Town of Occoquan turns attention to the river on Saturday

By Aileen Streng

Published: June 17, 2008

The town of Occoquan is turning its attention to its riverfront Saturday with a dedication cere-mony, town picnic and clean up.

The town is partnering with the Friends of the Occoquan, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the integrity of the river, for a riverfront and town clean up.

Participation is open to the public, and volunteers are urged to meet at the Occoquan Town Hall at 314 Mill St., where all necessary supplies for the clean up will be provided at 10 a.m.

At 1 p.m., the town will hold a ceremony dedicating the town docks and pier in honor of the town’s late former treasurer, Winfield C. Frank.

Frank, who died in 2006, was the project leader for the riverfront project and was instrumental in writing the grants that helped pay for it.

The ceremony will take place at Mamie Davis Park in Occoquan and is also open to the public. Immediately following the ceremony, the town will host a free cookout in the park. Again, the public is welcome, and those willing to bring a side dish are encouraged to do so, said Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta.

Settled in the middle of the 18th century, the historic riverfront town of Occoquan is home to a variety of historic buildings and a mix of more than one hundred shops and restaurants. It is known throughout the region for its annual spring and fall craft shows held in the streets of the town.