✉️️ Opening Note
Dear Neighbors,
This week, we pause to honor Juneteenth.
Thursday, June 19 marks the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in America — and this year, the Juneteenth & Me Festival returns to Pfitzner Stadium right here in Woodbridge, just four days away. It's free, it's family-friendly, and last year it drew nearly 5,000 people. We have a full Juneteenth feature and events guide on the website — links below.
Father’s Day is this Sunday. We have some ideas for celebrating right here in Prince William County — and our full Father’s Day guide is live on the website. See the events section below.
On the development front: after ten years of planning and more than twenty submissions, the Legacy at Kline project has been approved — 240 age-restricted homes coming to the Coles District near Manassas. And construction is underway on a brand-new roundabout in Old Town Manassas that will reshape one of the city's busiest intersections.
July 4th is 19 days away. Dom Clementi has launched his July 4th series — Part 1 is live on the website and it's the kind of piece worth reading.
A full Prince William County July 4th guide is coming in next week's issue.
This Saturday alone there are four free community events worth your time — the Bee Festival in Manassas, SummerFest at Tackett's Mill in Lake Ridge, Liberia House Open House, and Park Day in Manassas. Summer is here. June is stacking up beautifully.
— Marie & Dom, The Woodbridge Gazette
🌤️ This Week's Weather
June in Prince William County is delivering — warm days, summer evenings, and a few storms mixed in to keep things interesting.
☀️ Monday June 15 — Hi 81°F — Sunny and comfortable. A great newsletter morning.
☀️ Tuesday June 16 — Hi 79°F — Mild and clear. Enjoy it.
🌤️ Wednesday June 17 — Hi 85°F — Warming up, mostly sunny with a slight chance of afternoon storms.
⛈️ Thursday June 18 — Hi 92°F — Hot with a 40% chance of afternoon thunderstorms. If you’re heading to the Long Family Farmers Market, keep an eye on the radar.
⛈️ Friday June 19 — Juneteenth — Hi 83°F — Rain likely (75% chance). If you’re heading to Pfitzner Stadium for the Juneteenth & Me Festival, plan for possible afternoon showers but the evening should clear. Noon to 9 p.m. — plenty of time for the weather to improve.
🌤️ Saturday June 20 — Hi 95°F — Hot and mostly sunny in the morning, scattered storms possible late afternoon. Bee Festival runs 10 a.m.–2 p.m. — you should be clear for the morning. Four free community events across the county.
⛈️ Sunday June 21 — Father's Day — Hi 97°F — Very hot with strong thunderstorms possible. Plan outdoor activities for the morning and move inside by afternoon. Check pwcva.gov/parks for outdoor pool hours — a great Father's Day option if storms roll in.
🌊 Belmont Bay — Now on the Website
Photo: Dom Clementi / The Woodbridge Gazette
The full story on Woodbridge's most significant waterfront redevelopment in years is now live. After nearly seven years of planning, the Prince William County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve the Belmont Bay redevelopment — 348 new homes on nearly 160 acres adjacent to the Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, with 74% of the property preserved as open space. Three distinct neighborhoods. An outdoor amphitheater. A George Mason University garden. A permanent conservation easement protecting the former golf course forever.
👉 Read the full Belmont Bay story at woodbridgegazette.com
🏡 After 10 Years, Legacy at Kline Is Finally Approved
For generations, the Kline farm was one of the last stretches of open land along Prince William Parkway — rolling fields, a red barn, and a pair of silos visible from the road just east of Manassas. After more than ten years of proposals, revisions, and community pushback, the Prince William County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in May to approve Legacy at Kline — 240 age-restricted homes on 87 acres, developed by Stanley Martin Homes. The community will include a craft brewery, amphitheater, coffee shop, and Silo Park — a courtyard built around the farm's original concrete silos, preserving a piece of the land's dairy history. Twenty-four affordable units are included. This one is worth reading in full.
