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Happy Tuesday, neighbor! ☀️
Is it just me, or did summer absolutely fly by? With the school year peeking around the corner, it's time to squeeze every last drop out of these long, golden days. Our little corner of Virginia is bursting with things to do, from watermelon contests and wine slushies to frozen daiquiris at the oldest distillery in the state.
I've rounded up the best of what's happening so all you have to do is show up and enjoy. Grab a friend, pick your adventure, and let's make the most of these last sweet weeks of summer together.
And don't miss the bottom of today's issue, where we're celebrating a local woman doing something truly inspiring. She's exactly the kind of neighbor who makes this community special.
Grab your coffee and let's dive in. 🌊
Dori
Local Pulse: FXBG Edition
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Coldplay by Candlelight: A Magical Night in One of Fredericksburg's Oldest Landmarks
Imagine "Yellow" and "A Sky Full of Stars" drifting through a candlelit sanctuary that has stood at the heart of our city for nearly two centuries. On Friday, September 18th, Lumos Experiences brings its Candlelight Concert series to St. George's Episcopal Church, and it's shaping up to be a night you won't want to miss.
Here's the scoop:
What: A candlelit tribute to Coldplay, performed live by a talented string trio (classical arrangements of the songs you already love to sing along to)
When: Friday, September 18th
Where: St. George's Episcopal Church, 905 Princess Anne Street, right downtown
Who: Open to ages 8 and up, so bring your daughter, your best friend, or your favorite date
The vibe: Thousands of flickering candles, soaring live strings, and a setting that gives you chills before the first note
And oh, what a setting. St. George's parish dates back to 1720, and the church building you'll sit in was consecrated in 1849. This is a place where George Washington himself once attended, and where his mother, Mary Ball Washington, worshipped. The steeple clock has kept time over downtown since 1851, and the sanctuary glows with stained glass windows, including three crafted by the famous Tiffany Studios. Hearing modern music inside these historic walls is the kind of contrast that makes an evening unforgettable.
Candlelit seats tend to glow their way out the door fast, so reserve yours before they're gone. Grab your tickets here.
Summer's Getting Juicy: The Watermelon Bash Returns to Eden Try Winery
Grab your friends and your appetite, because one of the sweetest afternoons of the summer is back. On Saturday, August 1st, Eden Try Winery hosts its annual Watermelon Bash, a lively afternoon of refreshing drinks, live music, and a little friendly competition, from 12 PM to 5 PM.
Here's what's on the menu for summer fun:
Watermelon winetails, wine slushies, and mocktails. The bar team is cooking up a lineup of watermelon-inspired drink specials, with more to be announced soon
Live music by the J During Jr. Band. Grab a drink, find a seat, and soak up the tunes
The crowd-favorite Watermelon Eating Contest. Think you've got what it takes to be crowned Eden Try's Watermelon Champion? Sign-ups happen during the event
A summer photo backdrop to round up your crew and snap some fun watermelon-themed pics
Guess the Watermelon Weight for a chance to win a fun prize
Whether you're there for the wine, the music, or the watermelon madness, it's the perfect excuse to spend a golden summer afternoon at one of our area's most beautiful wineries.
Round up your friends and head to Eden Try Winery, 6818 River Road, on Saturday, August 1st from noon to 5 PM. Come thirsty, come hungry, and come ready for a little sweet summer fun. Learn more here.
Frozen Daiquiris, Roller Derby, and Virginia's Oldest Distillery: Summer Fest Returns August 1st
Beat those end-of-summer blues at the 4th annual Summer Fest, hosted by Fredericksburg Roller Derby and A. Smith Bowman Distillery on Saturday, August 1st from 11 AM to 4 PM. This free community favorite packs a whole lot of summer into one afternoon:
Sip something cold: Frozen daiquiris, beer, and cocktails to keep you cool
Shop the vendor village: A bustling lineup of local products and services to explore
Tour and taste: Free tours of Virginia's oldest and most award-winning distillery, plus complimentary tastings
Eat well: Food from Whitley BBQ & Co, Maria Cheryl's, and Rosie's Pizza & Doner Kebab
Take home a treat: The gift shop will be open with sip-worthy spirits and cozy swag
Live music, good food, and great neighbors, all in one spot. Best of all? Admission and parking are both free.
Get all the details here and mark your calendar for Saturday, August 1st, 11 AM to 4 PM at A. Smith Bowman Distillery.
