Your Community Calendar July 2016 features a selection of special events in the region for your family to enjoy. Click the hyperlinks for more information. Visit the Fredericksburg Today Events tab for event feature stories and each week’s “Weekend Planner.”
Fourth of July Weekend
15 Fourth of July Weekend Events
Fourth of July 2016 Events in Culpeper
Fourth of July 2016 Events
Fredericksburg’s Live Music Calendar June 29 – July 5
Ongoing
Sounds of Summer Concert Series
The free Friday night concerts are held from 7 – 9 p.m. in historic Market Square at 907 Princess Anne St, in downtown Fredericksburg.
July 8 – The Michael Coleman Band
July 15 – David Childers and the Serpents
July 22 – The Acoustic Onion Band
July 29 – University of Mary Washington Faculty Jazz Trio
Bluemont Summer Concert Series
Saturday evening 7:30 p.m. concerts in Fredericksburg at Maury Stadium. In the event of bad weather the concert will be held at James Monroe High School.
July 9 – The Taters – 1960’s pop rock
July 16 – Hard Swimming’ Fish – funk infused blues
July 23 – King Teddy – jazz and swing
July 30 – Furnace Mountain Band – alternative folk
7:30 p.m. Friday evenings on the lawn of the Old County Courthouse in downtown historic Culpeper.
July 8 – The Hot Seats- old-time string band
July 15 – Knicely Jazz Trio- gypsy jazz
July 22 – Susan Greenbaum Trio – folk pop
July 29 – Circa Blue-bluegrass
$5 per person, $4 for Bluemont Friends, $2 for kids under 12.
Music on the Steps
The Central Rappahannock Regional Library free summer concert series is held 7 to 8 p.m. Mondays at Headquarters Branch, 1201 Caroline St., in downtown Fredericksburg. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket, and a picnic supper. In case of inclement weather, the concerts move into the theater.
July 11 – Angela Easterling
July 18 – Don Brown’s Soul Experience
July 25 – The Dangerous Kitchen
History at Sunset
The National Park Service’s 15th annual History at Sunset programs begin at 7 p.m., and run about 90 minutes. Visitors are advised to be prepared for walking trails and fields—so wear sturdy shoes, and bring water and bug repellant. Visitors should also bring a small flashlight for use in the low-light conditions at the end of each program.
July 8: Greg Mertz & Mike Westermeier: “Terrible Yet Exciting”: Heth’s Salient at Spotsylvania. Meet at Tour Stop 7, Burnside Drive, Spotsylvania Battlefield.
July 15: John Hennessy: Falmouth: The Rappahannock, War, and Freedom. Meet at the former Grizzle Center, 60 Butler Road, Falmouth, 22405.
July 22: Frank O’Reilly: Battle in the Balance: Early’s Counterattack at Fredericksburg. Meet at Prospect Hill, Tour Stop 6, end of South Lee Drive, Fredericksburg Battlefield.
July 29: Becky Oakes & Eric Mink: Old War, New Deal: The Civilian Conservation Corps at Spotsylvania. Meet at the McCoull house site, Tour Stop 5, Spotsylvania Battlefield.
Family Fun Campfire
Fridays July 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 7 – 8 p.m.
Lake Anna State Park, 6800 Lawyers Rd., Spotsylvania, Va. — at the Campfire Ring
Join the ranger for music, stories and more around a campfire. You never know what surprises are in store and of course, there will be marshmallows to roast.
If weather is unsuitable, the program may be cancelled. Call the Visitor Center at (540) 854-6245 by 5:00 p.m. to check on program status.
Free
Fossil Hike at Westmoreland State Park
Saturdays July 9, 16, 23 and 30 from 3 to 4 p.m.
Westmoreland State Park, 145 Cliff Road, Montross, Va. 22520
Do sharks live in the Potomac? Find out on this hike to fossil beach. Discover the remnants of Westmoreland’s ancient history, fossils, and where to find them. Be prepared to get your feet wet.
Free.
July 8 – 10
National Capitol Squadron Open Hanger Day
Saturdays July 9 and July 23, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Culpeper Regional Airport, 12499 Beverly Ford Rd., Brandy Station, Va.
Visit the hangar/museum building equipped for the maintenance and display of a fleet of aircraft known as the Ghost Squadron.
Free.
Lake Anna Sunset Concert
Saturday, July 9, 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.
Star Party on the Lawn at Caledon State Park
Saturday, July 9, 1/2 hour after sunset.
Caledon State Park, 11617 Caledon Rd., King George, Va. 22485
The Rappahannock Astronomy Club presents an evening of deep space viewing. Check out galaxies, stars, planets and other celestial phenomena. Bring your own telescope or look through a club member’s. The program begins 1/2 hour after sunset.
Call the park to make sure the program is still being offered if the weather forecast calls for cloudy or overcast conditions.
