Local Events Calendar

Conducted on the last Sunday of the month by Virginia Master Naturalists, these informative hikes cover a mile of trails in both woodlands and fields and also touch on the historic ruins of Belmont’s past. Meet outside the Visitor Center. Sturdy footwear is advised; no pets, please.
Free

Gari Melchers Home and Studio invites artists of all skill levels and mediums to participate in our Plein Air Days. On these unique days, artists are encouraged to create in our gardens, display their work in progress, and meet with other artists and visitors. The grounds will remain open until 7:00 PM to experience the gardens and grounds until dusk. The extended site hours for this event (5:00 PM – 7:00 PM) may be cancelled due to inclement weather. Gari Melchers Home and Studio will communicate any changes via social media.

For details and registration information, visit GariMelchers.org

Plein Air Days are scheduled for the following dates:

• Sunday April 21
• Thursday April 25
• Sunday May 19
• Thursday May 23
• Sunday June 16
• Thursday June 20
• Sunday July 21
• Thursday July 25
• Sunday August 18
• Thursday August 22
• Sunday September 15
• Thursday September 19

Automobile enthusiasts are invited to a monthly meetup in the museum parking lot the second Saturday of each month May-October, 8am-10am.

Museum buildings and grounds open for tours at 10am.
Guests are advised to use caution when entering and exiting our gravel lot. This event is free and open to the public.

Questions? Contact our Visitor Services Manager Lindy M. Lynn, [email protected], 540-654-1843.

The Fredericksburg Area Museum (FAM), in partnership with Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County Battlefields National Military Park and Discover Stafford, is pleased to announce a new trolley tour Sparking Freedom: Enslaved Resistance in Fredericksburg and Stafford, Virginia. Led by Dr. Gaila Sims, Curator of African American History and Special Projects.

Sparking Freedom will incorporate stops at multiple National Park Service sites, as well as several other local historic locations and the Fredericksburg Area Museum. Combining historical documentation and archival research, this program will feature accounts of enslaved resistance including an uprising of enslaved men at Chatham plantation in winter 1805, the story of Anthony Burns, an enslaved man who escaped to Boston in 1853 but was later apprehended under the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850, and enslaved individuals like Bethany Veney who resisted sales and auctions.

Spring  tours are full, so we’re offering these additional dates! Sparking Freedom tours will take place June 22nd, July 27th, September 28th and October 12th between 1pm – 3pm. This program is free and open to the public. Participants will board the trolley at the Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center (1013 Lafayette Blvd). Due to limited spots, participants must RSVP. Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/871143011197?aff=oddtdtcreator to reserve your spots.

Sparking Freedom: Enslaved Resistance in Fredericksburg and Stafford, Virginia is supported by the National Park Foundation’s ParkVentures Grant.

For more information please either contact [email protected], or visit us at www.famva.org. The FAM collects, researches, interprets, teaches, and preserves the history, heritage, and culture of the Fredericksburg region. We serve a diverse community through a commitment to inclusion, integrity, credibility, and relevance. We will facilitate an understanding and appreciation of how the acts of those who preceded us have shaped this community and the nation at large—providing both lessons and inspiration as we work together to forge a greater community.

It’s a dark and stormy night, and you’ve been invited to a very unusual dinner party. Each of the guests has an alias, the butler offers a variety of weapons, and the host is, well . . . dead. So whodunnit? Join the iconic oddballs known as Scarlet, Plum, White, Green, Peacock, and Mustard as they race to find the murderer in Boddy Manor before the body count stacks up. Starring film and television star Sally Struthers and based on the cult classic film and the popular board game, Clue is a madcap comedic play that will keep you guessing until the final twist. This is a great night out with friends or for a big group of people!! Enjoy the meal before the show or buy show only tickets!

This show runs from July 24 through September 8, 2024

Wednesday Matinees
11:30am-12:45pm: Meal Service & Light Fare Offerings
12:45pm: Show Only Arrival
1:30pm: Performance Start
Thurs. – Sat. Evenings
5:30pm-6:45pm: Meal Service & Light Fare Offerings
6:45pm: Show Only Arrival
7:30pm: Performance Start
Sunday Matinees
1:00pm-2:15pm: Meal Service & Light Fare Offerings
2:15pm: Show Only Arrival
3:00pm: Performance Start

Visit Riverside Center August 14, 2024, through September 8, 2024, for the most thrilling journey of the year! Get ready for an electrifying performance of mystery, suspense, and intrigue as “Murder on the Orient Express” comes to life on our stage. Join the legendary detective Hercule Poirot as he unravels secrets and solves the ultimate whodunit in this gripping adaptation. With twists at every turn and suspects hiding in plain sight, can you crack the cast before Poirot? Reserve your tickets now for a performance filled with suspenseful entertainment that will leave you on the edge of your seat! 5 shows per week, including 2 matinee performances. Groups and tour buses are always welcome! Visit our website for more information or to reserve tickets today: www.riversidedt.com.

