Summer Lovin'…Good Times Comin'…!

Provided by City of Manassas Economic Development Department

Salvadoran Festival

For a full day of Latin American culture, join the party at the 7th annual Salvadoran Festival, August 16, 12 to 7 p.m., at Harris Pavilion in Historic Downtown Manassas.

Hosted by COSALVA (Salvadoran American Council) – a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through culture, education, and sports – their mission is to partner with diverse organizations to create unity and meaningful impact. Part of that impact includes showcasing the talent and rich traditions of Salvadoran and other Latin American heritages at this annual festival.

Here’s an opportunity to celebrate Manassas’ diversity while supporting local Latin American businesses, vendors, artists, and performers. Mark your calendars now and join the free festivities, including:

Live music and entertainment

Singers and cultural performances

Traditional dancers

Clowns, other performers

Authentic Cuisine

Handmade arts and crafts

Psst … Don’t miss one of the day’s most popular events – the pupusa-eating contest! Whether you’re competing or cheering from the sidelines, it’s sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Mark Your Calendars!

Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center

Looking to ESCAPE the heat?

Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center is one of the organizations that the City’s Parks, Culture and Recreation partners with to provide more recreation opportunities.

Check out what the Freedom Center offers:

Aquatics: Swim Lessons, Swim Teams, Aquatic Club

Fitness: Personal, Group, Team Training

Sports: Volleyball, Youth & Adult Sports

Restorative Wellness Center: Massage Therapy, Health & Wellness Coaching, Sacred Sessions

Manassas City’s Park, Culture & Recreation Partnerships

Hints of History

For decades, barbershops have been more than a stop for a quick buzz. These community hubs make up the social fabric where camaraderie, culture, and the swapping of stories take shape – one clip at a time.

This circa 1940s barber chair sat inside Buck’s Barbershop, an African American business that Lawrence Percy (“Buck”) Buchanan (1926-2024) operated from his home on Liberty Street in the City of Manassas. His shop served generations of Manassas residents and was an important gathering place.

From the Manassas Museum Online Collections this chair’s description reads: “Ashtrays built into each arm. Headrest present. Sits on swivel-type base.” This is just one of many items included in a new temporary Manassas Museum exhibit called Open for Business, which will run through May 2027.

Manassas Museum Curator Mary Helen Dellinger added, “We’re setting up a recreated early 20th century barber shop loosely based on ‘Buck’s Barbershop’ using the original chair owned by Mr. Buchanan, some of his barbering tools, and other props.”

Open for Business includes several establishments, restaurants, and shops that operated in Manassas from 1900-1950; the gallery is divided into four sections:

Stores & Retail

Entertainment

Blue Collar Trades

Restaurant & Food Service

Don’t Miss!

Open for Business exhibit includes original signs that once hung at various businesses.

Map showing where these businesses were and what is there today.

NOTE: Love history? Become part of it by sharing YOUR wish for America’s future. During regular Manassas Museum hours throughout 2026, drop by the museum to add your wish to the Wish Wall. Manassas Museum is one of several organizations nationwide that is hosting a Wish Wall; to see what others around the country are wishing for, visit OnOur250th.org.