Provided by City of Manassas Economic Development Department
Manassas African American Heritage Festival
Held every first Saturday in August, the Manassas African American Heritage Festival spotlights the community’s rich diversity, celebrating the culture and people of the Manassas community and surrounding region.
This year’s 33rd annual event on August 1, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Metz Middle School, is a free, family-friendly festival featuring music, entertainment, dances, a classic car show, vendors, artists, free children’s games, and free school supplies. And of course, lots of food vendors!
The festival includes African arts and wares for sale, youth organizations, college and school exhibits, a health fair, plus business and career expos.
Pack up your lawn chairs, invite family and neighbors, and join in the celebrations honoring our heritage and the contributions of the City of Manassas and beyond.
Manassas African American Heritage Festival on Facebook
Other Events
Virginia Living‘s 2026 BEST OF VIRGINIA
Drum roll, please …
CONGRATULATIONS to these winners in the City of Manassas!
These 29 businesses topped the list in Virginia Living’s Magazine Best of Virginia 2026:
7 Food & Drink Establishments
- The Bone
- Foster’s Grille
- Carmello’s
- The Lemonade Bakery
- Ashton Family Restaurant
- Nathan’s Dairy Bar
- Thai Tyme
2 Specialty Foods
5 Shopping
3 Living & Recreation
4 Personal Care Services
8 Business Services
- Edward Jones
- Brooks Heating & Air
- DuvallWheeler
- Loveless Porter Architects
- Lucky Dog Grooming
- Pierce Funeral Home
- Prince William Animal Hospital
- UVA Health Bull Run Family Medicine Manassas
Shopping + Dining in City of Manassas
Hints of History
“Take Me Away” …
that’s the name of a song that keeps some of us still humming.
It’s summer. And many dream of leaving on a jet plane for adventure far, far away.
Manassas Regional Airport – Virginia’s largest general aviation airport just 30 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. – has been officialy renamed Washington Manassas Airport. It will continue to offer regional flights but is expanding to launch its first scheduled commercial passenger flights in Spring 2027.
But back in the day, its original 1932 location was four miles northeast at 8365 Sudley Road (today’s Manaport Plaza, hence the shopping plaza’s name). Due to increased airport activity and development, it relocated in the 1960s to its current location and was dedicated in 1964.
The 1936 image below is of James H. Payne (1916-2007) seated in an airplane at the original Manassas airport. He served for 34 years on the town and City councils, as vice mayor, and served for years on the Manassas Airport Commission.
With passenger service soon to take flight, those itching to get away can do just that. 
Historic Airport Photos in Manassas Museum’s Online Collection
