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Hey neighbor,
Dolly Parton passed away on August 25, but the program she started in 1995 is still growing right here in Spotsylvania, and a local golf tournament is raising money to keep it going strong. We also have your guide to Oktoberfest season, including the 2nd Annual Brocktoberfest happening this Saturday at Brock's Riverside Grill.
Grab your coffee. Let's dive in. 🌊
Dori
Local Pulse: FXBG Edition
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Dolly Parton's Legacy Lives On, One Free Book at a Time, Right Here in Spotsylvania
Dolly Parton passed away on August 25, but the program she started in 1995 to put books in the hands of young children is still growing right here in our community, sending over a million books a month worldwide and reaching one in seven American kids under five.
Since the Spotsylvania County branch launched in March 2020, it has registered almost 3,000 children. Local affiliate Elizabeth DiDonato calls literature the cornerstone of early childhood development. "Brains are built, not born, and the early years last forever," she says. A child registered at birth receives 60 free books by the time they age out at five.
Register your child, or a child you know, at imaginationlibrary.com.
Help Keep the Books Coming: Imagination Library's Golf Tournament Fundraiser
More than 3,000 local families are enrolled in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library-Spotsylvania County, mailing free books to registered children from birth to age five. The Dollywood Foundation covers overhead, so every dollar raised through the Annual Spotsylvania County Imagination Library Golf Tournament goes 100% toward local kids.
$31 per year covers one child's monthly books
Hole sponsorships: $250, includes Sponsor Big Board placement and a hole sign
Contributions are tax deductible, EIN 54-0855513
Sponsor a hole or donate at imagination-library-golf-tournament.perfectgolfevent.com.
Spotsylvania Living Magazine
The September edition of Spotsylvania Living Magazine is here, packed with the neighbors, stories, and local businesses that make our community shine. Click below to read the full issue!
A heartfelt thank you to our writers, photographers, advertisers, sponsors, and local businesses who make Spotsylvania Living possible each month. Your support allows us to continue sharing the stories, people, and organizations that make our community stronger. 💙
A big thank you to our sponsors for keeping this newsletter free for the community🙏 Want your business in front of 48,000+ Fredericksburg-area neighbors? Become a sponsor. [email protected]
The 2nd Annual Brocktoberfest Is Bigger Than Ever
Brock's Riverside Grill is taking over its entire property on the Rappahannock River for one big day of live music, beer, food, cocktails, and Oktoberfest fun, and this year the party runs late.
Live music kicks off at 2 pm with Mark Vollten & The Scenic Roots on the Parking Lot Stage, followed by The Chris Ryan Band at 6 pm. Then the party moves upstairs for a late-night after party with DJ Don Juan, 10 pm to 1:30 am.
The parking lot becomes a full beer garden with Sam Adams, Devil's Backbone, Two Silos, Center of the Universe, Port City, and Silver Branch on tap, plus Tito's Vodka and Red Bull. Come hungry for a special Oktoberfest menu, pretzel sticks, potato pancakes, a meat and cheese board, beer brats, Jägerschnitzel, and crispy pork shank.
Saturday, September 12
2:00-5:00 pm: Mark Vollten & The Scenic Roots
6:00-10:00 pm: The Chris Ryan Band
10:00 pm-1:30 am: DJ Don Juan after party
Full beer garden and Oktoberfest food menu
Grab your friends, come hungry, and raise a stein at Brock's Riverside Grill. Learn more here.
Featured Events
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Spatique: Where Beauty Meets Purpose — FUNDRAISER
The Isaiah Benjamin Aronoff Foundation hosts Spatique, its 2nd Annual Women's Fundraiser, on Friday, October 17, from 11 AM to 4 PM at 311 Central Rd #7, Fredericksburg. An afternoon of self-care and fellowship, with every ticket supporting student scholarships and college care packages. Tickets are available here.
Put On Your Pink and Help Build a House at This Black & Pink Tie Gala
Heels & Hammers: The Power to Build, hosted by Women Build to benefit Greater Fredericksburg Habitat for Humanity, comes to The Silk Mill in Fredericksburg on Saturday, September 26 at 5:30 pm, with black and/or pink tie attire, a silent auction, a hard hat decorating contest, and a plated meal with beer and wine. Tickets are $129 and limited, reserve yours at fredhab.org.
Paws for Peace Returns to Old Mill Park on October 24
Be the Light's 2nd Annual Paws for Peace is now open for registration, supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. The event includes survivor testimony, a testimonial walk along the canal at Old Mill Park, a resource fair, and adoptable rescue dogs courtesy of SFC Virginia: The Squishy Face Crew, plus an event t-shirt, dog bandana, and raffle ticket with registration. Learn more here.
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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.
Prost! Your Guide to Oktoberfest Around the 'Burg
Oktoberfest season is here, and our area is going all in. Between now and mid-October, there are nine celebrations happening across the Fredericksburg area, from riverfront festivals to farm breweries.
A few highlights to get you started:
September 12 is the biggest day of the season, with Fredtoberfest at 6 Bears & A Goat and the Annual Brocktoberfest at Brock's Riverside Grill, complete with a beer garden in the parking lot and a late-night after party
September 26 brings four options in one day, including Barktoberfest at Strangeways, where you can bring the dog
October 3 and 4, Creekside Farm Brewery in King George hosts a two-day weekend featuring wiener dog races, a pretzel toss, and keg rolling
October 10, Barley Naked closes out the season with a Beer Mile and their 8th anniversary party
Most of these are free and family-friendly, so you don't have to be a serious beer drinker to join in. Just bring your appetite and maybe a little competitive spirit for the stein-holding contests.
We've put together the full guide with dates, times, addresses, music lineups, and menus for every event, so you can plan your season.
Read the complete Oktoberfest guide here: https://www.fxbgneighborsconnect.com/p/your-guide-to-oktoberfest-in-the-fredericksburg-area
Friday, September 11
Location: Fredericksburg Area War Memorial Park, 531, George Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Yoga Pawty | 5:30PM
Location: Old Dominion Humane Society, 3602 Lafayette Boulevard, Fredericksburg, VA
Saturday, September 12
Virginia Cider Festival | 11:00AM
Location: Fredericksburg Fairgrounds, 2400 Airport Ave, Fredericksburg, VA
38th Annual Music By Moonlight | 6:30PM
Location: Riverfront Park, 701, Sophia Street, Downtown, Fredericksburg, VA
Brocktoberfest 2026 | 2:00PM (through September 13)
Location: Brock's Riverside Grill, 503 Sophia Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Sunday, September 13
Land Fishing: Backyard Bass | 11:00AM
Location: Lake Anna State Park, 6800 Lawyers Rd, Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA
Vulture Yoga | 10:30AM
Location: Possum-bilities in the Burg2, 211 William Street, Fredericksburg, VA
