A selection of special events in the Fredericksburg region for September 2016. Click the hyperlinks for more information.
September 1 – 8
First Friday Fredericksburg
Friday, Sept. 2, 6 – 9 p.m.
Downtown Fredericksburg
The galleries and studios of downtown Fredericksburg host open houses, with featured artists, refreshments and often live music. Many businesses are open late. There is a free shuttle service operated by the Trolley Tours of Fredericksburg.
Free admission.
First Friday History Trivia Night
James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library, 908 Charles St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401
Friday, Sept. 2, 6 – 8 p.m.
Join celebrity hosts for a history trivia contest in the museum garden. Cash bar, prizes, 50/50 raffle.
Free admission.
Labor Day Weekend at James Madison’s Montpelier
James Madison’s Montpelier, 11350 Constitution Hwy., Montpelier Station, Va. 22957
Saturday, Sept. 3, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Gilmore Cabin Workshop Series – “Decorative Beadwork” with Kathleen Conery
Oral tradition passed down through the Gilmore family stated that Polly Gilmore was a seamstress who added to the family’s income through sewing-related work. During an archaeological excavation beneath the cabin’s floorboards, large quantities of beads, buttons, pins, and needles were discovered. Joined JMU’s Costume Shop Manager Kathleen Conery, as she introduces the art of decorative textile beadwork. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Free; includes all materials. Lunch provided. Register in advance.
Historic Landscape Tour
Peel back 250 years of landscaping, one layer at a time, to learn how the grounds of Montpelier evolved through generations of owners from a working plantation to a trove of champion trees and unique plantings. Begins at 1 p.m. at the Visitor Center. Free.
Hands On History
Look for the tan tent and the “Hands On History” banner to join family-friendly free activities. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Free.
Saturday in Mary’s Garden
Saturday, Sept. 3, 12 – 2 p.m.
Mary Washington House, 1200 Charles St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401
Use vines from the house to make your own grapevine wreath. Crafting is suitable for ages 8 and up.
Free with your paid admission.
Hoptoberfest – a Gnarly Hops Fall Celebration
Saturday, Sept. 3, 12 – 5 p.m.
In the Depot District of Downtown Culpeper, Va.
American craft beer, Virginia wine, food, music and dancing.
$30. $5 non-drinkers.
Lake Anna Sunset Concert
Sunday, Sept. 4, 5:30 p.m.
Anna Point Marina, 13703 Anna Point Lane, Mineral, Va.
Lake Anna Sunset Concerts at The Pavilion at Anna Point Marina offer live music, adult beverages, soda, water and food concession for locals and visitors, plus spectacular lakeside sunsets! The concert is free. Bring a lawn chair and join us lakeside.
September 9 – 15
208 Sale Trail
Friday and Saturday, Sept. 9 and 10, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Experience 24 miles of yard sales, antiquing and sidewalk sales along Route 208 in Spotsylvania County.
Wizard World Comic Con Richmond
Friday, September 9, through Sunday, September 11, 2016
Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 N. Third St., Richmond, Va. 23219
Friday, Sept. 9, 2016 – 3 – 8 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016 – 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016 – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Charge up your lightsaber and clean that cape, it’s time to get ready for Wizard World Comic Con. The Greater Richmond Convention Center once again welcomes a galaxy of sci-fi stars for a packed weekend of pop culture fun.
$35 – $85
Our Living Legacies – The Beauty, Taste and Healing of Gardens
Friday through Sunday, Sept. 9 – 11, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day.
Enjoy special displays about how plants were used for their beauty, for food and adding taste, and as medicine. Exhibits will be at the four Washington Heritage Museums: Mary Washington House, St. James’ House, Rising Sun Tavern, and Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop.
Adults $10, Students $5
Garden Crawl
Friday, Sept, 9, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Beginning at the Mary Washington House and continuing to the St. James’ House.
