Shop, Dine, & Win! Contest
Nov 19 - Dec 4
Shop and dine at your favorite Occoquan businesses for a chance to win $100 in Occoquan business gift cards! Over $1,500 in gift cards will be given away.
How to play:
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Spend $10 or more at six (6) different participating businesses.
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Receive a stamp from the business on the official form (pick one up at a participating business).
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Return form to the red mailbox at Town Hall (314 Mill Street) by Sunday, December 4 at 5:00pm ET OR submit via mail to Occoquan Business Partners, PO Box 661, Occoquan, VA 22125 (postmarked by Friday, December 2, 2022).
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You can enter more than once!
Winners drawn Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at facebook.com/visitoccoquan. Winners will have their gift certificates mailed to the address on their entry form. All prized gift certificates expire March 31, 2023.
One stamp per store, per day. Multiple forms may be submitted. Only one prize per person. Must be 18 years or older to win. Gift certificates have no cash value. Gift certificates may only be used at the business listed on the certificate. Occoquan businesses and their immediate families are not eligible to win. Addresses collected are not shared or sold. Participants can unsubscribe at any time. Per Virginia code, participants may submit one free entry by downloading a form and mail it to the Occoquan Business Partners, PO Box 661, Occoquan, VA 22125 (postmarked by Friday, December 2, 2022).
Participating businesses include:
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Ballywhack Shack
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Bottle Stop Wine Bar & Restaurant
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D'Rocco's - An Italian Joint
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Earth Addictions
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Forever Young
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Gift & Gather
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Glory Be
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Hitchcock Paper Co.
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Jerry's Occoquan Jewelers
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Leaf & Petal
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Local Colour Old Town, LLC
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Madigan’s Waterfront
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Man Overboard Enterprises LLC
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Marin Woodturning
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Occoquan Optical
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Patriot Scuba
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Potomac Chocolate
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Puzzle Palooza Etc
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Sincerely Yours Stained Glass Studio
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So Bohemian Inc.
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The Loft Gallery
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The Spot on Mill Street
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VanEch Studio Home & Garden
Annual Town Tree Lighting
& Shop Late Night
Saturday, November 19 at 6:00pm
Shop Occoquan and enjoy the first day of HolidayFest! When you #shopsmall and #shoplocal, you're supporting your neighborhood artists, shop keeps, restaurant owners and their hardworking staff. Businesses are busy curating unique holiday selections just for you! Many businesses will be open until 8pm or later this evening and The New Dominion Choraliers will create a festive ambience throughout town.
Join us at 6pm in front of Town Hall for our annual holiday tree lighting. Mayor Earnie Porta will officiate this time honored tradition, as Occoquan residents and visitors gather to kick off the holiday season.
Before and after the Tree Lighting, enjoy s'mores and roasting marshmallows at River Mill Park.
NEW! This year from 4pm to 8pm, visitors may enjoy an adult beverage as they walk through town.
The following businesses will be open until 8pm or later:
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Ballywhack Shack
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Bottle Stop Wine Bar & Restaurant
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Earth Addictions
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Gift & Gather
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Glory Be
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Hitchcock Paper Co.
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It's your day
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Jerry's Occoquan Jewelers
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Leaf & Petal
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Local Colour Old Town, LLC
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Madigan’s Waterfront
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Man Overboard Enterprises LLC
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Marin Woodturning
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Patriot Scuba
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Potomac Chocolate
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Puzzle Palooza Etc
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Sincerely Yours Stained Glass Studio
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So Bohemian Inc.
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The Loft Gallery
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The Spot on Mill Street
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VanEch Studio Home & Garden
Free shuttle service will be available from 12pm-9pm from the Rt 123/Old Bridge commuter lot.
Shop Small Weekend
November 25-27
Get a jump on (or finish up) your holiday shopping at the best #shopsmall boutiques and retailers in the area! Occoquan merchants will have unique offerings of home decor, clothing, gourmet food, fine art, beauty, chocolates, jewelry, stationery, and of course gifts for all ages. FREE shuttle service will be available Saturday, November 26 from 12-6pm.
Holiday Artisan Market
December 3-4
This year, our Holiday Artisan Market transforms River Mill Park into a magical holiday shopping experience! Join us for a Holiday Artisan Market on December 3 & 4 when artisans and craft persons will offer original, handmade work in a full range of media. From handmade bath and body products, candles, gourmet food products and home décor to fine art and jewelry, you are sure to find the perfect gift for everyone on your holiday list–and maybe something for yourself too.
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Saturday, December 4 from 11am-5pm
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Sunday, December 5 from 11am-4pm
Free shuttle service from the commuter lot at 123 and Old Bridge Road will be available both days between 11am-6pm.
