Good morning, Fredericksburg.

Crunch Fitness opened a new gym in Central Park with a $3M buildout — it now offers rows of equipment, fitness classes, and recovery options to local residents.

Jay’s Downtown Sports Lounge lost its license to sell drinks after repeated problems and a nearby death last December; it has not reopened since ABC’s decision last week—Publisher Hotel earned a top rating from AAA and talks have begun about opening a new medical school with Mary Washington Healthcare. Other business news includes a property sale for a future crisis center, new shop openings, and leadership changes at local banks.

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts in Stafford County is staging its fourth run of The Sound of Music featuring actress Sarah Mae Andersen as Maria in a wedding gown provided by a local bridal shop—partners like Sweet Reasons Dessert Kitchen and Holiday Inn support the production. The musical runs until Oct 26 and offers a fresh stage design with classic songs and dramatic lighting.

The Fredericksburg City School Board held a special meeting on Wednesday evening at the Walker-Grant Center to discuss bus delays and extended school days caused by five driver vacancies and the new Tyler routing system—parent complaints have increased as buses arrived late and routes changed. Families who wished to speak had to sign up by 5:30 p.m. via email or phone.

Stafford County will open its newest high school, Hartwood High School, in fall 2026 to serve a growing student population—its board also chose the Stallion mascot and school colors of black, silver and gold.

Michael Kelly will lead the school as its first principal while construction continues on a modern facility for academics, arts and athletics.

At Tuesday night, Spotsylvania County supervisors approved rezoning for the 2.2-million-square-foot Hunters Ridge South data center campus along Cosner Drive by a 5-2 vote + two supervisors raised concerns about community impacts, prompting a joint meeting with industry representatives on Sept. 23. They also deferred a $400,000 payment to the Virginia Heritage HOA over a dispute related to released performance bonds.

The city’s Planning Commission is holding a public hearing tonight on a plan to convert the old Medical Arts Building on Fall Hill Avenue into 30 apartments—supporting a broader redevelopment near the former Mary Washington Hospital campus as it awaits a decision within 100 days.

Stafford County leaders met on Tuesday, August 26 to review plans that would set tougher rules on data centers and increase safety buffers from homes, schools and rivers—changes meant to protect neighborhoods.

They have scheduled a public hearing on either September 16 or October 21 for residents to share their views on the proposals.

At Tuesday's meeting, councilors approved directing staff to draft an ordinance creating neighborhood conservation districts to help preserve historic narratives — despite concerns about housing affordability.

The meeting also honored retiring Clerk Tonya B. Lacey, who served the city for 16 years as clerk and 33 years overall before retiring on Sept. 1.

At a forum on Wednesday morning at Virginia Credit Union Stadium, Dr. Christopher Newman, CEO of Mary Washington Healthcare, said that plans for a new medical school may open by 2029 to ease the local doctor shortage—he called on local business leaders, charities and officials to back the proposal. A national feasibility study supported the idea, and board discussions in 2026 will decide if the project moves forward as the hospital builds a $40 million education center for its residency programs.

MCA Grand National Show: Gathering of the Herd 2025

8 AM – 5 PM — Fredericksburg Fairgrounds — Free entry — Witness an exciting celebration of Ford Mustang cars with enthusiasts and families alike.

Concert by Canoe

6-10 p.m. — Motts Run Reservoir — Bring your own boat or rent one — Enjoy floating music at a scenic lake concert while dining on a picnic.

Virginia Cider Festival

11 a.m. - 4 p.m. — Fredericksburg Fairgrounds — Free venue parking — Sip and savor a wide variety of ciders from local and national producers while enjoying live music and food trucks.

Bikes & Breakfast Meetup in Fredericksburg

10 AM — Motoworks — Free entry — Gather for coffee, pastries, and motorcycle discussions before heading out for lunch and rides.

Soul Line Dancing with Regina

7-10 p.m. — Jay's Downtown Sports Lounge — Free entry — Experience the rhythm and fun of soul line dancing every second and fourth Thursday night.

Go for Bo! 2025

6-8:30 p.m. — Stafford Regional Airport — Registration fee required — Experience a beautiful sunset run on a fast, flat course in the community.

Cannonball Century Cycling Event

7 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Massaponax High School — $69 registration until July 15th — Experience a challenging 100-mile biking adventure through scenic routes.

Patawomeck Fall Festival

11 AM – 4 PM — Patawomeck Museum & Cultural Center — Free entry — Celebrate the autumn season with traditional crafts, delicious treats, and DJ music.

Soul Line Dancing with Regina

7-10 p.m. — Jay's Downtown Sports Lounge — Free entry — Enjoy a vibrant night of Soul Line Dancing with Regina every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month.

5K Friends of the Poor Walk

10 AM — John Lee Pratt Park — $50 — Bring your friends and family to walk for a good cause while supporting the Society of St. Vincent De Paul.