Happy Thursday, neighbors.
This week we've got a little bit of everything. A gala that raises money for local families fighting pediatric cancer, a film festival coming to UMW, over 3,000 free trees up for grabs, and a brand new downtown wellness studio where your phone isn't invited. We're also spotlighting 25 30 Espresso and the story behind every cup, plus a dinner club launching next month that pairs neighbors who've never met over a great meal. Whether you're looking for something to do this weekend or something to be part of this spring, it's all here.
Let's get into it.
Dori
Local Pulse: FXBG Edition
How Coffee Helped Fuel a Revolution. Find Out Over a Cup at Historic Kenmore.
Ever wonder how coffee became so deeply woven into American culture? Historic Kenmore is inviting you to find out on Sunday, March 1 from noon to 5 PM during Taste Through Time: Grounds for Revolution. Step into the historic kitchen, gather around the hearth fire, and watch as coffee beans are toasted and brewed the old-fashioned way in a traditional pot. You'll learn how coffee went from a global commodity to the drink that powered daily life and revolutionary-era action. The program wraps up with samples, so you'll get to taste history for yourself. Entry to the kitchen is included with general admission ($6 for adults, $3 for students 6-17, free for kids under 6), with house tours available for $15. 1201 Washington Ave, Fredericksburg. Reserve tickets online or purchase at the door. Questions? Call (540) 370-0732 or email [email protected].
Free Trees Are Coming: Tree Fredericksburg Is Giving Away Over 3,000 Native Seedlings
Tree Fredericksburg is giving away more than 3,000 free native tree and shrub seedlings this spring, and all Virginia residents are welcome. Online reservations open Monday, March 2, with a max of six trees per household. Pick up your reserved trees on Saturday, March 28 from 9 AM to noon at Old Mill Park (2201 Caroline St, Fredericksburg). Check out the full list of available species at TreeFredericksburg.org and reserve yours before they're gone.
Featured Event
Have an upcoming event? Let us help you spread the word. Email [email protected] to get featured.
A big thank you to our local sponsors for keeping this newsletter free for the community🙏 Want your business in front of 24,000+ Fredericksburg-area neighbors? Become a sponsor. [email protected]
Get Your Hands Dirty at Corgi Clay Art Center
Corgi Clay Art Center in Stafford is offering an 8-week Beginner Wheel Throwing course starting Monday, March 9, running every Monday from 10 AM to 1 PM. You'll learn centering, pulling walls, and shaping bowls, cups, and plates, and you'll walk away with a collection of finished, glazed pieces to take home. Tuition is $240 plus a $65 materials fee, which covers 25 lbs of clay, studio glazes, all firings, and communal tools. You'll need your own basic ceramic tool kit (available at the center for $30), an apron, and a hand towel. Ages 16 and up. Head to corgiclayartcenter.com to register. 15 Tech Parkway, Stafford.
.
Business Briefs
.
Thinking About a Career Behind the Chair? 77 Barbershop Is Hosting a Free Workshop.
77 Barbershop, voted Best Barbershop in Fredericksburg five years running, is teaming up with Style Easy Education for a free Barber and Cosmetology Apprenticeship Workshop on March 17 from noon to 2 PM at 1120 International Pkwy #111 in Fredericksburg. Learn the craft hands-on from master barbers and find out how Style Easy's Virginia-approved apprenticeship program can help you get licensed the smart way, without the traditional cosmetology school price tag. Whether you're just starting out or looking for a career change, this is a no-cost, no-pressure way to see if the industry is right for you. Click here to register.
Element Contrast Studio Made It Official with a Ribbon Cutting. Your Phone Still Can't Come.
Element Contrast Studio at 1000 Prince Edward Street in downtown Fredericksburg, tucked right below Dragonfly Yoga, celebrated its official ribbon-cutting last week. If you haven't checked it out yet, this is your sign. It's a phone-free zone built around one thing: the power of heat and cold. Step into a sauna, follow it with a cold plunge, and let your body do what it was designed to do. Sessions range from a 30-minute Quick Reset for when you just need to shake the day off to a 60-minute Ritual for a deeper reset. Memberships are available. Leave the phone in the car. You won't miss it. elementcontraststudio.com
Women-Owned Businesses Are Thriving in FXBG. Now Let's Make Sure Everyone Knows About Them.
