In partnership with
Hey neighbor! 👋
Your weekend plans just wrote themselves. There's a Christmas in July market happening TODAY at Backporch Vineyard (yes, today, so finish your coffee and go), Summer Fest is coming to A. Smith Bowman on August 1st, and I found a bed-and-breakfast a road trip away where you can sip tea with actual giraffes. I'm not kidding.
Plus, we're settling a delicious debate in this edition, and I have a feeling you'll have opinions. Don't be shy, that's the kind of conversation Fredericksburg does best!
Grab your coffee and let’s dive in.
Dori
Poll: Did your neighbors get it right?
Fahrenheit 132 Takes Best Restaurant in the FXBG Neighbors’ Choice Awards. Did Your Neighbors Get It Right?
The votes are in, and Fredericksburg has spoken! Your neighbors crowned the Best Restaurant in the FXBG Neighbors Choice Awards, and the full lineup is a delicious read:
🏆 Winner: Fahrenheit 132
🥈 Runner Up: Orofino
🏅 Finalist: Mason-Dixon Cafe
🏅 Finalist: Foode
🏅 Finalist: Agave Bar & Grill
🏅 Finalist: Olde Towne Steak & Seafood
🏅 Finalist: Dixie Joe's Crab Shack
🏅 Finalist: HCK Hot Chicken
Did your neighbors get it right?
Local Pulse: FXBG Edition
.
Frozen Daiquiris, Roller Derby, and Virginia's Oldest Distillery: Summer Fest Returns August 1st
Beat those end-of-summer blues at the 4th annual Summer Fest, hosted by Fredericksburg Roller Derby and A. Smith Bowman Distillery on Saturday, August 1st from 11 AM to 4 PM. This free community favorite packs a whole lot of summer into one afternoon:
Sip something cold: Frozen daiquiris, beer, and cocktails to keep you cool
Shop the vendor village: A bustling lineup of local products and services to explore
Tour and taste: Free tours of Virginia's oldest and most award-winning distillery, plus complimentary tastings
Eat well: Food from Whitley BBQ & Co, Maria Cheryl's, and Rosie's Pizza & Doner Kebab
Take home a treat: The gift shop will be open with sip-worthy spirits and cozy swag
Live music, good food, and great neighbors, all in one spot. Best of all? Admission and parking are both free.
Get all the details here and mark your calendar for Saturday, August 1st, 11 AM to 4 PM at A. Smith Bowman Distillery.
Giraffes at Breakfast? A Safari Bed-and-Breakfast Just Opened a Road Trip Away in Virginia
You no longer need a plane ticket to Africa to feed a giraffe. Wilde Manor At Tarover, a luxury bed-and-breakfast that doubles as a safari lodge, has opened in Halifax County in southern Virginia, and it might be the most unique weekend getaway in the state.
Here's what makes it wild (in the best way):
Meet the animals: The property is home to giraffes, African penguins, flamingos, and lemurs that guests can visit up close
Giraffe tea time: Overnight stays include a morning giraffe meet-and-greet, plus afternoon tea with the giraffes
Historic charm: The 1854 lodge sits on 37 acres of Virginia countryside with six guest rooms, or you can book the whole manor for up to 14 people
A stay with purpose: Founders Molly and Nick Wilde built the experience around conservation education, and a portion of every booking supports protection efforts for the species living there
Perks included: Breakfast and happy hour in the library bar come with your stay
Ready to trade your usual weekend routine for tea with a giraffe? Learn more and book your stay at wildemanor.com. Wilde Manor At Tarover is located at 4112 River Rd. in South Boston, Virginia.
Happening TODAY: Wine Slushies and Holiday Shopping at Backporch Vineyard's Christmas in July
Don't make plans yet, because your Saturday just got booked! Today from 11 AM to 4 PM, Backporch Vineyard in King George (just a 30 minute drive from Fredericksburg) is throwing its Christmas in July Market, and it's the perfect excuse to knock out holiday shopping while sipping something cold.
Here's what's waiting for you:
Shop local makers: Nearly 30 vendors including Little Black Dog Soap Company, Pottery by Baldanzi, Kiln Magic, Lisa's Loom, Surly Momma Cat Candles, and so many more
Eat well while you browse: Lunch from Taco Tuesday, Willie's Waffles, and Fire Escape Food Truck
Sip your way through: The Revolutionary Red July wine special, wine slushies, ciders on tap, and all your Backporch favorites at the tasting bar
Stay cool: Browse in comfort inside the air-conditioned barn
Grab your friends, support local makers, and celebrate Christmas five months early!
