Annual Events

JANUARY

Benevolent Fund Celebrity Waiter Dinner: Annual themed dinner, with local celebrity waitstaff whose antics are sure to raise money and your mood! Join them in January for a good time and a good cause. All money raised during this fun-filled evening benefits the Benevolent Fund, a Rappahannock-based organization whose mission is to provide emergency assistance to local families. For more information, contact Theresa Wood at twood1109@gmail.com

MARCH

Rappahannock Historical Society Antiques Appraisal: Annual fundraiser for the historical society features appraisers who will tell you what you have (from the item you brought, or some good photos of it); with food and refreshments. For more information, call 540-675-1163, email: rapphistsoc@comcast.net or visit rappahannockhistsoc.org

APRIL

Fodderstack 10k Classic Race: The annual race course follows the historic hills between the towns of Flint Hill and Washington and has been held for more than 35 years, drawing hundreds of runners of all levels from the region. Usually coincides with art festivals in Washington and elsewhere around the county. Email: info@ fodderstack10k.com or visit fodderstack10k. com

Old Dominion Hounds Point-to-Point Races: Held at historic Ben Venue Farm, on Route 729 at U.S. 211. Contact the jointmasters at 540-364-4573 or 540-636-1507 or visit old-dominion-hounds.com

SperryFest: an annual street fair with local and regional artisans, food vendors, musical acts as well as family and kids activities based on Sperryville's historic Main Street, featuring the popular The Great Rubber Duck Race Down the Mighty Thornton River and river clean up. For more information, email: kerry@beforeandaftersperryville.com or visit sperryfest.org.

JUNE

Amissville carnival and parade: This annual event benefits the Amissville Volunteer Fire and Rescue squad. For information, call 540-937-4218 or visit amissvillevfr.org.

JULY

Fourth of July Celebration and Fireworks: Held on the fields of Ben Venue Farm in Flint Hill on 98 Ben Venue Road,

proceeds benefit the Sperryville Volunteer Fire Department. Lots of food, live music, games and displays. Fireworks start at dusk. Call 540-987-8124 or visit sperryvillefire.com.

Sperryville Bicentennial: The town turns 200 on July 17, 2020, and will celebrate with a week-long series of history lectures, family and community events, a parade, community potluck dinner, historic photo collage, 5k run, bonfire, and many more. For more information, email: kerry@ beforeandaftersperryville.com or visit sperryfest.org.

SEPTEMBER

Taste of Rappahannock: Annual festival of food and wine from local chefs and vintners benefits Headwaters, Rappahannock County’s education foundation. To reserve or for more information, contact Headwaters at 540-227-5170 or info@headwatersfdn.org, or visit headwatersfdn.org.

Rappahannock County Farm Tour & Festival: This two-day, free event — the 11th annual tour in 2019 takes place Sept. 28-29 — showcases farms and related businesses producing the very best in local food, award-winning wines and artisanal products, set against the backdrop of the county's extraordinary beauty. For more information, call 540-675-5330 or visit rappfarmtour.org.

Rappahannock Rough Ride: Multiple bicycle races and events for all levels of fitness and skill. This outdoor challenge benefits the Rappahannock and Fauquier Free Clinics. Call 540-347-0394, or visit rappahannockroughride.org.

OCTOBER

Halloween in Rappahannock: Sperryville closes down Main Street for trick or treaters young and old, and Little Washington (unofficially) closes their Main Street to keep in spirit.

NOVEMBER

Fall Art Tour Artists of Rappahannock sponsored by the Rappahannock Association for the Arts and the Community (RAAC), the tour draws hundreds of art lovers to Rappahannock County — this year, 2019, scheduled for Nov. 2-3. This self-guided driving tour begins at the Washington School, which is set up as an art gallery for the event, with samples of artists' work. Tour attendees receive a map that directs them to the participating artists’ studios and the county's many fine art galleries. For further information, visit raac.org or call 800-695-6075.

DECEMBER

Christmas in Little Washington: This annual event, this year held on Dec. 8 at 1:30 p.m., includes a Christmas parade, artisans’ markets, a visit from Santa and activities and open houses by local businesses and churches. For more information about the day, one of Rappahannock’s most popular family-friendly events, visit washingtonva.gov.