✉️ Opening Note
Dear Neighbors,
June is here — and this first weekend is already shaping up to be one of the best of the summer.
Your Occoquan RiverFest preview is inside — tomorrow we'll have the full guide on woodbridgegazette.com with vendors, parking, and directions before you head out this weekend. We're also telling the story of Bennett School, the 118-year-old Manassas landmark slated for demolition, and what our own Woodbridge District Supervisor has to say about it. And there's big news for Woodbridge: an $81 million interchange is breaking ground at Minnieville Road — it comes with something the county has never had before.
Beyond that — farmers markets, a rubber duck race, a VRE excursion train, free outdoor concerts, and a June events bingo card you'll want to save.
It's a good time to be a neighbor along the Potomac.
— Marie & Dom, The Woodbridge Gazette
🎉 Father's Day is June 21 — Here's Your Local Guide
Sunday June 21 is Father's Day — Prince William County has plenty of ways to celebrate, from classic car shows to craft beer tastings to a BBQ buffet at Quantico. We've rounded up the best of what's happening locally this weekend.
🌤️ This Week's Weather
Summer has arrived in Prince William County.
☁️ Monday — Hi 78°F / Lo 56°F — Mostly cloudy
☀️ Tuesday — Hi 74°F / Lo 55°F — Sunny and mild
☀️ Wednesday — Hi 80°F / Lo 53°F — Warming up nicely
☀️ Thursday — Hi 86°F / Lo 57°F — Hot and sunny
⛅ Friday — Hi 89°F / Lo 60°F — Hot, partly cloudy
🌦️ RiverFest Weekend (Sat–Sun) — Hi 87°F / Lo 67–68°F — Warm with a 40–60% chance of rain. Check the forecast before you go and plan for an early arrival.
🚧 Big Changes Coming to Minnieville Road & Prince William Parkway
Construction is officially underway on an $81 million interchange at one of Woodbridge's most congested intersections — and it comes with a major announcement for the neighborhood.
The new design will route Prince William Parkway under Minnieville Road via a new underpass, improving one of the worst-rated intersections in the VDOT system. Heads up: detours begin in July, so start thinking about alternate routes now.
The interchange also unlocks the Quartz District — a 145-acre walkable community planned for the northwest corner of the intersection with 1,000+ new homes, shops, restaurants, and Prince William County's first ever Whole Foods Market, expected to open in 2028.
Historic Downtown Occoquan, Virginia Photo: Marie Clementi
🎪 This Weekend in Occoquan — RiverFest & Craft Show, June 6–7
If you only get to one event this summer, make it this one.
The Occoquan RiverFest & Craft Show returns to historic downtown Occoquan this Saturday and Sunday, June 6–7, and it is exactly the kind of weekend that makes living in this corner of Virginia feel like a gift. Free admission, hundreds of artisans, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, pontoon boat tours on the river, and — the crowd favorite — a rubber duck race Sunday afternoon.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Parking fills up early, so plan to arrive before 10 or walk in from one of the nearby lots.
While you're there, Occoquan's independent shops and restaurants are all open. If you haven't been to Cozy Calico Books at 199 Union Street yet, this is the perfect excuse — pair a browse with lunch on the waterfront and you have a perfect afternoon.
📍 Historic Downtown Occoquan · occoquanva.gov
🏫 Coming Up — Bennett School: A Story Worth Your Full Attention
Full feature live Tuesday at woodbridgegazette.com
The 118-year-old Bennett School in Manassas — completed in 1908, used as a neighborhood elementary school for generations, and dark since 1989 — is slated for demolition as part of the county's $233 million judicial center expansion.
This week, Woodbridge District Supervisor Jeannie LaCroix weighed in, saying that while she understands the historical significance of the building, a full relocation is too costly. Memorialization, she said, makes sense. Not everyone agrees.
It is a story about history, community identity, and what we choose to preserve when preservation gets expensive. We are giving it the space it deserves.
