Good Morning, Williamsburg!

This is The Early Burg, the local newsletter more spooktacular than Halloween itself.

Local news, trivia, live music & events, and everything else you’d want to know or will enjoy - all in a few minutes! We do the digging so you don’t have to. By locals, for locals.

In today’s Early Burg:

• 2024 Williamsburg Fall Festival! 🍂🍂

• Two Drummers Smokehouse Owners Receive National Recognition 🎉

• Spooky Trivia Question

• Williamsburg’s Live Music List🎤

• Local Events this Weekend

• And SO MUCH more!

Let’s get into it. 🏃

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The Lowdown 📰🗞️📰🗞️

Colonial Williamsburg’s Restored School for Black Children to be Dedicated Friday 🏫🧒🏾
The oldest surviving building in which enslaved and free Black children were formally educated will soon reopen its doors, enabling Colonial Williamsburg to educate visitors about the intricate history of the school and its impact on early America. Read the article 

Williamsburg Brothers (Two Drummers Owners) Earn Recognition in Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue 🍖🏅
Jason and Jon Wade, brothers, pitmasters, and owners of Two Drummers Smokehouse and Two Drummers Butcher & BBQ Provisions, recently competed in The Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue competition (“The Jack”) in Lynchburg, Tennessee. Read the full article 

Popular Williamsburg Shorty’s Diner to Open Another Location 🥓🍳🧋
13 years ago Shorty’s Diner opened in Williamsburg and has been tremendously supported by one of the best communities. With great appreciation for the amazing support, they gladly are announcing a second location. See the post 

Three New Businesses Coming to Midtown Row 🛍️🛒🏬
Broad Street Realty, owner of the Midtown Row shopping district, has recently signed leases with Voodoo Brewing Company, Plato’s Closet, and The Whale Tea. Read the article 

Bacon Street Youth & Family Services Launches New Group for Teens 🙋🏼🙋🏼‍♂️
Bacon Street Youth and Family Services is excited to announce the launch of a new Distress Tolerance Skills Group aimed at empowering teens ages 14-18. This program will provide a safe and supportive environment for young people to learn essential skills to manage stress, cope with emotional challenges, and navigate life’s ups and downs. Read the article 

Williamsburg Trivia 🧐🤓

What to do? 🤔🤔

👻🦇🎃 HALLOWEEN | Thu Oct 31
James City County, City of Williamsburg, and York County suggest 6-8pm as dedicated Trick-or-Treat hours. Households that do not want to participate are requested to turn off their porch lights.

A few notes from the local police departments: 👮‍♂️👮‍♀️🚓
Please report any suspicious activities or candy to your local police department as soon as possible. It takes a community to keep our children safe. Stay vigilant. Lastly, be cautious whenever and wherever driving tomorrow, keep your eyes out for children.

🏫🧒🏾 Williamsburg Bray School Dedication Ceremony | Fri Nov 1 | 2pm
The ceremony will be held on the lawn of the Art Museums. It will be followed by a reception, community art projects, entertainment and a series of panel discussions and interpretive programs in the Hennage Auditorium, free and open to the public. Special keynote address by Sec. Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian and founding director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture! More information

🍻Chowderfest | Jamestown Beach | Fri Nov 1 | 6:30-9:30pm
Sample chowders from local restaurants and vote on your favorite! Places like Aberdeen, The Hound’s Tale, Cooks, California Tortilla Williamsburg, Culture Cafe, Revolution Golf and Grille, and so many more! Entry price includes one drink ticket. More information

🎅🎅 2024 Evil Santa First Pour | The Virginia Beer Company | Fri Nov 1 | 12-9:30pm
'Tis the season...𝙀𝙫𝙞𝙡 𝙎𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙖 𝙎𝙕𝙉! If Halloween has passed that means Evil Santa has awakened from his long summer's nap. They'll be tapping the 2024 vintage of our Holiday Milk Stout at Noon on Friday, November 1st! Brewed with copious amounts of Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Allspice, & Milk Sugar, this 7.0% winter warmer is the perfect way to prepare for the return of chilly winter weather and warm holiday cheer. Per tradition, they'll be tapping a limited draft-only Evil Santa recipe on 11/1: 𝕍𝕒𝕟𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕒 𝔼𝕧𝕚𝕝 𝕊𝕒𝕟𝕥𝕒 (Evil Santa finished with Vanilla)...aka, Cinnamon Bun Evil Santa! Limited pours will be available until this one-keg variant kicks.
Old City BBQ food truck rolls in at 3 pm, and live music by Skinner Box with sound by DJ Kudlz from 6-9 pm. And don't forget about Frontline Friday draft specials for all you Essential Employees on the Nice List! More information

🏴‍☠️🦜 Pirate 1M, 5k, 10k, 15k, & Half Marathon | Freedom Park | Sat Nov 2 | 8:30am
The title says it all. Details for this race can be found here! More information

🍂🍂 Second Annual Williamsburg Fall Festival | Midtown Row | Sat Nov 2 | 1-5pm
This event is free and open to the public! Live music by WOAH! (90s music), craft beer, mechanical bull, petting zoo, rock climbing wall, games, and more! Nail painting, balloons and face painting for purchase. This one is going to be BIG! More than 17,000 people interested in attending! More information

🤵🏼🤵🏽🍷 Legacy Hall Showcase | Legacy Hall | Sun Nov 3 | 1-4pm
Planning a special event and need the perfect venue? Visit Legacy Hall to explore our beautiful space and meet local vendors who can help bring your vision to life! Ideal for birthdays, banquets, weddings, and other private functions, Legacy Hall is the ultimate setting for any celebration. Bring your event planner, decorator and anyone else involved to ensure your day is unforgettable. Whether you’re interested in renting or have an existing booking and want to learn more, this showcase is for you! Enjoy refreshments and enter for a chance to win door prizes. More information

