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Hey neighbor,
Fourteen new spots have opened across Fredericksburg, Stafford, and Spotsylvania, and I put together the full guide so you know exactly where to go and what to order. There's also big news from Belvedere Farm about what's coming to that land after this year's Fall Harvest Festival, plus free pie today at the Last PIES of Summer Festival.
Grab your coffee. Let's dive in.
Dori
Local Pulse: FXBG Edition
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🍴 14 New Places to Eat in the 'Burg Right Now
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Fourteen new spots have opened across Fredericksburg, Stafford, and Spotsylvania, and your to-try list is about to get a lot longer. We are talking Korean BBQ where you run the grill, a downtown bagel counter settling the great bagel debate, French-Korean pastries in Central Park, a country-western hall with a mechanical bull, upscale Afghan plates on Wolfe Street, and a whole lot more.
Water & Barley
A few to bump to the top:
Zadran's Kitchen for seasonal Afghan cooking from a chef who ran restaurants in Kabul
Water & Barley for the farmers-market bagels that finally have a downtown home
Elephant's Nest Thai & Sushi Bar for curries, noodle bowls, and sushi at the Village at Spotsylvania Towne Centre
Stockyards for Black Angus steaks and a mechanical bull named Buck Norris
Crab O'Clock for an all-you-can-eat seafood boil down in Spotsylvania
Turning Point for award-winning breakfast and brunch, now open in Stafford
Bora Bora Smoothie Cafe for smoothies, acai bowls, and croffles in North Stafford
Sweet Meira for Greek loukoumades and Belgian waffles open till 9
We rounded up all fourteen, with addresses, hours, and what to order at each.
A Message From Belvedere Farm: The Festival Returns, and a Look at What's Next
After hearing from many neighbors in recent weeks, the family behind Belvedere Farm has shared an update directly with the community, and they wanted you to hear it from them.
First, the good news: the Fall Harvest Festival opens September 12, just as it has for decades. Nothing about this year's festival changes as the farm celebrates its 44th year, and the family says they look forward to welcoming everyone as always.
The family also shared news about the farm's future. They explained that a decision was made around their dining table, now including the fifth generation, on land that has been in their family since 1968. They have begun working with an organization looking to site a technology campus on the property, and they have promised to share more directly and honestly as they know it.
For now, the family hopes you'll come see them this fall, just like always. In their words, "We'll be in the pumpkin patch."
You can read the family's full message on the Belvedere Farm Facebook page. The Fall Harvest Festival opens September 12.
The Last PIES of Summer Festival Is TODAY!
The Knowledge Exchange hosts its free, indoor Last PIES of Summer Festival today, 10 am to 5 pm at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fredericksburg, with Dungeons & Dragons, face painting, sound meditation, seminars, $5 pie slices, and raffle prizes like a Highmark Brewery Mug Club membership. Registering ahead earns a free raffle ticket at check-in.
Free admission, indoors, activities all day. Learn more here: bit.ly/PIESFESTIVALFXBG26.
A big thank you to our sponsors for keeping this newsletter free for the community🙏 Want your business in front of 48,000+ Fredericksburg-area neighbors? Become a sponsor. [email protected]
Be The Bean Is Growing, and There's a Place at the Table for You
Be The Bean started with a simple idea: a coffee bean placed in hot water doesn't let the water change it, it transforms the water instead. That idea has grown into a movement of faith-driven professionals who gather monthly in Fredericksburg to encourage one another, grow as leaders, and build trusted relationships, with new gatherings and a membership community for those wanting to go deeper. You don't need to know anyone or have it figured out, just show up and grab a cup of coffee.
Read the full story here, and learn more at bethebean.org.
FXBG’s Got It
Highlighting a few things worth knowing around town:
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Pick Your Own Flowers at Braehead Farm
Braehead Farm is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm for pick-your-own flowers. Sunflowers are $1.50 a bloom or 6 for $8, and all other flowers are $1 a stem or 6 for $5. 1130 Tyler St, Fredericksburg. Learn more at braeheadfarm.com.