If you have a connection to Bennett School — if you attended, taught there, or have family who did — we want to hear from you before we publish. Email us at [email protected].
📰 Your Weekly News Brief
Data Centers: The Story Keeps Growing
Last week we told you about QTS appealing to the Virginia Supreme Court to keep the Digital Gateway project alive. This week, a new development: the Prince William County Board of Supervisors is now considering permits for as many as a dozen data centers near schools and homes across the county. Residents are raising concerns. We'll keep watching.
School Funding Restored After threatening to cut more than $30 million from the county school system's budget, the Board of Supervisors voted to restore full funding for fiscal year 2027. The board also set the county's real estate property tax rate as part of the same vote. Good news for county families.
Slick City Action Park Coming to Woodbridge The world's first indoor slide park is opening in Woodbridge next month. Slick City features multiple slides and adventure attractions — a genuinely unique addition to the county for families. We'll have more details as the opening date gets closer.
KidStrong Coming to Woodbridge — The whole-child development program for kids ages 1–11 is opening soon at 2501 Neabsco Common Pl, Suite 109 in Woodbridge. Weekly 45-minute classes designed by pediatric experts build strength, confidence, and character. We'll have a full feature coming soon. Learn more at woodbridge.kidstrong.com or call 703-939-9962.
Manassas Junction Shopping Center Sells for $10.2M The H Mart-anchored shopping center at 8805 Centreville Road in Manassas has sold for $10.2 million. H Mart remains — this is a real estate ownership change, not a closure.
Zargarpur Announces Bid for Coles District Supervisor School Board member Lisa Zargarpur has announced her candidacy for the Coles District Supervisor seat. We'll have more as the race develops.
District 20 Special Election Delegate Maldonado's resignation took effect May 31. A special election for House District 20 is expected soon. We'll have updates as they develop.
🎖️ Military & Veterans
By Domenic Clementi, Military & Veterans Editor
Second Chances: The Veterans Treatment Docket
There are approximately 43,000 veterans living in Prince William County. At any given time, about 300 of them are facing criminal charges related to substance use — many dealing with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, or other wounds that don't show up on an x-ray.
The Veterans Treatment Docket is Prince William County's answer to that. It's a specialized court program that combines accountability with treatment — connecting veterans with the VA, probation, public defenders, and mental health resources, and requiring them to show up, test clean, and do the work for a minimum of one year.
Seven veterans recently completed the program. Judge Wallace Covington dismissed their charges at the ceremony.
One graduate, Army veteran Edvin Martinez, said it simply: because of this program, his kids have a better father.
That's what honoring service looks like in a courthouse on an ordinary Thursday in Manassas.
Honoring service. Covering community.
— Dom
Downtown Occoquan Photo: Domenic Clementi
📅 Events & What's On
June Is Stacking Up Beautifully
Save this. Share it with a neighbor. June in Prince William County is worth showing up for.
🎪 Occoquan RiverFest & Craft Show — June 6–7
Free admission, hundreds of artisans, food trucks, beer and wine garden, pontoon boat tours, and the rubber duck race Sunday afternoon. Hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Arrive early — parking fills fast.
📍 Historic Downtown Occoquan · occoquanva.gov
🚂 32nd Annual Historic Manassas Railway Festival — June 6
Free admission. Model train displays, train memorabilia, specialty vendors, and VRE excursion train rides departing from the Manassas Railroad Depot to historic Clifton and back. Train rides are $9 per person — book ahead, they sell out.
📍 9431 West Street, Old Town Manassas · historicmanassasinc.org
🍽️ Taste of Woodbridge Festival — June 6
A new bigger venue this year — Potomac Mills hosts this popular community festival featuring local food vendors, food trucks, live music, local bands, business sponsors, and family entertainment. A great way to sample the best of Woodbridge all in one place.
📍 Potomac Mills, Woodbridge · kojamevents.com
🎭 Disney Newsies at Hylton Performing Arts Center — June 5 & 6
The Broadway hit comes to Manassas. High energy, great for families and teens. Tickets $35.