FXBG Neighbors is spotlighting every woman-owned business in the Fredericksburg area with a free online directory and a brand new magazine, Power Players: Women Entrepreneurs Fueling FXBG's Growth. Your free listing puts you in front of 50,000+ local readers who want to shop, hire, and support women-owned businesses. Want even more visibility? We've got options for that too. And on March 22nd, we're bringing it all together with a celebration event at Eden Try Winery. This is your moment. Space is limited. Click here, and we’ll send you more information.
30 Years of Keeping Fredericksburg Comfortable. OHA Celebrates with a Ribbon Cutting.
OHA HVAC, Plumbing, Chimney and Fireplaces celebrated 30 years in business with a ribbon cutting on February 12 at 3341 Shannon Park Dr. in Fredericksburg. What started as a trusted HVAC company three decades ago has grown into a full-service home comfort provider offering HVAC, plumbing, roofing, chimney and fireplace services, generators, water heaters, indoor air quality solutions, and preventative maintenance. Family-owned and community-focused, OHA is built on a simple promise: on time, honest, and affordable. Thirty years and still going strong. Congrats to the team on this milestone. fixmyair.com
Local Flavor
Every Cup at 25 30 Espresso Starts with a Story.
25 30 Espresso at 400 Princess Anne Street has been a downtown Fredericksburg staple since 2007, and what sets it apart is right there in the roaster. Every bag is roasted in house from beans sourced from women-owned and women-run farms around the world. Owner Maureen Bartosh even provides grant money through organizations like Cafe Feminino to improve working conditions for those farmers. The shop offers single origin coffees from Colombia, Ethiopia, Honduras, Peru, Mexico, and more, along with house blends, cold brew, and fresh baked pastries. Whether you're grabbing a latte on your way through town or settling into a cozy seat for a while, this is coffee with purpose. 2530espresso.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, February 27
Last Friday Silent Book Club | 6:00PM
Location: Tales & Tails, 1010, Charles Street, Winchester, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Plenty of options for silent reading space and a room reserved for book discussion.
Live Music with Todd Hill | 6:00PM
Location: Courtyard Fredericksburg Historic District, 620 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Todd Hill will be performing live, bringing you the best tunes to kick off your weekend.
00's Pop Punk Music Bingo | 6:30PM
Location: Laudenbach Brewing, 45 Centreport Pkwy, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: 3 Rounds, classic bingo rules and prize for each winner. Free to play. Chomps BBQ will be serving up the grub!
Saturday, February 28
Wine & Food Festival | 11:00AM
Location: Fredericksburg Convention Center, 2371 Carl D Silver Parkway
Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Indulge in a delightful day filled with exquisite flavors, fine wines, and great company.
Attracting Bluebirds to Your Yard | 2:00PM
Location: Downtown Rappahannock Library, 1201 Caroline St, Fredericksburg
Description: Virginia Bluebird County Coordinator, Anne Little, will give a one hour presentation on bluebirds. Anne will teach you how to attract bluebirds to your yard and ways you can help sustain them.
Karaoke Night | 5:00PM
Location: Maltese Brewing Company FXBG, 11800 Main Street Building #3, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Grab a pint of your favorite craft beer, round up your friends, and let’s make some noise!
Location: Full Distance Brewing, 650 Corporate Drive, Suite 101 Stafford, VA
Description: Join us for a night of stand-up comedy paired with good beer.
Sunday, March 1
Barboursville Wine Dinner | 6:00PM (through March 2)
Location: Ristorante Renato, 422 William St, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Enjoy an unforgettable evening featuring: 5-course dinner, 6 wines from Barboursville Vineyards and $125 per person (excluding gratuity).
Bridal Show Under the Stars | 5:00PM
Location: The Silk Mill & Woolen Mill, 1707 Princess Anne St, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Explore the latest trends in bridal fashion, photography, décor, florals, and more—all in one enchanting setting.
Puerto Rican Bomba | 1:30PM
Location: Virtuous Dance Center - 31 Utah Pl #101, Fredericksburg
Description: Experience the vibrant music, dance, and rhythms of Puerto Rico with Bomba Sundays in Fredericksburg! Semilla Cultural invites children, teens, adults, and families to explore Afro–Puerto Rican bomba through dance and percussion classes in a welcoming, community-centered space. This seasonal series builds toward an end-of-year showcase and is open to all levels.
