One aging sign in the window reads “We’re Evolving, Paragon Village is now EVO Entertainment,” but above the door, it’s labeled “Hooky Now Open.” It was also called “Muvico,” at one time.
On the north end of Hooky, closest to the shopping mall, there are several movie theaters. On the other end, the bar features a wall of windows that display the traffic on Interstate 95. Earlier this month, when downed wires forced the road to close, the bar was the place to be for many. “We had quite a few people come in, good for a Monday,” said bartender Willow Leyva.
Fourteen bowling alleys are located in a few small areas between the theaters and the bar, and a section featuring computerized games and a snack bar is nestled under an assortment of colored lights. The air hockey table is always busy, and this traditional game from the 1970s remains a popular favorite among fans.
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QUANTICO, Va. – Independence Day celebrations are gearing up across the region, with events planned in both Fredericksburg and at Marine Corps Base Quantico in honor of America’s 249th birthday—and the 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps.
On Wednesday, July 3, Marine Corps Base Quantico will host a special celebration at Lejeune Field from 4 to 9:30 p.m., featuring a fireworks show at 9 p.m. The event is open to authorized ID card holders and promises an evening packed with family-friendly fun. Attendees can enjoy live music from Huntley—winner of the 2023 season of The Voice—and the band Full Moon Fever, plus food trucks, inflatables, a rock wall, and more. The event marks the start of festivities commemorating the Marine Corps’ 250th year.
Meanwhile, the City of Fredericksburg is preparing for its own full day of patriotic activities on Thursday, July 4, with a focus on downtown accessibility and fireworks safety. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead using the city’s parking map at fredericksburgva.gov, which details available public parking lots and garages.
A free shuttle will run from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. between Eagles Lodge on Cool Springs Road, Ferry Farm, Patawomeck Museum & Cultural Center, and the new Visitor Center at 601 Caroline Street. Handicap parking is available only at Ferry Farm.
Several streets—including portions of Sophia, Hanover, and Charlotte Streets—will be closed from 2 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the city’s “Festival in the Streets.” The day wraps up with fireworks at approximately 9 p.m. near Virginia Credit Union Stadium. Visitors should avoid parking along roadways near the stadium, and only use designated event parking zones to avoid ticketing or towing.
For more event details, visit fxbg.com/fourth-in-fredericksburg.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Susan Spears, President & CEO of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, has been appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin to serve on the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA), a state agency that plays a key role in shaping rail transportation across the Commonwealth.
The Chamber celebrated the news in a statement, saying, “The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce is honored to share that Governor Glenn Youngkin has appointed our President & CEO, Susan Spears, to the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority. As a trusted leader in our region, Susan will help guide the future of passenger rail throughout Virginia—bolstering connectivity, prosperity, and sustainable growth for the Fredericksburg Region and beyond. We are grateful for her dedication to advancing our local business community and supporting critical infrastructure development in the Commonwealth.”
Established in 2020, the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority oversees and funds the state’s passenger rail network, including Amtrak Virginia and Virginia Railway Express (VRE). The authority is responsible for expanding rail service through the “Transforming Rail in Virginia” initiative, which aims to improve connectivity, relieve congestion, and expand commuter and intercity rail options. Though VPRA does not operate the trains directly, it partners with Amtrak and VRE to fund operations, manage infrastructure investments, and acquire land needed for future rail expansions.
Spears’ appointment adds a regional voice to the agency’s 15-member board, which is made up of individuals appointed by the Governor to represent diverse areas of Virginia.
As head of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, Spears has championed economic development and transportation improvements across the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford. Under her leadership, the Chamber has launched key initiatives such as Workforce NOW and Leadership Fredericksburg to strengthen the region’s business and talent pipelines.
Other local appointees include:
- Dr. Gregory L. Chambers of Fredericksburg – Appointed to the University of Mary Washington Board of Visitors. Chambers is the Executive Director of CRA Research LLC and brings decades of experience in business and economic analysis.