👉 Full story at woodbridgegazette.com
📰 Your Weekly News Brief
⚽ FIFA World Cup Is Here — Watch It Locally
The 2026 FIFA World Cup — the first ever co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico — is officially underway, and Prince William County has plenty of places to catch the matches. Eavesdrop Brewery in Manassas has games on three TVs, an indoor projector, and outdoor TVs under a covered tent. Rockwood in Gainesville is screening all day. Brittany’s Restaurant & Sports Bar in Lake Ridge is a neighborhood favorite for watch parties. And Madigan’s Waterfront in Occoquan hosted a river-side opening match party. Prince William is also the most diverse county in Virginia — making it one of the best places in Northern Virginia to feel the full international energy of the tournament.
⭐Prince William County to Dedicate Revolutionary War Memorial This Summer
Prince William County is building a new Revolutionary War Memorial at Williams Ordinary — one of the oldest surviving colonial-era taverns in Virginia, located on Route 1 in Dumfries. The project, funded in part by an $81,000 Virginia 250 grant, will feature an outdoor commemorative space honoring the county’s contributions to the American Revolution. Dedication is set for August 8, 2026. Williams Ordinary is a landmark worth knowing — and a full feature is coming to woodbridgegazette.com.
🚧 Construction Underway on Manassas Roundabout
A new era of traffic flow is coming to one of Old Town Manassas's busiest corners. Construction started this month on the $5.07 million Sudley Road Roundabout at the intersection of Centreville Road, Sudley Road, and Prescott Avenue — a project seven years in the making. The two-lane roundabout will replace the existing traffic signal, improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and create a new gateway to Historic Downtown Manassas. According to City of Manassas data, roundabouts like this typically reduce overall crashes by 35% and injury crashes by 76% compared to traditional signalized intersections. Completion expected summer 2027 — plan alternate routes now.
👉 manassasva.gov/sudley-roundabout
🍽️ Meals Tax Coming Down — January 1, 2027
Good news for anyone who eats out in Prince William County. The Board of Supervisors voted in April to reduce the meals tax from 3% to 2%, effective January 1, 2027. The tax has been gradually reduced since its 2022 introduction — from 4% to 3% last January, and now heading lower. Restaurant owners across the county, who have long criticized the tax, welcomed the move.
👉 pwcva.gov/department/tax-administration/food-and-beverage-tax
🐝 Manassas Bee Festival Returns June 20
Images courtesy of Friends of the Manassas Bee Festival.
The 6th Annual Manassas Bee Festival is this Saturday, June 20 at Liberia House and Grounds — and it's free. Honey hike, mead garden, farm animals, food trucks, live music, native plant experts, bounce house, and a pollinator costume parade. Manassas is the first city in Northern Virginia with Bee City USA designation. New this year: tai chi, sound experiences, and a gong bath. The 2K Honey Hike kicks off at 9:15 a.m. from the Manassas Museum Lawn. Full feature on the website.
📍 8601 Portner Ave., Manassas · ManassasBeeFestival.com
👉 Full story at woodbridgegazette.com
🏫 PWCS Changes Collective Bargaining Rules — Over Union Objections
The Prince William County School Board voted 5-1-2 on June 3 to amend its collective bargaining resolution, weakening the enforcement power of arbitrators in unfair labor practice disputes. Under the change, an arbitrator can now only issue a non-binding recommendation — rather than a binding order — when a party is found to have violated the agreement. The vote drew opposition from Coles District board member Lisa Zargarpur and Potomac District member Justin Wilk. The amendment comes as the school division is locked in an ongoing legal dispute with the Prince William Education Association over the rehiring of a former union president. Teachers and union members pushed back at the meeting.
🏛️ Virginia's Data Center Tax Fight — And a June 30 Deadline
The data center battle isn't just local. In Richmond, the Virginia House and Senate are deadlocked over whether to keep the state's data center sales tax exemption — worth about $1.6 billion annually to the industry. The House unveiled a new budget June 12 that strips previously proposed environmental standards for data centers, replacing them with a commission to study community impacts and report back by November 1. The Senate wants to end the tax break entirely. If no budget deal is reached by June 30, state services and employee pay will be interrupted. House returns June 18, Senate June 22. Del. Luke Torian of Prince William County is co-presenting the House proposal. We are watching this closely and will have a full report soon.