Wednesday Matinees

11:30am-12:45pm: Meal Service

12:45pm: Show Only Arrival

1:30pm: Performance Start

Thurs. – Sat. Evenings

5:30pm-6:45pm: Meal Service

6:45pm: Show Only Arrival

7:30pm: Performance Start

Sunday Matinees

1:00pm-2:15pm: Meal Service

2:15pm: Show Only Arrival

3:00pm: Performance Start

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is located in historic Stafford County just off I-95 in Fredericksburg, Virginia and produces the best of Broadway’s plays and musicals each year. Follow Riverside Center on Facebook (facebook.com/riversidecenter), X, previously named Twitter (@riversidecpa98), Instagram (@riversidecpa), and YouTube (RiversideCenter) for behind-the-scenes info, photos, and fun throughout the year. For a complete list of shows, show times, pricing, and more information about the season, visit www.riversidedt.com.

Tree Fredericksburg will hold a Tree Steward certification class in fall of 2024. This is a 10-week class based on the Trees Virginia Tree Steward Manual, which is under Tree Stewards at https://TreesVirginia.org. The class will be held every Tuesday from 9/3-11/5 -at the downtown library, 1201 Caroline St, 22401. There will not be a zoom option so you must attend in person. Attendance at every class is required. The maximum size for the class is 20. Priority will be given to residents of 22401. A short interview with each applicant is required to gauge their commitment to the program. In addition to the 10 classes, students will be required to complete two pruning sessions and a tree ID class. The cost for the classes is $150 payable prior to the start of the class. Scholarships are available for students (16 years of age or older) and for anyone showing a financial need. No one will be turned away because of financial issues. Tree Fredericksburg Tree Stewards are required to donate 20 volunteer hours every year to qualify for Tree Steward certification. This class is for those who want to serve our community. Send an email to [email protected] if you are interested.

Tree Fredericksburg will launch our Fall Native Tree & Shrub Giveaway on Wednesday, September 4. The free plants will initially be available only for residents of zip code 22401 until Wednesday, September 11. We will then open the registration to everyone else on Wednesday, September 11. Any orders received before September 11 from any zip codes other than 22401 will not be honored.

We will be giving away 3,500 native trees and shrubs in either one-gallon or three-gallon containers. Each family may reserve a maximum of five trees and/or shrubs.   The pick-up date for the reserved plants will be Sunday, October 20th, from 1 pm – 4 pm at the Fredericksburg Nationals Stadium, 42 Jackie Robinson Way, Fredericksburg 22401.  All plants must be picked up in-person by you or your designee.  Any plants not picked up by 4 pm will be forfeited. No exceptions. No plants will be held past that date/time.  We have streamlined the pick-up process, and you should be able to receive your plants in less than 10 minutes.

Reservations for the trees/shrubs will be made available until all are gone. If you are unable to reserve plants, you may come to the event at 4 pm and possibly obtain some of the unclaimed plants via lottery.  We will begin taking reservations on our website on 9/4 (only from residents of zip code 22401).

A description of the trees/shrubs available this year can be found on our website www.TreeFredericksburg.org

We are asking you to consider “Paying it Forward”

Each of the “free” trees and shrubs cost us $8, and this year were paid for by a federal grant.  That grant money will not be available in the future, so we are asking you to help “pay it forward” and fund future give-away events with your donations. If you can give as little as $4 per plant, that would be extremely helpful.  If you were to purchase these plants at a commercial nursery, they would cost anywhere between $12 and $30 each, so we are a bargain.  You will be able to donate when you order your plants, or we will have donation buckets available at the event.

At the event, if weather permits, we will have information tables and sales of native perennials. We will also have a number of trees and shrubs available for sale that we have grown – Beauty Berry, Redbud, American Holly, Oaks and more. More information will be forthcoming on what will be available for sale and the costs.

