FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Germanna Community College will host the Germanna Gala on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the Fredericksburg Convention Center, located at 2371 Carl D. Silver Parkway, Fredericksburg, to celebrate President Dr. Janet Gullickson as she prepares to retire. 🎉
Dr. Gullickson, Germanna’s first female president, announced her retirement earlier this year after eight years of leadership. During her tenure, she oversaw significant enrollment growth, national recognition by the Aspen Institute, and the distinction of being the first college to host Amazon Web Services’ mobile classroom. She also spearheaded work-based learning initiatives, including paid internships, to enhance student career readiness.
The gala will feature fine dining, live entertainment, dancing, and opportunities to engage with students and supporters. All proceeds will support Early College, Germanna Guarantee, and the Germanna Cares Fund .
For more details and to RSVP by May 21, visit germanna.edu/gala.Germanna Community College+3
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Want to enjoy a picnic for free in one of Fredericksburg’s beautiful parks? Here’s how!
The City of Fredericksburg is inviting groups to join the Park Steward Volunteer Program, which runs from May through September. In return for helping clean up one of the city’s parks, your group can receive a free picnic shelter rental — a perfect reward for your service.
In a Facebook post, Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation & Events thanked The Publisher, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, for being the first group to kick off this year’s program by sprucing up Alum Spring Park.
To participate, simply:
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Pick a month and day of the week
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Show up — the city provides all cleanup supplies
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Enjoy a free shelter rental (available on a first-come, first-served basis)
It’s a great way for businesses, organizations, or friend groups to give back while enjoying the outdoors. Learn more and sign up here: Fredericksburg Park Steward Volunteer Program
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Celebrate the longest day of the year with an evening of fun, food, and music at the Summer Solstice Festival on Wednesday, June 18, from 7 to 10 p.m.
The event, hosted at Riverfront Park in downtown Fredericksburg, will feature local craft drinks, live music, food trucks, and art. All proceeds will support Fredericksburg Main Street’s efforts to promote and enhance the downtown district. Tickets are available now and help fund year-round community programs.
For more details, visit the Facebook event page or FXBG Government’s post.
It’s National Burger Day, and local spots are rolling out the red carpet for burger fans! 🍔
In Manassas, Philadelphia Tavern is celebrating with their Tuesday Burger Day special. Guests can enjoy dine-in pricing on burgers starting at $8 for a specialty burger and $12 for a premium option, both served with their signature homemade chips. Want fries instead? Add them for just $1 more. It’s the perfect excuse to enjoy a burger and a beer at this beloved neighborhood tavern.
Down in Fredericksburg, Eats Burgers is honoring International Burger Day with a sizzling deal — half off the Eats Classic burger all day long on Wednesday, May 28. It’s a one-day-only offer to mark the “holiday of all holidays,” and a delicious way to treat yourself.
National Burger Day is a food holiday celebrated in the United States to honor one of the country’s most beloved comfort foods — the hamburger. While its exact origins are a bit hazy, here’s what we know about how this tasty tradition began and evolved:
🍔 Origins of the Burger
The hamburger’s roots go back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While several people and locations claim to have invented the hamburger, the most widely accepted story credits Louis Lassen, a Danish immigrant in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1900, he allegedly served the first hamburger at his small lunch wagon, Louis’ Lunch, using steak trimmings ground into patties.
đź“… When National Burger Day Began
National Burger Day, as celebrated in the U.S., doesn’t have an official government designation but has grown into a popular unofficial holiday. It is typically observed annually on May 28. The day likely emerged from food marketing campaigns and the cultural love affair with burgers, which are a staple at backyard cookouts, diners, fast food chains, and gourmet restaurants alike.
Over the years, restaurants began using the day to run promotions, showcase creative burger specials, and celebrate regional styles — from smash burgers to veggie and plant-based patties.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Walker-Grant Middle School is among just 220 schools nationwide selected to receive a $5,000 grant from the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries.
The Fredericksburg school was chosen from applicants in 38 states to receive part of more than $1 million awarded this year. The funds will allow Walker-Grant Middle School to enhance its library offerings by purchasing new graphic novels, books in multiple languages, and updating its collection of essays.
The Laura Bush Foundation focuses on helping school libraries with the greatest need and aims to cultivate a love of reading among students. Since its launch in 2002, the foundation has provided $23 million in funding to more than 4,000 schools across the country.
Included in the list of highlighted titles for this year are I Loved You First by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush, and First Ladies Make History by Anita and Giovanna McBride. A copy of First Ladies Make History will be donated to every elementary school that has received a grant from the foundation since it began.
During the May 19, 2025, meeting of the Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (FAMPO) Policy Committee, Executive Director Ian Ollis and his team unveiled two preferred alignments—Options A and C—that they believe offer the most viable pathways for a long-debated new bridge linking Stafford County and the City of Fredericksburg.
The corridor options are the result of more than three years of planning work, which included public engagement, environmental screening, and traffic data modeling conducted as part of a broader East-West Mobility Study.
