Manassas holds its first celebration of the Fourth
But one thing is for sure: The Park has better funnel cakes.
Manassas Park Councilman William Wren describes them as the “best in three counties.”
“We take the recipe for these things and lock it in a safe for a year. Why do you think we have sheriff
‘s deputies standing around this tent?” said Manassas Park School Superintendent Thomas DeBolt.
The cake-related advantage, however, didn
‘t stop Manassas from trying to make its own mark with July Fourth festivities. This is the first year Manassas has celebrated the Fourth of July.
When asked if Manassas
‘ festivities were having an effect, Theresa Polk, Manassas Park
‘s special events coordinator, said at 6 p.m. that crowds were higher than last year.
But at the Manassas Park Women
‘s Club tent, Frances Embrey saw things in a different way.
“Attendance isn
‘t nearly as high was it was last year,” she said.
And yet hundreds of people ignored the 100-degree heat to stake out spots picnic spots at Manassas Park
‘s Signal View Park, with some coming as early as 5 a.m. to find a spot.
Meanwhile people were only beginning to walk down Battle Street at 6 p.m., heading to the site of Manassas
‘ festival, held near the Train Depot in Old Town.
Walking away from the festival with his wife and three kids, Bill Hogan hoped Historic Manassas would do more next year.
“They could probably have a few more activities,” he said.
The Manassas event had some small carnival rides, as well as a variety of food stands, offering a variety of tasty foods ranging from pork sandwiches to hot dogs.
In Manassas Park, the Fourth of July celebration has become a tradition for the community.
“We
‘ve had people from as far away from Richmond calling us about this,” Polk said.
It also offered a chance for Mayor William Treuting to recognize Women
‘s Club member Barbara Regan as “Citizen of the Year.”
In Manassas, Callaghan hoped July Fourth festivities would become a tradition for the community as well.
“We just hope this thing is going to be a great success. And this is going to be the beginning of an annual event,” she said.
Staff writer Chris Newmarker can be reached at (703)368-3101, Ext. 119.