Fredericksburg's longtime tradition of First Friday celebrations in the downtown area will see a few changes when it returns this week.

As part of the new rebranding of the First Friday events, a new component called "Sip and Stroll" will be added to the festivities. The concept will allow revelers to enjoy alcoholic beverages in a specially designated area of Downtown Fredericksburg.

The Sip and Stroll will occur on First Friday, between 5 and 9 p.m., when adults aged 21 or older can buy an alcoholic beverage from a participating restaurant. The restaurants will sell cups printed with their logos on them.
No outside beverages will be allowed.

• Those with the cups will be able to walk within the boundaries of a specially designated area.
• The roads include parts of Sophia, Caroline, Princess Anne, William, and Liberty streets.

The boundaries will be marked by black trash cans where those partaking can dispose of their cups once they're done or the time for the Sip and Stroll has ended.

During a presentation of the concept to the City Council on Tuesday, both Ward 1 Councilor Jason Graham and At-Large Councilor Kerry Devine asked if the trash cans could be replaced with recycling bins.

Graham also suggested coordinating with ridesharing companies to ensure a safe trip home for those participating in the event.

This new aspect of the event has been made possible due to a change in the laws set by Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Fredericksburg has also applied for a new event license known as an outdoor recreational event license in order to legally run the event. The city is also working with the Fredericksburg City Police to coordinate the Sip and Stroll.

The restaurants participating in the Sip and Stroll event include The Alpine Chef, Benny Vitali's, Billiken's Smokehouse, Capital Ale House, Curitiba's Art Cafe, Deutschland Downtown, FoodE, Orofino, Rebellion, Sammy T's, Soup and Taco, and Vivify.

The newly branded First Friday will return on October 1.

Manassas was the first city in the state to allow open containers of alcohol at city events in Summer 2019, following new legislation passed by General Assembly in Richmond.

Today, the city allows open containers of alcohol on city streets during each of its First Friday events and most special events like the annual railway and barbeque festivals. The same rules apply -- the alcohol must be in a plastic cup with the logo of the restaurant that sold the drink and must be consumed within a designated area.