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:
“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.
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.”
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
On June 16, the Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (FAMPO) Policy Committee approved Resolution 2550, selecting Option C—a route connecting Celebrate Virginia Parkway in Stafford County with Gordon W. Shelton Boulevard in Fredericksburg—as the preferred corridor. The approval allows consultants to complete cost estimates and finalize documents ahead of a federally required environmental review (NEPA).
Fredericksburg officials supported Option C with a 6-1 vote, and Stafford County unanimously endorsed it. Spotsylvania County declined to endorse a specific route, raising concerns about potential impacts on local roads such as Fall Hill Avenue, Bragg Road, and River Road.
This weekend marks your last chance to catch two standout productions on local stages before the curtains close for good.
At the ARTfactory in Manassas, Lend Me a Soprano wraps up its run with performances through Sunday. This fast-paced farce, written by Ken Ludwig, offers a hilarious backstage comedy that’s been praised for its sharp direction, standout cast, and intimate setting. According to a review from the ARTfactory, the show “delivers big laughs in a small space” and makes the most of its cozy venue to pull audiences into the operatic chaos. Tickets and details are available at virginiaartfactory.org.
Step into romance at La Petite Auberge in Fredericksburg. Enjoy a classic French menu, cozy ambiance, and memorable moments in the heart of downtown.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – All lanes of Interstate 95—both northbound and southbound—are shut down at Exit 130 (Route 3/Plank Road) following an incident involving downed power lines, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).
Officials say the closure is due to live power lines lying across the highway. “I-95 NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND: All lanes are closed at Exit 130 (Route 3) due to downed power lines,” VDOT said in a statement. “Expect major delays due to stopped traffic and use alternate routes.”
STAFFORD, Va. – If you’re driving through Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, or along I-95 this week, expect delays due to overnight paving, bridge repairs, road closures, and resurfacing projects. Here’s a roundup of major traffic impacts you should know about:
Interstate 95 Northbound