Visit with Santa
Visit with Santa while you are in town! The big guy will arrive by boat at the town dock at Mamie Davis Park on 12/3 at 10:30am.
Kids of all ages are then invited to escort Santa to River Mill Park. He will be ready for a singalong and a visit with families at the top of the hour from 11am to 1:00pm both market days.
Concerts in the Park
Concerts are scheduled both days at the market: Saturday brings Lake Ridge Chorale to River Mill Park and we're pleased to host The Hot Lanes, a 16-piece big band on Sunday. Both concerts are at 2pm.
Volunteer in the Fun!
We are in need a few good volunteers to help with the Holiday Artisan Market (December 3 & 4). If you can dedicate an hour or two, please contact Julie Little at jlittle@occoquanva.gov.
Gingerbread House Contest
Build a fun gingerbread creation and enter it to win $50 in gift cards!
You are cordially invited to enter Occoquan's fourth annual Gingerbread House Contest! Use your imagination and gingerbread to build anything from a simple cottage to an elaborate historic reproduction.
Entries should have entrant info attached and submitted in person on December 3 at the entrance to River Mill Park between 9 and 11am. A special tent will be decorated for these deliveries and the community will be invited to vote for their favorites.
Voting for this community contest will take place on December 3 & 4 during the Holiday Artisan Market in River Mill Park, between the hours of 11am and 5pm on Saturday and 11am and 3:30pm on Sunday.
Categories:
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Traditional Gingerbread: Any structure is allowed in this category, i.e. Victorian, colonial, modern, house, barn, cottage, etc.
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Authentic Reproduction of a Structure in Occoquan: Pay tribute to the town and recreate a magical reproduction of a building within Occoquan’s historic district. Your display must include a picture of the real thing.
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Gingerbread Creations/Youth: Combine your favorite candy and delicious edibles to design your gingerbread house! Graham crackers are acceptable in this category. (There are no age restrictions in any category, but this category was designed for the younger set to be able to enter and compete.)
Winners will be announced on Sunday, December 4 at 3:45pm via Facebook Live.
Details:
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There is no fee and is open to the general public. Limit one entry per category.
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Entries may be created by individuals or groups. In the Gingerbread Creations category, there may be adult supervision.
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The maximum size for display boards for all categories is 18” x 18.” Display should be family-friendly.
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Judging Criteria: Originality and Creativity; Overall Appearance and Appeal; Effective use of material; Neatness; Use of Detail.
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Use of gingerbread: Adult entries must be constructed mainly of gingerbread (more than 50%). Gingerbread Creation entries may consist of graham crackers.
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Everything visible on your entry must be edible. An exception would be the board on which your entry is mounted and battery-operated lights, if used.
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Use of a commercial kit is allowed. Use of a fixative spray is allowed.
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Winners will be announced December 4, 2022 at 3:45pm via Facebook Live. All entrants will be emailed the results of the contest.
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The Town of Occoquan reserves the right to photograph entries for promotional purposes.
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First place winners in each category will win $50 in Occoquan gift cards to be used at select businesses throughout town.
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Entries from Town Councilmembers, Town Merchants, and Town Staff are not eligible to win.
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Contact the Events Director at jlittle@occoquanva.gov with questions.
Name, category, email, and phone should be attached to the bottom of your creation prior to submission.
The Occoquan Express
NEW this year, the Occoquan Business Partners are pleased to offer FREE shuttle bus service into town during select days between November 19 and December 17. It's our way to make your holiday shopping just a little bit easier this year. FREE shuttle service will be available:
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Saturday, November 19 from 12pm - 9pm
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Saturday, November 26 from 12pm - 9pm
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Saturday, December 3 from 11am – 6pm
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Sunday, December 4 from 11am – 6pm
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Saturday, December 10 from 12pm - 9pm
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Saturday, December 17 from 12pm - 9pm
Strollers and service animals are welcome on the shuttle. Face masks are currently optional.
Where to Park
Head to the VDOT Commuter Lot at the corner of Rt. 123 and Old Bridge Road. The shuttle will run roughly every 20 minutes, depending on traffic.
Letters to Santa
Drop your letter to Santa in our special North Pole mailboxes at Town Hall (314 Mill St, Occoquan, VA) or Hitchcock Paper Co. (125 Mill St, Occoquan, VA). If you include a return address, Santa will send a personalized letter back!
Free coloring and fill-in Santa letters with envelopes will be available to kids of all ages. On the weekends, kids can fill out and decorate their letters at Hitchcock Paper Co. and drop it in the mailbox on site.