Highlights of major activities and other notable developments:
High Speed Rail Study Public Meeting
On October 27 Hap Connors, Commonwealth Transportation Board Member, will host a meeting to discuss rail line expansion in City Hall Council Chambers, 715 Princess Anne Street. City Council, regional localities and partner representatives are invited to attend.
2016 Holiday Ornament Available Soon
In the fall of 2013, the Visitor Center and downtown boutique store Heather, formed a partnership to develop a City of Fredericksburg holiday ornament. The last three limited-edition ornaments, designed and hand-crafted by local ceramic artist Christine Lush-Rodriguez, were so popular that they quickly sold out. The 2016 ornament by Lush-Rodriguez will go on sale at a First Friday evening signing at Heather on November 4th. The ornament retails for $28.50, and quantities are limited.
Window Wonderland Back for Sixth Year
The Department of Economic Development and Tourism is pleased to announce its sixth-annual Window Wonderland event, which will run this year November 12 -December 31. Generously supported by the Fredericksburg Economic Development Authority, this popular holiday program places family-friendly riddles in the windows of over 60 downtown businesses and invites holiday shoppers to solve the riddles and vote for their favorite window. The grand prize is $1,000 in downtown gift cards, with additional prizes totaling over $2,500. The theme for 2016 is “Holiday Favorites.” Marketing for the annual program will begin in early November with the release of the “Holidays in the Burg” insert in The Free Lance-Star. Cover artwork for this year’s insert was created by local artist Casey Shaw. The insert highlights downtown events and programs as well as retail shopping trends for the holiday season.
Police Department Employees Participate in National Coffee with a Cop Day
On October 7, Chief D. Nye, Captain B. Layton and Officer C. Ferguson met with citizens of the Fredericksburg community at Agora Coffee Shop for casual conversation and warm beverages in celebration of National Coffee with a Cop Day.
The Police Department Partners with Sugar Shack Donuts for a Special Olympics Fundraiser
On October 11, Sergeant C. Hill and Officer C. Ferguson used our breast cancer awareness cruiser in a “Cover the Cruiser” fundraiser to help raise money for Special Olympics. Sugar Shack Donuts partnered with the Police Department and promised customers a free house doughnut when they “Covered the Cruiser” with a donation.
Annual Fire Department Open House Draws a Large Crowd
The Fire Department hosted its annual open house October 9, with an estimated 1,000 attendees enjoying fire-related demonstrations and activities under sunny skies. Held in the 200 block of Wolfe Street at Fire Station 1 demonstrations included: a fire safety house, fire extinguisher demonstration, a mini fire fighter challenge, hands-only CPR demonstration, three eras of firefighting equipment, tactical emergency medical procedure, a barrel train and face painting. Additional FFD equipment was on display, including the mobile command center and a medic unit.
Train Station Power Washed
Public Facilities hired a vendor to spend a week power washing the train station in mid-October, which made a big difference in the appearance of the station. The station is now on the schedule to be power washed in both the spring and fall each year. The windows at the station will also be cleaned the first week of November.
Motts Reservoir Extends Fall Hours
Motts Reservoir will be open from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the month of November, to allow the community greater access to this wonderful outdoor recreation site. Hiking trails, the bike trail and the boat launch will be open during this time.
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High Speed Rail Meeting October 27