- Dr. Galam A. Khan of Stafford County – Appointed to the Advisory Council on Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders and Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. He serves as a physician and Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology at Georgetown University Medical Center.
- Naumaan Nasir of Prince William County – Appointed to the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority. He is CEO of Nasir and Associates LLC, a financial services firm.
- Brian Gottstein of Prince William County – Appointed to the Advisory Council on Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders and Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. He is a Senior Editor at The Daily Signal.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The University of Mary Washington is mourning the loss of its former president, William M. Anderson Jr., who passed away over the weekend. Anderson served as UMW’s president from 1983 to 2006, leading the school through a period of major growth and transition.
According to a statement from the University of Mary Washington, Anderson’s 23-year presidency was the longest of any public university leader in Virginia at the time. During his tenure, the school transformed from a respected liberal arts college into a nationally recognized university.
“President Anderson’s visionary leadership laid the foundation for the University of Mary Washington as we know it today,” said current UMW President Troy Paino in the release. “His commitment to academic excellence, community engagement, and student success continues to shape our mission and inspire our work.”
Anderson, who was just 36 when he became UMW’s president, oversaw more than $120 million in capital improvements, including a new library, science center, student and alumni centers, an art gallery, and several residence halls. He also pushed for the creation of the Stafford Campus, which helped pave the way for Mary Washington to earn university status in 2004.
Beyond infrastructure, Anderson supported the launch of academic programs like the Great Lives lecture series and brought technology upgrades such as a campus-wide fiber-optic network. He also strengthened community ties by bringing the Small Business Development Center to campus and founding the Community Outreach and Resources (COAR) program.
UMW’s endowment grew from $1.3 million to $24.5 million during his leadership, allowing for increased student and faculty opportunities. In recognition of his service, the school awarded him a Doctorate of Humane Letters at his final commencement in 2006 and named its athletic facility, the Anderson Convocation Center, in his honor.
Anderson, a native of South Boston, Virginia, held degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University, West Virginia College of Graduate Studies, and Virginia Tech. Before becoming UMW president, he served in various roles in higher education planning and research, including positions with the Virginia State Council of Higher Education and the West Virginia Board of Regents.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The City of Fredericksburg is looking for one lucky student to shine on live TV as a Junior Reporter when FOX 5 DC’s Zip Trip comes to town next month.
The selected student will join FOX 5’s team on Friday, July 25, 2025, during a live broadcast from Riverfront Park, helping to showcase what makes Fredericksburg unique. The city is inviting students to submit a short video introducing themselves and sharing why they would make a great Junior Reporter. The winning student will appear on-air, interact with FOX 5 staff, and represent Fredericksburg in front of a regional audience.
Submissions are being accepted now at fxbg.com/junior-reporter-contest.
The Junior Reporter spotlight is part of FOX 5’s popular Zip Trip series, which highlights communities across the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area. The Fredericksburg broadcast will air live from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Riverfront Park, located at 713 Sophia Street.
Residents and visitors are invited to be part of the live audience. The event will feature interviews, local attractions, and opportunities for attendees to be featured on TV. Community members will also be able to sample products, meet vendors, and experience the excitement of a live television production.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the spirit and charm of Fredericksburg to a regional audience,” said Mayor Kerry Devine. “We encourage everyone to join us at Riverfront Park and be part of this exciting morning.”
The city encourages attendees to arrive early to be part of the festivities and show their Fredericksburg pride on screen.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is expanding the impact of its summer musical Next to Normal with a special speaker series designed to connect the themes of the show to real-life mental health experiences in the Fredericksburg region.
The musical runs from July 2 to August 3, 2025, and explores the story of a suburban family grappling with the effects of bipolar disorder, grief, and emotional trauma. With a contemporary rock score and book by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, Next to Normal won three Tony Awards and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Critics from The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and The Washington Post named it one of the best shows of the year when it debuted on Broadway.
