Contact: Theresa Coates Ellis
Manassas City Council Member and Founder, Friends of the Manassas Bee Festival
8637 Mathis Ave. Manassas, VA 20110
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Great Manassas Campout Debuts at Historic Liberia as an Official VA250 Experience
Manassas, Virginia — May 3, 2026 – Council Member Theresa Coates Ellis, City of Manassas, organized and welcomed a successful launch of the newest signature outdoor event, The Great Manassas Campout, held May 2–3 at the historic Liberia Historic House and Grounds as part of the official VA250 commemoration. The event was also inspired the National Wildlife Federation Great American Campout celebrating 20 years. The inaugural overnight experience brought together families, visitors, and community partners for a unique blend of nature, history, and campfire connection under the Full Flower Moon.
The campout was hosted Ellis, founder of the Friends of the Manassas Bee Festival, and board members, Mark Olsen, Laura V. Coates, Rebecca Olsen, and George Ellis. The event celebrated May Historic Preservation Month with a special proclamation earlier in the week at a Council meeting.
The “The Trailhead 100”—the first tent campers and participants to help launch the event — formed at the campout. The event aligned with Virginia’s VA250 initiative, highlighting local heritage, conservation, and community engagement.
“This campout created something truly special—bringing people together in a way that blends history, nature, and meaningful connection,” said Ellis. “The Trailhead 100 helped establish new traditions for Manassas, and we look forward to growing experiences for years to come.”
Participants enjoyed a full lineup of immersive activities throughout the historic grounds unplugging and reconnecting in the public park that dropped to a cold 40 degrees at night. Guests prepared meals over a shared community campfire, explored craft stations, and experienced live acoustic performances by local musicians William Dodson, Jon Hodge, and Gordon Sterling.
The event featured guided tours of Liberia House, a family cemetery tour, and engaging living history presentations by the Freedom Museum. Additional highlights included native bee home installations, live beekeeping demonstrations, a scout-led nature presentation, scavenger hunts, and a tractor wagon ride to Nathan’s Dairy Bar, a local favorite for ice cream.
The Great Manassas Campout is part of a broader initiative to position Manassas as a destination for heritage tourism and outdoor experiences during the America250 era. Organizers anticipate expanded programming and increased participation in future years as the event builds on its successful debut.
For more information on upcoming events, including the 6th Annual Manassas Bee Festival June 20, 2026, visit ManassasBeeFestival.com.
Enjoy our video with the highlights from The Great Manassas Campout: https://youtu.be/XWG0HH1YXnI?si=omHTpqQaPLz48FDo
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Friends of the 6th Manassas Bee Festival 6/20/26 and Great Manassas Campout 5/2 to 5/3 and Wander Manassas250 Photo Contest until 6/20 