October 8, 2026
Fredericksburg · Stafford · Spotsylvania

This weekend, you can watch a blacksmith work, hear a spooky story under the trees, or spend an afternoon deciding whether the house really needs another handmade fall decoration.

It probably does.

Our lead takes us to Falmouth, where a free celebration puts local Revolutionary-era history in the spotlight. Then comes your weekend guide to fairs, farms, markets, crafts, and a few carefully chosen scares.

A familiar stretch of river gets a different kind of attention this weekend.

Revolution on the Rappahannock, presented by Freedom Forge Foundation, runs October 10–11 in Falmouth. The Stafford VA250 commemoration centers on James Hunter and the iron works near Falmouth, connecting the area’s industrial past with the story of American independence.

Saturday’s main activities take place at Pratt Park, 120 River Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22405. A 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. symposium begins the day, followed by the 1–5 p.m. main event featuring living history, blacksmithing, heritage exhibits, music, and children’s activities. A Commander-in-Chief’s Guard Company drill is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

Admission is free. Advance registration is requested, and donations are optional; Discover Stafford also lists walk-in registration.

For families, the afternoon offers something a textbook cannot: a chance to see the tools, hear the music, and ask questions while exploring the people and work behind local history.

See the organizer’s program and register →
Explore the family activities →

If questions about Belvedere Plantation’s future have left you wondering about your annual farm visit, the Fulks family has posted a statement.

The family says the 2026 Fall Harvest Festival continues and that it is committed to the festival’s future operation. The statement also says the family has begun working with an organization considering a technology campus on the property. It does not announce an approved development or a festival closing date.

For this weekend, the farm lists Friday hours of 10 a.m.–2 p.m. and 6–10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–10 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. The address is 1410 Belvedere Drive, Fredericksburg. Use the date-specific ticket selector for prices.

Read the family’s statement →
Plan your visit →

Here are the public events we could confirm for this weekend, including recurring seasonal attractions. Where a listing leaves out a price or registration detail, we have flagged it. Check the linked page for weather changes and availability before leaving.

Boo Bingo — 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Spotsylvania Towne Centre, 3102 Plank Road, near the food court. Free and open to all ages, with raffle prizes and first-come, first-served seating. No purchase necessary.
Event details →

Monster Roll Skate Night — 6–8 p.m.
Dixon Park, Fredericksburg. The city welcomes all ages and skating abilities. Its listing does not state a fee or registration requirement; call Parks & Recreation at 540-372-1086 for those details.
City listing →

Park After Dark — 6:30–8 p.m.
Memorial Park, Fredericksburg. Free spooky storytelling, plus an Earthquest bird encounter. Recommended for ages 5 and up; pre-registration is encouraged. Bring a chair or blanket. The rain location is Dorothy Hart Community Center.
Details and registration link →

Spotsylvania Farmers Market — 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
VDOT commuter lot, 12150 Gordon Road, Fredericksburg. Browse seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, and handmade items. Purchases are priced by individual vendors.
Market details →

Revolution on the Rappahannock — morning symposium and afternoon celebration
Pratt Park, 120 River Road. Symposium 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.; main activities 1–5 p.m. Free, with advance registration requested. See the lead story above for the highlights.
Program and registration →

Miller Farms Market Fall Festival — starts at 10 a.m.
12101 Orange Plank Road, Locust Grove. Pumpkin picking, food trucks, vendors, a corn maze, and fall activities. The farm advertises free hayrides; purchases and ticketed attractions cost extra. The reviewed pages do not state an event end time or complete pricing.
Farm information →

Dad & Son Daytime Campout — 2–5 p.m.
Motts Run Reservoir. For already registered participants: the posted registration deadline was October 4. The program is for ages 6 and up, costs $25 per person, and requires a registered adult accompanying children, with a maximum of three children per adult.
Program details →

Plaid to the Bone 10K — 8 a.m. start
Pratt Park, 120 River Road. A separately registered race that ties into the weekend’s historical commemoration. Check the race page for current entry fees and registration availability; it is separate from the free history celebration.
Race information →

Falmouth historic site tours — 11 a.m.
Tours of Falmouth Historic Cemetery and Union Church, part of the Revolution on the Rappahannock program. The organizer directs visitors to park at Ray Grizzle Activity Center, 60 Butler Road. A tour end time is not listed.
Tour information →

Fredericksburg Fire Department Open House — 1–4 p.m.
Fire Station #1, 601 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg. The official calendar confirms the date, time, and location but does not state admission or registration details.
Official listing →

Reptiles Alive! — 2–3 p.m.
Lake Anna State Park Visitor Center, 6800 Lawyers Road, Spotsylvania. Meet the park’s animal ambassadors and learn about Virginia reptiles. The program is free; standard park parking/admission fees apply. Visitors under 18 require adult supervision.
Program details →

Owl Prowl — 6–8 p.m.
Lake Anna State Park, 6800 Lawyers Road. A ranger-led evening walk along a paved trail, with stops to learn about owls. Youth require an accompanying adult. Check with the park at 540-854-5503 for the meeting point, fees, and registration details.
Program listing →

Spotsylvania County Fair
Old Battlefield Boulevard, Spotsylvania Courthouse. Friday 5–10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 2–10 p.m. Admission is $10 per person per day, with children 5 and under free. Parking is free; rides cost extra. The fair also opens Thursday, October 8, 5–10 p.m.
Schedule → · Admission details →

Fall Arts & Craft Show
Fredericksburg Convention Center, 2371 Carl D. Silver Parkway. Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.–4 p.m., featuring more than 200 artisans and crafters. The ticket page says children 12 and under are free and tickets cover both days with a hand stamp. Check checkout for current adult pricing.
Show details and tickets →

Belvedere Plantation Harvest Festival
1410 Belvedere Drive, Fredericksburg. Friday 10 a.m.–2 p.m. and 6–10 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Paid admission; check the date-specific ticket selector for prices and age policies.
Tickets and hours →

The Haunted Hill
10400 Fox Creek Lane, Partlow. Friday and Saturday 7:30–10:30 p.m. Tickets are sold at the gate only: $25 cash or $27 credit. The attraction is not recommended for children under 12. Check weather notices before driving.
Attraction information → · Ticket details →

Worth the drive: Richmond Folk Festival
Downtown Richmond’s riverfront. Friday 6:30–10 p.m.; Saturday noon–9:30 p.m.; Sunday noon–6 p.m. Admission is free; food, drinks, and merchandise cost extra. Explore the festival’s music, dance, and family activities, and use its map and parking guide to plan arrival.
Festival information → · Performance schedule →

Start with Saturday afternoon at Pratt Park. Free admission, colonial games, crafts, and blacksmithing make it an easy place to explore without committing to a full day.

For families with older children, Friday’s Park After Dark is another free option. The city recommends that program for ages 5 and up.

Miller Farms advertises a $135 Pumpkin Wheelbarrow Challenge: load a wheelbarrow with pumpkins and wheel them back to the market without carrying any in your hands.

Finally, a fall activity that answers the question: “What if pumpkin shopping required an engineering department?”

Choose your load wisely. Your enthusiasm and your uphill wheelbarrow skills may have different opinions.

See the challenge details →

Want to keep exploring? Browse the regional events calendar, Discover Stafford’s listings, and Spotsylvania’s calendar.

Know an event we should check for next Thursday? Reply with the organizer’s link.

Forward this issue to the friend who always asks what’s happening this weekend.

The FXBG Rundown
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