Your Community Calendar August 2016 features a selection of special events in the region for your family to enjoy. Click the hyperlinks for more information. Visit the Fredericksburg Today Events page for event feature stories and each week’s “Weekend Planner.”
Ongoing
Sounds of Summer Concert Series
The free Friday night concerts are held from 7 – 9 p.m. in historic Market Square at 907 Princess Anne St, in downtown Fredericksburg.
August 5 – Bombadil
August 12 – The Davis Bradley Duo
August 19 – Adwela and the Uprising
August 26 – Cabin Creek
Bluemont Summer Concert Series
Saturday evening 7:30 p.m. concerts in Fredericksburg at Maury Stadium. In the event of bad weather the concert will be held at James Monroe High School.
August 6 – The Flaming Shillelaghs- traditional Celtic music
August 13 – Dixie Power Trio- New Orleans funk and jazz
August 20 – Matuto- Appalachian Brazillian funk
Suggested admission: $5 per person, $4 for Bluemont Friends, $2 for kids under 12.
Music on the Steps
The Central Rappahannock Regional Library free summer concert series is held 7 to 8 p.m. Mondays at Headquarters Branch, 1201 Caroline St., in downtown Fredericksburg. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket, and a picnic supper. In case of inclement weather, the concerts move into the theater.
August 1 – Jeni & Billy
August 8 – Moch Pryderi
August 15 – Fredericksburg Jazz Collective and Friends
August 22 – Wylder
August 29 – Davis Bradley
History at Sunset
The National Park Service’s 15th annual History at Sunset programs begin at 7 p.m., and run about 90 minutes. Visitors are advised to be prepared for walking trails and fields—so wear sturdy shoes, and bring water and bug repellant. Visitors should also bring a small flashlight for use in the low-light conditions at the end of each program.
August 5: John Hennessy: A New Look: Chatham’s Evolving Historic Landscape. Chatham Manor, 120 Chatham Lane, Fredericksburg 22405
August 12: Eric Mink: Rediscovering History: the Rehabilitating Sunken Road. Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center, 1013 Lafayette Boulevard, Fredericksburg, 22401
Gold Panning
Sundays, August 7, 14, 21, 28, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Lake Anna State Park, 6800 Lawyers Rd., Spotsylvania, Va. — Meet at the Visitor Center.
Learn some of the techniques of professional prospectors and then dip your pan in Old Pond to see what washes up. Please pre-register. Limit 15.
To register, call the Visitor Center at 540-854-6245 and leave a message with your name, number in your group, and a contact phone number.
Free
National Capitol Squadron Open Hanger Day
Saturdays Aug. 13 and 27, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Culpeper Regional Airport, 12499 Beverly Ford Rd., Brandy Station, Va.
Visit the hangar/museum building equipped for the maintenance and display of a fleet of aircraft known as the Ghost Squadron.
Free.
August 1 – 7
War Comes to the Church
Wednesday, Aug. 3, 7 – 8 p.m.
St. George’s Episcopal Church, 905 Princess Anne St., Fredericksburg.
During most of the Civil War, St. George’s did not hold services. However, its doors were open to be a fortress, a center of revivals, and a hospital twice during the conflict. In a time without digital phones and watches, St. George’s also marked the pace of life with its bell. Explore the roles the church played and the events that shaped the church’s life with National Park Service ranger and lecturer Steward Henderson.
Free.
“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” on the Lawn
Friday, Aug. 5, 5:30 – 10 p.m.
The Pavilion at Merchants Square, 9010 Old Battlefield Blvd., Spotsylvania, Va. 22553.
Bring a blanket or chair and come watch this summer’s blockbuster. There will be food trucks, kids activities, and vendors on site. Activities begin at 5:30pm, movie begins at sunset.
First Friday Fredericksburg
Friday, Aug. 5, 6 – 9 p.m.
Downtown Fredericksburg
The galleries and studios of downtown Fredericksburg host open houses, with featured artists, refreshments and often live music. Many businesses are open late. There is a free shuttle service operated by the Trolley Tours of Fredericksburg.
Free admission.