The show stars Adrienne Hick and Andrew Foote, a real-life couple returning to the Riverside stage after appearing together in The Bridges of Madison County. The cast, along with first-time director Penny Ann Moss, approach the material with fresh eyes—many performing in this show for the first time. The production is part of Riverside’s growing commitment as a nonprofit to present meaningful, community-connected stories.
To deepen that connection, Riverside will host featured speakers before five performances, each offering insight into mental health and wellness. Talks begin at 6:30 p.m., between dinner service at 5:30 p.m. and the show’s 7:30 p.m. curtain. Food service will continue during the talks.
Featured Speaker Schedule:
July 3 – Antwaun Carey Gay
A longtime public servant in Stafford County and a licensed minister, Gay has worked in law enforcement, juvenile justice, and youth sports. He is the author of When a Man Exhales and the brother of musical legend Marvin Gaye.
July 10 – Rappahannock Area Community Services Board
Jacque Kobuchi, LCSW, and Katie Barnes, LPC, will share practical tools for mental wellness and highlight local services offered through RACSB, including emergency mental health response and school-based therapy.
July 17 – Mental Health America Fredericksburg
Hailey Jobin will introduce the MHAfred HELPLINE, a regional mental health provider directory, and discuss additional support initiatives offered by the nonprofit.
July 24 – Fredericksburg Christian Health Center
Dr. Theron R. Stinar, D.O., a family physician and CEO of FCHC, will share his personal journey through grief and faith after losing his son to suicide. Dr. Stinar is a U.S. Army veteran and longtime medical mission advocate.
August 3 – Randy Feltner
A local firefighter, Feltner will speak candidly about the mental health challenges first responders face. Through his own story and those of others, he hopes to raise awareness and offer support to those struggling in silence.
Riverside hopes the speaker series will encourage conversation, reduce stigma, and empower audience members to seek help when needed. For showtimes, ticket prices, and more information, visit riversidedt.com.
VDOT Travel Alerts: June 29 – July 5, 2025
As we head into the July 4 holiday weekend, here’s what to know before you hit the road.
Heads up! VDOT will suspend many highway work zones and lift lane closures on interstates and other major roads starting at noon Thursday, July 3, through noon Monday, July 7. But here’s what’s happening before and after the break:
Stafford County
- Route 3 (Kings Highway): Expect single-lane closures through Thursday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. for fiber work.
- Route 17 Southbound: Right lane closures from Village Parkway to Hartwood Church Rd., Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. (waterline and sewer installation).
- Garrisonville Road (Route 610): Overnight lane closures Sunday–Thursday, 10 p.m.–5 a.m., for utility repair.
- New Hope Church Rd. & Hollywood Farm Rd.: Daytime resurfacing, Monday–Thursday, with flaggers alternating one-way traffic.
- Subdivision resurfacing: Work happening in Country Wood Estates and Roseville Plantation, expect alternating one-way traffic.
Spotsylvania County
- I-95 northbound and off-ramps near Exit 126: Nighttime lane closures Sunday–Wednesday for paving. Some ramp closures to Route 1 northbound, use Exit 118 or 130 as detours.
- Route 1: Expect alternating closures, resurfacing, and signal work from Southpoint to Roxbury Mill Rd. and beyond.
- Route 3: Signal and guardrail repairs between Gordon Rd. and Orange Plank Rd., Monday–Thursday.
- Route 17 (Mills Drive): Southbound right lane closed near Massaponax Church Rd.
- Route 610 (Old Plank Rd.) & Route 620 (Harrison Rd.): Daytime closures for widening and water main work.
- Subdivision resurfacing in Rivers Bluff and Sunset Harbor neighborhoods.
City of Fredericksburg
- Fall Hill Avenue: Daytime lane closures Monday–Wednesday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., between Route 1 and Bridgewater Street. Flaggers will be on site.
- Ongoing projects:
- Route 1 intersections at Fall Hill and Princess Anne/Hanson – overnight lane closures as needed.