Mark Your Calendar: The Next FXBG Neighbors Dinner Club Is September 30
The FXBG Neighbors Dinner Club is back with a new date. On Wednesday, September 30 at 6:00 pm, six strangers will be matched for dinner at a great downtown restaurant, no awkward mixers required, just a quick personality quiz and a reservation handled for you. Book a seat or sign up for future dinners at fxbgneighbors.dnnr.io.
Cake Decorating Meets Wine Night at Eden Try Winery
Eden Try Winery hosts Sprinkle Embroidery Cake & Sip on September 4 and September 25, 6 to 8 pm, decorate your own 7x5 mini cake from Whole Heart Baking Co. with an assortment of sprinkles, $25 per cake kit, wine available on-site, and 15% off the shop during the event. Reservations required, space limited, at taterscorner.com/events.
Featured Event
This Isn't Just a Gala. It's a Movement Starting Right Here.
Embers & Evermore, the inaugural gala for Ars Moriendi Services, comes to 718 on Caroline Street on September 12, with live music, a grazing table from Burg Charcutierie, wine and beer, and a silent auction stacked with prizes like a Kalahari Resort stay. Every ticket funds end-of-life education, grief support, and the region's first social model hospice house.
Grab your ticket, or share this with someone who needs to know about Ars Moriendi. Tickets at givebutter.com/c/Embers-and-Evermore.
What’s Happening In & Around the ‘Burg
Here are some of the top events happening soon. Always check with the venue for the latest details. Got an event coming up? Add it to our calendar.
Saturday, August 29
6th Annual Lolo Luau | 2:00PM
Location: 6 Bears & A Goat Brewing Company, 1140 International Pkwy, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: So grab your bold florals, grass skirts, and best Aloha wear — this luau is going to be unforgettable.
Abel Duo | 6:00PM
Location: Laudenbach Brewing, 45 Centreport Pkwy, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Come on out and enjoy a relaxing evening with Abel Duo!
Location: Pearlescent Candle Co., 809 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Discover over 15 seasonal autumn & Halloween scents, new candle holders, and more!
Location: Billikens Smokehouse 623 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Join Betties in the Burg for an unforgettable evening of tropical fun, vintage glamour, and giving back to an incredible cause!
FXBG Farmers Market | 7:00AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Hurkamp Park, 500 William St, Fredericksburg, VA
Last PIES of Summer Festival | 10:00AM
Location: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fredericksburg, 25 Chalice Circle, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Enjoy vendors and community resources, pie fundraising, raffles, free face painting, youth activities, character creation, family-friendly activities, and neurodivergent-friendly spaces.
Location: Barley Naked Brewing Company, 15 Tech Pkwy, Stafford, VA
The Reckless Brigade | 5:30PM
Location: Full Distance Brewing, 650 Corporate Drive, Suite 101, Stafford, VA
Description: High-energy live music, you are going to want to be here for this one.
Paint Pawty | 2:30PM
Location: Old Dominion Humane Society, 3602 Lafayette Blvd, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: The fun, creative event lets people turn a favorite photo of their pet—any type of animal--into a personalized painting.
Sunday, August 30
2nd Annual Carnival for Cora's Cause | 12:00PM
Location: Strangeways Brewing Fredericksburg, 350 Lansdowne Rd, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: An afternoon filled with family fun, foods, games and entertainment.
Sunday Supper Club | 6:30PM
Location: Locavore Virginia, 314 William Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Dine communally and enjoy food and wine prepared for our finest farms and producers in Virginia.
Long Family Markets Stafford | 8:00AM
Location: Long Family Markets Stafford, 610 Slug Lot, Staffordboro Blvd, Stafford, VA
Spotsylvania Farmers Market | 9:00AM
Location: 6975 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania, VA
