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Hey neighbors!
Two big things. Our UMW Eagles are playing for a national championship this Sunday and we could not be more proud. And the 2026 Neighbors' Choice Award winners have officially been announced. Congratulations to every winner, runner-up, and finalist. Your community showed up for you.
Here is what is inside:
UMW plays for the NCAA Division III National Championship this Sunday
2026 Neighbors' Choice Award winners announced
Bloomia Tulip Festival added new dates for this weekend
Ruck Hunger 2026 and Blooms and Brews are both Saturday, April 11th
Great Train Race registration open for May 3rd
Let's get into it!
Dori
Local Pulse: FXBG Edition
The Votes Are In. Meet the Winners of the 2026 FXBG Neighbors' Choice Awards.
The community has spoken and the results are in! The 2026 FXBG Neighbors' Choice Awards winners, runner ups, and finalists have officially been announced. These are the local businesses that our neighbors voted for with their hearts, and being recognized by your own community is one of the highest honors a local business can receive. Congratulations to every single winner, runner up, and finalist. You earned this.
Cheers to 250 Years: Stafford's Breweries Are Celebrating Virginia's Anniversary One Pint at a Time
Virginia is turning 250 and Stafford's local breweries are marking the occasion in the best way possible. The VA250 on Tap collection features special limited edition beers crafted by seven local breweries, each one inspired by the history and spirit of the Commonwealth. From Full Distance Brewing's Quantico Cross Roads Pale Ale to 6 Bears and A Goat's Revolutionary Red, every pint tells a story. You can even grab a limited edition VA250 growler at participating breweries while supplies last and score a discount every time you fill it up.
This is history you can taste. Visit any of Stafford's participating breweries, grab a pint from the VA250 collection, and don't forget to pick up your growler before they're gone. Learn more and find a brewery near you at tourstaffordva.com/va250ontap!
A Million Tulips. Right in Our Backyard. And They Just Added More Dates.
The Bloomia Tulip Festival just got even better. New dates have been added for this weekend, April 3rd and 4th, joining the already scheduled weekends of April 11th through 12th and April 18th through 19th. That means three weekends to experience one million tulips in full bloom just outside of Fredericksburg in King George County. Pick your own bouquet, enjoy local craft beer, food trucks, live music, and a stunning spring afternoon the whole family will love. Open rain or shine. Tickets are limited and they will sell out.
A big thank you to our 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]
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Business Briefs
Two Ribbon Cuttings. Two Celebrations. WagTime Is Growing and the Lake Anna Area Is Next.
WagTime is expanding into the Lake Anna and Louisa area and celebrating with not one but two events. Join the ribbon cutting on April 11th at Callie Opie's in Mineral, then come back for the Rewilded Market Grand Opening on April 25th in Louisa for a curated community experience with grand opening specials all weekend.
Come show some love to a growing local business!
📅 April 11 | Ribbon Cutting | Callie Opie's | 10 AM to 12 PM | Mineral, VA
📅 April 25 | Grand Opening | 109 Main St | 10 AM to 1 PM | Louisa, VA
Ruck Hunger 2026 Turns Physical Effort Into Food for Families in Need Right Here in Fredericksburg
On Saturday, April 11th, Honor Bound FIT is hosting Ruck Hunger 2026, a team-based charity ruck march benefiting the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank. Teams collect food donations in advance and carry them over a three mile route to the food bank. Complete the route as many times as you can. Veterans, first responders, gyms, churches, businesses, and everyday community members all welcome. Every mile matters. Every pound counts.
Sign up your team and show up for our community on April 11th. Registration is free, sign up here!
Plants, Local Vendors, and Cold Beer. Strangeways Brewing Has Your Saturday Plans for April 11th.
Blooms and Brews is happening at Strangeways Brewing on Saturday, April 11th from 12 PM to 5 PM. This plant-themed market brings together vendors selling houseplants, garden goods, nature-inspired items, and unique flea market finds alongside great local brews. It is the kind of afternoon you want to wander through slowly with good people and a cold drink in hand.
