Rubber Ducks And ‘Hocus Pocus’ Headline Fredericksburg’s New Fall Festival

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — A new free festival will bring fall activities, carnival rides, live music, movies and about 2,000 racing rubber ducks to Riverfront Park this October.

Quacktoberfest is scheduled for 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the downtown Fredericksburg park. The City of Fredericksburg and Fredericksburg Mainstreet are organizing the event for residents and visitors of all ages.

The festival will incorporate the Fourth in Fredericksburg Rubber Ducky Derby, which was postponed after extreme heat affected the city’s Fourth of July events.

Rubber Ducky Derby Rescheduled

The derby will begin at 3 p.m. Participants may purchase duck packages ranging from $5 to $200 through the Friends of the Rappahannock website.

About 2,000 rubber ducks are expected to race downstream, according to the adoption page. Proceeds will support Friends of the Rappahannock’s work to protect and restore the river, as well as the city’s Fund Parks Fund.

The prize list includes packages from Kalahari Resorts, the Fredericksburg Nationals, the Fredericksburg Convention Center, Fredericksburg Fairgrounds, Wine & Design, Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation and Events, Friends of the Rappahannock and Virginia Outdoor Center. A Fredericksburg merchandise package and downtown gift card are also among the prizes.

Movies And Fall Activities Planned

After the race, organizers plan to screen a 25-minute episode of “Darkwing Duck.” A showing of “Hocus Pocus” will begin at dusk as part of Movie in the Park.

Other planned attractions include fall-themed activities, vendors, carnival rides and live music. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

Additional information is available through the city’s announcement and the FXBG event page.