💻 $975 Million Data Center Deal Closes in Prince William County
The data center boom in Prince William County keeps growing. Blue Owl Capital has provided $975 million in financing for Project Helios — a newly constructed CorScale Data Centers campus in Gainesville, fully leased to a major cloud provider under a long-term deal. At full build-out, CorScale's Gainesville Crossing Campus will span 2.3 million square feet across five buildings with 326 megawatts of capacity — one of the largest data center campuses in the region. This comes as the county continues to grapple with three new data center proposals pushing eastward toward Woodbridge and Dumfries. We are watching this story closely.
👉 datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/blue-owl-provides-975m-financing-for-northern-virginia-data-center/
🏠 Your Property Tax Bill Is Going Down
Good news for Prince William County homeowners. The Board of Supervisors voted April 21 to reduce the real estate tax rate from $0.906 to $0.865 per $100 of assessed value — a decrease of roughly $56 in the average residential tax bill. The reduction is part of the county's adopted FY2027 budget, which also includes a $1.1 billion transfer to Prince William County Schools — a 12.5% increase over last year.
👉 pwcva.gov/news/board-county-supervisors-adopts-fy2027-budget-and-reduces-real-estate-tax-rate
🗳️ District 20 Special Election — Still Watching
Delegate Maldonado's resignation took effect May 31. A special election date for House District 20 has not yet been announced. We'll update you as soon as one is set.
🏗️ Development Watch: Neabsco Reserve + Mapledale Plaza
Two more residential projects are moving forward in Dale City. The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Neabsco Reserve — 15 single-family homes on Delaney Road near the Sharon Baucom Dale City Recreation Center, with over half the site preserved as open space and a $30,000 contribution to county schools. Meanwhile, the Planning Commission voted 6-2 to advance Mapledale Plaza — 208 homes at Dale Boulevard and Ridgefield Road, directly across from the Prince William Ice Center. Residents raised concerns about school overcrowding at King Elementary and Beville Middle, both already projected over capacity by 2029-30. The Mapledale Plaza project now heads to the Board of Supervisors for final approval. We’ll follow both.
🎒 PWCS Universal Pre-K — Here's the Plan
Prince William County schools recently gave families their first detailed look at the path to universal pre-K. The county currently has nearly 22,000 children under age 5 but capacity for only about 18,000 — leaving roughly 3,800 without an early childhood seat. For the 2026–27 school year, PWCS will move 4-year-old classrooms to full-day schedules and add seats where space allows. By 2027–28, Washington Reid Preschool near Montclair off Dumfries Road will open at full capacity, adding roughly 19 classrooms. The goal: universal access for every 4-year-old by 2030–31. Note: an earlier budget shortfall this spring had threatened to delay the initiative — worth watching as funding is finalized.
🥾 Leopold's Preserve Named a National Recreation Trail
Prince William County just earned a national honor. The U.S. Department of the Interior has designated Leopold's Preserve in western Prince William County as a National Recreation Trail — one of just five new designations announced nationally as part of Great Outdoors Month and National Trails Day. The free, 7-mile trail network sits within a 380-acre preserve west of Haymarket, traversing wetlands, meadows, forests, and historic landscapes with relatively flat terrain accessible to all skill levels. Over 30 interpretive signs highlight local ecology and history — including the site of a Civil War battlefield and a former schoolhouse for African Americans. Free and open dawn to dusk, seven days a week. A full feature is coming on the website.
📍 16290 Thoroughfare Road, Broad Run · leopoldspreserve.com
🏠 Woodbridge Mobile Home Park — Still Watching
Residents who received eviction notices earlier this year received a temporary reprieve. We continue to follow this story.
🦅 A Stafford Deputy Who Rescues Eagles
Just south of Prince William County, Stafford County Sheriff’s Deputy Rachel Peterson has rescued five injured bald eagles since May 27 — including two herself, one found sitting on an embankment at the Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve off Accokeek Creek. Peterson wraps them in blankets, keeps them calm, and sends them to Blue Ridge Wildlife Center for rehabilitation. “It’s incredibly rewarding,” she told InsideNova. “You never expect to see such a majestic animal up close.” A good reminder that the Potomac corridor is bald eagle country — and that our neighbors in uniform protect more than just people. According to InsideNova.