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FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Do you know which elementary school your child will attend next year? 📚
Fredericksburg City Public Schools has released a newly approved elementary school zone map that will go into effect for the 2025-26 school year. In a Facebook post, the school division encouraged families to explore the changes, share the news with others, and prepare for what’s ahead.
The rezoning process began with a proposal shared on September 9, 2024, which was shaped by 2023-24 enrollment data. After several months of review and community feedback, school leaders refined the plan to better reflect updated projections and priorities like neighborhood unity, equity, and demographic balance.
The final zones assign students to Hugh Mercer (Central), Lafayette (West), or Gladys West (East) elementary schools, each with a diverse student population. Key considerations included ensuring fair representation of Special Education students, English Language Learners, and families from varying economic backgrounds.
According to school officials, this change aims to foster more balanced, inclusive learning environments citywide. You can view the new map and demographic breakdowns for each school here.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The popular water feature at Riverfront Park is officially open for summer fun!
In a Facebook post, Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation & Events invited families to come cool off and enjoy the splash pad, now running for the season. The downtown park, located at 701 Sophia Street, also includes green space, a playground, and scenic views of the Rappahannock River.
Riverfront Park was named Virginia’s Best New Facility in 2023 and sits just steps from local shops and restaurants, making it a great stop for summer outings.
From live music and lunch in the park to evening kayak tours and family-friendly summer camps, the city is rolling out activities for all ages and interests. “May is when the floodgates open for us,” said Callie Brown, Superintendent of Recreation, during a recent appearance on the Potomac Local Live podcast. “It’s a really exciting time.”
🧺 Picnic in the Park Returns
Every Tuesday in May and June (except Memorial Day week), Picnic in the Park invites community members to enjoy live music and lunch under the trees at Memorial Park, known locally as Kenmore Park. The event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and is free to attend.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunches or purchase from on-site food trucks. Each week features a different theme—recently, Farm Day included live animals and educational activities. On June 3, the theme is Multicultural Day, celebrating the city’s diversity.
🚣 Full Moon & Sunset Kayaking at Mott’s Run
Back by popular demand, Fredericksburg is once again offering guided kayak experiences at Mott’s Run Reservoir. The Full Moon and Sunset Kayak events give beginners and seasoned paddlers alike a chance to enjoy the water after hours.
All gear is provided, including kayaks, paddles, and life jackets. “You don’t have to invest in expensive equipment just to try something new,” said Brown. Participants need only bring shoes that can get wet.
🎶 Concerts by Canoe: Music Meets Nature
One of the summer’s most unique events, Concerts by Canoe, transforms Mott’s Run into a floating amphitheater. Bands perform on a dock while attendees drift nearby in canoes or kayaks.
Guests can bring their own boats or rent one on-site. A $10 admission fee includes the performance, and new this year is the option to preorder charcuterie snack boxes for an on-the-water picnic. The next concert features local band Laidia on Wednesday, May 22, with more events planned in August and September.
🏊 Dixon Park Pool Opens for the Season
The Dorey Buffett Pool at Dixon Park opens to the public on Saturday, May 25, just in time for Memorial Day weekend. City residents can swim for free, while non-residents pay a small daily fee ($6 for kids and seniors, $8 for adults).
A pre-season household registration event for city residents will take place Friday evening, May 24. “It makes pool check-in much easier throughout the summer,” said Brown. Proof of residency is required.
🏕️ Summer Camps for All Ages
Summer camps begin Tuesday, May 28 and run through mid-August. With options for children as young as 3—and even special “grand camps” for grandparents and grandchildren—Fredericksburg offers a camp for every age and interest.
While some camps are already full, Brown encourages families to check for remaining spots. “There’s still time to register, and we’ve got room in a number of fun and engaging programs,” she said.
For updates, registration, and program details, visit the Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation Facebook page at @FredParksRec.
Subscribe to Potomac Local News’ Fredericksburg Friday newsletter to stay informed about upcoming events in the city. See our full interview on the Potomac Local News Podcast:
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Crews with Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation sprang into action last week after the Rappahannock River hit flood stage, cresting at 13 feet and spilling into low-lying areas along the city’s waterfront.
The river reached its peak early on May 15 following heavy rainfall in the Shenandoah Valley the day before. The National Weather Service issued a Flood Warning for Fredericksburg, as the 13-foot crest marked the official start of flooding, according to local river gauge data.
City staff quickly activated their flood preparedness plan at Old Mill Park, the city’s most popular park located right along the river. That included removing porta-potties, pumping out bathrooms, and detaching fixtures at risk of water damage.
“Our staff worked really hard and cleaned it up within a day, which was a lot faster than we had expected,” said Callie Brown, Superintendent of Recreation, during an interview on the Potomac Local Live podcast.
Although floodwaters reached the restroom building, the swift response kept damage to a minimum.
Old Mill Park has seen worse—just this past January, the river crested at 18 feet, well above the flood stage. This time, the park was cleaned up and reopened in time for Memorial Day weekend, when seasonal parking and walk-in fees begin for non-residents. These fees are in place through Labor Day to help maintain the busy park.
To stay up to date on park events and river conditions, follow Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation on Facebook.
