Where should you go to celebrate our region’s most colorful season? I asked Chris Allen of Fredericksburg Main Street what autumnal events are worth putting in the planner this month.
The self-proclaimed “fall guy” and owner of downtown’s favorite stationery store Duly Noted, Allen heads up the nonprofit group that is responsible for a lot of the festive events we’ve grown to love in downtown.
Fredericksburg Main Street is a nonprofit organization that brings together business owners in historic downtown and sometimes partners with the city’s economic development and tourism department, and the parks, recreation and events department.
Allen said his top to-do for everyone coming to Fredericksburg this spooky season is the Scarecrow Fest. 
Throughout downtown, nearly 40 businesses have created a scarecrow window display that they hope will win your vote. Grab a map and find as many scarecrows as you can and vote for your favorite via paper ballot, the scannable QR code, or visit fxbgscarecrows.com.
The October First Friday (Oct. 4, 5-9 p.m.) is a great time to see the scarecrows and mingle with business owners who stay open late. Grab your friends and head downtown to stroll through the historic streets, sip on a cocktail, shop the boutiques and check out the art galleries.
While First Fridays aren’t always a kid-friendly evening, this month’s event features a new addition. “We will have a family friendly fall festival in Market Square during First Friday, and we will have some fun carnival-style games set up,” said Allen.
On Oct. 19, bring your blankets and lawn chairs to Riverside Park for a free movie night. Watch “Hocus Pocus” while nibbling on snacks—bring your own or visit one of the on-site food vendors. “I highly recommend making a night of it and having dinner at a local restaurant before or after the movie,” added Allen. The film starts around 5:30 p.m. and Allen teased that there will be some “special surprises” for those who attend.
Is it even Halloween without a costume parade? Downtown gets spooky for the Costume Crawl, Sat. Oct. 26 at the VRE park and ride lot. All ages are invited to dress up and parade downtown to Market Square behind a hearse that leads the way (line-up starts at 8:30 a.m.). 
In Market Square, you can then step aboard the haunted bus, presented by FXBGO, if you’re feeling brave (not really, we’ve been assured that the bus is not scary) or visit the many businesses that will hand out treats from 10 a.m. till noon. There will also be seasonal activities happening at the Farmers Market at Hurkamp Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Want to learn more about the real spirits that still reside downtown? Check out the Fredericksburg Hauntings Ghost Walking Tour or try one of Olde Towne Carriage’s public Witches, Ghosts, Murder and Mayhem tours.
If like Linus in “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”, you are searching for the most sincere pumpkin patch around, you will have to travel outside downtown. We hear Braehead Farms, Snead’s Farm, Belvedere Plantation and Miller Farms are your best bets for gorgeous gourds, apple everything, corn mazes and maybe even a hayride.
Thrill seekers and horror fans can head to the Fredericksburg Fairgrounds Oct. 25 through Nov. 2 for Dead Whispers – Haunted Attraction. Expect killer clowns, zombies, lots of screaming and a cast of actors in Hollywood-level makeup and costumes chasing you because you paid them to. Tickets here. In Spotsylvania County, take a journey down the Haunted Hill in Partlow or Ni River Manor’s Haunted Trail—if you dare.
Of course, there is so much more going on in the region during spooky season, and this is by no means a comprehensive list. For instance, Fredericksburg Theatre Ensemble is presenting the live musical Rocky Horror Picture Show all month long. Fredtoberfest takes over the Virginia Credit Union Stadium (aka FredNats Stadium) for a full day of beer sampling with all the vibes of a German-style Oktoberfest. And don’t pass up a night of spooky organ music at St. George’s Episcopal Church on Oct. 26 (please tell me there’s some Phantom of the Opera happening here?).
Readers, I’d love to hear what your favorite fall must-dos are. Leave a comment on social media or drop me an email at [email protected].
