A Washingtonian from birth and fan of everything DC, especially and obviously… Manassas! Captain Obvious was a patient at the UVA Health Prince William Medical Center and like many others, had a bout with COVID. He spent 2 1/2 months in the hospital with 26 of those days on a ventilator.
He survived with the help of the incredible staff in the ICCU and the CCU and is proudly Manassas Strong. The Captain has been seen at local established in the Olde Towne area on many of occasions.
Everybody loves Christmas. Everybody loves a parade. Everybody loves Manassas.
Liz started her career in the City of Manassas, VA Government in 1990 as the Senior City Planner where she led the planning effort for the City’s first community-based downtown revitalization plan, Old Town Manassas: A Vision for the Future (1992). That plan, and subsequent updates in 2008 and 2013, provided the vehicle for elected officials, organizations, and visionaries of the community to fully realize the potential of Historic Downtown Manassas and their vision for the future. Liz left Manassas at the middle of her career to gain greater experience, working for Prince William County, Henrico County and the City of Hampton, and returned to Manassas as Director of Community Development in 2003. As Community Development Director, Liz managed Planning and Development, Historic Resources, the Manassas Museum, Economic Development and Parks and Recreation.
Liz was inducted into the American Institute of Certified Planners, College of Fellows in 2020. The College recognizes a career planner’s accomplishments and commitment to the profession. Liz retired from the City of Manassas in 2021 after thirty-one years in public service as a city planner. Liz is a long-time resident of the city and has volunteered with many organizations including the Manassas City Public Schools Education Foundation.
Liz is currently working as a consultant and has been serving as the Interim Executive Director for Historic Manassas, Inc. since August of this year. Her greatest joy, besides her family, husband Craig and children Stephanie and Danny, is helping small cities like Manassas realize their full potential, seeing Manassas’ downtown streets filled with people, and riding horses.
Victor, Marlon, and Edin immigrated to the US from Guatemala in 1989 and 1990 briefly visiting their family in California before coming to Springfield, Virginia. After living in Springfield for 6 years, the family relocated to the Manassas area.
The Esquivel brothers worked in restaurants in McLean, but around 9/11 Victor saw an ad for someone looking for a partner to open a restaurant in Manassas. Victor, Marlon & Edin opened Ashton Family Restaurant in November 2001 to offer true dining value and an expansive menu. The brothers were able to buy the business six months after opening the doors.
Over the years, the Esquivel brothers expanded their offerings to include a pizza parlor, a food truck, catering services, and a construction company, DRS Construction, which started as drywall and in 2017 switched to roofing.
Marlon and Edin joined All Saints Catholic Church and the St. Gabriel Mission where they became active church members. The brothers help with weekly collections, serve as extraordinary ministers of the eucharist, and take part in weekly and monthly Cursillo Movement activities. The local group provides weekly training for members who want to develop and share their gifts and talents with their family, friends, and community. In addition to meetings, the 1500 local Cursillo members visit the sick and aid those in need.
The Esquivel brothers consider Manassas their hometown – “We love food. We love this town. We love serving you.
CHAIRMAN AWARD: McLean Bible Church – Prince Wiliam
MARCHING BANDS First Place: Colgan High School Second Place: Patriot High School Third Place: Gainesville High School
DANCE COMPANY First Place: Virginia Dance Center Second Place: Showcase Dance Studio Third Place: Spotlight Dance Studio
CHEERLEADING, MAJORETTE, STEP TEAMS First Place: Caporales San Simon VA USA Second Place: Manassas Park HS Cheerleaders Third Place: Grace E. Metz Middle School Cheerleaders
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION First Place: Divine Inspirations Center for the Arts Second Place: Word Alive Church International Third Place: American Legion Unit 10
BUSINESS VEHICLES First Place: Move4Free Realty LLC Second Place: Birmingham Green Third Place: The Junkluggers of Gainesville VA
FLOAT – OTHER First Place: City of Manassas Department of Public Works and Utlities Second Place: Martin K. Alloy Boys & Girls Club of Manassas Third Place: Historic Manassas, Inc.
FLOAT – BUSINESS First Place: Bach to Rock Second Place: Skate N Fun Zone Third Place: Alger Sheds
EQUESTRIAN / ANIMALS First Place: GAR Contractors Inc Second Place: Peace of Mind K9 Third Place: Homeless Animals Rescue Team (HART)
VEHICLE CLUB First Place: Fire & Smoke Jeep Club Second Place: Northern Virginia Jeepers Association Third Place: Bull Run AACA
