Mark Your Calendar for the 42nd Annual Edgar Rohr Memorial Antique Car Meet

More than 150 roadsters are slated to show up for the 42nd Annual Edgar Rohr Memorial Antique Car Meet on Sunday, September 17th at the Manassas Museum. The only thing that these cars have in common is that they were all manufactured before 1992. Other than that, the mix of pre- and post-war vehicles represent a wide variety of makes and models.

They'll all be competing for awards for the Best of Show in certain eras and by certain manufacturers, from Ford and GM to foreign and independent manufacturers. In addition to the car show, guests of the Antique Car Meet can also explore the Manassas Museum for free. Afterward, grab some barbecue at the 29 Diner food tent, enjoy a live country concert by Hannah Polk, or walk a few blocks to the Manassas Farmers' Market or the International Food Festival.

Head Chef Noe Canales Makes Taste Buds Dance at Tortino Mare

It may be hard to believe that the cuisine served at Tortino Mare originated right in the eatery's Manassas Park kitchen, not Italy. The dishes are so authentically Italian that, if you close your eyes while you eat, you'll actually be transported to a bistro in Old World Italy. That's because Executive Chef Noe Canales has actually traveled to Italy—his ancestors' native country—to learn all about the flavors and cooking techniques of the nation.

He brings his knowledge to the kitchen at Tortino Mare every day. You can taste his expertise in dishes like Mama Lidia's pizza, smothered with fresh basil pesto, goat and fontina cheese, fresh tomato, and a dusting of parmesan. The house-made pasta also impresses eaters with options like the seafood linguini (linguini frutti di mare) and rigatoni with meatballs. Italian steak and seafood round out the list of entrees at Tortino Mare, a go-to spot for authentic Italian food near your apartment.

Public Domain/Pixabay/oldmermaid

Treat Your Sweet Tooth to a Cone at Jitterbugs Ice Cream Cafe

Maine Wild Blueberry, Campfire S'mores, and Mississippi Mud Pie are just a handful of the artisan ice cream flavors that delight taste buds at Jitterbugs Ice Cream Cafe. Since it opened in Manassas in May, Jitterbugs has been scooping out gourmet ice creams from Gifford's, a small business based in Maine.

The ice cream is already making waves in Manassas, inspiring some rave reviews from customers. Order a few scoops of Flying Fish Fudge in a pretzel cone for a salty-sweet treat, or try classic Old Fashioned Finally in a peanut butter-dipped cone to mix up your order. Jitterbugs also offers specialty sundaes and soft-serve ice cream. And if you want to do dinner before dessert, the cafe has a short list of food items, too, ranging from hot dogs to turkey and ham sandwiches to salads.

Hemlock Overlook Regional Park: Team Building in the Treetops

Hemlock Overlook Regional Park is home to a wealth of outdoor adventure. In fact, it's home to Adventure Links, a company that takes thrill seekers up into the treetops to tackle a ropes course and then zoom down the zip line as a reward. It's a great environment for team-building, but the treetop ropes course is also just plain old fun.

If you're not a fan of heights, there's more to do at Hemlock Overlook Regional Park. The Bull Run-Occoquan Trail stretches 19.6 miles total, some of it in Hemlock Overlook. It links the park to others in the area. Hike a chunk of it to discover the stunning forests and wildlife in the park. You can also go horseback riding at Hemlock Overlook. There are many trails for equestrians, some of them sweeping around the beautiful Occoquan Reservoir.

Public Domain/Pixabay/doctor-a

Bite Into a Cookie Monster Doughnut at the New Texas Donuts

Although Texas Donuts only debuted in June, local customers have already taken notice. The shop originated in its namesake state, but has since branched out to other regions, including northern Virginia. All of the locations have one major thing in common: their staff crafts everything on-site each morning.

That includes each of the inventive specialty doughnuts, from the red velvet to the blueberry glazed. There's even a bright blue Cookie Monster doughnut, complete with the creature's signature googly eyes and a cookie dough bite in his gaping open "mouth." The bakery also dishes out the popular croughnuts, pastries that flake apart in layers like a croissant but offer the same sweet goodness of a doughnut. Doughnuts get even more decadent when Texas Donuts' staff uses them as the foundation for sundaes, complete with a drizzle of chocolate and a dusting of sprinkles.

