Local Events Calendar

 Earth Paws – How caring for the planet connects to caring for animals.

Pawsitive Pathways is a dynamic program designed for teens ages 13-15 who are passionate about animals and eager to grow as young leaders. Through engaging hands-on experiences, participants deepen their understanding of animal welfare while taking on real shelter tasks. Teens will get to flex their leadership skills by serving as ambassadors to mentor and assist younger participants in the Animal Allies Program. This unique opportunity will help them develop communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills while making a meaningful impact. Pawsitive Pathways aims to help your young teens build confidence, responsibility, and a strong foundation for future volunteer or career opportunities in animal care and advocacy!

Dive into the exciting world of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math, and Health with a full day of hands-on activities, live demos, and family fun for K-12 students.

Activities include:

• The Animal Kingdom – Living and Preserved
• The Heartbeat Orchestra
• Zoom in to the Rappahannock
• Smile Science Lab
• Campus Tours, Music, & Games

While you’re here, help us support our community by bringing canned or boxed food and personal hygiene items to donate to Germanna’s Food Pantry.

Among Fredericksburg’s most treasured landmarks stands St. James’ House, an elegant example of colonial architecture and a living testament to the city’s vibrant history. In conjunction with Historic Garden Week, we’re thrilled to invite you to our special Spring Opening to enjoy the enduring charm of one of the city’s most historic homes.

Built in the 1760s by James Mercer, St. James’ House is one of the city’s best-preserved colonial dwellings. With its period furniture and stunning art, the home offers visitors a rare glimpse into 18th-century life in Virginia. Enjoy guided tours and experience the beauty of the spring season in this historic gem. Admission: $10

Join us this spring for Germanna’s Community Wellness Festival Series, where health, education, and community come together.

From February through May, each festival offers family-friendly activities, local health and wellness resources, and hands-on education in a positive, supportive environment. Community members can connect with area providers and discover new ways to build healthy habits that last all year.

For those interested in a career in healthcare, the festivals also offer an opportunity to explore Germanna’s in-demand healthcare programs, learn about career pathways, and connect with faculty and staff about degrees and credentials that lead to employment in the region.

Featured Topics for April

• National Autism Awareness Month
• Every Kid Healthy Week: 4/22-4/26
• National Interprofessional Healthcare Month
• National Minority Health Month
• Oral Cancer Awareness Month
• Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month
• STI Awareness Month

Come be part of a meaningful, engaging event that supports healthier lives.

Earth Paws- How caring for the planet connects to caring for animals.

Join the Animal Allies Academy, an engaging program designed for kids ages 6-9 & 10-12 who are eager to learn about life at an animal shelter! Kids enrolled in the Animal Allies Academy will meet on various weekend days once a month from 10:00am-2:00pm. This program will be held at the Fredericksburg SPCA, where your child will get one-on-one interaction with animals! Participants will discover the importance of animal care, shelter etiquette, and responsible pet ownership through hands-on experiences and interactive activities.

Please be sure to confirm the age group you are registering for and that your child falls within that range.

Earth Paws – How caring for the planet connects to caring for animals.

Pawsitive Pathways is a dynamic program designed for teens ages 13-15 who are passionate about animals and eager to grow as young leaders. Through engaging hands-on experiences, participants deepen their understanding of animal welfare while taking on real shelter tasks. Teens will get to flex their leadership skills by serving as ambassadors to mentor and assist younger participants in the Animal Allies Program. This unique opportunity will help them develop communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills while making a meaningful impact. Pawsitive Pathways aims to help your young teens build confidence, responsibility, and a strong foundation for future volunteer or career opportunities in animal care and advocacy!

Historical interpreters from the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop will present an engaging talk on Revolutionary War era medicine – bringing 18th-century medical practices to life through stories, demonstrations and historical context. Susan Barnes and Margaret Matarese will showcase authentic tools, remedies and techniques used to treat common ailments, battlefield injuries and everyday health concerns.

Mark your calendar for Thursday, April 30th at 6:00 p.m. for a rare glimpse into the challenges and innovations that shaped daily life during the Revolution. This program is presented in partnership with the Central Rappahannock Regional Library and Washington Heritage Museums.

Saturday, May 2, 2026
7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:00 p.m.)

Grace Church of Fredericksburg
1141 Heatherstone Drive
Fredericksburg, Virginia 22407

Get ready for an epic live experience with Wolves at the Gate and special guests Bloodlines and Heal the Hurt! This in-person event is your chance to catch the raw energy and killer vibes of the band up close. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just curious, expect powerful tunes, great company, and a night to remember. Don’t miss out on this awesome gathering—pack your enthusiasm and join the fun!

Wolves at the Gate is an American Christian metalcore band that originated from Cedarville, Ohio. Formed in 2008, they are currently signed to Solid State Records, where the band has released five EPs: We Are the Ones (2011), Back to School (2013), Reprise (2015), Dawn (2020), and Lowborn (2022), six full-length albums: Captors (2012), VxV (2014), Types & Shadows (2016), Eclipse (2019), Eulogies (2022), and Wasteland (2025) and three Christmas singles over the years.

Bloodlines is an American Christian metalcore band that originated from the Gulf Coast in Texas. Formed in 2014, they are currently signed to Facedown Records, where the band has released two EPs: Hevel (2021) and Holiness Cries (2024) and one full-length album: Hostile | Minds (2019). 

Heal the Hurt is an American Christian metalcore band that originated from Georgia. Formed in 2024, they are currently independent, having released three EPs: Heal the Hurt (2024), Three Bar Cross (2025), and Swansong (2026), one full-length album: This Pain Will Serve You (2025), and several singles including Withering (2024), RUIN (2024), Where Our Hearts Divide (2024), Stained Glass (2024, feat. HolyName), Wanderer (2025), and Still Haunted (2025, feat. Confessions Of A Traitor and HolyName).

Run the Great Train Race!

Presented by Jerrilynn Eby MacGregor of the Stafford County Historical Society. Aquia Creek was at one point a major commercial waterway from the mid-1600s up until the early 1900s, in contrast to its modern geography. Three deep-water landings received international sailing vessels along the waterway, and industry flowed through the heart of the freestone quarrying area, much of which was used in the construction of various buildings in Washington D.C. and in the surrounding areas in Virginia. Moreover, several large fisheries operated along the creek, and thousands of cords of wood, along with hundreds of thousands of railroad ties, were shipped down Aquia Creek to many destinations across the United States. Learn of this area’s rich history, including the location of Stafford County’s only known military entanglement of the Revolutionary War: the Burning of Richland. In July of 1776, British warships sailed up the Potomac and met the Stafford Militia, who were stationed at the Richland Plantation, which was owned by William Brent.

Jerrilynn Eby MacGregor is the author of They Called Stafford Home, among other works related to the rich history of Stafford County. A life-long Staffordian, Jerrilynn continues to heavily contribute to historical and genealogical studies of the people and places of this County. She is a secretary of the historical society and a frequent lecturer on various historical topics to numerous regional historical organizations.

Presented by Dr. Jason Sellers, University of Mary Washington. The colonial unrest that led to the American Revolution offered opportunities for diverse Americans to pursue freedom. This program will discuss the roles Native nations on Virginia’s frontiers played in shaping its support for an independent United States. It will also consider how and why Virginia Indians participated in that struggle for independence.

Dr. Jason Sellers is an Associate Professor of History at the University of Mary Washington specializing in the cultural and environmental history of 17th-and 18th-century North American landscapes and bodies.