RCC Announces 22^nd Annual Preakness Party Supporting Student Scholarships
 

Rappahannock Community College’s Educational Foundation invites the community to the 22nd Annual Preakness Party on Saturday, May 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Ditchley in Kilmarnock.

Guests will enjoy gourmet hors d’oeuvres from 1710 Tavern, Act XII Wine and Provisions, Ditchley Cider Works, Excellent Eats, Indian Creek Yacht & Country Club, and RCC Culinary Arts. Beverages will feature regional wines from General’s Ridge Vineyard, Good Luck Cellars, and Ingleside Vineyards, along with cocktails, beer, and non-alcoholic options.

The afternoon will include live and silent auctions featuring unique experiences and one-of-a-kind items, as well as the popular “Most Audacious Hat” and “Best Dressed Man” contests. The event concludes with a live broadcast of the Preakness Stakes on big screens under the tent.

RCC students often balance work, family responsibilities, food insecurity, and unexpected challenges while pursuing their education. Through support from the RCC Educational Foundation (EFI)—including proceeds from the Preakness Party—students receive critical resources that help them stay on track and complete their goals.

“The Preakness Party is a highlight of the year—fun, festive, and deeply impactful,” said Dr. Shannon Kennedy, RCC President. “This year’s celebration not only supports scholarships but also invites our community to play a role in shaping the future of our students.”

Tickets are $100 per guest, with half of each ticket tax-deductible. To purchase, contact the RCC Educational Foundation at 804-333-6707 or visit www.rappahannock.edu/preaknessparty.

MATHEWS MUSEUM READIES FOR MAY FAIRE, MAY 2 & 3
“Celebrating Virginia’s 250^th”

As the nation approaches its 250th birthday, the Mathews Museum invites residents and visitors to enjoy a hands-on weekend of history, heritage, and hometown fun during May Faire, Saturday and Sunday, May 2nd & 3rd.

This two-day celebration—held the first weekend in May—kicks off a season of revolutionary festivities in Mathews leading up to the county’s July 4th events.

May Faire 2026 will feature beloved traditions alongside exciting new additions, including a historical archaeology dig hosted by the Fairfield Foundation and a closing performance on Sunday, by the Yorktown Fife and Drum Corps. “Get out your mother’s pound cake recipe,” says May Faire co-chair Melody Barnes. “The Pound Cake Contest is always a highlight—and afterward, the cakes will be available for sale at the Museum. There will be three categories—and a junior category. All information for the contest will be available on Facebook and at www.mathewsmuseum.org.” Barnes adds, “We’re planning a family-friendly event filled with history demonstrations, children’s activities, coastal storytelling, baby chicks hatching and, of course, Maypole dancing.”

NEW EXHIBITS INSIDE THE MUSEUM

*Battle of Cricket Hill Diorama. And don’t miss a truly one-of-a-kind attraction: a remarkable 6-foot by 6-foot diorama of the Battle of Cricket Hill, now being created by local model enthusiast and Museum volunteer Don Goode. This detailed display will depict Gwynn’s Island, the mainland, Fort Hammond, the Ethiopian Regiment, and nearly 100 small boats from Lord Dunmore’s fleet gathered in Hills Bay—a stunning visual glimpse into a dramatic chapter of local history.

*Indigenous Peoples Exhibit
Explore the rich history of the region’s earliest inhabitants through original artifacts, a hands-on touch table, and a huge hand-carved dugout canoe.  Indigenous peoples lived in the Mathews area for thousands of years, until the Kiskiack Tribe was driven out in the 1670s. 

OUTSIDE ON THE COURT GREEN & COURT STREET

*Farm animals, baby chicks hatching  *weaving and quilting demonstrations

*Food and craft vendors *Live music on stage *Family-friendly activities

Admission is free. For more information, visit www.mathewsmuseum.org. The Mathews Museum has also launched a new website, expanding access to local history and inviting the community to take an active role in preserving and sharing the county’s stories.  

Mathews Marathon - A Boston Qualifier Race

From 7:00AM to 1:00PM

On Saturday, October 17th from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. come out and run along peaceful, rural backroads in beautiful Mathews County, Virginia - as we like to say - the world's flattest race course! This course was officially registered as a Boston qualifier in 2025. Enjoy the fast, flat course that winds through dirt, gravel and paved roads and past the serenity of one of Virginia’s great countrysides. The Marathon route will take you to 3 of the county’s beaches. You can also register for the Half Marathon or run the marathon course as a relay! Find out more information and register here: https://mocva.net/marathon/ Organized by the Mathews Outdoor Club

Location: Put In Creek Pavilion

Website: https://www.mocva.net/marathon/

Wharf to Wharf Swim

 

Swim out-and-back along the calm waters of the East River in Mathews County, Virginia. On Saturday, August 15th, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., challenge yourself to a one mile open water swim starting and ending at Williams Wharf Landing. Swimmers set out in waves and return to a post-race award ceremony and celebration. Find out more information and register here: https://mocva.net/w2w/ This event is organized by the Mathews Outdoor Club.

