Paradise Donuts: Breakfast Cereal Gets a Sweet Makeover

The Manassas branch of Paradise Donuts only opened on July 1, but it's already attracting quite an illustrious clientele. Virginia's Governor Terry McAuliffe was among the crowd on opening day, cutting the ribbon and trying a taste of the gourmet treats at Paradise Donuts—as evidenced by this playful photo. But you don't have to be a bigwig to sink your teeth into one of the treats crafted at this branch of Paradise Donuts, which is only a few minutes away from The Courts at Historic Manassas.

Locals are already sliding into a routine with Paradise Donuts, heading here before work to grab some cereal—but not in a bowl. Doughnuts dusted with Cap'n Crunch or Fruity Pebbles typically appear in the glass case. They reside right alongside more conventional creations, such as simple chocolate frosted and glazed doughnuts. Blueberry crumb cake doughnuts, apple-filled pastries, and cinnamon rolls are also on the menu at Paradise, not to mention a few savory eats such as the jalapeno sausage roll. Have you tried any of these treats yet?

Paradise Donuts
10223 Nokesville Road
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 479-2284
www.facebook.com/pages/Paradise-Donuts
www.yelp.com/biz/paradise-donuts-manassas-2

Celebrate America: Do Independence Day Right in Old Town Manassas!

The Fourth of July is all about friendly competition this year in Old Town Manassas. At its Celebrate America bash on July 4, which unfolds less than half a mile away from The The Courts at Historic Manassas, guests have plenty of opportunities to face off against friends. Enter your best confection in the Apple and Peach Pie Contest. Test the size of your stomach in the Watermelon Eating Contest. Or show off your creativity in the Bicycle Decorating Contest. You can also simply serve as a spectator at any of the contests, cheering on your favorite participant.

In addition to the competitions, Celebrate America also hosts kid-friendly rides, many food vendors, and local artisans selling their wares. But the crowning jewel of the day is the fireworks display, which kicks off at 9:15 p.m. Load up your lawn chairs and blankets early so that you can snag a front row seat on the Manassas Museum Lawn.

Celebrate America
Old Town Manassas
4 to 10 p.m. July 4
Manassas, VA 20110
visitmanassas.org/event/celebrate-america

Manassas Olive Oil Company: Have a Taste and Discover New Varieties!

Everyone’s heard of wine and beer tastings, but have you ever been to an olive oil tasting? What about a balsamic vinegar tasting? These experiences are just a stone’s throw away at Manassas Olive Oil Company, less than a mile from The Courts at Historic Manassas.

At a brand-new location that opened in May, Manassas Olive Oil Company offers the highest-quality oils and vinegars that will make you ditch your grocery store brand for good. The shop offer single-origin oils, as well as varieties infused with fruit, vegetables, and spices. Gourmet oils made from pumpkin seeds, almonds, and more are hand-crafted by artisans. Pick up a dark or white balsamic infused with fruit for a perfect salad dressing. There are sample bottles of each variety with little cups underneath for you to sample from. Dip in a small piece of bread, or sip it straight up – either way is great! Manassas Olive Oil Company also hosts events with free tastings, food, coupons, and raffles.

Have you visited Manassas Olive Oil Company yet?

Manassas Olive Oil Company
9406 Grant Ave.
Manassas, VA 20110
www.manassasoliveoil.com
www.yelp.com/biz/manassas-olive-oil-company-manassas

Relax in the Grass at the 11th Annual Manassas Wine and Jazz Festival This Sunday!

The Manassas Wine and Jazz Festival has taken place every Father’s Day since 2004, and this year is no different. Held on the lawn of the Manassas Museum, just a quick drive from The Courts at Historic Manassas, this event attracts those from all over Northern Virginia and beyond. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and relax as you sip wine and listen to this year's headliner, jazz pianist Marcus Johnson, perform.