A big thank you to our sponsors for keeping this newsletter free for the community🙏 Want your business in front of 41,000+ Fredericksburg-area neighbors? Become a sponsor. [email protected]
Calling All Paper Lovers: Stationery Store Day Returns to Downtown Fredericksburg
If you've ever gotten a little too excited over a fresh notebook or the perfect pen, this one's for you. On Saturday, August 1st, Duly Noted on Caroline Street is throwing open its doors for Stationery Store Day, a nationwide celebration of all things paper, pens, ink, and journaling, now in its 5th year.
Here's what's waiting for you from 11 AM to 3 PM:
Official Stationery Store Day merchandise, the limited kind you'll want to grab before it's gone
The debut of brand-new Duly Noted custom stamps. Bring your favorite notebook, journal, or planner and give it a stamp you can only get here
A FREE Ink Mixing Bar with any TWSBI fountain pen purchase. Mix and bottle your very own custom ink color to take home
Spend $50 or more and score a FREE swag bag stuffed with goodies
It's the kind of joyful, hands-on morning that makes downtown Fredericksburg such a treasure. Whether you're a devoted journaler, a recovering pen hoarder, or just looking for a delightful Saturday outing, this is your happy place.
Mark your calendar and head to Duly Noted 714 Caroline Street on Saturday, August 1st. Bring a notebook to stamp, a friend who gets your stationery obsession, and a little room in your bag for that swag.
Neighbor Notes
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Meet the Virginia Woman Turning Discrimination Into a Movement, One Wheelchair at a Time
Some people turn hard experiences into a mission to help others. Alyssa Brown is one of them. Crowned Miss Wheelchair Virginia 2026, this Virginia resident heads to nationals next month with a cause worth cheering for.
Here's her story:
A platform born from experience. After being turned away from a yoga class and a swim class in 2025 simply because she uses a wheelchair, Alyssa turned that hurt into change. Her cause is sensitivity training: teaching the public to treat people with disabilities with dignity and respect.
A powerful reminder. As she puts it, one in four families includes someone with a disability, and anyone can become disabled at any time. She also champions language like "wheelchair user" over "wheelchair bound," because wheelchairs are tools for freedom, not limits.
Nationals run August 17th through the 23rd. Follow Alyssa and cheer her on at Miss Wheelchair VA 2026, share her story, and let's show her what community looks like.
House Hunch FXBG
Can you guess the price of this real estate listing in Louisa County based on just one photo? Here’s a hint: 5 bd, 4 ba, around 3,000 sqft. on around 1 acres.
This listing is brought to you by:
Want to feature your listing in House Hunch FXBG? Respond to this email for info!
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.
Wednesday, July 29
Banned Book Club | 6:00PM
Location: Tales & Tails, 1010 Charles Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: We are reading Kindred by Octavia Butler.
Puzzle Night | 6:30PM
Location: Laudenbach Brewing, 45 Centreport Pkwy, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Come on out and challenge your brain with a 300 piece puzzle!
Magic: The Gathering | 6:00PM
Location: Strangeways Brewing, 350 Lansdowne Road, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Shuffle up with friends for a casual night of Magic.
Fredericksburg Agricultural Fair | Weeknights 5PM-10 PM & Weekends 1PM-10 PM
Location: Fredericksburg Fairgrounds, 2400 Airport Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA
Thursday, July 30
Location: Curio Wine Bar & Tasting Room, 209 William Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: A special evening that brings together books + wine!
FXBG Celebrity Bartender | 5:00PM
Location: Stockyards Restaurant & Bar, 407 William St, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Enjoy a drink made by a local celebrity, ride the mechanical bull, and support defending potential for BBBS Youth Mentorships!
Friday, July 31
Family Archaeology Day | 10:00AM
Location: George Washington's Ferry Farm, 268 Kings Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: You’ll discover what it means to be an archaeologist while learning about the people who lived at Ferry Farm.
Friday Night Music | 6:30PM
Location: Potomac Point Winery, 275 Decatur Rd
Stafford, VADescription: Experience the magic of live music paired with our award-winning wines and seasonal cuisine.
Location: Strangeways Brewing, 350 Lansdowne Road, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Join us for a high-energy night of line dancing led by Instructor Devyn, with DJ Delo spinning all your favorite tracks.
Mark Reeves Performing | 7:00PM
Location: Adventure Brewing Company, 33 Perchwood Dr, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Get ready for a night of awesome tunes and mouthwatering bites!
