20th anniversary
The Morattico Waterfront Museum, 6584 Morattico Road, Morattico, will celebrate its 20th anniversary on opening day, Saturday, May 4. To celebrate this milestone, artist Debra Howard has created an oil painting of the museum. She will personalize and sign posters with all proceeds benefiting the museum.
There will be a commemorative ceremony at 11 a.m.; food from noon-1 p.m.; music by Bob Wilson from noon-4 p.m.; displays by Rocks to Gems and Crystals, Friends of Belle Isle State Park, model boat builder George Shelton; museum tours; and self-guided village tours.
RCA concert
The Rappahannock Concert Association will present the Washington Saxophone Quartet at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at the Northumberland County School Complex, 201 Academic Lane, Heathsville. Together, the soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones evoke the refined sounds of a string quartet, the rich harmonies of an organ prelude and the excitement of a jazz sax section.
Admission is by season subscription, or $25. Purchase tickets at rappahannockconcerts.org or pay at the door. Students are admitted free.
May Faire
May Faire 2024: A Rural Life, sponsored by the Mathews Historical Museum, will be held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 4, along Main Street and the Court Green. The spring festival will include historical exhibits, heritage displays, clowns, ponies, antique cars, archery, food vendors, music and crafts.
Closing the activities at 3 p.m., the Colonial Williamsburg Fife & Drum Corps will give a concert, with special guests Lord Dunmore, the last seated British Royal Governor of Virginia, and General Andrew Lewis, who took action against the governor at the Battle of Cricket Hill. This performance is designed and sponsored by the MathewsVA250 Committee.
Bluegrass
Bluegrass and classic country music will return to the Urbanna Firehouse, 335 Virginia Street, Urbanna, at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 4. Admission is free; however, donations are appreciated for the Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department and Auxiliary.
The musicians come and give of their talent and time to entertain. Come by to listen or even join in playing and singing.
Opening day
The Northern Neck Farm Museum, 12705 Northumberland Highway, Horse Head, will celebrate opening day 2024 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 4. The public is invited to come see the museum’s new classroom, antique tractors, sawmill and community garden managed by the Northern Neck Master Gardeners.
Spring festival
The Stratford Hall Historic Preserve, 483 Great House Road, Stratford, will host the Wine Thyme Spring Festival from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. May 11. The festival will offer locally-crafted food and beverages, music, artisan vendors and tours of the grounds and Great House.
Discounted tickets, $20, are on sale through May 9. Day of tickets are $30. Admission for ages 7-12 is $10 and ages 6 and younger, free. Reservations also will be accepted for party tents, tables and chairs near the stage, $325. Two options are available, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. or 3 p.m.-7 p.m. For a music schedule, to purchase advance tickets or reserve tables, tents and chairs, visit stratfordhall.org.
Women Build
Lancaster/Northumberland Habitat for Humanity (L/NHH) will hold a dedicated “Women Build” day May 11 in honor of Mother’s Day weekend. Any women interested in contributing to the build are welcome to participate. The primary work that day will be painting; no prior experience is required. To volunteer, call 435-3461 or visit lnhabitat.org.
Chicken dinners
Chicken dinners will be available from 5-6:30 p.m. on first Mondays at American Legion Post #117, 39 School Street, Reedville.
Meals include fried chicken, mashed potatoes, choice of vegetables, salad, roll, dessert and drink. Dinners are $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 12 and younger, at the door.
Spring concerts
The Courthouse Community Orchestra recently announced its free spring concert schedule. The series will open at 6:30 p.m., May 15, as Mathews Historical Museum presents Concerts on the Green, 50 Brickbat Road, Matthews. Bring lawn chairs and a picnic basket. The rain location is Thomas Hunter School.
Concerts will continue at 6 p.m., May 22, at Cobbs Creek Art Center, 61 Cobb Creek Lane, Cobb Creek; and 6 p.m., June 5, Concerts on the Green, Gloucester Courthouse, 6504 Main Street, Gloucester. Donations are appreciated.
Arts & Wine
The Arts & Wine Festival at Locust Grove will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 18 at Locust Grove Farm, 590 Locust Grove Lane, Walkerton. There will be artists, craftsmen, wine, mead, food, music, horse and carriage rides, a children’s activity area and a silent auction benefitting the Mattaponi Volunteer Rescue Squad.
Tickets are wine tasters, $10 in advance/$15 at the door, non-tasters, $5 and ages 12 and younger, free. For ticket reservations visit www.locustgrove1665.com or call 769-8201.
On Stage
The Rappahannock Foundation for the Arts 2023-24 season will continue May 18 with Sam Reider & The Human Hands. The program will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Lancaster Elementary School Theater, 191 School Street, Kilmarnock.
Admission is by season subscription, or $45. For tickets, visit rappahannockfoundation.org, or call 438-5555.
Preakness Party
The Rappahannock Community College (RCC) Educational Foundation recently announced the Preakness Party, celebrating the running of the Preakness Stakes, will be held from 4-7 p.m. May 18 at Shandy Hall on the Rappahannock River near Warsaw.
The Preakness Party will feature cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, live and silent auctions and a best hat and most dapper contest. The all-inclusive tickets are $100 per guest. For tickets, call 333-6707 or visit www.rappahannock.edu/preaknessparty.
Summer musical
The Lancaster Players will present “The Marvelous Wonderettes” at 8 p.m. June 7-8, 13-15 and 20-22, and 3 p.m. June 9, 16 and 23 at The Lancaster Playhouse, 361 Chesapeake Drive, White Stone. Tickets are $30 and available at www.lancasterplayers.org or 435-3776.