👿💀Howl-O-Scream | Busch Gardens | Daily | 6pm to close
Busch Gardens® Howl-O-Scream® is celebrating its 25th year with new scares, five haunted houses, six terror-tories™, four sinister shows, and night rides on nine coasters. The event, which is not recommended for children after 6:00 PM due to amplified scares, runs throughout the fall, with kid-friendly areas closing at 5:00 PM daily to prepare. More information

🌽Williamsburg Farmers Market | DoG Street | Every Saturday 8am-12pm (Feb-Dec 2024) More information

LOCAL SPORTS
- W&M Volleyball vs Hofstra | Kaplan Arena | Fri Nov 1 | 3pm
- W&M Volleyball vs Hofstra | Kaplan Arena | Sat Nov 2 | 11am

Did we miss anything? Is there something you’d like to see more of? Let us know by replying to this email. We are always looking for ways to improve! 😄 

What to do with the Family/Kids? 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦👶🏼

👻🦇🎃 HALLOWEEN | Thu Oct 31
So important, it’s listed twice! James City County, City of Williamsburg, and York County suggest 6-8pm as dedicated Trick-or-Treat hours. Households that do not want to participate as requested to turn off their porch lights.

A few notes from the local police departments: 👮‍♂️👮‍♀️🚓
Please report any suspicious activities or candy to your local police department as soon as possible. It takes a community to keep our children safe. Stay vigilant. Lastly, be cautious whenever and wherever driving tomorrow, keep your eyes out for children.

🍦🍦 Free Ice Cream! | Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers | Thu Oct 31 | All Day
Head to Freddy's for a spooktacular Trick or Treat event! Bring the whole family for an evening of sweet treats and thrilling fun. Stop by in your costume and get a free cone or dish! Offer only available for children 12 and under! More information

🦅 Virginia Living Museum | Open Daily | 9am-5pm
Just a reminder of this fun gem the kids always love. The Virginia Living Museum is home to over 250 species of animals native to Virginia, from reptiles to mammals, birds, and fish! It’s a safe haven for orphaned, non-releasable, or injured creatures who find a permanent home here.

Lighting of the Cressets | Thu, Fri, & Sat Nights | 6-9pm
Head to Colonial Williamsburg at night for another reason – on the historic Duke of Gloucester Street they will be Lighting the Cressets this fall. This brings their 18th-century streets to life at night. Don’t miss the strolling musicians and make sure to take in an evening program like To Hang a Pirate, Cry Witch, Haunted Williamsburg, or Capitol Concerts (dates vary). Enjoy this time of year in the evenings – the cressets make the streets glow and it is a beautiful sight! This event is weather dependent. More information

Jamestown-Scotland Ferry | FREE 24/7
Don’t forget about this hidden gem! Kids love it and best of all, it is FREE and operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year which means it will work for you no matter your schedule! More information

Williamsburg Photo of the Week 📷📷

Have a great shot you’d like to share? Reply to this email with a picture you would like featured! If we love it, we will share it!

Williamsburg Weather ☀️⛅⛈️❄️

Thursday, Oct 31
81 🌡️ 64 | Sunny | 🌦️ Chance of Rain: 8% | 💨 SW 11 mph

Friday, Nov 1
81 🌡️ 55 | Partly Cloudy | 🌦️ Chance of Rain: 10% | 💨 SW 12 mph

Saturday, Nov 2
66 🌡️ 46 | Partly Cloudy | 🌦️ Chance of Rain: 2% | 💨 NNE 6 mph

Sunday, Nov 3
67🌡️ 49 | Mostly Sunny | 🌦️ Chance of Rain: 5% | 💨 E 6 mph

Live Local Music 🎙️🎵🎷🎸

Show your support for local artists & businesses!

Thursday, Oct 31

• Two Drummers Smokehouse | Jon Smith & Kudlz | 6:30-9pm

• Frothy Moon Brewhouse | The Spooky Supernova | 12-3pm

• Berrets Taphouse | Patrick Ryan | 3-6pm

• The Brass Tap | Open Mic Night with Nadia Koz | 7-10pm (Occurs weekly)

Friday, Nov 1

• Saude Creek Vineyards | Jonathan Facka | 5-8pm

• Strangeways Brewing | Damian Allen | 6-9pm

• Virginia Beer Company | Dinner Box LIVE | 6-9pm

• Indian Fields Tavern | Hangar 09 in the Barn | 6-9pm

• Revolution Golf & Grille | The Band London | 7-10pm

• Frothy Moon Brewhouse | Nathan Lineard | 6-9pm

• Cowboy Sports Grill | The Good Vybez Band | 8-11pm

• Highway Pizza | Karaoke Night with Karaoke Karla | 7-10pm (Occurs Weekly)

Saturday, Nov 2

• King of Glory | Olivia Jo Blue Grass Series | 1:30-4:30pm

• Saude Creek Vineyards | Lauren Cash | 2-5pm

• Berret’s Seafood & Taphouse | Brian Carmona | 3-6pm

• Virginia Beer Company | Ben Phelps Project | 6-9pm

• Jamestown Jams Concert Series | Jamestown Beach | 6-9pm

• Mobjack Tavern | Virginia Shellphish Coalition | 6-9pm

• Cowboy Sports Grill | Tailgate Down | 8pm-12am

Sunday Nov 3

• Opus 9 Steakhouse | Harris Simon Duo Piano & Jazz Brunch | 11am-2pm (Occurs weekly)

• Saude Creek Vineyards | Chris Lucas | 1-4pm

Thank You!

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