Historic Germanna to Host Salubria’s Oktoberfest & History Faire in Celebration of Culpeper’s 250th History Week

October 14, 2025

CommunityPress Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Historic Germanna to Host Salubria’s Oktoberfest & History Faire in
Celebration of Culpeper’s 250th History Week

STEVENSBURG, VA — October 6, 2025 – Historic Germanna invites the community to step back in time at Salubria’s Oktoberfest & History Faire on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. at Historic Salubria in Stevensburg. Launching Culpeper’s 250th History Week and part of the statewide VA250 commemoration, the festival will transform Salubria’s historic grounds into a lively blend of colonial-era experiences, live music, local food, and Oktoberfest traditions, offering a full day of discovery and celebration for all ages.

History will come to life through reenactors, craft demonstrations, and interactive activities designed to immerse visitors in Virginia’s colonial past. Highlights include a colonial dance lesson led by a Dance Master, blacksmithing and weaving demonstrations, and the chance to meet a Revolutionary-era doctor. A historical perfumer will showcase scents once worn by figures such as George Washington, Lafayette, and Dolley Madison, while partner organizations share exhibits that highlight the region’s rich heritage.

The celebration will also feature music, games, and food to delight the entire family. Visitors can enjoy performances by regional musicians, try their hand at traditional lawn games, and explore a variety of culinary offerings from Burnt Ends BBQ, Tha Muncheez, and Rita’s Italian Ice. A Beer Garden, featuring both German and local brews, will capture the spirit of Oktoberfest and provide the perfect backdrop for an afternoon of fellowship and festivity.

Admission to the event is free, and parking is available for $5 in advance or $10 at the gate. Reserving parking in advance is recommended to ensure a
smooth arrival.

Presented by Historic Germanna in partnership with Culpeper Tourism & Economic Development and the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250), Salubria Oktoberfest & History Faire is made possible with the generous support of sponsors, partners, and community organizations.

For more information, to reserve parking, or to learn about opportunities for vendor or participant involvement, please visit germanna.org.

About Historic Salubria
Historic Salubria, built in 1757 for Reverend John Thompson and Butler Brayne, widow of Alexander Spotswood, is an exemplary Georgian brick home crafted by free and enslaved artisans. Preserved in its original state, Salubria offers a glimpse into 18th-century architecture and life. Donated by the Grayson family in 2000, Salubria now serves as a public history site, sharing local and national stories through tours, events, and partnerships.

About Historic Germanna
Chartered in 1956 to preserve the heritage of the earliest organized settlements of Germans in Virginia, in 2023, our nonprofit rebranded as Historic Germanna to reflect a significantly expanded focus on the lives of Indigenous peoples, English Colonists, descendants of early German immigrants, and African American communities in the Germanna region. Our programs span outdoor recreation and conservation, education, archaeology, historic preservation, genealogy, and tourism. Today, we are about uncovering and deepening our understanding of the past through archaeological digs, nature trails, research, dynamic education programs and events, exhibits, and more.

Historic Germanna is working toward a future in which the Germanna region is widely recognized as a unique place that connects diverse stories through shared heritage and cultural and environmental significance, fostering a sense of belonging, learning, and inspiration for all. Sites under our stewardship include:

Historic Germanna Visitor Center, Research Library & Memorial Garden
Siegen Forest Recreational Trail System & Rapidan River Public Access
Hitt Archaeology Center and Archaeological Sites

                o 1714 Fort Germanna
                o Enchanted Castle
                o Spotsylvania Courthouse
                o Gordon Farm and Plantation