22 Ways to Enjoy Fall in PWC + Big Community Wins

Hey PWC neighbors!

Fall is in full swing, and our community is absolutely buzzing with activity. From the 55th Annual Occoquan Arts & Crafts Show to authentic Thai street food in downtown Manassas, this might be our most packed week yet.

Plus, some incredible community news - our schools just hit a 94.3% graduation rate (the highest in district history!) and over 360 new businesses opened in PWC last year. We're growing in all the right ways.

Let's dive into everything happening around Prince William County this week.

55th Annual Occoquan Fall Arts & Crafts Show - Saturday & Sunday, Sept 27-28
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Historic Old Town Occoquan
FREE admission | Over 300 artisans, kids' activities in Imagination Alley, and a beer garden with live music. This 55-year tradition transforms the historic riverfront into an art lover's paradise. $10 shuttle available.

Brentsville Bluegrass Festival - Saturday, Sept 27
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, Bristow
FREE | Authentic bluegrass featuring Page County Ramblers and Sweet Yonder at a 19th-century courthouse. Food trucks, antique vehicles, and living history demos make this perfect for families.

Manassas Latino Festival- Saturday, Sept 27
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM | Harris Pavilion, Manassas
FREE | Celebrate Latin American culture with live music, dance performances, authentic foods, and family activities. This annual festival showcases the vibrant heritage and contributions of our local Latino community with something for all ages to enjoy.

CFH 5K Run-Walk for Affordable Housing - Sunday, Oct 5
9:30 AM | Occoquan Regional Park, Lorton
Registration required | Charity race supporting affordable housing with family-friendly walker division. Great cause, beautiful park setting.

Little Shop of Horrors - Through Sept 28
Fri/Sat 7:30 PM, Sun 2:00 PM | Hylton Performing Arts Center, Manassas
$65-90 | Classic musical comedy in our world-class venue. Perfect for families with older kids who appreciate witty humor.

Soweto Gospel Choir - Thursday, Oct 3
Hylton Performing Arts Center | Three-time Grammy winners from South Africa performing freedom songs. An unforgettable cultural experience.

Pilobolus Dance Theatre - Sunday, Oct 5
2:00 PM | Hylton Performing Arts Center, Manassas
$38-60 | The remarkable dance company returns with their "Other Worlds" program featuring heart-stopping grace and acrobatic artistry. This mix of wit and stunning physical performance is appropriate for all ages and includes an 85-minute show with intermission.

First Friday - Friday, Oct 3
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Historic Downtown Manassas
FREE | Streets close to traffic for family-friendly evening strolling, live music, and dining promotions. Perfect for date night or family exploration.

Fire & Fiddle Fest - Saturday, Oct 4
City of Manassas Park | Annual community festival. Live music, food trucks, vendors, and family fun. Check manassasparkva.gov for details and times.

Historic Manassas Farmers Market - Thursdays & Saturdays
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Harris Pavilion (Thu), Prince William St (Sat)
FREE | Voted "Best in Northern Virginia" with 100+ vendors and SNAP/EBT accepted with Virginia Fresh Match program.

Dale City Farmers Market - Sundays, 8:00 AM start, 14050 Gemini Way, Woodbridge, VA 22193

Prince William Farmers Market - Thursdays, 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM, County Complex Court, Woodbridge

Tackett's Mill Farmers Market - Tuesdays, 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM, 2235 Tacketts Mill Dr, Lake Ridge, VA 22192

Fitness in the Parks - Ongoing
Urban Line Dancing (Mondays 8:30 AM), Full Body Sculpt (Saturdays 8:00 AM) | Various park locations. Registration through PWC Parks & Recreation required.

This former D.C. Workhouse has been transformed into a 55-acre arts campus that's unlike anything else in our area. With ongoing performances like "Evil Dead The Musical" and free campus walking tours, it offers both entertainment and a fascinating piece of local history about prison reform and the suffragette movement.

The campus houses multiple theaters, galleries, and artist studios. Kids are amazed by the historic buildings while adults appreciate the quality performances and unique backstory. It's an easy drive from most PWC areas and offers something different from typical family outings.

Workhouse Arts Center is located at 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton. Check workhouse-arts.org for current show schedules and free tour times.

Business Boom Brings More Family Options
Over 360 new small businesses opened in PWC last year, including Hello Sugar dessert shop in Manassas and new stores at Potomac Mills. The county's Small Business Program has helped 2,709 entrepreneurs, creating more local shopping and dining while strengthening our tax base.

Schools Hit Record Graduation Rates
PWCS achieved a 94.3% on-time graduation rate - the highest in district history. Our Class of 2024 earned $123 million in scholarships, and five high schools received state improvement awards. A 14th high school is planned for the Woodbridge area by 2029.

Infrastructure Improvements Completed
The $30 million Prince William Parkway project is done, with expanded lanes and new walking paths. James Long Park intersection improvements make weekend sports activities safer and easier to access.

That's your action-packed week ahead in Prince William County! From bluegrass at a historic courthouse to Grammy winners at Hylton Center, we've got culture, community, and plenty of ways to enjoy this beautiful fall weather.

As always, if you know about a great local event or business that deserves a spotlight, just reply to this email. This newsletter thrives on community input.

Enjoy everything our area has to offer, and I'll see you next week with another roundup of the best of PWC.

Your neighbor,
Levant Levantine

Know someone else who'd love this? Click the "Share Newsletter" button below to help your neighbors, friends, or family stay connected to what's happening in Prince William County.

P.S. - Know about a great local event or business that deserves a spotlight? Just reply to any email and let us know. This newsletter is only as good as our community makes it.