This Month, Check Out the Wednesday Lunch Concerts at Harris Pavilion

If you work in Old Town Manassas, this summer presents a new, fun way to enjoy your lunch break. The Wednesday Lunch Concerts at Harris Pavilion are happening every week through the end of August from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., right over your midday break. It's the perfect opportunity to escape the office and regroup after a grueling morning.

Pack a picnic lunch or grab something at the 10-plus eateries scattered around Old Town. There are many within walking distance of the Harris Pavilion, making it easy to pick up lunch and still have time to enjoy the show. An eclectic mix of musicians and bands populate the lineup with each week offering something a bit different. Since the concerts are free, and tables and chairs are set up for listeners, it couldn't be easier to soak up some tunes on your lunch break.

Public Domain/Pixabay/dlohner

On Aug. 6, Attend a Free Book Talk with Author David T. Gilbert at the Manassas Museum

Virgina is a state with unrivaled history, much of which is deeply rooted in the Civil War. Many have been able to delve into this history through the written word, including author David Gilbert, who recently penned the novel “Civil War Battlefields: Walking the Trails of History." Lucky for history buffs, Mr. Gilbert will be gracing Manassas with a book talk on August 6th at 1:30 p.m. at the Manassas Museum.

The book covers a rich historical recap of over thirty battles fought in Virginia throughout the duration of the Civil War. From the famous Gettysburg to the lesser-known Antietam, there isn’t a detail that has been missed. The book covers not only topography and geographical information on each and every site but also provides detailed historical maps, insight into military conduct during the battles, and an insider look at information not readily available to all eyes. It’s a truly enlightening novel, and you can be sure that Mr. Gilbert will have even more tales to tell at the book talk.

Mark Your Calendars for Battle Street Live in Old Town Manassas

Music lovers can unite during Battle Street Live, a summer concert series taking place in Old Town Manassas. Hosted by beloved downtown restaurants Okra’s, Monza, and Badwolf Public House, this event brings all sorts of music genres together. You may have guessed the host location is Battle Street, so grab some friends and a couple chairs and camp out for a perfect summer night.

Each weekend evening you’ll be serenaded by a different performer or group (check out the entire schedule online). The weekend of August 3-5 promises to bring no shortage of talent with five concerts total. Kicking off the weekend on Friday evening is indie sensation Leon Rector at 6 p.m. Then Saturday you can catch two shows, Caleb Hacker at 5:30 p.m. and Chugalug with a mix of pop and rock classics at 9 p.m. Sunday you’ll get two more great ones with Zack Quintana at 5 p.m. and Mandatory Recess at 9 p.m. All shows you don’t want to miss, so pencil them in now!

Head to the Mariachis Tequila and Taco Festival in Manassas on July 28

Mariachis Tequileria and Restaurant won't just be celebrating National Tequila Day for a single day. Tequila is such an important part of the menu at Mariachis that the eatery will celebrate the spirit all week long, from July 24th to the 28th. And to round out the week of fun, Mariachis Tequila and Taco Festival takes over the evening of Friday, the 28th.

In honor of the event, Mariachis will be dishing out its own authentic Mexican food and also invite other vendors to come and do the same. The Bone will be on hand serving up its classic Southern barbecue, while the Grilled Reaper food truck brings its gourmet tacos and treats. Live music, Mexican beer, and, of course, plenty of tequila and margaritas are also on the itinerary for Mariachis Tequila and Taco Festival. Purchase your $8 general admission ticket today to ensure you have a spot at the fun event.

Cool Off as You Zoom Down a Slide at Splashdown Waterpark

On a hot, sunny day in Manassas, Splashdown Waterpark is a popular place to cool off. The park recently opened its gates for the summer, meaning it's time to brave the Pipeline Slide Tower. Two enclosed slides twist around the four-story tower, shooting riders from the launchpad up top into a pool of sparkling blue water below. You could say the same about the cannonball slides, which promise a big splash when you land in the pool.

If you're looking for a leisurely activity, head to the Lazy River. Climb atop an inner tube and float slowly along its 770 feet of gently ebbing winding waters. You can also splash around in the activity and leisure pools, pack with floaties and fun, or attempt to hop from one water-top lily pad to the next with only a net above to hold onto. The kids' play area is a great place for families to hang out as it features smaller slides, fountains, and even a 250-ton sand beach. After playing the water, refuel at Woody's Pizza, Barefoot BBQ, or one of the other on-site eateries.

Public Domain/Pixabay/zsoravecz

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