Manassas Offers Up Community Centric Celebration of July 4

Attendees enjoy the 4th of July firework show in the City of Manassas.

Some well-known local faces led the Independence Celebration in the City of Manassas Saturday, which was attended by thousands of residents and visitors from neighboring cities, towns and counties. 

Tina Murray, a local volunteer and educator turned talk show host, kicked off the July 4 celebration by hosting a live taping of The Tina V Show, which airs on the Fairfax Public Access channel.

Manassas Mayor Hal J. Parrish II and other municipal leaders appeared on the show to discuss plans for the Manassas Museum and the building of the new Baldwin Elementary School.

Parrish said he was excited to talk about the many ribbon-cutting for new businesses in Manassas.

He and others recently celebrated the ribbon cuttings for the Paradise Donut Shop and the Manassas Olive Oil Company, Parrish said.

Dad shows off sparklers to child outside of the Manassas Museum.

He enjoyed appearing on “The Tina V Show” because she is a great mentor to young people, Parrish said.

“ … She tries to lead them in the right direction,” he said. “She is a good lady with a big heart.”

Murray said she founded her non-profit organization, Project Infusion in Manassas seven years ago for at-risk youth.

“ … I feel like all kids are at risk this day and time,” she said. “Project Infusion is here to direct them and to gain and regain the trust of the youth.”

She’s also started a new nonprofit called, “The Breathing Room” to aid women and men exiting physically and sexually abusive situations.

The July 4 episode, which also featured “The Next” contestant Jordan Baird, will air in the fall on Cox, Comcast and Verizon Fios channels in the area.

Children play with sparklers at the July 4th celebration.

Just before all eyes turned to the skies above Manassas for the fireworks show, Murray earned the attention of their ears with a singing of the national anthem.

It is the second year she’s been invited to sing the anthem at the city’s Independence Day celebration.

“It is such an honor because the song itself it means a lot to me; it is a song of victory. I’ve always have been patriotic person; I want the best for the United States along with million of others, but we have to start in our own communities,” Murray said.

 Watch the performance of the National Anthem. 

Watch the firework show.