Free
July 14 – 20
Historicon
Thursday through Sunday, July 14 – 17
Fredericksburg Expo Center, 2371 Carl D. Silver Pkwy., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401
Each year HISTORICON draws about 3500-4000 people from around the world and around 100 vendors offering everything you need to recreate military battles from across history or alternate battles drawn from your own imagination. Scenarios can range from historical ancients to history making moderns, while some even create games from the rich worlds of Sci-Fi and Fantasy. There are tournaments, seminars and a Hobby University of painting classes and events. Activities go from 8am until the wee hours. If you are a gamer, military history buff and within driving distance you should try and make it – even for just the day – you will love it!
$15 – $50 Youth 14 and younger are free
FredCon
Saturday, July 16, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Spotsylvania Towne Centre, 137 Spotsylvania Mall Dr,, Fredericksburg, Va. 22407
First Ever Fredcon features comic creators, vendors, an artist alley, games and more.
Free.
Rescue Engine 1 “Wet Down & Housing” Ceremony
Sunday, July 17, 3 – 6 p.m.
Spotsylvania Volunteer Fire Department, 7200 Courthouse Commons Blvd., Spotsylvania, Virginia 22551
Join the fire department crew us they place their 2016 Pierce Velocity Rescue Engine 1 into service. There will be a short ceremony and wetdown and push in of the apparatus. Refreshments provided by the Spotsylvania Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary.”
Stafford Songfest Sunday
Sunday, July 17, 5 – 7 p.m.
Celebration Stage at John Lee Pratt Memorial Park
Moonshine (Rock ‘n’ Roll/Blues). Pack a picnic dinner. Admission is $10.00 per car. Concessions will be available. Concerts will be held rain or shine.
Full Moon Kayak Trip at Caledon State Park
Tuesday, July 19, and Wednesday, July 20, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Enjoy a moonlight paddle on the lower Potomac River with a chance to view wildlife as they search for food along our shore. $19 for a solo kayak, $25 for a tandem. Must 16 years or older for a solo, 8 years or older (accompanied with adult) for a tandem. Call for reservations at 540-663-3861. Or come by the visitor center.
July 20 – 24
Orange County Virginia Fair
Wednesday, July 20 – Saturday, July 23, 2016.
Time Varies by Day, View Website for Details
New Fairgrounds, 14500 Old Gordonsville Road, Orange, Va. 22960
The Orange County Fair is an old fashioned county fair in the truest sense; no midway carnival, no high pressure selling activities. The fair features a collection of activities, contests, and entertainment for a fun, family-oriented weekend that focuses on the joy of rural living.
Cost Varies by Day, 4 Day Passes Available, View Website for Details
Wilderness Run Childhelp Benefit Concert
Friday, July 22, 5 – 8:30 p.m.
Wilderness Run Vineyard, 11109 Plank Road, Spotsylvania, Va. 22553
Odyssey Road, a Tribute to Journey band, and Emma Zinck perform. Proceeds benefit Childhelp, for the prevention and treatment of child abuse.
$15 – $20, children under 12 are free
Sunset Paddle on the Rappahannock
Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) is hosting a sunset paddle on Friday, July 22, 2016. Participants will meet at City Dock, 207 Sophia St. in downtown Fredericksburg at 7:30 p.m., shuttle to Old Mill Park for the launch, and end back at City Dock at about 10 p.m. Trip leader Michelle McGinley will talk about local ecology, and how the Rappahannock River has influenced American history. The minimum age is 12 years, and some paddling experience is helpful. FOR provides kayaks and safety gear. The cost is $35 per individual, $105 per family of four ($28/$84 for FOR members).
GEXCon
Saturday, July 23, 10 a.m., through Sunday, July 24, 8 p.m. — nonstop.
Fredericksburg Expo Center, 2371 Carl D. Silver Pkwy., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401
GEXCon is a two day video and board game convention and competition.
$30 – $45
July 29 – 31
Culpeper Gran Fondo
Saturday, July 30, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Mountain Run Lake Park, 16115 JB Carpenter Jr. Dr., Culpeper, Va. 22701
The Culpeper Gran Fondo kicks features 32, 62 and 100 mile options. Join your fellow cyclists on low traffic, country roads that wind through horse country, farmland, forests, trout streams and vineyards, all within sight of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Each distance is fully supported with mechanics and well stocked aid stations. All rides start at 7:30am with a mass start. Register until the Tuesday before the event at 8 p.m.
100 mile ride – $70 ; 100K ride – $60; 50K ride – $55.
Battlefield Campfire Program
Saturday, July 30, 8 – 9 p.m.
Sunken Road, next to the Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center, 1013 Lafayette Blvd., Fredericksburg.
Programs will explore the realities of darkness on the battlefields, the role of animals in the war—mascots, mounts, and pets—and the history of the National Park Service itself.
Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and flashlights. The program is family (and pet) friendly, free of charge, and open to the public.
Belmont Guided Woodland Hike
Sunday, July 31, 2 p.m.
Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont, 224 Washington St., Fredericksburg.
Conducted by Virginia Master Naturalists, these informative walks cover a mile of trails in both woodlands and fields and also touch on the historic ruins of Belmont’s past. Please wear sturdy footwear. Meet outside the Visitor Center.
Free.