- Lafayette Blvd. at Twin Lakes/Kensington – shoulder work for new bicycle/pedestrian path.
King George County
- Route 301 Northbound: Left lane closed near Route 218 for guardrail repairs, Monday–Thursday.
- Route 602 (Chapel Green Road): Resurfacing from the Stafford line to Fletchers Chapel Rd., Monday–Thursday. Flaggers alternating traffic.
Project Reminders
- Spotsylvania: Work continues on I-95 Exit 126 area improvements, including turn lane expansions, noise barriers, and ramp widening.
- Route 606 (Mudd Tavern Rd.) widening continues through June.
- Stafford: Route 620 (Harrison Rd.) widening underway with pedestrian upgrades.
- Fredericksburg: Intersection projects and the Lafayette Blvd. connector project will continue through 2025–26.
đź›» Need a better commute?
GWRideConnect can help you carpool, vanpool, or find transit. Visit gwrideconnect.org or call (540) 373-7665.
🗺️ For real-time updates, check 511Virginia.org or use the 511 mobile app.
Drive safely this week!
“I earned my barber license while incarcerated at Haynesville Correctional Center. That program changed my life — it gave me more than just a trade; it gave me a vision of who I could become,” Carey said. “When I was released in 2014, I didn’t just walk out with a record — I walked out with a barber license and a new sense of direction.”
Carey, founder and owner of Faded & Co. Barbershop and CEO of the F.A.D.E.D. Foundation in Fredericksburg, was inspired by his own story to begin a home for second-chance advocacy for those released from incarceration.
“I didn’t read about the system — I lived through it. I know what it feels like to be counted out, to walk through life with a label that makes people look at you sideways before they hear your name. But I also know what it feels like to find purpose, to earn a skill and to rebuild your life one day at a time,” Carey said. “… I saw firsthand how a trade could restore dignity, how mentorship could change your mindset, and how someone believing in you could shift everything.”
The founder said he specifically chose barbering as the vocational focus because the skills learned in the trade extend further than the chair.
“Beyond the clippers and fades, barbering teaches discipline, communication and consistency. It turns clients into conversations, and chairs into counseling sessions,” Carey said. “It’s a career with dignity; one that allows people to rebuild not only their own lives, but also uplift others along the way.”
Following the opening of the barbershop in 2016, Carey decided to launch a new aspect of Faded: a nonprofit and barbershop academy, which would offer scholarships, barber kits and mentorship, in 2020.
“When I came home and opened Faded & Co., I knew it had to be more than a barbershop. It had to be a safe space — a launchpad for others walking the same path I did. Starting the F.A.D.E.D Foundation was about giving structure to that mission: creating real opportunities for returning citizens to thrive, not just survive,” Carey said.
Carey said F.A.D.E.D. provides full or partial scholarships for tuition, professional barber kits, mentorship and life coaching, job readiness training, transportation assistance, community engagement opportunities and mental health/emotional support referrals.
The academy has three tiers, all of which are approved by the Commonwealth’s Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. The academy tiers include the Barber I program, which requires 1,100 hours of school training; the Master Barber program, which requires an additional 400 hours of school training, and people are eligible following the Barber I program; and the Dual Barber/Master Barber program, which is a 1,500-hour program.
“The program is designed not just to teach a trade, but to transform a life. We focus on accountability, consistency, and connection. Graduates don’t just leave with a license; they leave with a renewed mindset, a support system and the tools to thrive as professionals and contributors to their community,” Carey said.
A graduate from the program, who chose to stay anonymous, said they were not expecting to learn as much as they did from the academy.
“Initially, I expected to just learn how to complete a haircut from beginning to end. Over time, I realized that I needed to have patience with myself and to trust that everything I’d encounter was a part of the process to professionalism, as I learned everything about barbering from the history, chemistry, safety and laws of barbering,” they said.
The graduate said they had to learn to “get out of their own way” to allow themselves to grow while going through the program; but, ultimately, they learned this is an important way to invest in your future.
