October Kicks off with Grammy Winners + Major Concerts in PWC

Hey PWC neighbors!

October is starting with a bang in our community! From Grammy Award-winning performances at Hylton Center to Keith Urban rocking Jiffy Lube Live, we've got world-class entertainment right in our backyard. Plus, fall activities are in full swing with art exhibits, farmers markets, and that beloved First Friday Pumpkin Palooza downtown.

And some exciting community news - we're getting a new $55 million elementary school to serve 1,000 students, and our new behavioral health crisis center opens next week. PWC continues growing in all the right ways.

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

Soweto Gospel Choir - PEACE - Friday, Oct 3
8:00 PM | Hylton Performing Arts Center, Manassas
Ticketed | Grammy Award-winning South African choir performing freedom songs, traditional spirituals, and music from Aretha Franklin and Leonard Cohen. An unforgettable cultural experience for the whole family.
Get Tickets

Keith Urban: High and Alive World Tour - Saturday, Oct 4
7:00 PM | Jiffy Lube Live, Bristow
$50-200+ | Four-time Grammy winner brings his high-energy show with special guests Chase Matthew, Alana Springsteen, and Karley Scott Collins. Country music at its finest.
Tickets & Info

Twenty One Pilots - The Clancy Tour - Sunday, Oct 5
8:00 PM | Jiffy Lube Live, Bristow
Varies | Popular alternative rock duo on their major world tour. Perfect for families with teens who love contemporary music.
Ticketmaster

Pilobolus - Other Worlds - Sunday, Oct 5
2:00 PM | Hylton Performing Arts Center, Manassas
$38-60 | Acclaimed dance company showcasing acrobatic artistry and breathtaking performances. All ages welcome for this 85-minute show.
Get Tickets

Tyler Grosskopf "Ethereal" Art Exhibit - Through Oct 5
Daily | Featured Artist Gallery, Historic Occoquan
FREE | Final days to see this abstract art showcase featuring vivid alcohol ink and gold leaf techniques.
Visit Occoquan

Artist of the Month - Zoe Jarvis - Opens Oct 1
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM daily | Artists' Undertaking Gallery, Occoquan
FREE | New showcase featuring hand-cut paper art and large-scale colored pencil drawings.
Gallery Info

Weems-Botts Museum Historic Tours - Fri-Sun
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Dumfries
$5-10 | Guided tours of 18th-20th century house museum showcasing Dumfries' colonial port town history.
Historic Dumfries

First Friday - Pumpkin Palooza - Friday, Oct 3
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Historic Downtown Manassas
FREE | Streets close for family-friendly fall festival with live music, restaurant promotions, and pumpkin-themed activities.
Event Details

Fire & Fiddle Fest - Saturday, Oct 4
Costello Park, Manassas Park | Community festival featuring music and local entertainment.
Check Times

Manassas Battlefield Walking Tours - Daily
Various times | Manassas National Battlefield Park
FREE | Henry Hill Tours at 11:00 AM & 2:00 PM, Brawner Farm Tours at 11:15 AM, 1:15 PM & 3:15 PM with ranger interpretation.
National Park Service

Historic Manassas Farmers Market - Thursday, Oct 2 & Saturday, Oct 5
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Harris Pavilion (Thu), Prince William St (Sat)
FREE | Award-winning market with 100+ vendors, fresh produce, and local goods. Accepts SNAP/EBT.
Visit Manassas

Oil Painting Classes - Thursdays 6:00-7:30 PM
Laura Jones Fine Art Gallery, Occoquan
$85 | Learn basic oil painting by the river, all supplies included, ages 16+.
Class Details

Acrylic Painting Classes - Sundays
Youth 12:30-2:30 PM, Adults 3:30-6:30 PM | Laura Jones Fine Art Gallery, Occoquan
Varies | Paint by the river with new themes weekly, no experience needed.
Registration Info

Group Fitness Classes - Daily
Sharron Baucom Dale City Recreation Center
Drop-in rates vary | Six days of Zumba plus HIIT + Core and Vinyasa Yoga, no reservations required.
PWC Parks & Rec

Woodbridge

While everyone knows Potomac Mills for shopping, many families don't realize it's become a complete entertainment destination. The AMC IMAX theater offers the latest blockbusters on massive screens, while Off Limitz adventure park keeps kids active with trampolines and ninja courses. The free Virginia-themed children's play area gives parents a break during shopping trips.

With over 200 stores plus these family attractions, it's evolved into a one-stop destination for entertainment, dining, and shopping. The recent 40th anniversary celebration included special promotions and giveaways, highlighting how this destination continues adapting to serve local families.

Potomac Mills is located at 2700 Potomac Mills Circle, Woodbridge. Visit Simon.com for current store hours and special events.

New $55 Million Elementary School Breaks Ground
PWCS broke ground September 22nd on Potomac Shores Elementary School, serving 1,000 students in grades K-5. The three-story, LEED Silver building features STEAM classrooms, science labs, rooftop solar panels, and opens fall 2027 to relieve overcrowding at six schools currently using 22 trailers.
Read More

Crisis Receiving Center Opens Next Week
The county's new 155,000 square foot behavioral health facility opens October 9th in the former Gander Mountain building on Worth Avenue. It provides 24/7 crisis care with 16 adult stabilization beds and dedicated youth treatment areas, serving all residents regardless of insurance.
Learn More

Small Business Growth Continues
Prince William County saw 33 new small businesses receive certificates in May plus 24 more in June, spanning healthcare, food service, automotive, and professional services. The county's Small Business Program has now assisted 2,709 entrepreneurs with 165 businesses opening in 2025's first half.
Full Story

Major Transportation Improvements Complete
A $30 million transportation project finished on Prince William Parkway, adding lanes, shared-use paths, concrete sidewalks, and intersection improvements. The enhancements reduce traffic wait times and improve pedestrian safety for commuting families.
Project Details

That's your action-packed week ahead in Prince William County! From Grammy winners to world-class dance performances, we've got culture and entertainment that rivals any major city, right here in our community.

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

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