Manassas, Virginia, (McKenzieNewsService.com) – Celebrate the 20th Annual Manassas Heritage Railway Festival on Saturday, June 7th, from 10 am to 4 pm in Historic Downtown Manassas. This year’s event will feature elaborate railroad displays, kid’s rides, and local and professional entertainment. Vendors will be onsite selling model trains, toys, railroad books, train photography and other train paraphernalia.dscn2251[1]

The much anticipated VRE excursion train rides are back, with a special live appearance from a Frozen Princess! The VRE excursions will run at 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm and 1 pm from the Manassas Train Depot to Clifton and back. Each trip will last around 40 minutes. Tickets are $5.00 and must be purchased in person at the train depot at 9431 West Street in Historic Downtown Manassas between 9 am and 5 pm, seven days a week.

In addition to all of the activities happening outside, the Train Depot will also be celebrating its Centennial Anniversary. In commemoration, the James & Marion Payne Railroad Heritage Gallery will undergo a renovation. The revamp will include new graphics showcasing the rich railway history of Manassas. In 1997, the historic depot was rehabilitated and turned into a Visitor Center and Museum. The “ticket room” was turned into a gallery, housing historical exhibits on the region’s railway history. After nearly 18 years and over 100,000 visitors, the gallery remains unchanged. A very special re-dedication of the building will take place Friday, June 6, 2014, to wrap up the anniversary celebration.

This event kicks off a summer season of exciting festivals and activities in Historic Downtown Manassas. Sunday June 15th is the 10th Annual Wine and Jazz Festival with over 15 Virginia wineries; Celebrate America on July 4th with one of the largest fireworks displays in Northern Virginia; and Civil War Weekend August 22-24, bringing the history of Manassas to life with civil war demonstrations, a military parade and much more. For more information about the events go to www.visitmanassas.org or www.facebook.com/manassas.