“Other than graduation, I believe it’s safe to say Spring Fling is one of the largest events in the county. It really is a feather in the county’s cap.”

Those were the words of longtime art teacher Mrs. Rebecca Stroop as she reflected on the significance of the division’s annual Spring Fling, Prince George County Public Schools’ yearly celebration of the arts. 

This year’s event, set for March 7, 2026, at Prince George High School, carries special significance for the community as the fine arts festival prepares to celebrate 25 years of highlighting the talents of local students and showcasing them to thousands of people over the last quarter-century.

From Humble Beginnings: The First Fine Arts Festival
Reflecting on the origins of the Spring Fling, Mrs. Stroop explained that the first festival was a far cry from the campus-spanning arts showcase many have come to expect from the event over the years.

“The first Fine Arts Festival was held at the high school, and it was a very humble beginning,” she recounted. “I believe the vision was to elevate our program, similar to the large-scale fine arts festivals hosted in Chesterfield and Henrico counties, and celebrate the fact that Prince George County had art teachers in nearly all of its schools. That momentum led to what became the Spring Fling we know now.”

With $500 in seed money from the Prince George County School Board Office in the early 2000’s, the fine arts festival would come to life annually, becoming a self-sustaining event ever since, hosted each March and coinciding with National Youth Art Month, Music in our Schools Month, and Theater in our Schools Month. Through various venues, thousands of pieces of art, and hundreds of student-led performances, Mrs. Stroop has been hands-on with the Spring Fling since her days as a teacher at William A. Walton Elementary School.

“It was a given that I would participate to represent my program at Walton,” Mrs. Stroop shared. “I was excited to showcase my students’ artwork and worked hard to create amazing displays.”

She continued, “Having grown up in Chesterfield, I remember helping my own art teachers set up their displays, from elementary school all the way through my student teaching experience. Because of that, seeing a smaller school division like Prince George host a fine arts showcase to celebrate our talented students and advocate for what we do as fine arts educators felt like an incredible opportunity.”

All Hands: The People of the Spring Fling
As is often the case with events of the Spring Fling’s scale, planning for the next arts showcase begins almost immediately after the latest iteration concludes and the last guest exits the building. As a teacher and event coordinator from 2005 to 2016, Mrs. Stroop has Spring Fling near the front of her mind.

“I’m always thinking about what kinds of lessons I can teach that will make both my students and the community proud,” she explained. “I don’t repeat the same lessons every semester or every year, so I’m constantly searching for fresh, meaningful ideas.” 

Dozens of volunteers across Prince George County Public Schools help make the Spring Fling a success each year, allowing the event to reach its 25-year milestone, become a signature event for the community, and attract interest from other districts looking to emulate it.

“During my time as coordinator, I was approached by educators who wanted to start their own fine arts festival, but it’s not easy,” Mrs. Stroop shared. “It may look effortless, but there is a tremendous amount of logistical planning, constant problem-solving, and countless unexpected things to address. It truly takes all PGCPS fine arts educators doing their part and pitching in to ensure the day runs smoothly. I’m incredibly proud of our showcase.”

She continued, “I’m always a wreck the day before the festival, but once my students’ artwork is displayed, the performances begin, little kids are creating at the craft tables, and the building is filled with energy and pride, it’s all worth it. When it’s over, I’m exhausted, but proud and grateful that we made it happen.”

2016: The Moore Send-Off
For many, Prince George High School has been the home of the Spring Fling. However, some may remember that the fine arts showcase had a different home for many years, J.E.J. Moore Middle School. 

Artwork adorned the hallways, performances were held in the gym, and hands-on arts experiences were set up in the cafeteria during the years the Spring Fling was hosted at the Prince George Drive campus.

In 2016, the school hosted its final Spring Fling, and, for Mrs. Stroop, it was a special send-off.

“I was still serving as lead coordinator in 2016, and we truly made it an event to remember,”she reflected. “A local party supply business generously donated a tremendous amount of balloons. We had a rainbow archway at the main entrance, several balloon columns in the cafeteria, and filled the school with incredible donations crafted by a retired art teacher. The whole school was decked out. We truly went out with a bang.”

The Future of the Spring Fling
The Spring Fling is more than a gallery and performing arts event; it’s a showcase of the incredible talents and creativity of thousands of Prince George County students, giving them a platform to express their individuality through the fine arts. Every meaningful glance and every affirming applause serve to enrich and inspire the next generation of artists. 

“Events like this showcase the talent, dedication, and creativity of our students and educators, and they deserve to be seen and celebrated at the highest levels,” Mrs. Stroop remarked. “From elementary through high school, students see what is possible as they grow. Younger students are inspired by advanced work and performances, and older students feel a sense of responsibility and accomplishment as role models. That vertical connection strengthens the overall program and builds continuity in fine arts education.”

She closed, “When students know their performance or their artwork will be displayed and viewed by families, community members, and district leaders, their level of pride, effort, and craftsmanship rises. It validates their creativity, talent, and shows them that their work matters.”