No Commercial entities may apply for this event. This is strictly for residents only. Tree Stewards will be on hand to teach proper planting and answer questions from the public.

Tree Fredericksburg will launch our Fall Native Tree & Shrub Giveaway on Wednesday, September 4. The free plants will initially be available only for residents of zip code 22401 until Wednesday, September 11. We will then open the registration to everyone else on Wednesday, September 11. Any orders received before September 11 from any zip codes other than 22401 will not be honored.

We will be giving away 3,500 native trees and shrubs in either one-gallon or three-gallon containers. Each family may reserve a maximum of five trees and/or shrubs.   The pick-up date for the reserved plants will be Sunday, October 20th, from 1 pm – 4 pm at the Fredericksburg Nationals Stadium, 42 Jackie Robinson Way, Fredericksburg 22401.  All plants must be picked up in-person by you or your designee.  Any plants not picked up by 4 pm will be forfeited. No exceptions. No plants will be held past that date/time.  We have streamlined the pick-up process, and you should be able to receive your plants in less than 10 minutes.

Reservations for the trees/shrubs will be made available until all are gone. If you are unable to reserve plants, you may come to the event at 4 pm and possibly obtain some of the unclaimed plants via lottery.  We will begin taking reservations on our website on 9/4 (only from residents of zip code 22401).  A description of the trees/shrubs available this year can be found on our website https://treefredericksburg.org/

Welcome to the ultimate shopping escapade – The Sip & Shop Experience! Imagine a Friday evening or Saturday afternoon filled with the joy of discovering unique finds, all while savoring fine wines that elevate your shopping journey to an unforgettable adventure. This exclusive event brings together the charm of boutique clothing shops, the allure of handmade crafts, and the sparkle of custom jewelry, amongst an array of other tantalizing offerings. Whether you’re on the hunt for that perfect outfit, seeking out one-of-a-kind gifts, or simply in the mood to treat yourself, our Sip & Shop Experience promises an array of treasures waiting to be discovered.

As you meander through our carefully curated selection of vendors, your senses will be delighted by the intricate craftsmanship and creative designs on display. From the latest fashion trends to timeless pieces, our boutique clothing shops offer something for every style enthusiast. Artisans from near and far showcase their handmade crafts, each piece telling a story of passion and precision. And for those with an eye for bling, our custom jewelry selections will dazzle and amaze with their beauty and originality.

But what’s shopping without a little indulgence? Complement your shopping spree with a sampling of exquisite wines, carefully chosen to enhance your experience. Let each sip transport you, adding an element of luxury and relaxation to your day. The Sip & Shop Experience is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and community. So gather your friends, mark your calendars, and prepare for a day of blissful browsing, delightful discoveries, and unforgettable memories. Welcome to the Sip & Shop Experience – where shopping meets pleasure in the most exquisite way.

Free Fall Safety Class for Senior Citizens

Most people know that martial arts training improves one’s balance and fitness.  However, a unique program from Hawaii is being brought to the area that provides these benefits to senior citizens without the martial art aspect.

Seniors are especially vulnerable to falling.  It is a major cause of injury and even death for senior citizens.  More than 30% of seniors fall each year and more than half of those fall again.  These falls result in millions of ER visits and hospitalizations.  Often, complications from falling eventually cause death. According to the CDC “Many people who fall, even if they’re not injured, become afraid of falling. This fear may cause a person to cut down on their everyday activities. When a person is less active, they become weaker and this increases their chances of falling.”

On the evening of Friday, September 7, Aikido in Fredericksburg is hosting a free public presentation on Fall Safety.  Two trainers from Kupuna Aikido in Hawaii will present the Kupuna Method of Fall Safety at 7:15PM at Aikido in Fredericksburg’s location in Spotsylvania. Kupuna Aikido has given presentations to over 4000 seniors in Hawaii.  For one night only, their program will be highlighted here in our area.  The Kupuna Method provides tools for seniors to enhance their balance, reduce the incidence of falling, and minimize injuries from falling.

The one hour presentation is free and open to the public at Aikido in Fredericksburg, 6155 Hickory Ridge Road, Spotsylvania on Friday September 7 at 7:15PM.  More info is on the Aikido in Fredericksburg website at  https://www.aikidoinfredericksburg.org/event/fall-safety-for-seniors-free/