The City of Fredericksburg celebrated the University of Mary Washington’s national basketball championship with a drive-thru parade through downtown on Saturday, complete with blue and white balloons, smiling basketball players, and streets lined with enthusiastic onlookers.
At the first corner where the trolley full of players turned onto Princess Anne Street, Chloe Paino was waiting to greet them. Paino’s father is Troy Paino, president of UMW, and she wore a UMW sweatshirt.
The Potomac River ranks as the most endangered river in the U.S. according to American Rivers’ 2026 list, released this month. The designation is largely driven by rapid, uncontrolled data center expansion in the watershed and by the impacts of a major sewage spill into the river in January 2026.
The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) issued a statement on April 16 in response to the report. PEC President Chris Miller stated that the listing underscores the cumulative impacts of data centers on natural resources, including access to clean and abundant water that serves the Washington metropolitan area.
Manassas City Library marked its fifth anniversary this year, showcasing progress as it enters year three of its strategic plan.
During her State of the Library presentation at aManassas City Council meeting, Senior Library Manager Lena Gonzalez Berrios highlighted three core focus areas: partnership development, growing programs and outreach, and making the branch more inviting and accessible to all residents.
Join the New Dominion Choraliers put on a concert to honor the 250th Anniversary of the USA! The music in this choral concert captures the heart and soul of the American spirit through patriotic tunes and songs from the heartland. Joining the chorus are dancers from Dance Etc. School of the Arts and accompaniment from the talented members of Legacy Brass.
This family friendly and FREE event is perfect for young and old. Kids, parents, and grandparents will be familiar with many of the songs in this inspirational program. There are two opportunities to attend: Saturday, May 2 at 7:30 pm or Sunday, May 3 at 3:30 p.m.
Just before 1 a.m. Sunday, April 19, units were called to a structure fire along Glen Oak Road near Deacon Road. First-arriving crews found smoke and flames coming from the rear of a single-family home. Firefighters quickly contained the blaze to the back deck, with only minimal heat damage to the exterior of the residence. The Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause as routine procedure. Units were assisted on scene by the Fredericksburg Fire Department.
Earlier on Saturday, April 18, two other fires kept crews busy. Just before 1:30 p.m., units responded to a reported structure fire in the 500 block of Sanford Drive near Greenbank Road. Crews arrived within about five minutes and found a large shed heavily involved in flames that had begun spreading to the surrounding area. Firefighters extinguished the fire and confirmed it did not extend into the adjacent residence, though the home did sustain some damage. The Fire Marshal’s Office is also investigating this incident.
The University of Mary Washington men’s basketball team will be honored with a city-wide celebration this weekend following its historic NCAA Division III national championship. The university’s Fan Fest is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Anderson Center on the Fredericksburg campus, with a team trolley traveling through downtown ahead of the event.
The celebration will include fan activities, food trucks, and opportunities for the public to meet players and celebrate the title.
The City of Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation and Events Department invites the community to its annual Earth Day Festival on the Rappahannock this Saturday, April 18, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Old Mill Park, 2201 Caroline Street in downtown Fredericksburg.
The region’s largest Earth Day celebration offers free family fun with more than 70 local vendors, live music, food trucks, hands-on environmental activities and a sensory tent. Attendees can try kayaking in a paddling pool, climb a rock wall, join goat yoga or relax with live music. Activities suit all ages.
