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Hey neighbor,
Riverfront Park is the place to be this weekend. Saturday brings Quacktoberfest and the Rubber Duck Derby, with 2,000 rubber ducks racing down the river, and on Sunday the Burger Battle takes over with sliders from six downtown favorites, all benefiting Loisann’s Hope House. Sunday is also the day New York Times bestselling author Elle Cosimano signs her new holiday rom-com thriller at Tales & Tails Book Cafe, with adoptable puppies named after her characters on the patio from 1 to 3 PM. It’s going to take some planning to fit it all in.
I also joined Spreading Smiles for their wine dinner this week, and I’m still smiling about it. Between the two nights, they raised enough to feed every child in their Weekend Buddy Bag program for an entire month. Add in Flavor Hive’s opening in Stafford and Eve’s Haunted Soirée at Eden Try Winery, and you’ve got a very full calendar.
Grab your coffee. Let's dive in. 🌊
Dori
Local Pulse: FXBG Edition
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Meet a New York Times Bestselling Author Right Here in Fredericksburg 📚
Calling all book lovers! New York Times bestselling author Elle Cosimano is coming to Tales & Tails Book Cafe on Sunday, October 18, to sign copies of her brand-new holiday rom-com thriller, Home for the Homicides.
If you've read Elle's Finlay Donovan series, you already know her books are equal parts laugh-out-loud funny and edge-of-your-seat suspenseful. And here's a fun fact: the Finlay Donovan series is set right here in Northern Virginia!
Your $30.54 ticket saves your spot in the signing line and includes a copy of Home for the Homicides. Tales & Tails will also have extra copies and many of Elle's other books available, so you can stock up on holiday gifts for the readers in your life.
And there's more! Adoptable puppies from the Old Dominion Humane Society, each named after one of Elle's characters, will be on the patio from 1 to 3 PM. 🐶
And there's more! Adoptable puppies from the Old Dominion Humane Society, each named after one of Elle's characters, will be on the patio from 1 to 3 PM. 🐶
Author Signing with Elle Cosimano
Sunday, October 18
Tales & Tails Book Cafe, 1010 Charles St., Fredericksburg
Signing spots may be available without a ticket, but they aren't guaranteed, so grab yours early!
Taste Your Way Through Downtown at the Burger Battle for Loisann's Hope House
Come hungry, bring your crew, and get ready to taste your way through downtown! On Sunday, October 18th, Loisann's Hope House and Olde Towne Butcher are teaming up for the Burger Battle, a one-of-a-kind afternoon of sliders, drinks, music, and fun at Riverfront Park, all while supporting local families in our community.
Here's what your wristband gets you:
Two drink tickets
Free slider samples from some of your favorite downtown chefs
Tastings from Eats, Cheeky's, Harry's Alehouse, Mason Dixon Café, Rebellion, and Sammy T's
Live music and a fun afternoon by the river
Best of all, every ticket gives back. Proceeds support Loisann's Hope House and the local families they serve, so you can do good while you eat well.
The details:
📅 Sunday, October 18, 2026
⏰ 12 to 3 PM
📍 Riverfront Park, Downtown Fredericksburg
🎟️ Tickets: burgerbattle2026.auctria.events
Grab your crew and your appetite. We'll see you there!
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FXBG’s Got It
Highlighting a few things worth knowing around town:
Mark Your Calendar: The Next FXBG Neighbors Dinner Club Is November 4th
The FXBG Neighbors Dinner Club is back with a new date. On Wednesday, November 4th 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.
Rainy Nights, Full Hearts: Wine Dinners Fund a Month of Weekend Meals for Local Kids
Even with a rainy Sunday, Spreading Smiles’ Sip for a Cause wine dinners at Ristorante Renato drew a wonderful turnout. Between the two evenings, guests raised enough to feed every child in the Weekend Buddy Bag program for an entire month, a big boost with Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner. Founder Elisa Bonilla says the goal is to keep it simple and fun: come out, enjoy yourself, and know that just by being there, you’re helping local kids. Want to keep the giving going? Donate or learn more at spreadingsmilesfxbg.org.
