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.
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Every Tuesday, hundreds of people gather in a Fredericksburg park for one reason: lunch, music, and community. What started in the early 1990s as “Lunch at Hurkamp Park” has become a regular community event known today as Picnic in the Park. Organized by Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation, the event is held on Tuesdays in May and June at Memorial (Kenmore) Park. The event was originally created by a former Parks and Recreation Director as a way for downtown employees to take a lunch break outside. Over time, it grew into a weekly event for families, drawing larger crowds and offering a wider range of activities.
When Sammy Walker took over the event planning in 2018, attendance had already outgrown Hurkamp Park. The event was relocated to Memorial Park to accommodate more people. Walker said an average of 300 to 500 people attend in May. Once school ends for the summer, attendance rises to 500 to 800 each week.
Picnic in the Park now includes themed Tuesdays, such as May 20’s Farm Day featuring a petting zoo provided by The Good Steward Farm, and the upcoming Community Day on June 10 featuring hot dog grilling by the Fredericksburg Sheriff’s Department. Beach Day, scheduled for June 24, will feature sprinklers, baby pools, and other water-related activities. Themes are selected through public voting or sponsor input.
(Photo: Facebook | Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation & Events)
Whimsical Faces, a local face painting business run by Opheilia Gualtieri, was added as a new vendor this year. Walker called Gualtieri “the best face painter in the burg.”
Planning for the series begins in December, following the city’s annual Christmas Parade. Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation manages the event, with financial and media support from several sponsors. B101.5 and Fred Parent Magazine have been media sponsors since the event’s early years. Monetary sponsors include Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, Brompton Community School, Weecycled Wardrobe, Wilderness Resort, and Fredericksburg Christian School. New sponsors in 2025 include Urban Air, Funland, and Healthy Minds Therapy.
While the City of Fredericksburg allocates funding for the series each year, the event also depends on sponsor contributions to cover costs.
(Photo: Facebook | Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation & Events)
Accessibility features include ADA parking, accessible restrooms, a playground, and seating close to the stage. The event is held in a residential area to allow access for attendees from nearby neighborhoods. There is no shuttle service, as the event runs for only two hours, but transportation remains a long-term goal.
The event currently takes place in May and June. A fall concert series was previously held, and organizers say it could return depending on interest and resources.
Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation plans to continue the series as long as there is community demand.
