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Hey neighbor,
October is here, and so is our full guide to haunted houses, ghost tours, and spooky trails from Fredericksburg to Bowling Green, whether you want a good scream or a side of history with your ghosts. Just know that Belle Grove's online tickets close October 14, so don't wait too long to plan your night out. We've also got Swinging for HOPE teeing off October 9 to fight food insecurity, Spatique turning a spa day into scholarships for local students on October 17, and in FXBG's Got It: S.E.R.V.E.'s new Food IS Medicine program, an update on the $35,000 Embers & Evermore raised for the region's first end-of-life home, and local artists taking their work to the streets this Saturday for Art Attack.
Grab your coffee. Let's dive in. 🌊
Dori
Local Pulse: FXBG Edition
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Enter If You Dare: Your Guide to Haunted Houses, Ghost Tours, and Spooky Trails Around FXBG 👻
Whether you love a good scream or prefer your ghosts with a side of history, our region has you covered this October. We rounded up the best haunted houses, ghost tours, and family-friendly frights from Fredericksburg to Bowling Green, all in one place.
Here's a sneak peek at what's inside:
🎃 For the thrill seekers: Brave the massive indoor haunted trail at Halls of Hysteria, wander the woods at The Haunted Hill in Partlow (bring cash!), or face the ghostly pirates of Port Royal at Belle Grove Plantation.
🕯️ For the history lovers: Walk downtown's most haunted streets with History Walks FXBG, ride through the darker side of Fredericksburg on a horse-drawn carriage tour, or hop on a pedicab ghost tour of historic Bowling Green.
👻 For the whole family: Trick-or-treat aviation style at the Shannon Airport Harvest Festival and its Haunted Hangar, or enjoy daytime Halloween fun at Kings Dominion.
Some of these sell out fast, and Belle Grove's online tickets close October 14, so don't wait too long to plan your night out.
👉 Get dates, tickets, and all the details in the full guide: https://www.fxbgneighborsconnect.com/p/enter-if-you-dare-your-guide-to-haunted-houses-ghost-tours-and-spooky-trails-around-fxbg
Know of a haunt we missed? Hit reply and tell us about it! 🎃
A Tee Time That Fills Holiday Tables
Swinging for HOPE, the first Knights of Pythias Memorial Tournament, tees off Friday, October 9 at Pendleton Golf Course, with every dollar raised going toward Hope for the Holiday Giveaways and the fight against food insecurity across the region. The tournament also honors Knights of Pythias Lodge 22 members who spent decades showing up for charity golf days just like this one.
Friday, October 9, registration at 8 AM, shotgun start at 9 AM
Best ball format, $500 per team of four or $125 per individual, includes green fees, cart, range balls, and lunch
Spots are limited to a single shotgun start, so grab a foursome early
Register your team or find sponsorship info at hubofhopeusa.com/golf.
A Spa Day That Sends Local Students Off to College
An afternoon of pampering does not usually come with a scholarship attached. Spatique does. Now in its second year, the Isaiah Benjamin Aronoff Foundation's women's fundraiser turns a day of self-care into tuition help and care packages for local students heading to college.
Saturday, October 17, 11 AM to 4 PM at 311 Central Rd #7, Fredericksburg
An afternoon of self-care and fellowship with women from across the area
Every ticket funds student scholarships and college care packages
Second annual, back after the response to last year's turnout
A big thank you to our sponsors for keeping this newsletter free for the community🙏 Want your business in front of 52,000+ Fredericksburg-area neighbors? Become a sponsor. [email protected]
Capturing bold moments, genuine connection, and unforgettable experiences through photography and photo booth experiences.
Visit www.nitasnaps.com to learn more.
FXBG’s Got It
Highlighting a few things worth knowing around town:
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How S.E.R.V.E. Is Treating Food Like Medicine
S.E.R.V.E. Food Pantry has partnered with four regional health foundations on a new Food IS Medicine initiative, bridging the gap between healthcare and nutrition for neighbors managing chronic conditions who can't afford the food their bodies need. It's part of a Hunger Action Month push that builds on S.E.R.V.E.'s existing work distributing nearly 1.2 million pounds of food a year.
