan budget recently passed by the General Assembly. Governor Youngkin justified the cuts, totaling $900 million, as necessary due to "short-term risks as President Trump resets both fiscal spending in Washington and trade policies."
Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta shared the news in a statement to residents, expressing disappointment but also gratitude to Delegate Briana Sewell for championing the project in Richmond. “I look forward to working with her as we continue to seek economic development support for this important town and regional effort,” Porta said.