First Friday History Trivia Night
James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library, 908 Charles St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401
Friday, Aug. 5, 6 – 8 p.m.
Join celebrity hosts Dee Daniels and Ted Schubel of B101.5 for a history trivia contest in the museum garden. Cash bar, prizes, 50/50 raffle.
Free admission.
Patawomeck Village Reenactment
Saturday, Aug. 6, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Rain date: Saturday, Aug. 13
Central Rappahannock Regional Library Headquarters branch, 1201 Caroline St., Fredericksburg.
Members of the Patawomeck Tribe take you back in time to explore a longhouse, Indian-style open fire cooking, cornmeal pounding, music, and to meet Pocahontas. Artifacts, crafts, games, and more activities, both inside and outside! All ages. Read more.
Saturday in Mary Washington’s Garden
Saturday, Aug. 6, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Mary Washington House, 1200 Charles St., Fredericksburg.
Celebrate a fun family day in the garden with games and activities for all.
Free.
Chatham Manor Roaring Twenties Garden Party and Concert
Saturday, Aug. 6, 12 – 8 p.m.
Chatham Manor, 120 Chatham Lane, Fredericksburg.
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park presents this National Park Service centennial celebration, featuring 1920s era cars and living historians dressed in period clothes. There will be walking tours that explore the founding of the park in 1927, and the revitalization of Chatham in the 1920s, including the creation of its famed gardens. The Capital Focus Jazz Band will perform from 6 – 8 p.m. You are encouraged to bring a picnic and dress in 1920s costume. A prize will be awarded for the best picnic basket setup.
Free.
August 8 – 14
Richmond Jazz Festival at Maymont
Thursday, Aug. 11, 5:30 – 9 p.m. at two locations — Hardywood Food Truck Court and Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Free admission.
Friday, Aug. 12, 6 p.m. at the Hippodrome Theatre, 528 N 2nd St., Richmond, Va. 23219
Saturday, Aug. 13, 12 – 10:15 p.m. on three stages at Maymont, 1700 Hampton St., Richmond, Va. 23220
Sunday, Aug. 14, 12 – 10:15 p.m. on three stages at Maymont, 1700 Hampton St., Richmond, Va. 23220
The Richmond Jazz Festival is renowned for its lineup of some of the best in jazz, funk and blues, and its cuisine.
Friday tickets are $30. Saturday and Sunday tickets are $85 per day, or $160 for both days.
Marsh Madness Paddle
Saturday, Aug. 13, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Hopyard Landing in King George County.
Join Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) for a Marsh Madness Paddle. Your ticket includes a kayak, personal flotation device and paddle. Elysa Mills will lead a discussion on marsh ecology. As the tide comes in, you’ll paddle by kayak into creeks, and observe marsh plants and wildlife. The minimum age is 12. The back-up date is the next day. Bring lunch, lots of water and sunscreen.
Cost is $40 individual, $120 family ($32/$96 for members). Pre-register at www.riverfriends.org
Historian John Maass Leads Tour of LaFayette’s Encampment at Wilderness
Saturday, Aug. 13, 11 a.m.
Ellwood Manor, 36380 Constitution Highway (Route 20), Locust Grove, Va.
Historian John R. Maass, author of “The Road to Yorktown: Jefferson, Lafayette and the British Invasion of Virginia,” will speak about the Marquis de LaFayette’s 1781 campaign and his encampment in the Wilderness area. He will then lead a walking tour to the area of the encampment. Copies of Dr. Mauss’s book will be available for purchase on site, and a book signing will take place just after the talk and tour. National Park Service Living Historian Peter Maugle will also discuss uniforms, weapons, and camp life of a revolutionary soldier. FoWB volunteers will be available to assist visitors with possible ancestral connections to the Battle of the Wilderness or Ellwood, in the Heritage Program tent on the grounds. The house will be open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and FoWB volunteer interpreters will be available to talk with visitors and answer questions.
Free.
Lake Anna Sunset Concert
Saturday, Aug. 13, 5:30 p.m.
Anna Point Marina, 13703 Anna Point Lane, Mineral, Va.