“Don’t hesitate to invest in yourself and take a chance at a life-changing opportunity that will help you build character, confidence and a purposeful position that will grant you great fulfillment through the action of satisfying others’ needs,” he said.
Carey said he wished more people understood that formerly incarcerated individuals are not lost causes, and this is oftentimes their first fair shot in life.
“They grew up in broken systems, faced trauma early, lacked access to education or were surrounded by environments that pushed survival over success,” Carey acknowledged. “But that doesn’t mean they’re beyond redemption. What they need isn’t judgment — it’s opportunity, guidance and belief.
“They’re not hopeless. They’re hungry. Hungry for change, for stability, for purpose,” Carey continued. “And when we meet them with that understanding, we don’t just change their lives — we change the world around them.”
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The Riverside Center for the Performing Arts will launch its summer season with Next to Normal, a Tony- and Pulitzer-winning musical that blends rock music with raw emotion to tell the story of a family navigating the stormy waters of mental illness and grief.
The show opens July 2 and runs through August 3, 2025, marking the Riverside debut of this emotionally charged and rarely produced musical. It stars real-life couple Adrienne Hick and Andrew Foote, who previously lit up the Riverside stage in The Bridges of Madison County. Now, they return in a production that digs even deeper. “We talk about the show pretty much every waking hour,” Hick said during a recent episode of the Potomac Local News Podcast. “Sometimes we have to declare a day off from it—it’s that consuming, in a good way.”
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Your Guide to July 4 Celebrations in Fredericksburg and Stafford
Looking for fireworks, food, and fun this Independence Day? 🎆 Here’s a roundup of some of the best local events happening on Friday, July 4, 2025:
🇺🇸 Fabulous Fourth at Ferry Farm
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | George Washington’s Ferry Farm, 268 Kings Highway, Fredericksburg
Step back in time at the boyhood home of George Washington! Enjoy live music, tours of the Washington House, colonial games, a flag retirement ceremony, food trucks, and an active archaeological dig.
Admission is just $1 for ages 3+ (free for kids under 2). Free trolley service connects this event with others around the area.
More info: https://kenmore.org/events/fabulous-fourth-at-ferry-farm
🎇 Fireworks Dinner & Viewing Party at Mason Dixon Cafe
Dinner 7–8 PM | Fireworks ~9:15 PM | 2100 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg
Enjoy dinner and drinks before catching fireworks from the parking lot of this local favorite. $10 tickets (free for kids under 12) become a food and drink credit. Only 50 spots available!
More info + tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/4th-of-july-fireworks-dinner-viewing-party-tickets-1397027048509
🎆 Fredericksburg Fireworks at Virginia Credit Union Stadium
9:00 PM | Fredericksburg Convention Center, Carl D. Silver Parkway
The stadium itself will be closed, but the fireworks will light up the sky—and can be seen from up to two miles away! Plan ahead: parking is limited, and restrictions apply on nearby roads like Gordon W. Shelton Blvd and Carl D. Silver Parkway.
Details and parking map: https://fxbg.com/events/fourth-in-fredericksburg/
🚌 Stafford’s Free Trolley Service
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Multiple Locations
Stafford County offers free trolley rides between George Washington’s Ferry Farm, the Downtown Visitor Center, the Patawomeck Museum, and the Eagle Parking Lot. Handicap parking is available only at Ferry Farm.
More info + full schedule: https://www.tourstaffordva.com/2025/06/17/staffords-star-spangled-4th-know-before-you-go-2/
🎆 Stafford’s 4th of July Spectacular at Pratt Park
Gates open 6:00 PM | Fireworks after dark | John Lee Pratt Memorial Park
Wrap up your day with Stafford’s grand fireworks finale. Gates will close once the park is full, and no re-entry will be allowed after that. Please note: trolleys will not stop at Pratt Park.
Event info: https://www.tourstaffordva.com/2025/06/17/staffords-star-spangled-4th-know-before-you-go-2/
