Mark your calendars in May for these upcoming events!

Take a Sip of History 

Learn some history at this upcoming event on Wednesday, May 1, 6:30 – 8:30 pm at Water’s End Brewery in Lake Ridge. Join staff from Prince William Forest Park and Prince William Office of Historic Preservation for this Take a Sip of History event on the Civilian Conservation Corps. From the depths of the Great Depression came some of our nation’s finest natural, historic and conservation parks. From 1933 to 1942, tens of thousands of men supported their families by working outdoors to create these national treasures. 

This is a joint program with Water’s End Brewery in Lake Ridge. In honor of this ongoing collaboration, Water’s End will be brewing a special “Sip of History” beer. Ten percent of draft beer sales of this brew on May 1st will be donated to the Prince William Historic Preservation Foundation. 

Attend a Show at Locust Shade Park’s Amphitheater

Come out and enjoy a FREE performance by the Hawaiian hula dance group Na Pikake Lohio Wai Kaulele on Sunday, May 5. No tickets needed. 

This Hawaiian hula dance group has performed at the Washington D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival, local international festivals Workhouse Arts Center events, elder care facilities, weddings and other specialty events around Northern Virginia.

Performance will be held at Jean C. Smith Amphitheater at Locust Shade Park. Our amphitheater presents family entertainment during the late spring and summer months, with bench seating that is protected by a colorful shade structure. Additional seating is available on the gently sloping grass area. Picnic-style foods and soft beverages are permitted in the amphitheater area (no alcoholic beverages, please.)  Videotaping of any performance is strictly forbidden. Click here to view the full spring/summer performance schedule.

Celebrate Mother’s Day at our “Mama Mia” Fitness Workshop

“Mama mia, here we go again! My my, how can we forget you?!” Come join us on Saturday, May 11, from 11 am to noon to celebrate fitness, motherhood and all our super star mother figures. Bring your child and join the fun for this hour of power to include basic cardio and body weight strength exercises! Workshop takes place at Sharron Baucom Dale City Recreation Center. Free to passholders, $12 drop-in fee for all non-passholders. Register today!

Celebrate National Love a Tree Day

National Love a Tree Day is a day to celebrate and appreciate the importance of trees in our lives and the environment. It aims to raise awareness about the benefits of trees and encourage people to plant and care for trees in their communities. Join us on Thursday, May 16 in celebration of our Earth on National Love a Tree Day, with a *FREE outdoor yoga practice in nature at the beautiful Neabsco Creek Boardwalk, south deck. Please note it is about a 30-minute walk from the parking lot pavilion to the south deck of the boardwalk so please arrive early. Free for Dale City Recreation Center and or Chinn Aquatics & Fitness Center passholders. $12 drop-in for non-members. Sign up today.

Bike to Work and Stop at Chinn 

Will you be biking to work on May 17, Bike to Work Day? If so, make a pit stop (if it’s on your way) at Chinn Aquatics & Fitness Center pit stop location—100 meters South of Troupe St. & Chinn Park Dr. intersection. Stop by from 6-9 am for free giveaways while supplies last.

For more information on Bike to Work Day, click here.

For questions regarding Chinn’s pit stop, please contact: Dan Pittman 703.507.3843.

Take a Twilight Hike

Join our park naturalists on Saturday, May 18, from 7:30 – 9:30 pm for a twilight hike and a fun evening that will bring you up close and personal with some of the wetlands best known inhabitants. Look for the signs and listen for the sounds of beavers, owls, deer, and other wetland critters at the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk. Then, meet back at our warm firepit for a springtime smore. Bring a flashlight, this will be a hike to remember! Meet at the Neabsco Regional Park pavilion. Register here. 

Go on a Historic Tour

Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park staff and volunteers will provide guided FREE tours all summer long, and into October, of this hallowed ground that contains camps, cemeteries and battlefields. Learn about Camp Jones and the battles that took place in 1862 and 1863. Tours begin at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm and depart from the parking lot on Iron Brigade Unit Avenue. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. Insect repellent is encouraged. For ages 5+. No pets allowed. For all dates, click here.

Go Swimming!

Prince William County Parks and Recreation community pools open Saturday, May 25! Prince William County has three outdoor community pools, plus Veterans Park Pool which is an outdoor community pool with a twisting waterslide. Please check individual sites for scheduled events, hours of operation, pricing and more. Click here for more information.

Take Advantage of our Summer Sale!

If you’ve been thinking about joining one of our fitness centers, now is the perfect time! From May 1 – June 30, we’re running a special sale on student passes, regular membership passes, personal training packages and youth training packages. View all the details here.

Visit Our Farmers Market

It wouldn’t be spring without a visit to our award-winning Dale City Farmers Market! Open Sundays, from 8 am – 1 pm, April through November, the Dale City Farmers Market is a producer-only market, meaning all products must be grown or made by the seller. This is great news for both our buyers and our sellers as consumers have access to produce, meats, plants and other goods locally grown or created.

Since 1987, Dale City Farmers Market has been at the forefront of serving Prince William County residents. With nearly 50 vendors in the summer and 30+ in the winter, it is one of the largest open-air markets in the region. The market also runs from December to March from 10 am to 1 pm. Please note no animals are allowed at our farmers market except for service animals.