Events: Anniversary of the Second Battle of Manassas

Manassas, Virginia is the only town in the United States that endured two major battles in the Civil War.  Learn more about the history in your backyard by attending these 'Second Battle of Manassas' events this summer.

The City of Manassas will commemorate the Second Battle of Manssas August 24-26, 2012.

—opened at Manassas Museum June 30. The exhibit features objects from public and private collections as well as the museum. Come see a set of spurs once worn by Stonewall Jackson!

— an interactive museum on wheels. The tractor trailer filled with items that tell the story of the Civil War and Emancipation will be at the corner of West  and Prince William streets in Old Town, Aug. 24-26. 

Lee’s Lieutenants—The Army of Northern Virginia, a popular re-enactor group that stages living history events, will be on the , Aug. 24-26. Visitors can get up close and personal with famous military figures of the time, including Striblings Battery—an artillery re-enactor group that will also demonstrate on the lawn.

—Union General re-enactor to discuss 1862 military strategy with visitors, Aug. 24-26. Re-enactor units will camp on the grounds as they did 150 years ago. Expect live performances of African- American songs and stories, as Marion Dobbins will interpret slave life. Young visitors will encounter hands-on displays showing how officers and enlisted men were outfitted during the war, find soldiers ready to instruct them in the art of drilling with wooden rifles, and learn about Civil War espionage.

—On the evenings of Aug. 24 and 25, tours of the Manassas Confederate Cemetery will be offered.

Battle Street LIVE!  Musical performances will light up a closed-off Battle Street throughout the weekend of Aug. 24-26.

—Country band Southern Persuasion will play Friday evening at the Pavilion and the NOVA Symphony Orchestra will take the stage Saturday at 3 p.m.

—The Center for the Arts at The Candy Factory will host special exhibitions and lectures by such acclaimed local Civil War authors, including .

Military Parade—On Aug. 25 at 10 am, a military parade will wind its way through Old Town.

—see local teams competing at Baldwin Elementary School on Aug. 25.

—on the morning of Aug. 26, a Civil War-era nondenominational service will be held on the museum lawn. The weekend will conclude with a Sunday evening program jointly presented with Rangers from the Manassas National Battlefield Park commemorating the burning of the Junction. Manassas Junction and Its Railroads: From Union Lifeline to Confederate Prize, a multimedia presentation on the museum lawn, will feature a bonfire, barbecue, and bourbon tasting.

—period music will serenade those who attend the ball at the Harris Pavilion Saturday, Aug. 25 from 6:30 to 11 p.m. Period dress for the ball is optional, and tickets are required to attend.

All of the above events are taking place in Old Town Manassas and Liberia Plantation and are free to the public, except for the Blue and Gray Ball. 

For ticket information, visit www.visitmanassas.org or call 703-361-6599.

No bus service will be provided this year.

Editor's note: Information from City of Manassas July 2012 Town Hall Newsletter.