📍 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas
🌽 Historic Manassas Farmers Market
Back for the season — Thursdays and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fresh produce, local meats and cheeses, baked goods, and artisan crafts.
📍 Harris Pavilion, 9201 Center St (Thursdays) · 9024 Prince William St (Saturdays)
🌽 Long Family Farmers Market — Starting June 18
A veteran- and family-owned market comes to Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center every Thursday from 2–7 p.m. through October 15. Fresh produce, baked goods, meats, seafood, honey, cheese, and artisan goods. Cash, credit, and EBT/SNAP accepted. Rain or shine.
📍 2300 Opitz Blvd., Woodbridge
🎆 Juneteenth & Me Festival — June 19
The second annual Juneteenth & Me Festival comes to Pfitzner Stadium right here in Woodbridge. Last year drew nearly 5,000 people. More details coming as the date approaches.
📍 Pfitzner Stadium, Woodbridge
🎬 Free Drive-In Movie Nights & Fridays at 5 Concerts
Prince William County Parks & Recreation has brought back free Drive-In Movie Nights and Fridays at 5 outdoor concerts in local parks this summer. Check pwcva.gov/parks for the full schedule.
Save this and check off your June! 🎉
save this and start checking things off. 🎉
🌐 Now Live on the Website
Father's Day in Prince William County
Everything you need to plan a great Father's Day right here in the county — from car shows to craft beer to a Quantico BBQ buffet. Published today at woodbridgegazette.com.
$81 Million Interchange — What It Means for Woodbridge
The full story on the Minnieville Road and Prince William Parkway interchange, the detours starting in July, and the Quartz District development including Prince William County's first Whole Foods. Published today at woodbridgegazette.com.
RiverFest Guide — Live Tomorrow
Full vendor list, parking options, directions, and everything you need for a great day in Occoquan this weekend. Going live Monday at woodbridgegazette.com — check back before you head out. 👉 Full festival schedule and vendor list: occoquanfestivals.com/riverfest
Bennett School — Full Feature Live Tuesday
The complete story on the 118-year-old Bennett School in Manassas, what the county has planned, and what the community is saying about it. Live Tuesday at woodbridgegazette.com.
📚 Summer Reading Season Is Here
Summer Reading Prince William County
Whether you have kids at home or you're just a reader yourself, there are more summer reading programs around Prince William County than you might realize. Prince William Public Libraries is running its 2026 program, "Level Up Your Reading," for K–12 students, with prizes and a grand prize drawing. Register in person at any of the 12 branches, online at pwcva.gov/library, or through the Beanstack app. Beyond the library, Pizza Hut's Book It program is back, Barnes & Noble has a free reading journal, and Nothing Bundt Cakes offers a reading log you can pick up in store. Most programs kick off in June after the last day of school.
Photo: Unsplash
🚌 Fourth of July — Skip the Traffic
Heading into D.C. for the Fourth of July? Leave the car at home. OmniRide is offering free bus service to Metrorail, and once you're on Metro, fares are free after 5 p.m. on Metrorail, Metrobus, and MetroAccess through closing. Parking is also free all day at Metro-owned garages and lots. If you're driving locally and want a safe ride home, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program typically partners with Lyft to offer free rides from 4 p.m. on July 4 through 4 a.m. July 5 — check wrap.org/soberride for the promo code on the day. Plan your trip at omniride.com.
📣 Want to reach your neighbors? The Woodbridge Gazette goes out to readers across Woodbridge and Prince William County every Monday morning. Email us at [email protected] to find out about advertising.
💛 Until Next Monday
June is off to a beautiful start. Get out to Occoquan this weekend if you can — RiverFest is one of those events that reminds you why this corner of Virginia is worth writing about every week.
See you next Monday.
Marie Buckley
Publisher & Editor · The Woodbridge Gazette
Your weekly neighbor along the Potomac.
Domenic Clementi
Military & Veterans Editor · The Woodbridge Gazette
Honoring service. Covering community.
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Photos: Unsplash