A CONCERT SERIES intended to raise money for the Lloyd F. Moss Free Clinic and the profile of Eagle Village kicked off Wednesday.

Schiavone McGee was the inaugural act of the Eagle Village concert series, which has been dubbed "Fred-For-All." Performing on a stage set up near the University of Mary Washington pedestrian bridge over U.S. 1, McGee played to families dining at Home Team Grill and the other eateries at the front of Eagle Village in Fredericksburg. Some people gathered in the parking area, while UMW students watched from the top of the Eagle Landing apartments.

The crowd was smaller than concert organizers wanted, but they hope momentum will build over the next three Wednesday nights. D.J. Williams Projekt is the scheduled performer this coming Wednesday, while Jackass Flats and Tropikiimba will play the next two Wednesday nights. Tickets cost $5 per person, with proceeds going to the Moss Free Clinic. Concerts start a little after 6 p.m.

Home Team Grill managing partner Garland Taylor has taken the lead in organizing the concert series, which he thinks will help put Eagle Village on area residents' radar screens. Merchants there are also hoping that a soon-to-be-built connector road to the Mary Washington Hospital campus and a planned hotel will boost business.

Oktoberfest Saturday

The Eagle Village concert series isn't the only upcoming outdoor event in Fredericksburg combining beer, music, food and fun. Capital Ale House's third annual downtown Oktoberfest event will officially kick off at noon tomorrow when Mayor Tom Tomzak taps the ceremonial keg. The event runs until 10 p.m. outside.

As they were last year, the 800 and 900 blocks of Caroline Street and 100 and 200 blocks of George Street will be closed to vehicles from about 5 a.m. Saturday until about 2 a.m. Sunday.