Shop, Dine, & Win! Contest
Nov 20 - Dec 12
Shop and dine at your favorite Occoquan businesses for a chance to win $1,600+ in Occoquan business gift cards!
Participating businesses include:
Anewed Soul Designs
Art A La Carte Gallery
Artists’ Undertaking Gallery
Babba and Me
Ballywhack Shack
Bar J Chili Parlor
D'Roccos Grille
Forever Young
Gift & Gather
Glory Be
Grind N Crepe
Hitchcock Paper Co.
Jerry's Occoquan Jewelers
Leaf & Petal
Local Colour
Madigan's Waterfront
Man Overboard Enterprises
Marin Woodturning
Nazbros
Organic Allure
Patriot Scuba
Potomac Chocolate
Puzzle Palooza Etc
Sincerely Yours Stained Glass Studio
So Bohemian
So Olive
The Loft Gallery
The Reclaimed Treasures
The Spot on Mill Street
theOCQ.com
Third Base Pizza & Frozen Custard
VanEch Studio Home & Garden
Zorba's Grill
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 or download here.
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Return form to the red mailbox at Town Hall (314 Mill Street) by Sunday, December 12 at 5:00pm ET OR submit via mail to Occoquan Business Partners, PO Box 661, Occoquan, VA 22125 (postmarked by Friday, December 10, 2021).
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You can enter more than once!
Winners drawn Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at facebook.com/visitoccoquan.Winners will be contacted via email and must respond within 3 days to claim prize, or new name will be drawn. All prized gift certificates expire March 31, 2022.
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 10, 2021).
Annual Town Tree Lighting
& Shop Late Night
Saturday, November 20
Shop Occoquan throughout the day, while enjoying visits from Santa! 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.
After you've had a bite to eat and checked some names off that gift giving list, join us at 8pm 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.
Free shuttle service 12pm-8:30pm from the Rt 123/Old Bridge commuter lot.
Shop Small Weekend
November 26-28
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.
Holiday Artisan Market
December 4-5
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 4 & 5 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-8pm
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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:
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December 4: 11am to 9pm
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December 5: 11am to 5pm
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 12/4 at 10:30am. Kids of all ages are then invited to escort Santa to River Mill Park. He will be ready to visit with families from 11am to 1:30pm both market days.
Sweets with Santa
From 4pm-7pm on December 4, fire pits will be available to roast marshmallows. S’more packets and hot cocoa will be available for purchase and Santa may make an appearance too!
Occoquan Gingerbread Contest
Build a fun gingerbread creation and enter it to win $50 in gift cards!
You are cordially invited to enter the third annual Town of Occoquan Gingerbread House Contest! Use your imagination and gingerbread to build anything from a simple cottage to an elaborate historic reproduction. Entries should have an entry form attached and submitted in person on December 4 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. Download an entry form: Gingerbread Contest entry form 2021.
Voting for this community contest will take place on December 4 during the Artisan Market, between the hours of 11am and 8pm.
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 Gingerbread Creations was designed for the younger set to be able to enter and compete.)
Winners will be announced on Sunday, December 5 at noon via Facebook Live.
A Christmas Carol
December 11-12
Get in the holiday spirit with a festive production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. This staged reading from Castaways Repertory Theatre will take place outdoors in River Mill Park (458 Mill Street, Occoquan, VA).
Saturday, December 11 at 3pm and 5pm
Sunday, December 12 at 3pm and 5pm
Tickets are $5 for adults/youth; ages 12 and under are free. Bring camp chairs and dress appropriately for an outdoor performance! Tickets are onsale now at eventbrite.com/e/a-christmas-carol-tickets-205291561587.
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. Or pick up a letter at Town Hall or Hitchcock Paper Co. during the week and bring back any time until Christmas Eve.
Volunteer in the Fun!
We are in need a few good volunteers to help with the Holiday Artisan Market (December 4 & 5) and A Christmas Carol staged reading (December 11 & 12). If you can dedicate an hour or two, please fill out the form at the link below and pick a time slot.
HolidayFest Volunteer Sign Up: https://form.jotform.com/213096427347156