Lake Anna Sunset Concerts at The Pavilion at Anna Point Marina offer live music, adult beverages, soda, water and food concession for locals and visitors, plus spectacular lakeside sunsets! The concert is free. Bring a lawn chair and join us lakeside.
August 15 – 21
GenreBlast Film Festival
Friday, Aug. 19, through Sunday, Aug. 21.
State Theatre of Culpeper, 305 South Main St., Culpeper, Va. 22801
A new independent film festival of features, shorts, music videos and screenplays in all categories.
$10 – $40 at https://culpepertheatre.secure.force.com/ticket/#sections_a0F3100000LSogqEAD
Sunset Canoe Float
Friday, Aug. 19, 7:15 – 8:45 p.m.
Motts Run Reservoir, 6600 River Rd., Fredericksburg.
Sponsored by Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation. Pre-registration is required.
$9
Stratford Under Our Feet
Saturday, Aug. 20, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Dr. Robert Weems, retired United States Geological Survey paleontologist, will be presenting a rare opportunity to learn more about these Earth transformations as they are recorded in the cliffs at Stratford Hall. After a short discussion and slide presentation in the duPont Library, registrants will proceed to the cliffs overlook parking area from which they will hike down the hill to the beach to begin their trek into time. Participants will be allowed special access to beach areas. The remainder of the program will be spent looking for fossils.
The cost is $55 per adult, $30 for children 8-13; the age of participants is limited to 8 years old and up. Pre-registration is required, and the event is limited to 40 persons.
Rising Sun Tavern Cookbook II Signing
Saturday, Aug. 20, 2 – 4 p.m.
Rising Sun Tavern, 1304 Caroline St., Fredericksburg
Washington Heritage Museums will be showcasing the Rising Sun Tavern Cookbook II, containing recipes from the colonial period to the present. Taste samples.
$5 per cookbook.
Music on the Cliff’s at Westmoreland State Park
Saturday, Aug. 20, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Westmoreland State Park, 145 Cliff Road, Montross, Va. 22520
Westmoreland State Park welcomes Smitty’s Doghouse of Blues, performing R&B, jazz, and rock and roll. Coolers are welcome but please, no alcoholic beverages. Bring a blanket, chair, and picnic dinner.
Free.
Battlefield Campfire Program at Sunken Road
Saturday, Aug. 20, 8 – 9 p.m.
Sunken Road, next to the Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center, 1013 Lafayette Blvd., Fredericksburg.
This month’s theme is Solemnity, Grandeur, and Everyday People: 100 Years of National Parks.
Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and flashlights. The program is family (and pet) friendly, free of charge, and open to the public.
Stafford Songfest Sunday
Sunday, Aug. 21, 5 – 7 p.m.
Celebration Stage at John Lee Pratt Memorial Park, 120 River Rd., Fredericksburg.
Red Light Rodeo will perform Bluegrass and alternative country. Pack a picnic dinner., or purchase food from the concessions.
Admission is $10 per car. Concerts will be held rain or shine.
August 22 – 31
Commemoration of Mary Washington’s Death
Saturday, Aug. 27, 5 – 7 p.m.
Wreath laying at The Mary Washington Monument, 1500 Washington Ave., Fredericksburg,
Reception at Mary Washington House, 1200 Charles St., Fredericksburg.
Honor the life of a remarkable woman with a wreath laying at her monument and a reception at her home.
Wreath laying, free. Reception, $10.
Geocaching 101
Sunday, Aug. 28, 12 – 2 p.m.
Caledon State Park, 11617 Caledon Rd.., King George, Va. 22485
Meet at the Visitor Center to check out the sport of Geocaching. Use a hand held Global Positioning System to find hidden containers in the park. It’s the high tech global scavenger hunt. This is a great family or group activity. GPS units provided.
$3 per person, $8 per family. Call for more information, and to make the required reservations. 540-663-3861
Belmont Guided Woodland Hike
Sunday, August 28, 2 p.m.
Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont, 224 Washington St., Fredericksburg.
Conducted by Virginia Master Naturalists, these informative walks cover a mile of trails in both woodlands and fields and also touch on the historic ruins of Belmont’s past. Please wear sturdy footwear. Meet outside the Visitor Center.
Free.
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