9-03-2026 5:07pm

YOUR WEEKEND IN SPOTSYLVANIA & FREDERICKSBURG

John Williams Editor

Motts Run Reservoir offers fishing, boating, paddling and miles of natural scenery just outside Fredericksburg. Photo taken at Motts Run. Courtesy of The Spotsylvania Gazette.

Fishing, boating, Lake Anna adventures, First Friday, farmers markets, live music and family activities fill the Sept. 4–7 weekend

By The Spotsylvania Gazette
Sept. 4, 2026

SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. — September has arrived, but summer isn’t finished with Spotsylvania and Fredericksburg just yet.

The Sept. 4–7 weekend offers fishing and boating at Motts Run, outdoor adventures at Lake Anna, First Friday in downtown Fredericksburg, farmers markets, live music and several family activities.

Whether you want to put a fishing line in the water, launch a boat, listen to live music, explore downtown Fredericksburg or take the family to a state park, there are plenty of reasons to stay close to home this weekend.

FISHING AND BOATING AT MOTTS RUN

The Gazette’s weekend photograph comes from Motts Run Reservoir Recreation Area, a 860-acre natural area that includes a 160-acre reservoir.

Motts Run offers fishing, boating, paddling, hiking, biking, orienteering and picnicking. The reservoir also serves as a source of drinking water for Fredericksburg and surrounding areas of Spotsylvania County.

From Sept. 2 through Oct. 31, Motts Run is open Thursday through Monday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Full concessions are available Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Boat rentals are not available Mondays and Thursdays during the fall schedule.

Motts Run Reservoir Recreation Area
6600 River Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22407

Motts Run Reservoir official information⁠

FIRST FRIDAY RETURNS TO DOWNTOWN FREDERICKSBURG

Downtown Fredericksburg starts the weekend Friday evening with First Friday from 5 to 9 p.m.

Eight downtown galleries and studios participate in the monthly celebration of visual art, part of a First Friday tradition that has been bringing visitors downtown for decades.

The evening offers more than galleries. Curated FXBG, 817 Caroline St., celebrates its first birthday from 4 to 9 p.m., while Breaking Lines Poetry Night runs from 8 to 9 p.m. at Original Grinds, 615 Caroline St.

First Friday
Downtown Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Fredericksburg Main Street: 540-479-1595

Fredericksburg Main Street events calendar⁠

LIVE MUSIC FRIDAY NIGHT IN SPOTSYLVANIA

The Adventure Nights Live Summer Music Series wraps up its season Friday at Wilderness Presidential Resort.

Ty Burkhardt takes the stage at Riff’s Dawg Haus from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4.

The performance is free for guests staying at the resort and is also available with the purchase of a day pass.

Wilderness Presidential Resort
9220 Plank Road, Spotsylvania, VA 22553
540-972-7433

LAKE ANNA HAS A FULL WEEKEND

Lake Anna State Park begins its weekend programming Friday with “Playing” with Fire from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Visitor Center.

Saturday brings Sensory and Photo Scavenger Hunts from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the Pelts and Skulls Discovery Wall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Reptiles Alive! from 2 to 3 p.m.

Reptiles Alive! introduces visitors to some of Lake Anna State Park’s animal ambassadors while teaching about Virginia reptiles, snake safety and conservation.

The Sensory and Photo Scavenger Hunts and Pelts and Skulls Discovery Wall return Sunday. The scavenger hunt is also scheduled for Labor Day Monday.

And you don’t need a scheduled program to enjoy Lake Anna. Fishing, boating and other outdoor recreation make the park a destination in their own right.

Lake Anna State Park
6800 Lawyers Road, Spotsylvania, VA 22551
540-854-5503

Lake Anna State Park weekend events⁠

SPOTSYLVANIA FARMERS MARKETS

The Spotsylvania Farmers Market Saturday Market is open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5.

Saturday Market
12150 Gordon Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22407

The county’s weekend calendar also lists the Spotsylvania Farmers Market Sunday Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6.

Sunday Market
Spotsylvania High School
6975 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania, VA 22551

RV SHOW CONTINUES AT DOMINION RACEWAY

The Ultimate RV Show continues Friday through Sunday at Dominion Raceway.

The Spotsylvania County tourism calendar lists the show from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Dominion Raceway
6501 Dominion Raceway, Thornburg, VA 22580

WILDERNESS FALL FESTIVAL & CAR SHOW

Sunday brings another community event with the Wilderness Fall Festival & Car Show, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 6. The event is included on Spotsylvania County’s official tourism calendar.

A WEEKEND STOP AT THE LIBRARY

Both of Central Rappahannock Regional Library’s Spotsylvania branches are open Saturday, giving families another option during the weekend.

Salem Church Branch
2607 Salem Church Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22407
540-372-1144
Saturday hours: 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

C. Melvin Snow Memorial Branch
8740 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania, VA 22553
540-372-1144
Saturday hours: 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Both branches will be closed Monday, Sept. 7, for Labor Day.

Central Rappahannock Regional Library⁠

DON’T FORGET THE LOCAL MUSIC SCENE

The scheduled performance at Wilderness Presidential Resort isn’t the only opportunity to hear music around the area.

Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg and the Lake Anna area have a growing collection of wineries, breweries, brewpubs, cafés and restaurants that regularly feature musicians and other live entertainment.

Because individual venue schedules can change, readers planning an evening out should check directly with the venue before leaving home.

STAY CLOSE TO HOME

Sometimes the best weekend getaway is already in your backyard.

Spend Friday evening enjoying First Friday in downtown Fredericksburg or listening to live music in Spotsylvania. Get up Saturday morning for the farmers market, take the family to Lake Anna, cast a fishing line at Motts Run or launch a boat for an afternoon on the water.

From downtown art to quiet water, local music to farmers markets, there’s plenty happening close to home.

HAVE AN EVENT? ADD IT TO THE GAZETTE CALENDAR

The Spotsylvania Gazette wants to know what’s happening in our community.

Businesses, restaurants, cafés, wineries, breweries, brewpubs, churches, schools, nonprofit organizations, civic groups, clubs, government agencies and community organizations can post their events directly to The Spotsylvania Gazette Community Calendar.

Live music, festivals, fundraisers, meetings, classes, performances, markets, sports, school activities and other community happenings are welcome.

Calendar listings are available at several price levels depending on the promotion and visibility you choose. Full pricing and posting options are available through our Event Builder.

Don’t wait for us to find your event — put it on the calendar so Spotsylvania can find you.

Post your event on The Spotsylvania Gazette Calendar⁠

Calendar listings also help our newsroom discover events for future editions of Your Weekend in Spotsylvania, community calendars and other Gazette event coverage.

The Spotsylvania Gazette

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