🎢 Slick City Is Open — Woodbridge's Newest Attraction
It's here. Slick City Action Park opened at Potomac Mills in Woodbridge on Saturday, June 13 — the largest Slick City location in the country at more than 70,000 square feet. The park features 16 slides including Mega Launch and Big Wave, plus Mini Motors Go-Karts, Uptown Putt mini golf, and air courts. A ribbon cutting with the Prince William Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for Wednesday, June 24 at 4:30 p.m. 📍 2700 Potomac Mills Circle, Suite 104, Woodbridge · slickcity.com
🎆 Dom's July 4th Series — Part 1 Is Live
Our Military & Veterans Editor Dom Clementi has launched his July 4th series — a multi-part look at Independence Day through the lens of service, history, and community. Part 1, The Setting: Summer in Philadelphia, 1776 is live now on the website.
July 4th is 19 days away. A full Prince William County July 4th guide is coming in next week's issue.
🌐 Now Live on the Website
6th Annual Manassas Bee Festival — Your Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about Saturday's free festival at Liberia House.
🎁 Father's Day in Prince William County — Your Local Guide
Everything you need to plan a great Father’s Day right here in the county.
🕯️ Juneteenth in Prince William County — Full Feature
The history of Juneteenth, what it means for our community, and everything you need to know about the Juneteenth & Me Festival this Thursday at Pfitzner Stadium.
👉 woodbridgegazette.com/p/celebrating-juneteenth-in-prince-william-county-and-across-the-commonwealth
📅 Events & What's On
June Is Stacking Up Beautifully
🏫 Juneteenth at Lucasville School Historic Site — Thursday, June 19 | 11 a.m.–3 p.m. | Free
Step inside Prince William County’s history on Juneteenth at the Lucasville School Historic Site — a one-room schoolhouse that tells the story of freedmen communities across the county and the long road toward education through Reconstruction and Jim Crow. A quiet, meaningful way to mark the day alongside the larger festival at Pfitzner Stadium. Donations welcome.
📍 10516 Godwin Dr., Manassas · (703) 365-7895
🕯️ Juneteenth & Me Festival — Thursday, June 19 | Noon–9 p.m. | Free
Prince William County’s second annual Juneteenth & Me Festival returns to Pfitzner Stadium this Thursday, noon to 9 p.m. This year’s theme is Black Renaissance: Leading the Path Forward — and with 100+ vendors, live performances, food trucks, and family activities, it’s expected to be bigger than last year’s debut, which drew nearly 5,000 neighbors despite a rainstorm. Free and open to all.
📍 Pfitzner Stadium, 7 County Complex Court, Woodbridge · pwcva.gov
🏛️ Batestown Exhibit Ribbon Cutting — Saturday, June 20 | 4–5:30 p.m. | Free
One of the most significant local history events of the summer opens this Saturday in Dumfries. The Batestown Exhibit Ribbon Cutting at Williams Ordinary marks the grand opening of a new rotating exhibit exploring the history of Batestown — a resilient African American community established by free and formerly enslaved families near Dumfries. Opening on Juneteenth weekend, this is part of the broader effort to transform Williams Ordinary into a vibrant cultural center in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. Light refreshments served. Donations welcome.
📍 17674 Main Street, Dumfries
☀️️ Father’s Day — Sunday, June 21
Happy Father’s Day to every dad, grandfather, stepfather, and father figure in Prince William County. A few ideas for a great Sunday:
🍖 Father’s Day BBQ Buffet at The Clubs at Quantico — Noon–3 p.m. A festive BBQ buffet in a venue steeped in Marine Corps history. Open to the public. Reservations on Eventbrite. 📍 3017 Russell Rd., Quantico · 703-784-4264
📖 Read our full Father's Day guide for more ideas celebrating right here in Prince William County.
