Gothic Market this afternoon, veterans week kicks off, Dear Evan Hansen

Good morning, FXBG.

Sunday looks like a postcard: the National Weather Service has sunny skies and a high near 65, with a clear night and a low around 41. Perfect for a Convention Center wander, a matinee, or lining Princess Anne Street with a flag.

In today's Rundown:

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Today's photo: Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Center entrance, by G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

If your weekend still needs a little dark fairy-tale energy: The Gothic Market takes over the Fredericksburg Convention Center (2371 Carl D. Silver Parkway) today from noon–5 p.m. Think folklore, classic horror, handmade goods, crystals, candles, and vendors who swear AI art is banned — Grimoire Studios' tradeshow for the goth-curious and the already converted.

Important: advance tickets only, no cash at the door. Prices start around $3 online and can climb toward $20 as the clock runs down, according to Humanitix. Minors need their own tickets and must stay with an adult; the hosts flag adult discretion. Gothic or formal attire is encouraged, not required. Grab tickets before you leave the house.

Sun., Nov. 8, noon–5 p.m. · Fredericksburg Convention Center · Ticketed (advance only)

Veterans Day is Wednesday, and Fredericksburg is warming up early. VFW Post 3103 hosts Veterans Day Football today, noon–7:30 p.m., at 2701 Princess Anne Street — open to all veterans, according to the post's announcements. Bring a fellow vet. Stay for the game chatter. The canteen crew knows how to keep a Sunday going.

Still collecting for the poppy drive? The post is also at Lowe's at Southpoint today (and was there yesterday), 10 a.m.–4 p.m. A few bucks and a thank-you go a long way.

Then mark Wednesday in ink: Fredericksburg's Veterans Day Procession steps off at 10:30 a.m. from Memorial Park along Washington Avenue (Mary Ball to George), with the free commemoration at the Area War Memorial at 11 a.m. Rain or shine. Veterans who can't walk the ~0.6 mile can use a veterans-only bus, first come, first served. Line the avenue if you're the cheering section. City details: fredericksburgva.gov.

Today: VFW football noon–7:30 · Wed., Nov. 11: procession 10:30 a.m., ceremony 11 a.m. · Free

Prefer a seat and a score? UMW Theatre's Dear Evan Hansen has its first Sunday matinee today at 2 p.m. in Klein Theatre, with an AfterWords talkback afterward. The run continues through Nov. 22 (Thu–Sat evenings at 7:30; more Sunday matinees Nov. 15 and 22). Tickets go through UMW’s FredTix box office (students get in for $5 with ID); current prices and seats at cas.umw.edu.

Looking ahead to Thursday: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions – Spotsylvania opens to the public Nov. 12. New wrinkle worth knowing — Kalahari and the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority are offering Amtrak Virginia guests a 10% fare discount (book at amtrak.com/Kalahari10) plus a complimentary shuttle from the Fredericksburg or Ashland stations with advance reservation. Skip I-95. Start the vacation on the train.

And next weekend: downtown's Holiday Open House lands Nov. 14–15, with the Riverfront Park tree lighting kicking things off Saturday at 4 p.m. Full shop-by-shop guide early next week.

Heading to the Gothic Market or the VFW this afternoon? Forward this to the friend who always needs a Sunday plan. They can sign up free at thefxbgrundown.com.

See something we should flag for Veterans Day or Kalahari week? Just reply. We read every one.

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