Includes wine, sparkling wine and light hors d’oeuvres. Enjoy tours of the gardens and an art show depicting the Washington Heritage Museums by the Fredericksburg Plein Air Painters. Reservations are required and can be made by emailing [email protected].
$25
Uniquely Spotsylvania Art Show Opening Reception
Friday, Sept. 9, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Salem Church Library, 2607 Salem Church Rd., Fredericksburg, Va.
The Central Rappahannock Regional Library is hosting the Uniquely Spotsylvania art show at Salem Church Library. The show is open to the public September 1 – October 31.
Free.
Soggy Doggy Swim
Friday, September 9, 2016, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Dixon Pool, 1300 Dixon St., Fredericksburg
$5 for up to two dogs per owner.
Half of each registration fee is donated to the Fredericksburg SPCA.
Register here: http://www.fredericksburgva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5691
“The Eyes of History” Photojournalism Exhibit
Friday, Sept. 9, 6 – 8 p.m. opening reception
Saturday, Sept. 10, and Sunday, Sept. 11.
Germanna Community College’s Daniel Technology Center, 18121 Technology Dr, Culpeper, Va. 22701
A showcase of award winning Washington-based photojournalism, spotlighting the winners of this year’s contests in categories including Presidential, Insiders Washington, Politics, On Capitol Hill, Sports Action, Sports Feature, Domestic News, and International News.
Eagle Nation Day
Saturday, Sept. 10, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
University of Mary Washington Battleground Athletic Complex, 1200 Hanover St.,
Annual kid-friendly festival, including giant inflatables, horse rides, giant bouncy hamster-balls, tumbling equipment, Learning with LEGOs” and “K’NEX Engineering” interactive play spaces, and more.
Free.
9th Annual Yankees in Falmouth
Saturday, Sept. 10, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 11, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Moncure Conway House, 305 Kings St., Falmouth, Va. 22405
Walk back in time and experience Falmouth the way it was during the Civil War, Meet Union and Confederate soldiers in their camps, and have your picture taken with President Lincoln. See artillery and cannon firing demonstrations, non-combative reenacting, and more. The event will be on the grounds of the Moncure Conway House, recognized as part of the Underground Railroad.
Free.
Liberty Mills Farm Corn Maze Opens
Saturday, Sept. 10, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 11, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Liberty Mills Farm, 9166 Liberty Mills Rd., Somerset, Va. 22972
The Corn Maze at Liberty Mills Farm features 25 acres of fun and adventure. The theme of this year’s maze is Alice in Wonderland. Your maze ticket allows you to complete one or all four maze trails, the hay wagon ride (weekends only), and the activity area. The 2016 Maze is open September 10 through November 6. See the website for complete details.
$12 – $14
Music by Moonlight Concert
Saturday, Sept. 10, 7 – 9 p.m.
Hurkamp Park, 500 William St., Fredericksburg, Va.
Featuring the Fredericksburg Big Band, and presented by The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary to benefit Camp Happyland. Bring your lawn chair or a blanket and enjoy a night of music under the stars. Activities for the kids. Food and drink for sale. Limited reserved seating available. Contact Debbie Bliss at 540-371-4886.
Free. Donations accepted.
Sky Party at Pratt Park
Saturday, Sept. 10, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Pratt Park, 120 River Rd., Fredericksburg, Va. 22405
Join the Rappahannock Astronomy Club to explore the night sky with telescopes, binoculars and the naked eye. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
Free.
Trailblazer Adventure Day
Sunday, Sept. 11, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Hartwood Presbyterian Christian Education Center, 25 Hartwood Rd., Fredericksburg, Va. 22406
Activities, demonstrations and orientation sessions designed to show what the outdoor lifestyle is all about, and the different vocations and avocations available Activities could include firearm safety, archery, trapping, fishing and more.
Stafford County’s Drool in the Pool
Sunday, Sept. 11, 1 – 3 p.m.