Location: Williams Wharf Landing

Website: https://www.mocva.net/w2w/

Islander Regatta - Paddle Around Gwynn's Island

Circumnavigate one of Virginia's few inhabited Islands at this annual 9 mile paddle event around Gwynn's Island in Mathews, Virginia! On Saturday, June 27th, from 8am to 1pm Paddle along 3 bodies of water: the Milford Haven, Piankatank River & Chesapeake Bay. Enjoy full water safety support from the US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 66, rest stops, a post-race celebration & the Gwynn's Island Festival. Find out more information and register at https://mocva.net/regatta/ This event is organized by the Mathews Outdoor Club.

Location: The Islander Hotel, 633 Old Ferry Road, Gwynn VA

Website: http://www.mocva.net/regatta/

THE TOUR de CHESAPEAKE Cycling Event RIDES AGAIN IN MATHEWS COUNTY!!! 

JOIN US THIS YEAR ON Saturday, May 16th!!!

It’s the 27^th Annual Tour de Chesapeake in Mathews, VA!!!  Enjoy over 100 miles of great FLAT routes with views of the Chesapeake Bay everywhere you turn, delicious local eats, toe-tapping music, and nice, down-home folks to help you with whatever you need!

We are the only cycling event with a WATER TAXI on a beautiful Chesapeake Bay Deadrise boat!

Tour de Chesapeake is a family-friendly cycling event located in Mathews County, on Virginia’s Middle Peninsula.  The supported ride is all day on Saturday, but we hope you will make a weekend of it and see all Mathews has to offer. 

TOUR DE CHESAPEAKE IS PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

QUEENS CREEK MARINA

LENNON DENTAL

RIVERSIDE WALTER REED HOSPITAL

CANDACE SEGALINI, REALTOR

MATHEWS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Cyclists can register at Thomas Hunter Middle School on Friday, May 15^th, from 4-8:30 p.m. or Saturday, May 16^th, from 7-10 a.m.

This weekend is not just for cyclists anymore!  The public can enjoy the “Art deTour”, a gathering of artists on Main Street at the Bay School Community Arts Center on Saturday as well as the ever-popular Saturday Night Party at the Wharf at Williams Wharf Landing.  It’s FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC on Saturday, from 5 until 9 p.m.  There will be food by Mouth of the South, a cash bar by the One Man Liquor Stand and Dance Music by Lynda Smith & the 7^th Street band.

Visit our website at www.tourdechesapeake.org for MORE INFORMATION!

Registration is now open for the 2026 Reedville Fishermen's Museum's Family Boat Building weekend. It will be held Friday-Sunday, June 19th-21st in the pavilion on the museum's campus, 504 Main St., Reedville.

Families are partnered with museum volunteers to build a wooden skiff to take home. The cost is $1,000, which includes the boat kit, oars, two T-shirts, lunch on Saturday and admission to the museum.

Limited openings are available; the event always sells out. A $250 non-refundable deposit will secure a space.

For more information, call 804-453-6529 or e-mail office@rfmuseum.org.

The Reedville Fishermen's Museum is now open for the season, with four new exhibits on view through 2026. The museum is full of artifacts and memorabilia telling the story of the Northern Neck's historic commercial fishing history. Outside on campus are several classic boats, at the dock and on shore. Activities being planned for the year include concerts, skipjack cruises, family boat building, golf cart party, fireworks, crabbing for kids, antique boat show and holiday celebrations.

Three new exhibits are in the Watermen's Gallery: Images by Kodachrome, a photographic tribute to the area's watermen by Mike Fontaine; Northern Neck Master Gardeners' Shoreline Evaluation Program; and Smith Point Sea Rescue.

Chesapeake Bay Quilts by Logan O'Bier are on exhibit in the museum lobby and the Walker House.

The museum is at 504 Main St. Hours until late May are 11 am.-4 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Admission includes entrance to all museum exhibits: $10 for adults; $5 for seniors 65 and above; $5 for veterans; free for children 17 and under; and free for active duty military members. For more information, call 804-453-6529 or e-mail office@rfmuseum.org.