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Hey neighbor! 👋
Happy Saturday, and Happy Halloween! Our hour-by-hour guide below covers everything happening today, from the downtown costume stroll and candy dropping from the sky at Shannon Airport to ghost tours and late-night parties. Gardening Gays Farm is also hosting its last big event of the year, Farm Fest, today and tomorrow in King George.
Elsewhere in this issue, the National Zoo has named its red panda twins, Shanti and Cinder, and Hanover Place downtown has added a café with a $6 happy hour on Thursdays and Fridays. Looking ahead, you can grab tickets for The Beatles by Candlelight at St. George’s on January 8. We also meet Kathlynn Donald, who left social work to launch Elevate Designs & Events.
Grab your coffee and let’s dive in. 🌊
Dori
Local Pulse: FXBG Edition
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The Beatles by Candlelight: A Classical Tribute in a Historic Downtown Sanctuary 🕯️
Imagine “Yesterday,” “Blackbird,” and “Let It Be” drifting through a sanctuary glowing with thousands of candles. On Friday, January 8, Lumos Experiences brings its Candlelight series to St. George’s Episcopal Church with a classical string trio tribute to The Beatles, a cozy way to light up a winter evening.
Here’s the scoop:
What: A live string trio performs Beatles favorites including “Here Comes the Sun,” “Eleanor Rigby,” “Penny Lane,” and “Hey Jude”
When: Friday, January 8, with two sittings: 6:30 to 7:30 PM (doors at 5:45) and 8:30 to 9:30 PM (doors at 8)
Where: St. George’s Episcopal Church, 905 Princess Anne Street, downtown
Who: Ages 8 and up
Good to know: Seating is first come, first served within your ticket zone (Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze), and the venue is wheelchair accessible
The setting is half the magic. St. George’s parish dates to 1720, and the church you’ll sit in has stood since 1849, with original pews still in use and stained glass windows that include Tiffany pieces. It even survived cannon fire during the Battle of Fredericksburg. Lumos also donates to a different charity each month, so your night out gives back.
Photo courtesy Roshan Patel with the Smithsonian
Meet Shanti and Cinder, the National Zoo’s New Red Panda Twins 🐼
Some adorable news: the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute has announced the names of its red panda twins, born in May at the Smithsonian’s Front Royal, Virginia campus.
Shanti, the female twin, is named in honor of Shanti Malla, the first female forest guardian in Western Nepal
Cinder, the male twin, is named for his red and brown coloring
Their parents are Sequoia and Mow Mow
The Smithsonian says Cinder isn’t quite as fiery as their other cub, Dolly, or as protective as Shanti, but he can still bring the heat.
The Front Royal campus isn’t open to the public, so you won’t see the twins in person just yet. If you want a red panda fix, head to the National Zoo’s Asia Trail in Washington, D.C., where an adult female named Asa lives.
Learn more: nationalzoo.si.edu
Hanover Place Now Has a Café, and a $6 Happy Hour ☕
Your new favorite happy hour spot might be inside an artisan boutique. Hanover Place, at 205 Hanover Street in downtown Fredericksburg, has added a café to its shelves of handmade goods, so you can browse local jewelry, candles, scents, clothing, and art with a drink in hand.
The café: sandwiches, artisan boards, nitro cold brew, wine, and craft beer
The shop: handmade goods, vintage finds, and unique pieces from local makers
Happy hour: Thurs. & Fri., 3-7 PM, with craft beer, wine, mimosas, and mini cheese boards for $6 each
The mini boards come with your choice of artisan cheese (vegan option available), gluten-free crisps, fig jam, Castelvetrano olives, and microgreens, and they can sit right on top of your glass.
Stop in with friends, find a gift for yourself or someone else, and stay awhile.
Follow Hanover Place for updates: Hanover Place FXBG on Facebook
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]
She Left Social Work to Make People Feel Celebrated. Now Elevate Designs & Events Is Transforming the Fredericksburg Event Scene.
