Every year, the Prince William Forest Park hosts the Heritage Festival, and the 2017 event is coming up in September. As always, the Prince William Forest Park Heritage Festival celebrates the park’s history since colonial times and brings the local community together.
Where and When
This year’s Heritage Festival is in Cabin Camp 5 within the Prince William Forest Park. That is one of the five historic cabin camps spread throughout the park, and together, these camps helped the park earn its spot on the National Register of Historic Places. The event takes place on Saturday, Sept. 16, beginning at 11 a.m. and runs until 5 p.m. The event is completely free to attend. Feel free to bring your own picnic lunch with you to eat at one of the picnic tables, and you are welcome to bring your dog as long as he is leashed and under control.
What to Expect During the Event
When you attend the 2017 Heritage Festival, you will get the chance to celebrate all aspects of the park’s history. This includes its time as farmland during the colonial era, followed by being a work camp for the Civilian Conservation Corps, and even a spy training camp during World War II. The festival is designed to provide fun for those of every age, including live music and refreshments for sale.
Listen to Live Music
One of the biggest attractions of the Heritage Festival is the live music. For 2017, Early Grove String Band will be returning after a successful performance during the 2015 event. They play bluegrass as well as Appalachian fiddle tunes to create a festive atmosphere. The Grassland Bluegrass Band will also be in the lineup, entertaining attendees with some of the most popular bluegrass songs.
Watch Demonstrations
As mentioned, the Prince William Forest Park hosted the Civilian Conservation Corps for a stretch of time. Between 1935 and 1942, more than 2,000 men from these corps built the park that we know today. During the festival, you will get to watch various demonstrators show off the skills of the Corps, including masonry, crosscut saw, on-site cabin restorations, and hand-hewn log making. Black Forest Artworks will also demonstrate blacksmithing. You may also want to check out the demonstrations by soap makers and quilters.
Interactive Activities for All Ages
The Prince Williams Forest Park Heritage Festival will also include a range of interactive activities. The Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will host an archery range for the third year, including offering training. Bring your children along for the day so they can learn about outdoor activities as well as how those who lived in or visited Prince Williams Forest Park used to exist.
The short drive from Fredericksburg, Virginia to Dumfries where Prince Williams Forest Park is will go by quickly in a vehicle from Volvo Cars Fredericksburg.
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