Visitors will get the opportunity to try wines as well as purchase bottles from a variety of Virginia wineries, and winery representatives will be on hand to guide you toward pours that you’d enjoy most. Some of the participating wineries include Stone Mountain Vineyards, Saude Creek Vineyards, and North Mountain Vineyards and Winery.

Tickets are $30 in advance ($35 on the day of the event) for those who’ll be tasting wine, and $20 for non-tasters who are 21 years of age. Children under 10 can attend free of charge. Purchase tickets online at visitmanassas.org or stop by the Old Town Visitor Center in the train depot, which is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Are you planning on attending the Manassas Wine and Jazz Festival?

The 11th Annual Manassas Wine and Jazz Festival
Noon to 7 p.m., Sunday, June 21
Manassas Museum Lawn
9101 Prince William St.
Manassas, VA
visitmanassas.org

Mmm’s the Word at Mum Mum Restaurant, a New Eatery in Manassas

In lieu of walls, Mum Mum Restaurant has glass. The glass panes stretch from floor to ceiling, offering panoramic views of the surrounding Manassas treetops. Although Mum Mum only opened in March about 10 minutes from The Courts at Historic Manassas, its striking aesthetic is already making waves in the local dining scene. Even when the sunlight fades, pink-purple lighting at the bar set the entire space aglow.

The only thing that could potentially distract from the surroundings? Mum Mum's Thai cuisine. The succinct menu showcases gourmet creations, such as the khao mun gai tod (also known as crispy chicken with rice) and khao pad keow waan, a green curry served with rice and Thai basil. If you just want to grab a small bite and a drink, try the mango salad, edamame, or Thai version of hot wings. They're all on the appetizer menu at Mum Mum.

Mum Mum Restaurant
10945 George Mason Circle
Manassas, VA 20110
(571) 208-0264
www.mummumrestaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/mum-mum-restaurant-manassas

Celebrate Your City at the Manassas Heritage Railway Festival and Taste of Historic Manassas This Weekend

This weekend, historic downtown Manassas will have more to offer than just sightseeing. A pair of festivals are gearing up to take over the Harris Pavilion, located a few minutes from The Courts at Historic Manassas.

The first is the 21st Annual Manassas Heritage Railway Festival on Saturday. Dedicated to commemorating the history of the railroad not only in the area, but also across the country, this festival boasts everything from rides aboard real trains to exhibits displaying train memorabilia. Live music by local country and bluegrass bands round out the itinerary.

On Sunday, the Taste of Historic Manassas switches gears from historical modes of transportation to current cuisine. Local eateries including Okra's, Monza, and C.J. Finz put their fresh takes on Southern fare, international eats, and seafood on display at the food fest's many booths. Try a taste of the various cuisines while you enjoy live entertainment at the Taste of Historic Manassas.

21st Annual Manassas Heritage Railway Festival
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 6
visitmanassas.org/event/20th-annual-manassas-heritage-railway-festival/?instance_id=

Taste of Historic Manassas
12 to 4:30 p.m. June 7
visitmanassas.org/event/taste-of-historic-manassas/?instance_id=6704

Both held at Harris Pavilion
9201 Center Street
Manassas, VA 20110

The Taps are Always Changing at BadWolf Brewing Company

For Jeremy Meyers, a trip to Germany drastically altered the course of his life. It took about a decade afterwards for the impact to really be felt, though. He spent that time learning how to brew craft beer at home and virtually perfecting the art. Finally after 10 years of home brewing, Jeremy decided to take advantage of wife Sarah's business prowess and offer his beer to the public. And so BadWolf Brewing Company was born in the summer of 2013, only about a mile from The Courts at Historic Manassas.

Still a family-run endeavor, BadWolf has expanded to include some extra staffers to help with the brewing and pouring process. They churn out a huge variety of beers in the tap room, from pilsner ales to stouts. The tap list changes constantly, so come back time and time again for a new sip. Depending on the season, you might find a light Kolsch ale like Ruth's Ginger Pear or the heavier Skoll, a bold Belgian ale tinged with flavor tones of fruit. Bring your own food along or just enjoy the complimentary popcorn served.