Guests with a medical condition can get an "RX for Food" from their provider and bring it to S.E.R.V.E. for fresh, diet-specific items
58% of all food S.E.R.V.E. distributes is already healthy and nutritious
Partners: Anthem, Potomac, Sentara, and Mary Washington Health Foundations
Support the work at donorbox.org/september-hunger-action-month.
Embers & Evermore Raised Upwards of $35,000 for the Region's First End-of-Life Home
Ars Moriendi Services' inaugural gala filled 718 on Caroline Street with about 85 neighbors for a night of live music, a grazing table, and a silent auction, raising upwards of $35,000, the organization's largest fundraiser yet. The money, and the new connections made that night, go toward building the region's first social-model end-of-life home.
Ars Moriendi's largest fundraiser to date
About 85 guests at 718 on Caroline Street
Proceeds support a community-built, community-sustained end-of-life home, open to everyone regardless of ability to pay
Learn more or get involved at amshome.org.
Local Artists Are Taking Their Work to the Streets This Saturday
Art Attack turns downtown Fredericksburg into an open-air studio this Saturday, with local painters, sculptors, musicians, and more creating their work right out on the sidewalk. It's free to stop by, no tickets needed, just a walk down Caroline Street to watch, chat, and support the local arts community.
Saturday, October 3, 10 am to 4 pm, rain or shine
Based out of Ponshop Studio & Gallery, 712 Caroline Street
Free to attend, no tickets required
Learn more at artattackproject.com.
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.
Friday, October 2
Marshall and Company Performing | 7:00PM
Location: Adventure Brewing Company, 4 Hazel Park Ln, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Bring fuzzy riffs, cinematic choruses, and violin to Adventure Brewing for a free night of live music.
First Friday Karaoke: Skaraoke | 7:00PM
Location: City Vino, 100 Hanover Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Come sing what you want. Have some wine. Relax.
FXBG First Friday | 5:00PM
Location: Downtown Fredericksburg, 706 Caroline Street, Federicksburg, VA
Description: Join us to celebrate all of downtown’s art and community.
Saturday, October 3
Dog Days | 10:00AM
Location: George Washington's Ferry Farm, 268 George Washington Way, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Explore the nature trails that lead around the fields and along the Rappahannock River with a discount on Ferry Farm’s grounds for the day.
Fall Home Show | 9:00AM (through October 4)
Location: Fredericksburg Convention Center, 2371 Carl D Silver Pkwy, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: A free home improvement expo connecting homeowners with landscapers, designers, and contractors, plus deals, giveaways, and ideas for creating a cozier home this winter.
Hartwood Harvest Makers Market | 10:00AM
Location: 128 Meadows Road, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: A day filled with handcrafted goods and delicious treats from an incredible lineup of talented local makers!
Standup Comedy | 7:30PM
Location: Highmark Brewery, 390 Kings Highway, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Come see the best comics from all around Virginia!
Bourbon and Boxwood 2026 | 6:00PM
Location: Mary Washington House, 1200 Charles Street Fredericksburg, VA
Description: A beautiful garden party that brings together dedicated supporters from near and far, featuring live music, plentiful food and drinks, and a silent auction.
Location: Lake of the Woods Golf Course, 108 Fairway Dr Locust Grove, VA
Description: The program is provided at no cost to the families regardless of race, language, economic status, etc.
Sunday, October 4
Holiday Cocktail Series | 12:00PM
Location: A. Smith Bowman Distillery, 1 Bowman Drive, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: A holiday cocktail series at a local distillery, featuring themed drinks and a festive atmosphere.
Harry Potter Years 3 & 4 Trivia | 3:00PM
Location: Laudenbach Brewing, 45 Centreport Pkwy, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: This trivia will encompass the movies for Harry Potter's first and second year!
Bill and Jayne’s Excellent Adventure | 10:30AM
Location: Massaponnax Flea Market, 9040 Jefferson Davis Highway (also known as Patriot Highway), Fredericksburg, VA
Description: A flea market booth offering new and vintage plastic models, die-cast vehicles, and vintage glassware from Fenton and Westmoreland.