Curtis Memorial Park Pool, 58 Jesse Curtis Ln., Stafford, Va. 22406
Bring your four-legged friend for a refreshing afternoon swim. There will be paddle races, bobbing for tennis balls and even a doggie swimwear costume contest. All well-behaved dogs are welcome. Owners must provide written proof of current rabies vaccination.
September 16 – 22
Culpeper Fiesta
Friday, Sept. 16, 6 – 10 p.m.
The Depot, 109 Commerce St., Culpeper, Va. 22701
Food and entertainment, including children’s crafts, music and dancing.
Free admission.
Wonders of the Wetlands
Saturday, Sept. 17, 9 – 10:30 a.m.
Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve, 2500 Brooke Rd., Stafford, Va. 22554
Learn how to collect and identify stream insects and other macroinvertebrates. Macroinvertebrates are animals without a backbone that can be seen with the naked eye.
Preregistration is required. All children mush be accompanied by an adult.
Journey from Slavery to Freedom Tour at James Madison’s Montpelier
Saturday, Sept. 17, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
James Madison’s Montpelier, 11350 Constitution Hwy., Montpelier Station, Va. 22957
Celebrate the anniversary of the U.S. Constitution Free admission to the house, hands-on history activities around the grounds, and Montpelier’s Enslaved Community” walking tours offered at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Active archaeological dig sites, the archaeology lab, and the Gilmore Cabin open all day. The award-winning Barbeque Exchange will be offering an Edna Lewis-inspired buffet lunch from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m for $15 per person; enjoy live music while you eat. Early Mountain Vineyards, Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company, and Albemarle Cider will be on site to offer tastings and products for purchase.
Free admission.
Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park Fit History Hike
Saturday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m.
Join historian Frank O’Reilly for a hike along North Lee Drive, exploring Confederate earthworks and a vital command post. Meet at Stop #3 on the Fredericksburg Battlefield.
Free.
Fifth Annual Fredericksburg Art Attack
Saturday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Artist participants set up on the sidewalk throughout the Caroline Street corridor (between Amelia and Charlotte) and on William Street (between Sophia and Princess Anne) in downtown Fredericksburg.
Free.
Fredericksburg Welsh Festival
Saturday, Sept. 17, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library, 908 Charles St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
In front of the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library 900 block of Charles St.
A street festival celebrating Welsh culture and the Welsh heritage of James Monroe. There will be music, vendors, dancing, storytelling, and more.
Free admission.
Adult Softball Homerun Derby
Saturday, Sept. 17, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Duff Mcduff Green Park, 75 James Ashby Pkwy., Fredericksburg, Va. 22405
Each competition will have two rounds. The first round will consist of five outs for each batter. The top batters will advance to the second round where they will receive five outs.
All proceeds go to United Way.
$10 – $15
Fredericksburg Pet Show
Saturday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 18, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center, 2371 Carl D SIlver Pkwy., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401
Meet the area’s best veterinarians, kennels, animal hospitals, groomers, trainers; see Twiggy the Water-Skiing Squirrel; enjoy the petting zoo with more than 30 animals; and more.
Adults: $8 online, $9 in advance – Kids 12 and under free.
Rappahannock Riverfest 2016
Saturday, Sept. 17, and Sunday, Sept. 18, 4 – 8 p.m.
Farley Vale Farm, 12475 Farley Vale Drive, King George, Va.
This annual Friends of the Rappahannock fundraising event features crabs, catfish, barbecue, open bar, and live entertainment.
Admission is by advance ticket sales only — $100 per person.
Pizza Palooza
Saturday, Sept. 17, 5 – 9 p.m.
Historic Market Square, 907 Princess Anne St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401
Taste and vote for you favorite pizza. Brews by Spencer Devon and Italian varietal wines by the glass. Music by Acoustic Onion.
Admission is $1, and vendors are offering slices for $1. Adult beverages $5 a glass.
Stafford Songfest Sunday
Sunday, Sept. 18, 5 – 7 p.m.
