PLEASE CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO BE AN EXHIBITOR

If you have any questions, please contact Sergeant Harrod at JHarrod@staffordcountyva.gov

To provide all fifth grade students of Stafford County who have completed the requirements of the D.A.R.E. Program an opportunity to interact with accomplished people whose good choices have helped them to become and stay successful in their careers or hobbies, while working to make their community a better place.  It is also an opportunity for the students to be made aware of the many activities and organizations available to them in our area as a healthy alternative to drugs and violence.

Stafford County DARE Day began at Winding Creek Elementary School 24 years ago as a way to celebrate the success and commitment of their young 5^th graders who had pledged to stay drug and violence free.  The day was also designed to showcase a variety of careers and activities from the regions wealth of community resources that could keep young people involved in positive activities and teach a sense of community.  The hope was that by participating in activities, students would be more likely to stay focused and become involved citizens. DARE Day, now held each spring at Pratt Park, has since grown to include all 17 elementary schools in Stafford County with over 2,300 students attending annually.

To find out more about the D.A.R.E. Program and the history of D.A.R.E. America, please visit their website at www.dare.org.

                   2024 Site Map

The 2025 Site Map will be uploaded as soon as it is available

What We Ask of Exhibitors:

Set-up a “fifth grade friendly” exhibit for ages 10-11 years.  Although we will have between 2,300 and 2,400 students in attendance, they will be broken into small groups of about 5 per chaperone.  Some exhibiting ideas:

Arrive between 7:30 am and 9:30 am to set-up. 

• If you feel that you may need extra time for set-up, please contact Deputy Scoggins to make earlier arrangements.
• Also, due to the size of your exhibit and/or the placement of your exhibit, Deputy Scoggins my contact you with a specific time to arrive so that we may fit you in your space or limit traffic jams.

John Lee Pratt Memorial Park is located at 120 River Road, Fredericksburg, VA  22405

Please enter the park from the River Road entrance and continue up the hill where deputies will direct you to your exhibit site.  Please follow the deputies directions and use the designated pathways to locate your site.  If you will not be utilizing your vehicle as part of your exhibit, then park in front of your own exhibit, unload, and then proceed toward the YMCA and follow the track to the Exhibitor/Volunteer Parking. 

Check-in at our Welcome Station once you have located your exhibitor site. 

• There will be staff on hand to answer questions.
• Upon request, volunteers will be on hand to assist with set-up.
• A light breakfast will be provided courtesy of Bojangles and Wawa.

Be ready for student arrivals starting at 9:45 am and continuing throughout the morning.  Once students arrive, they will immediately begin visiting exhibitors and will continue until horns are blown at noon.

When horns are blown, please shut down your exhibit and encourage students to make their way to the stage area for our Closing Ceremony. You are welcome to join us for the Closing Ceremony as well, and/or stop by the Hospitality Pavilion for a complimentary lunch provided by the Stafford County Sheriff's Office and Crimson Coward Nashville Hot Chicken (Stafford) and dessert by Bonefish Grill.

Students will depart to buses after the Closing Ceremony and exit the park. You may begin to pack up your exhibit then.  However, for everyone's safety, please do not move vehicles until all buses have left the park.

Please let a volunteer or deputy know if you need water or a break during the event

  We will have bottled water at various stations throughout the park.

  First Aid will be available at the Medical Station from attending Fire & Rescue Units.  *In the event of an emergency, call 911 and give your location.

D.A.R.E. students have been taught to take responsibility for their actions and to strive to make good choices in life.  Please help us encourage the students to throw away trash and recycle in the proper bins.  Also, please set an example by doing the same.

Please refrain from smoking during the event as we are promoting a drug-free lifestyle.

There is NO Rain Date this year.

The following permits may need to be obtained depending on the nature of the exhibit.

Stafford County Fire Marshal's Office

• Tents, Canopies and Membrane Structures
• Explosive, Fireworks, Propane

https://staffordcountyva.gov/government/departments_f-o/fire_and_rescue/office_of_the_fire_marshal/fire_prevention_code_permits.php

• Amusement/Rides Permits
• Generators