👉 woodbridgegazette.com/p/father-s-day-in-prince-william-county
🍺 Local brewery crawl — Eavesdrop Brewery in Manassas, 2 Silos at NOVA Live, Sinistral Brewing, or Capital Sculpture Garden & Winery. A great Sunday afternoon for dads who appreciate a cold one.
🌊 Head to Belmont Bay or Occoquan — Walk the waterfront, grab lunch at Madigan’s, and enjoy the river.
🥾 Leopold’s Preserve — Take dad for a free morning hike at Prince William County’s newly designated National Recreation Trail west of Haymarket. Seven miles of flat, accessible trail. No cost. No crowds.
🎉 SummerFest at Tackett's Mill — Saturday, June 20 | 1–3 p.m. | Free
Lake Ridge's own free family festival — game stations, face painting, and a Father's Day card-making table for the kids. A relaxed neighborhood afternoon hosted by Occoquan District Supervisor Kenny Boddye. Saturday June 20 is shaping up to be a very busy day in Prince William County.
📍 2230 Tackett's Mill Drive, Lake Ridge
👉 occoquandistrict.net/event/summerfest-at-tacketts-mill/
🐝 6th Annual Manassas Bee Festival — Saturday, June 20 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Free
Honey hike, mead garden, farm animals, food trucks, live music, and a pollinator costume parade at historic Liberia House. New this year: wellness programming including tai chi and a gong bath. Honey Hike starts 9:15 a.m. at the Manassas Museum Lawn.
📍 8601 Portner Ave., Manassas · ManassasBeeFestival.com
🏛️ Liberia House Open House — Saturday, June 20 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Free
Historic Liberia House opens for self-guided tours the same day as the Bee Festival. Two great reasons to be in Manassas this Saturday.
📍 8601 Portner Ave., Manassas
🌳 4th Annual Park Day — City of Manassas — Saturday, June 20 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Free
The City of Manassas Parks & Recreation hosts its annual Park Day as part of Virginia's statewide Play All Day VA initiative.
📍 City of Manassas · cityofmanassas.gov
🎺 Sounds of Summer — 257th Army Band — Saturday, June 27 | Free
The Town of Occoquan presents a free outdoor concert on the waterfront featuring the 257th Army Band. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the river breeze.
📍 Historic Downtown Occoquan · visitoccoquan.com
🌶️ Sazón Latin Food Festival — Saturday, June 28
Latin food, music, and culture come to Old Town Manassas. A great cap to the month.
📍 Eavesdrop Brewery, Manassas
🌽 Long Family Farmers Market — Starting June 18 | Thursdays, 2–7 p.m.
The veteran- and family-owned market at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center returns for the season through October 15. Fresh produce, meats, seafood, honey, cheese, and artisan goods. Cash, credit, and EBT/SNAP accepted. Rain or shine.
📍 2300 Opitz Blvd., Woodbridge
🌽 Dale City Farmers Market — Every Sunday, 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
Fresh produce, local vendors, baked goods, and more.
📍 VDOT commuter lot, 14090 Gemini Way, Dale City
🌽 Historic Manassas Farmers Market — Thursdays & Saturdays, 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
📍 Harris Pavilion, 9201 Center St (Thursdays) · 9024 Prince William St (Saturdays)
🏰 Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park Tours — Free | Weekends through October
Free guided tours of one of Prince William County's most significant Civil War sites.
🛍️ Tackett's Mill Community Market — Coming August 22 | Every Third Saturday | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Something new is coming to Lake Ridge — vintage clothing, handcrafted goods, antiques, and specialty items. Not a traditional farmers market. Mark your calendar.
📍 2241 Tacketts Mill Dr, Lake Ridge · tackettsmill.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
Juneteenth is Thursday. The Bee Festival is Saturday. July 4th is less than three weeks away.
Get out to Pfitzner Stadium on Thursday. Take the kids to Liberia House on Saturday. And look for a full July 4th guide in next week's issue — Dom and I have been working on something good.
See you next Monday.
Marie Clementi
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: Dom Clementi / The Woodbridge Gazette · Bee Festival images courtesy of Friends of the Manassas Bee Festival