Celebration Stage at John Lee Pratt Memorial Park, 120 River Rd., Fredericksburg.
Red Light Rodeo will perform Bluegrass and alternative country. Pack a picnic dinner., or purchase food from the concessions.
Admission is $10 per car. Concerts will be held rain or shine.
September 23 – 30
Art after Hours
Thursday, Sept. 22, 6 – 8 p.m.
Gari Melchers Home & Studio at Belmont, 224 Washington St., Falmouth, Va. 22405
Music on the lawn, unique refreshments from local vendors and free gallery tours.
Beverage tickets and food purchases extra.
Virginia State Fair 2016
Friday, Sept. 23, through Sunday, Oct. 2.
10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.
Meadow Event Park, 13048 Dawn Blvd., Doswell, Va 23047
For more information, visit http://statefairva.org/General_Info/FAQ.aspx#when and where2
Virginia Numismatic Association Convention and Coin Show
Friday, Sept. 23, and Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 25, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center, 2371 Carl D SIlver Pkwy., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401
Exhibits and speakers about the collection and study of coins, paper money, tokens and medals.
Downtown Fredericksburg Sidewalk Sale
Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Downtown Fredericksburg.
Sponsored by Fredericksburg Main Street.
Opening Weekend of the Belvedere Plantation Fall Harvest Festival
Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 25, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Belvedere Plantation, 1410 Belvedere Dr., Fredericksburg, Va. 22408
Maize maze, pumpkin patch, ziplines, pumpkin cannon, pedal carts, pony rides, barrel train and more.
Continues through November 5.
Senior Citizen Art Show
Rowser Complex, 1739 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Stafford, Va. 22554
Saturday, Sept. 24, 1 – 3 p.m.
The show featured works by area senior citizens.
Free.
Honoring Everyday Heroes Concert
Saturday, Sept. 24, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
The Presbyterian Church of Fredericksburg, 11200 Prince Ct., Fredericksburg, Va. 22407
The Chamber Choral of Fredericksburg concert will feature patriotic and popular songs along with the premier of American Heroes in Red, White and Blue.
$10 adults, $5 students. Service men and women and first responders in uniform will be admitted free of charge.
Lafayette Birthday Celebration
Saturday, Sept. 24, 6:30 p.m.
Fredericksburg Square, 525 Caroline St., Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg Sister City Association, Inc., is presenting “A Birthday Celebration Honoring General Lafayette, Citizen of Two Worlds and Friend of Fredericksburg”, featuring French cuisine and wines, an appearance by General Lafayette, and a performance of French cabaret singer, songwriter and actress Édith Piaf repertoire by Simone Marchand. A cash bar will be open before dinner.
$60
Mary’s House Party – Bourbon & Boxwood
Saturday, Sept. 24, 7 – 10 p.m.
Mary Washington House, 1200 Charles St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401
Live music, tastings by Bowman’s Distillery, open bar, appetizers, and desserts. The Mary Washington House and gardens will be open for touring.
$75 per person, advance purchase required.
Taming the Wilderness at Ellwood Manor
Sunday, Sept. 25, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Ellwood Manor, 36380 Constitution Hwy. (Route 20), Locust Grove, Va. 22508
Guests can choose to watch and question traditional 18th century Virginia frontier craftsmen, or roll up their sleeves and try some of these skills first hand.
Free. Donations welcomed.
Rappahannock River Clean-Up
Sunday, Sept. 25, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Old Mill Park, 2216 Caroline St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401
Join Friends of the Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR), River Rock Outfitter , and the Next Generation of Business Leaders , a group from the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, for a special Rappahannock River clean-up. Party at Old Mill Park after the clean-up, with free food, drinks, and games for those who helped. If you can only make the after-party, there will be a fee for food and drink, but all are welcome.
A Century at Belmont
Friday, Sept. 30, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont, 224 Washington St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22405
Celebrate the centennial of the Melchers’ purchase of Belmont with $1 admission.
