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Culture

Every year, communities across America sponsor eagerly anticipated festivals and special events. The Fredericksburg Region is no exception.

One of the largest celebrations is the July 4th Heritage Festival, with a river raft race, chili cook-off and fireworks. Thousands go to the Fredericksburg Agricultural Fair, the oldest fair of its kind in America. Visitors can get a look inside privately owned historic homes during Historic Garden Week and the holiday Candlelight Tour. The evening Christmas parade and First Night on New Year’s Eve draw large crowds.

Spectators enjoy American Indian powwows, reenactments of Civil War battles, artillery demonstrations and encampments. Visitors can witness 18th-century life during special programs at Kenmore – the Georgian mansion owned by George Washington’s sister and featured in The 100 Most Beautiful Rooms in America.

Additional historic attractions that offer tours or unique programs include Chatham, the Rising Sun Tavern, the Mary Washington House and the James Monroe Museum. The Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center presents permanent and changing exhibits that highlight the area from prehistoric times to the present. The museum has expanded, creating more room for several new exhibits and educational space.

Clubs and professional organizations also host educational programs. The Central Rappahannock Regional Library is one of the busiest library systems in Virginia. Indeed, area library users – some of the most active in the country – check out more than 6 million items annually. The CRRL offers a variety of cultural programs – including lectures, films and storytelling – for people of all ages. Its research library, the Virginia Room, is a resource for Virginia history and genealogy. The CRRL has been ranked among America’s top five public libraries by American Libraries magazine.