Neighborhood news: Occoquan Bay fishing event takes place today

Today is the day for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's eighth annual fishing event for youth at the Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Refuge staff and volunteers will help kids ages 5 to 12 learn to fish at a 2½-acre pond on the refuge at 14050 Dawson Beach Road in Woodbridge.

Hot dogs, drinks and snacks will be provided for the kids. Drawings will be held for fishing gear.

The event is free, and the refuge entrance fee will be waived for the day. Kids can bring their own gear or use loaner rods and reels. No live bait will be allowed other than that provided free on site. All fish caught during the event will be released back into the pond.

Rain or shine, check-in will start at 9 a.m. and the event will end at 2 p.m.

Gospel festival scheduled at Connaughton today

Enjoy gospel music from around the county at the Prince William Gospel Festival today from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Connaughton Plaza.

Featured are Maharold Peoples Jr. and Tribe of Praise. Also performing are Susan Carter, Julian Awari, J-SWAGG, Bev Johnson & Worship Praise Ensemble, the Spiritual Harmonizers, Christian DeMesones & Company and the First Baptist Church of Manassas Voices of Tomorrow.

The Connaughton Plaza is at 1 County Complex Court, Woodbridge.

Colonial Children's Games come to Leesylvania park

On May 23 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Leesylvania State Park will host Colonial Children's Games at the visitor center. See what games children used to play during the Revolutionary War and the Civil War.

Play a few innings of town ball, race hoops against each other and play a game of catch called Graces. The event is appropriate for children ages 4 and up, and there is no fee.

For more information, call 703-583-6904.

Band festival set for Connaughton

Bring a lawn chair and join your friends at the Prince William Community Band Festival on May 31 from 2:30 to 5:30 at the Connaughton Plaza.

Old-fashioned, concert-in-the-park fun will be provided by the Prince William Community Band, Mount Vernon Community Band and Loudoun Symphonic Winds.

For more information, visit the Prince William Community Band at www.pwcb.org.

Girl Scouts to hold June community day camp at Prince William Forest Park

All girls from kindergarten to fifth grade not currently registered Girl Scouts are invited to participate in a Girl Scout community-based day camp titled "Around the World."

The camp will be held at Prince William Forest Park on June 22 to 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The registration deadline is June 1, and cost for the week is $25. Financial assistance and limited bus transportation are available.

For more information, please contact Brenda Lawhorn at 703-365-9600 or at blawhorn@gscnc.org.

Dale City farmers market in full swing each Sunday

I know that the address is not Woodbridge, but who wouldn't travel as far as Dale City for the fresh produce and home-baked goods that are available at the farmers market. The Dale City Farmers Market will be open Sundays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Nov. 22.

It will feature a variety of locally grown vegetables, fruits and plants, as well as baked goods, salsa, meats, sorbet, honey, roasted nuts, roasted coffee beans, soaps and lotions.

The market is in the commuter lot on Dale Boulevard, behind the Center Plaza Shopping Center.

For more information, call Betty Finney at 703-670-7112, Ext. 227.

Volunteer help needed by fire-rescue association

The Prince William County Fire and Rescue Association is looking for active volunteer firefighters and EMTs. All training, equipment and gear are provided and no previous experience is required.

OWL VFD members will be available to answer questions and assist with completing applications from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 6 and 7 at the Occoquan Craft Show.

For more information, call 703-491-5173. You may visit the Dale City VFD Station 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 23 at 13511 Hillendale Drive, 703-932-4229.

Find all sorts of activities this summer at Veterans Park

Here in our Woodbridge neighborhood, we are fortunate to have Veterans Memorial Park, which offers a wide range of activities. Among them are an activity room, a basketball court, driving range, horseshoes, playground, pool and waterslide, sports field, skateboarding, tennis court, trails and volleyball.

The park also offers instructional programs to provide "something for everyone," as well as preschool programs, dog obedience classes and summer camps. The community center, pool and pavilions are available for rent for special events and group gatherings.

For more information, call 703-491-2183. The park is at 14300 Featherstone Road and can be visited at www.pwcparks.org/vetspark.

Bunny Mahar reports your neighborhood news from the Woodbridge area every Saturday in the News & Messenger. If you have news about birthdays, your family, your club or your HOA activities, please send it to Bunny at woodpotnews@aol.com.