The Buzz Is Real: Flavor Hive Is Now Open in Stafford
The wait is over, Stafford. Flavor Hive officially opened last week at 825 Wonder Rd, bringing its halal fusion menu to town. The DMV favorite is known for its “Bring Your Own Bag” concept, where you bring a bag of chips and the team fills it with halal meats, cheeses, fresh veggies, and housemade sauces, along with overflowing rice bowls and walking tacos that often mean leftovers for tomorrow. Open Monday to Thursday 11 AM to 10 PM, Friday and Saturday 11 AM to midnight, and Sunday noon to 10 PM. Learn more: flavorhive.com
Candlelight, Wine, and a Story Told One Chapter at a Time: Eve’s Haunted Soirée
Eden Try Winery is giving Halloween season a more elegant twist. Eve’s Haunted Soirée is a candlelit wine and dining experience on Thursday, October 29 and Friday, October 30, with doors at 6 PM. The night begins with a welcome winetail, tarot readings, and curious discoveries, then moves into the Great Hall for four seasonal courses, from lobster bisque to blackberry-glazed short rib to white chocolate mousse, each paired with an Eden Try wine. A live string ensemble sets the mood while an immersive story unfolds chapter by chapter. It’s not a haunted house, just an elevated evening for guests 21 and older, and dark romantic attire is encouraged. Seating is limited, so reserve your place at edentrywinery.com/eveshauntedsoiree.
Quacktoberfest Is Coming to Riverfront Park, and the Ducks Are Racing
Bring the whole family to Riverfront Park on Saturday, October 17 from 2 to 6 PM for Quacktoberfest, a free afternoon of fall fun. Expect carnival rides and games, food trucks and vendors, a beergarten, live music, and a pumpkin patch. The main event is the Rubber Duck Derby, kicking off around 3 PM, when rubber ducks race down the river. Adopt a duck and cheer it on at riverfriends.org/product/fxbg-rubber-ducky-2026.
Downtown’s Market Square Gets a $17,000 Boost From the State
Fredericksburg Main Street has received a $17,000 Downtown Investment Grant from Virginia for a project at Market Square, one of just 10 awards announced statewide as part of a $615,000 revitalization effort. The grant supports one-time improvements like public spaces, signs, and public art, though specific plans for the square haven’t been announced yet. The historic landmark, once the center of the town’s commerce and civic life, is part of the Town Hall property that now houses the Fredericksburg Area Museum. Learn more about Main Street at fredericksburgmainstreet.org.
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 16
Renaissance Faire | 12:00PM
Location: Adventure Brewing Company, 4 Hazel Park Ln, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: A brewery transforms into a medieval playground with games, roaming royalty, food, and handcrafted vendors for a day of Renaissance-themed fun.
PorchFest | 11:00AM
Location: Marye Street & Littlepage Streets, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: A family-friendly music and arts festival celebrating community, creativity, and connection.
Twilight Trivia | 6:30PM
Location: Tales & Tails Book Cafe, 1010 Charles Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Free Twilight-themed team trivia at a book cafe, with prizes for the winning team. Space is limited; sign-up required.
Saturday, October 17
Spatique: Where Beauty Meets Purpose | 11:00AM
Location: 311 Central Rd #7, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: A relaxing day for women with massages, manicures, makeup, eyelashes, eyebrows, health check & lunch.
Big Fall Cleanup | 9:00AM
Location: Old Mill Park, 2201, Caroline Street, Brulle, Canal Quarter, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: You will fuel up with a FREE breakfast by the river and then disperse to various cleanup sites.
Jack-o-lantern Shaped Canvas Fundraiser | 11:00AM
Location: Art Cart Kids, 77 Bells Hill Rd, Stafford, VA
Description: Have fun creating a Jack-o-lantern canvas painting and help provide a special holiday meal for a family in need at the same time.
Halloween Movies in the Park | 7:00PM
Location: Riverfront Park, 108 Hanover St., Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Grab a blanket and takeout from one of the downtown local restaurants to watch a DarkWing Duck episode followed by Hocus Pocus.
Sunday, October 18
4th Annual Battle Of The Burgers | 12:00PM
Location: Riverfront Park, 600 Sophia Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Savor the flavors with sliders from your favorite downtown chefs at this family-friendly, festival.
Location: Tales and Tails Book Cafe, 1010 Charles Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Join us for a very exciting author signing with New York Times Bestselling Author, Elle Cosimano!
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.
Bingo & Brunch with Biscuit Batch | 12:30PM
Location: Strangeways Brewing, 350 Lansdowne Road, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Enjoy brunch from Biscuit Batch, grab a mimosa flight, and settle in for an afternoon of Bingo fun!
Wilderness Halloween Festival | 11:00AM
Location: Wilderness Presidential Resort, 9220 Plank Road, Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA
Description: A resort with trick-or-treating, costume contests, and shopping. A family-friendly event celebrating the spooky season.
