Occoquan Business Slowed by Heat, Power Outage, Holiday Weekend

Occoquan small business owners say the slower customer traffic is to be expected after the heat wave and holiday weekend forced most residents to leave the area or stay in their homes.

During the holiday weekend, the residents that remained in the area chose to beat the heat by staying in homes that were air-conditioned, or flocking to restaurants like Panera or merchants like IKEA that offered food, air conditioning, and a place to sit.  As a result, Occoquan business was especially slow this weekend, but small business owners said the low numbers were to be expected after the heat wave and holiday weekend drove most residents to leave the area or stay in their homes.  Despite a variety of chilled treats, Margie Blanton at MJ's Ice Cream-N-More said her customer traffic has not seen a major uptick during this weekend's heat wave.  "Yesterday was good," Blanton said on Saturday. But Sunday was comparable to normal …

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Duck Splash Race Floats On For Another Year

A couple thousand ducks were released this year.

Over 2000 yellow rubber ducks plunged into the Occoquan River today and then took their sweet time getting to the dock in the Annual Duck Splash Race. Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta oversaw the process from a boat in the middle of the river, surrounded by a small fleet of kayakers.  "There are three possible ways this race can go," Porta explained over a megaphone. Either the ducks would float toward the dock, or they would float away toward the island in the middle of the river, or they would stay still. The finish line would be established once the ducks' path was evident.  "And if they stay still, we'll do our best to entertain you until they get moving again," Porta said.  At 12:30 p.m., after a 10 second countdown led by a young girl …

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Duck Splash Race Returns to Occoquan Saturday

Adopt a rubber duck or just come to enjoy the show.

This Saturday, a few thousand yellow rubber ducks will plunge from the Route 123 bridge into the Occoquan River, where they will race to the town docks.  The ducks are up for adoption and will be individually numbered so that those adopting winning ducks will take home monetary prizes.  The sixth Annual Duck Splash Race benefits the Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition. First-place prize is $500, second through fifth-place prizes are $100 each, and sixth through 10th-place prizes are $20 each. To adopt your own duck, and to find out more information, visit the PWTSC website. To see pictures and video from last year's Duck Splash Race, see Keri's coverage of the event.

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Weekend Planner: Motorcycle Ride, Ventriloquist, Open Climb

Get out this weekend.

The Ride for Jill's House When/Where: June 9, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. 10002 Battlefield Pkwy., Manassas. Why Go: A 100-mile motorcycle ride through northern Virginia benefitting Jill's House, a respite center for children with special needs. Since its inception in 2009, over 400 riders and volunteers have participated and helped raise over $65,000 to benefit Jill's House. Price: $35 per rider, $15 per passenger. Get daily and breaking news email updates from Lake Ridge - Occoquan Patch by signing up for newsletters here. Puppet Man Ministries  When/Where: June 9, 6 p.m. Dale City Baptist Church, 3501 Dale Blvd., Woodbridge.  Why Go: Christian ventriloquist entertains families. Price: Free. 2012 Virginia Renaissance Faire When/Where: June 9, 10, 10 a…

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Last Chance: Vote For the Most Interesting Town in America

Don't forget Occoquan.

Reader's Digest's contest for the Most Interesting Town is winding down next week, but there's still a chance to vote for Occoquan. Each week, the counter resets, leaving every town's vote count at zero. Even if you voted for Occoquan before, take a minute to do so again.  Cumberland, Va., won the Week 11 popular vote and a mention in Reader's Digest, but each week, a different town has won the vote, and this week, it could be Occoquan.  Occoquan was nominated in 2011 for Budget Travel's Coolest Small Town, but was outvoted by other towns.  Let's make this happen! Share this story on Twitter and Facebook so more people get the chance to nominate Occoquan. 

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Rachel Leon

3:49 pm on Friday, May 25, 2012

Boyd, Occoquan is truly a wonderful place. Make sure you tell your friends to vote for it too!   more ›

Taste of Lake Ridge Satisfies and Delights

Residents of Lake Ridge and surrounding areas enjoyed the tastings provided by LRPRA's Taste of Lake Ridge in a lively atmosphere.

Last night's Taste of Lake Ridge brought together a sampling of local fare for both new and returning customers to enjoy. Over 12 vendors were in attendance with plenty of food to support the large crowd. Every year, the event showcases a diverse range of local food businesses, from chain restaurants to out-of-the-house bakeries.  It provides opportunity for community members to experience local restaurants and other food establishments often for the first time. The stormy forecast cleared up long enough for hundreds of people to enjoy and have fun at the Lake Ridge Parks and Recreation Association event, which ran from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Songs from Journey, Bon Jovi and Abba were heard over the speakers, as the live DJ announced deals from …

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Buy Tickets for Taste of Lake Ridge

Tickets are 50 cents each.

Art on the Block Highlights Local Talent

Four galleries hosted open houses during Occoquan's Art on the Block event on May 12.

Photographs of dining patrons transformed by digital paint colors; layers of beeswax mixed with resin and oil colors; a representation of death and hope captured in a single white balloon—these gallery pieces were among hundreds on display for Occoquan’s Art on the Block. The May 12 event was the collaborative effort of four galleries located on the 300 block of Mill Street: Kelly’s Artbox, Artists’ Undertaking Gallery, The Loft Gallery, and Art a La Carte. Each gallery offered buffet-style refreshments and the opportunity for patrons to familiarize themselves with the works of local artists and their wide range of techniques and media: from painting, pottery, and sculpture to photography, metal works, and jewelry. Hannah Weatherington has…

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Weekend Planner: Relay for Life, U.S. Navy Concert, Rummage Sale

Get out this weekend.

Relay for Life of Prince William County When/Where: May 12, noon. C.D. Hylton High School, 14051 Spriggs Road, Woodbridge. Why Go: Support the fight against cancer. Pricing: Free. Church Rummage Sale When/Where: May 12, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Occoquan Bible Church, 3700 Old Bridge Road, Lake Ridge. Why Go: Sale to feature clothing, furniture, electronics, toys, and other items. Pricing: Free. Watercolor Artist Reception When/Where: May 12, 1-4 p.m. The Loft Gallery, 313 Mill St, Occoquan. Why Go: Deborah Conn uses hand colored and marbled papers to add texture to her watercolor paintings. "Collage has freed me somewhat from my source material," she said, "allowing me to introduce less literal and more dramatic elements into my work." Pricing: Free…

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Occoquan's Art on the Block is May 12

Come see the work of over 55 artists.

Come and support over 55 local artists this Saturday in Occoquan at Art on the Block. The art will be displayed at four galleries in Occoquan: Art A La Carte, Artists' Undertaking Gallery, Kelly's Artbox, and the Loft Gallery. Each location will have a reception, art demonstrations, and drawings for prizes. The event is free and will run from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Last May, the Occoquan Merchants Association hosted the Art Gallery Walk and Wine Tasting. Patch contributor Stephanie Dupal-Demartin took video.

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