Memorial Day Events and Festivals in Fredericksburg, Virginia

This Memorial Day I am sure there will be many ceremonies around our country. Fredericksburg, VA will be no exception as we commemorate and remember those who laid down their lives for our country...our freedom and our way of life. Fredericksburg was incorporated as a town, with its own court, council, and mayor, in 1781, and received its charter as an independent city in 1879. We are located approximately 50 miles south of Washington D.C and about the same distance north of Richmond VA.

Memorial Day has been set aside for remembering those men and women who had paid the full measure of devotion as an earlier president had said. It is a time of year for us to say thank you to all those who have served... veteran's... veteran's families...and current military members, and hang our flag high. Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day.

Below you will find a listing of some of the events that are taking place in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia this Memorial Day. Please feel free to click on the links for additional information on the events.

Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park

Throughout the months of May and June 2008, the park will sponsor various events, to include; walking tours to commemorate the 144th anniversary of the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. The Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park is the second largest military park in the world.

The 142^nd Memorial Day Observance will be held at 10:00a.m. on Monday, May 26, 2008. There will be a massing of colors by the Confederate reenactors and a local Boy Scout troop. Wreaths will be displayed by multiple Confederate Organizations in and around the Greater Fredericksburg area.

Masonic Cemetery

Memorial Day at the Masonic Cemetery of 1784is a ceremony to honor those buried in the Masonic Cemetery. This will be followed by a solemn procession to the Hugh Mercer Monument. It is open to the public and free of charge.

Date: Monday, May 26, 2008

Time: 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Location: James Monroe Masonic Cemetery

904 Charles St., Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Annual Luminaria

The annual luminaria is a really neat way to celebrate Memorial Day in the Fredericksburg area. 15,300 candles are lit by the local Boy Scout Troops to remember the fallen soldiers who have paid the ultimate price for our country. Shuttle bus services will be available from the University of Mary Washington parking lot at the corner of William Street and Sunken Road. Handicap parking will be available immediately behind the Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center.

Date: Saturday, May 24, 2008 (rain date, Sunday, May 25, 2008)

Time: 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Location: National Confederate Cemetery

Events/Activities: Historical Walking Tour, Taps will be played every 30 minutes,

George Washington's Ferry Farm

Historic Kenmore and Washington's Ferry Farm are just two miles apart from one another, and both were scenes of activity in both the Revolutionary and Civil War.

Date: Saturday, May 24, 2008 and Sunday, May 25, 2008

Time: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (Saturday), and 10:00 am to 1:00pm (Sunday)

Location: Ferry Farm

Events/Activities: See what camp life was for the men of 1^st Virginia Company H Calvary, men and horses performing drills, get a glimpse into the lives of women during that era, and more.

Historic Kenmore

You will experience the scene of when the residents of Kenmore were fretting in anguish as they prepared to leave in the possible event that Lord Cornwallis could march on them at any time.

Date: Saturday, May 24, 2008 and Sunday, May 25, 2008

Time: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (Saturday), and 10:00 am to 1:00pm (Sunday)

Location: Historic Kenmore

Events/Activities: On the lawns at Kenmore, have a picnic, learn and play colonial games, practice militia drilling, and enjoy colonial music.

More info: http://kenmore.org/foundation/events.html

The Virginia Renaissance Faire

Date(s): May 17, 2008 through June 22, 2008

Time: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Location: Lake Anna Winery

Events/Activities: On the lawns at Kenmore, have a picnic, learn and play colonial games, practice militia drilling, and enjoy colonial music.

More info:

540.895.5085

For a fairly exhaustive list of events taking place throughout Virginia please visit the State of Virginia Web Site.

So, I hope that you are interested in coming to Fredericksburg, VA to partake in the various Memorial Day events outlined above. This is not an exhaustive listing of all the events taking place in the state of Virginia, but is provided to give a general overview and snapshot of those events taking place in the Greater Fredericksburg area.