bowling green scene a happening hamlet

T h e B o w l i n g G r e e n S c e n e

Happening Hamlet in the Heart of Caroline County

A weekend day trip to Bowling Green is the perfect way to break up the long Dog Days of August. Just 25 minutes from downtown Fredericksburg, the straight shot down Route 2 takes you through pastural farmland and past shady forest edges. On any given Saturday, you can take a spin around the farmer's market, grab lunch from several tasty restaurants, and visit galleries and shops. Most importantly, you can beat the heat by booking an appointment for a facial at Julianne Esthetics, and follow it up with a visit to Gibson ' s Soft Serve down the street. Enjoy the slower pace of our scene. Julianne Esthetics Summer heat and sun damage can do a real job on one's skin. Fortunately, a visit to a certified esthetician like Julianne Dutton can peel back years on your complexion, not to mention help you beat the heat on a hot August day. Book an appointment at Julianne Esthetics before heading down for your day trip and you'll leave Bowling Green with a new appreciation for your skin.

Julianne became interested in skin care after struggling with her own complexion, but she notes that acne is completely normal. She opened her salon last year after gaining inspiration from a y o u n g podcaster/esthetician from Texas. She had first-hand experience with working in a salon, she had the license, and she had the grit to strike out on her own. She's had rave reviews. Julianne says there are benefits of getting a professional facial once a month. "Cell turn-over is about every 28 days, so facials exfoliate and revitalize the surface of one's skin. Damage and problems can also be caught quickly with monthly attention to one's face." She says, "I want for people to feel confident and pretty in their own skin and to understand that all skin concerns are normal. I want to help people see a difference in their skin." Julianne Esthetics has a full line of services for the face, lashes, brows, and waxing. Book an appointment through a link on her Facebook page @mejulianneethetics. Gibson ' s Soft Serve After you've pampered your sunkissed face at Julianne's, walk down to the corner of North Main and Milford Street for a sweet, cool Gibson's soft serve. In May of 2020 when the pandemic was in full swing, Katie Gibson was going a bit stir-crazy. She decided it would be the perfect time for a soft opening of a dream she'd been cultivating since her days working with The Mix House before they went brick and mortar. Katie wanted to open a soft serve ice cream truck in downtown Bowling Green. She and her husband Tyler had their truck up and running by August and it was an immediate hit in town. They closed at the end of October 2020 and opened back up for the current season in April of 2021. They plan to stay open through Halloween again this year. Gibson's Soft Serve is made from a locally sourced soft serve mix from Richland' s Dairy Farms in Dinwiddie, Virginia. Katie says that it was difficult to find a source for the mix because their establishment was off the beaten path. Richland's told the Gibsons that they would learn how to make the soft serve mix especially for them. The two businesses took a chance on one another, and Katie says they couldn't be happier. Gibson's offers a traditional soft serve menu of vanilla, chocolate, and swirl flavors in a variety of sizes and styles. They keep it simple with delicious cones, sundaes, shakes, and floats. For added flair, try a banana split or a chocolate dipped frozen banana.

By amy bayne

Katie says, "Our main goal was to open a place where families and the community could gather and enjoy one another." Working with The Mix House made her fall in love with the town of Bowling Green and that affection has only grown. Judging from the packed picnic tables on any given day, it's obvious the Gibsons accomplished their goal.

Amy Bayne is an educator, writer, and artist who lives in Bowling Green, VA.

Other Events in Bowling Green in August Every Saturday- Bowling Green Farmers Market 9am-1pm 211 N Main St. August 14th - Flea Market 9am1pm located on Chase Street & N Main St August 20th - Small Town Friday Nights 5-9pm Small Businesses in town join forces to create an evening of fun at different business locations. August 20th - "Music on the Green" on the Courthouse lawn