Travel back in time this weekend as the 5th annual Civil War Weekend returns to downtown Manassas from Aug. 21-23. All throughout downtown, the streets will come alive with free activities for folks of all ages. Festival-goers can look forward to a parade with re-enactors on Saturday, a scavenger hunt for children, military demonstrations on the lawn of the Manassas Museum, a bourbon tasting, and plenty of performances.

A number of re-enactors will also speak to the public, like Gen. Robert E. Lee, noted mapmaker Earl McElfresh, and Confederate Gen. Jubal Early. The event will end Sunday afternoon with an ice cream social, a concert by the Manassas Symphony Orchestra, and a final artillery firing farewell salute at Harris Pavilion.

Throughout the weekend, the Manassas Museum will be offering free admission and featuring two special exhibitions: A Virginia Dynasty: The Carter Family of Northern Virginia and Partisans Among Playmates: American Childhood and the Civil War.

Are you going to go out and lose yourself in history?

Civil War Weekend in Downtown Manassas
Friday, Aug. 21; Saturday, Aug. 22; and Sunday, Aug. 23
manassascity.org/DocumentCenter

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Tom Hannigan

Less than two miles from The Courts at Historic Manassas, the Prince William County Fair returns for a full week of fun.

From Aug.14-22, the Prince William County Fairgrounds host Virginia’s largest state fair, which is complete with activities for folks young and old. You can head to the fair for carnival rides, carnival games, a clown show, live music, and much more. For those looking for more intense activities, there will be monster truck shows, demolition derbies, a live bear show, and bull riding.

There are also a number of special themed days like ladies night on Wednesday, Aug. 19 (free admission for women), Veterans Appreciation Day on Thursday, Aug. 20 (free admission for veterans), $2 Tuesday ($2 admission and rides).

Tickets are available at the site of the county fair and are $10 for adults ages 14 to 59, $6 for children ages 5 to 13 and seniors over 60, and free for children under the age of 4. Carnival rides are an added cost.

Prince William County Fair
Aug. 14-22
Prince William County Fairgrounds
10624 Dumfries Road
Manassas, VA 20112
www.pwcfair.com

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Tony Webster

Show your dog some love and bring him or her out for the Dog Days of Summer First Friday celebration in downtown Manassas. On Friday, Aug. 7 from 5 to 9 p.m., the downtown shops and restaurants will set up water and treats for pups, and they'll also have some Friday night fun for you, too.

Like what? Well, dogs and their owners can partner up and challenge other dog-and-human pairs to a hot dog eating contest. The contest starts at 6:30 p.m. at Harris Pavilion and is open to the public. Entry is $10 in advance and $15 on the day of the event. The first three teams to finish their entire plate of hot dogs will win a prize. So, if you and your dog are fast eaters, you might want to enter!

If you'd rather watch, that should be a blast, too! All of this fun is only a few blocks from The Courts at Historic Manassas.

Hows that for the dog days of summer?

Dog Days of Summer First Friday
Friday, Aug. 7, 5-9 p.m.
Historic Downtown Manassas
visitmanassas.org/event/first-friday

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Canine To Five