Head out today, 11 AM to 4 PM, to Backporch Vineyard at 16595 Wilmont Road in King George. Details at backporchvineyard.com. Santa would approve!
A big thank you to our sponsors for keeping this newsletter free for the community🙏 Want your business in front of 41,000+ Fredericksburg-area neighbors? Become a sponsor. [email protected]
Told "Everything Looks Normal" But You Still Feel Off? A Fredericksburg Practice Is Digging Deeper
Exhausted. Foggy. Burned out. Struggling with weight changes that don't make sense. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone, and House of Bloom Medical Aesthetics & Wellness wants you to know it's not all in your head.
This boutique, direct-pay practice on Lafayette Blvd is led by board-certified Nurse Practitioner Rebecca Chanda, who personally guides every patient's treatment plan from start to finish. No revolving door of providers. No being passed off. Just science-driven care that gets to the root of why you don't feel like yourself.
What sets them apart:
A deeper look: Comprehensive wellness evaluations and advanced lab work to uncover what's really driving your symptoms
Personalized plans: Hormone optimization, regenerative medicine, and customized treatments built around you
A full menu of services: BHRT and TRT, weight management, advanced injectables, laser rejuvenation, hair restoration, peptide therapy, and medical-grade skincare
Real results, fast: Many patients notice meaningful improvements within just a few weeks
Owned and operated by board-certified nurse practitioner Rebecca Chanda, NP, MS, AGACNP-BC.
Look your best. Feel your best. Schedule your consultation today at houseofbloommed.com or stop by 509 Lafayette Blvd, Ste B in Fredericksburg.
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, July 18
Date 'n Dash (Love on Tap) | 6:30PM
Location: 6 Bears & A Goat Brewing Company, 1140 International Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Get ready to mix, mingle, and dash into love, where hearts meet over drinks on tap!
Madame's Midnight Market & Art Show | 7:00PM
Location: Madame's Oddities, 2011 Princess Anne St. Suite 101, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Amazing pop up vendors, with tables to match our Santa Carla theme!
Norton MiniFest & Grape Stomping | 12:00PM
Location: Potomac Point Vineyards & Winery, 275 Decatur Rd
Stafford, VADescription: Join us for an unforgettable afternoon celebrating the boldest star of Virginia viticulture!
Strange Oddities Flea Market | 12:00PM
Location: Strangeways Brewing, 350 Lansdowne Road, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Packed with curious finds, spooky treasures, strange art, taxidermy, crystals, handmade creations and more!
Stand Up Comedy Night | 8:00PM
Location: Mannie's World, 4521 Plank Road, #C, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Beer Run Comedy is bringing the laughter to Mannie's World in FXBG.
Location: Tater’s Corner, 89 Chatham Heights Rd, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Our flower bar will be bursting with colorful blooms, ready for you to create a beautiful bouquet or have us make one for you!
Location: 12150 Gordon Road, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Shop fresh, local, and producer-only seasonal produce, meats, baked goods, handmade items, and so much more.
Summer Wine Festival | 8:00AM
Location: Spotsylvania Towne Centre, 137 Spotsylvania Mall, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Taste a variety of wines from local VIRGINIA vineyards, sip & stroll throughout the venue, and enjoy the summer vibes.
Supernatural Trivia Night | 7:00PM
Location: Adventure Brewing Company, 33 Perchwood Dr
Fredericksburg, VADescription: This trivia showdown is packed with lore, laughs, and enough chaotic energy.
Weekly Saturday Strolls | 7:45AM
Location: Old Dominion Humane Society, 3602 Lafayette Blvd, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Don’t miss the chance to get exercise, socialize with fellow dog lovers and give the pups a chance to explore.
Sunday, July 19
Back To School Bash | 1:00PM
Location: Strong Tower Church, 234 Ferry Road Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Join us as we give back to our community by providing backpacks and school supplies to 700 students.
Book Bedazzling and Brunch | 11:00AM
Location: Tales & Tails Book Cafe, 1010 Charles Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Bedazzle your book while you sip on wine samples, snack on brunch treats, and meet other readers!
Location: City Vino, 100 Hanover Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Come sip, sculpt, laugh, and create.
Seashell Decoupage Jewelry Trinket Dish | 10:00AM
Location: Curated FXBG, 817 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: You will learn a new fun craft and leave with three decoupaged seashell jewelry dishes!