Mark your calendar and come out for a day filled with plants, local vendors, and great beer!
📅 Saturday, April 11 | 12 PM to 5 PM | Strangeways Brewing
Novel Has a New Chapter and It Comes With Live Music, Story Time, and a Really Good Reason to Spend the Weekend Downtown
One of Downtown Fredericksburg's most beloved spots is leveling up. Novel is celebrating its transformation from book shop to booktique with a full weekend of events starting Friday, April 10th. Expect more books, more gifts, and a whole lot of community.
Friday, April 10th from 5 to 8 PM kicks things off with live music, cocktail tastings, raffles, and deals. It is the perfect First Friday night out.
Saturday, April 11th has something for the whole family. Stop by the kids bookmark station from 10 AM to 1:30 PM, then settle in at 2 PM for story time with a local author.
Then on Sunday, Novel is hosting The Sunday Letter Project, a community writing initiative. The idea is simple and beautiful. Sign a pledge to write one letter every Sunday to yourself or someone else as an act of reflection, connection, and calm.
Come celebrate Novel's next chapter and make it a full weekend downtown!
📅 Friday, April 10 | 5 to 8 PM | Live music, cocktail tastings, raffles and deals
📅 Saturday, April 11 | 10 AM to 1:30 PM | Kids bookmark station | 2 PM Story time
📅 Sunday, April 12 | The Sunday Letter Project
Featured Event
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1,500 Young Runners Are Taking Over Downtown Fredericksburg on May 3rd and It Is Going to Be Incredible
The Great Train Race is back and it has been a Fredericksburg tradition since 1994. On Saturday, May 3rd, over 1,500 young runners will take over Caroline and Sophia Streets all the way to the City Docks for three races designed for every age. The Express is one mile for ages 6 to 17, the George Dashington is a half mile for 10 and under, and the Caboose Run is a quarter mile for the littlest runners age 5 and under. After the races, stick around the Festival Area behind the train station for food, vendors, games, live music, and a mobile game truck. Best of all, proceeds benefit Loisann's Hope House and other local charities. Last year the Fredericksburg Area Running Club donated over $16,000. This is community at its absolute best.
Get your little runners registered before spots fill up!
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, April 3
Location: Adventure Brewing Company, 4 Hazel Park Ln, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Get ready for a night packed with talent, energy, and genre‑hopping goodness as Robert Keelin takes over the Adventure Brewing stage.
Bloomia Tulip Festival | (April 3-4)
Location: King George, VA
Description: Pick your own tulips, enjoy scenic photo spots, grab food and drinks from local vendors, and take in live music throughout the day.
Saturday, April 4
Saturday Stroll | 7:45AM
Location: Old Dominion Humane Society, 3602 Lafayette Boulevard, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Join us for the Saturday Stroll where you can take a rescue dog on a morning adventure along our beautiful local paths with fellow dog lovers!
Blind Tasting Wine Class | 7:00PM
Location: City Vino, 100, Hanover Street, Maury, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: We’ll explore six wines and uncover how varietals express themselves differently depending on where they are grown and how they are made.
Colonial Fair | 10:00AM
Location: Historic Kenmore, 1201 Washington Ave, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Explore the sweet scents of Perrin Cottage Perfumery, try your hand at interactive colonial games, and chat with living historians who bring the past to life.
Sunday, April 5
Location: Flykup - Scottish Fancy Pieces, 810 Caroline St., Fredericksburg, VA
Description: We’ll explore what your ideal Scotland experience could look like — from Edinburgh’s historic streets to the Highlands, St Andrews, castles, coastal villages, whisky tastings, ancestry travel, and slow countryside stays.
EASTER Brian Harrell | 2:00PM
Location: Stockyards Restaurant & Bar, 407 William St., Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Live Music: Country, Southern Rock, and Classic Rock favorites!
Hooky Bunny Bash | 10:00AM
Location: Hooky Entertainment Fredericksburg, 51 Towne Centre Boulevard, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Expect fun, games, and lots of laughs as we celebrate with friends and family.