BadWolf Brewing Company
9776 Center Street
Manassas, VA 20110
(571) 358-9774
www.badwolfbrewingcompany.com
www.yelp.com/biz/badwolf-brewing-company-manassas

Shop for More Than Just Produce at the Old Town Manassas Farmers Market

Variety. This is one of the reasons why Old Town Manassas Farmers Market is considered one of the best in the region. It’s open twice a week all year-round, but during late spring, summer, and early fall is when it really shines. You can find some real gems here beyond the usual produce.

Case in point: Artisan pickles sold in mason jars. Once you’ve gobbled up all of your pickles, bring back the empty jar for a discount on the next batch. Also keep an eye out for potted herbs, local honey, fresh baked goods including cookies, bread, and muffins.

But the highlight of the Old Town Manassas Farmers Market is still the fresh fruits and vegetables. The sheer variety is staggering, so take your time wandering around. On Thursdays, the market is located in the Harris Pavilion in Historic Downtown Manassas and on Saturdays it’s in Parking Lot B behind Harris Pavilion. Thursday is strictly local farmers, and Saturday it’s a mix of local and regional. So, visit both and see what the vendors have to offer. Since it’s not far from The Courts at Historic Manassas, it makes for a convenient trip.

Old Town Manassas Farmers Market
Harris Pavilion (Thursdays) and Parking Lot B Behind Harris Pavilion (Saturdays)
7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days
9431 West St.
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 361-6599
visitmanassas.org/listings/farmers-market/
www.yelp.com/biz/old-town-manassas-farmers-market-manassas

Find Out Why a Hearse Once Signified Hope at the New Protecting Manassas Exhibit

In modern day Manassas, a hearse signifies a funeral. But 50 years ago, a hearse meant help had arrived. You see, back before the town had any formal type of rescue squad, the Baker Funeral Home's hearse served as a makeshift ambulance. It would respond to calls for help and transport people to the hospital. Before the 1950s, it wasn't just paramedics the town was lacking—it also had no fire response team and was seriously lacking in its police force.

You can learn all about the development of these important entities at Protecting Manassas, a new exhibit hosted by the Manasass Museum. The museum is a little less than a mile away from your apartment at The Courts at Historic Manassas, so you can easily visit in a single afternoon. While you're there, you'll likely develop a new appreciation for the formal firefighting, rescue, and police teams in place today after learning about how citizens were required to step in during emergencies in years past.

Protecting Manassas
Manassas Museum
Through July 15
9101 Prince William Street
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 368-1873
manassasmuseum,org

Heritage Brewing Company: A Veteran-Owned and -Operated Brewery in Manassas

When it opened in 2013, Heritage Brewing Company in Manassas set itself apart from other area breweries in a few ways. First, it’s owned and operated by veterans. Second, the ingredients are 100 percent American, and most of the organic ingredients come from Manassas-area sources. Third, it has a social conscience — it’s committed to reusing, recycling, and reducing, plus 1 percent of all profits go to charity.

So, what about the beer? Beer lovers have embraced the flagship beers as well as its seasonal releases and experimental beers. The star of Heritage’s lineup is probably the King’s Mountain Scotch Ale, followed by the Freedom Isn’t Free IPA. The most recent flagship release is the American Expedition, a light wheat ale. Heritage is also starting to experiment with brewing its beer in oak barrels, with more varieties on the horizon.

The best way to learn about how Heritage makes its beer is by going on a brewery tour. Two tours are held every Saturday, at noon and 1 p.m. The taproom, which is just 15 minutes from The Courts at Historic Manassas, is open Thursday to Sunday, where you can have your feel of Heritage beer while hanging with friends.

Heritage Brewing Company
Brewery tours, noon and 1 p.m. Saturdays
9436 Center Point Lane
Manassas, VA 20111
(571) 358-8463
heritagebrewing.com
www.yelp.com/biz/heritage-brewing-co-manassas

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