Kathlynn Donald did not come from the events industry. She came from a career rooted in social work, wellness, and human connection. After a major season of personal transition, she leaned into what she loved most and in 2023 launched Elevate Designs & Events, an event design and decor company that brings beauty, creativity, and genuine heart to every celebration. From custom backdrops and floral rentals to her signature flower bar and fragrance bar experiences, Kathlynn handles every detail so her clients can be fully present and enjoy the moment. Weddings, milestone birthdays, baby showers, corporate events, and everything in between. Whatever the occasion, her mission is the same. Make every guest feel valued, celebrated, and remembered.
📞 540-845-8007
Kathlyn Donald, Owner
Elevate Designs and Events
Happy Halloween! Everything Happening in FXBG Today
It’s finally here. Whether you’re trick-or-treating with the kids or planning a night out in costume, here’s your hour-by-hour guide to Halloween in the Fredericksburg area.
Morning
Family Costume Stroll and Treats on the Streets: stroll lines up at 8:30 AM at VRE Lot B (405 Caroline St) and steps off at 9:30 AM, then trick-or-treating at downtown businesses from 10 AM to noon. Free.
Halloween at the Market: 9 AM to 1 PM at Hurkamp Park, with Halloween fun and local artisans.
Halloween Open House at the Fredericksburg Area Museum: 10 AM to 5 PM, free, with Gus from the FredNats stopping by from 11:30 AM to 1 PM.
Harvest Festival Fly-In at Shannon Airport: 10 AM to 4 PM, with a haunted hangar tour and candy drops from the sky.
All day
Farm Fest: Fall Edition at Gardening Gays Farm, 10 AM to 5 PM today and tomorrow (15267 James Madison Pkwy, King George): 30+ local vendors, food trucks, a Highmark Brewery beer tent, live music from B. Mack, Halloween kids’ crafts, and Halloween bounce houses (extra fee). It’s the farm’s last big event of the year.
Wicked Whoopie Pie and Wine Pairing at Mattaponi Winery, 11 AM to 6 PM, no reservations needed
Pumpkin patches at Snead’s Farm (daily, last entry 4:45 PM) and Belvedere Plantation (10 AM to 6 PM today)
Evening
Fall Festival and Trunk-or-Treat at Fredericksburg Church of Christ: 5:30 PM on Riverside Drive
Angels vs Devils 5K: 5:30 PM in Stafford
Spooky Sip n’ Spin at LibertyTown Arts Workshop, 6 PM (21+, $50)
Halloween ghost tours with Masonic Lodge access, 7:30 PM ($32)
Halls of Hysteria, evening, at the Fredericksburg Convention Center ($25, ages 13+)
Veronica’s Room at Allstate Community Theater, 8 PM
Emo Night at Reclaim Arcade, 8 PM ($15)
Fun Land After Hours, 10 PM (adults only, $30 plus tax)
Find times, addresses, and links for every event: fxbgneighborsconnect.com/p/fredericksburg-halloween-events
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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.
Sunday 11/1
Holiday Cocktail Series at A. Smith Bowman Distillery - Tour the distillery and learn to make a festive cocktail featuring Bowman spirits at A. Smith Bowman Distillery.
Buffalo Bills Backers Game - Cheer on the Bills with food, fun, and a raffle at Hard Times Cafe - Four Mile Fork.
Karaoke With a Magician - Enjoy karaoke and magic alongside special beverage discounts for local heroes at Adventure Brewing Company.
Cornhole Tournaments EVERY Sunday Night! - Compete for prizes while enjoying food and drink specials at Spirits Bar.
Monday 11/2
Pour. Pause. Reflect Creative Reset Experience - Enjoy a relaxed, guided art-making and reflection session designed to help you reset at Adventure Brewing Company.
Local Heroes Night - Runs Monday, 11/2 through Tuesday, 11/3, offering 20% off on-premise beverages for eligible local heroes in Fredericksburg.
Tuesday 11/3
Homeschool History Day - Homeschool students ages 6 and up can explore colonial life through educator-led tours at Washington Heritage Museums.
Zoe Freedom Center IHOP Charity Night - Present a flyer at IHOP on Plank Road to have 20% of sales donated to Zoe Freedom Center.
