The Northern Neck of Virginia is known for its relaxing atmosphere, but we certainly know how to celebrate! No matter when you visit our beautiful peninsula, there’s a good chance you can catch some excitement at one these incredible Northern Neck events. We have some of the best wines and seafood the Chesapeake Bay area has to offer, and you’re cordially invited to enjoy it all with us! From all-you-can-eat oysters cooked the way you want them to award-winning wine tastings, our festivals have it all. So, raise a glass with us and celebrate the cuisine and culture of the Northern Neck! These are some of our favorite events, but there are plenty more to enjoy in the area. Get your free Vacation Guide to see the best upcoming events and attractions from the Rappahannock River to the Potomac!
Join Us For Wine, Oysters, Music, and More at These Northern Neck Events:
Winter
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Wine & Cherries Weekend
The Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail offers a variety of events year-round, even in the wintertime! Be sure to join us on the Trail in February for the annual Wine & Cherries Weekend. Each participating winery will be baking something special with cherries as the main ingredient. It’s a fantastic opportunity to try our incredible local wines and pair them with sweet desserts! It all takes place during President’s Day weekend from February 16 – 18.
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Rappahannock River Waterfowl Show
As winter comes to a close in the Northern Neck, it’s time for the Rappahannock River Waterfowl Show! Some of the best painters, carvers, and craftsmen come together from March 16 – 17 to display their finest waterfowl-inspired works. As you browse the booths, you can purchase your favorite paintings, photographs, and decoys. Proceeds support the White Stone Volunteer Fire Department!
Spring
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Shuckapalaooza
Shuckapalooza is coming to our area on April 12th, and it’s going to be a real treat for everyone involved. Virginia’s River Realm is teaming up with local businesses to pack seven unique experiences into one fun-filled day. We’re proud to be hosting the “East vs. West Shuckdown” right here at the Dog and Oyster Vineyard in Irvington, VA! Come and try our medal-winning wines and delicious oyster pairings compared to those of Chatham Vineyards and Shooting Point on the Eastern Shore. You decide whose are the best!
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Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail Spring Oyster Crawl
Springtime in the Northern Neck brings our local beauty to a whole new level each year. It’s the perfect time to sit outside, enjoy the breeze, and see the flowers wake up from their wintertime sleep. Enjoy it all with your favorite wine and oysters in hand during the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail Spring Oyster Crawl! Be sure to join us at the Dog and Oyster Vineyard and our oyster stand, SLURP, for this event from April 27 – 28!
Summer
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Irvington 4th of July Parade
The 4th of July Parade in Irvington, VA, is a great way to kick off the summertime with our small-town charm and excitement. The parade route goes right by the Hope & Glory Inn and Vineyard, so feel free to join us and grab a prime viewing spot for the marchers, bands, antique cars, and more!
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Raise the Roof Craft Beer Fest
Each summer, the Historic Christ Church “raises the roof” with their highly anticipated Craft Beer Fest. There’s always great music, delicious food, and plenty of craft brews to try. In 2018, we even had our booth set up so you could enjoy our medal-winning wines!
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Irvington Crab Festival
You can’t beat the seafood in the Northern Neck, and the Irvington Crab Festival is one of the best chances to take your fill of it. This annual, all-you-can-eat festival takes place in August each year, just a short walk away from our inn. So, bring your appetite this summer and get cracking on fresh, delicious crabs while supporting the local Steamboat Era Museum. Tickets sell out quickly, so make sure you always get yours early!
Fall
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Hospice Turkey Shoot Regatta
Sailing is a significant part of Chesapeake Bay culture, and the Northern Neck is no exception. The annual Hospice Turkey Shoot Regatta at the end of September is a perfect example of that! It takes place just off Carters Creek along the Rappahannock River, offering an opportunity for visitors to see dozens of sailboats in action. There are plenty of local parties to enjoy in addition to the race, too!
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Chesapeake Academy Oyster Roast
Oyster festivals are our specialty on the Northern Neck, and you’ll find no shortage of opportunities to enjoy these mollusks in the fall. One of our local traditions includes the annual oyster roast at Chesapeake Academy in October. You’re welcome to join the community for this outdoor celebration with live music and a seemingly endless supply of oysters roasting over the fires. Proceeds benefit the school!
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Bay Seafood Festival
The Bay Seafood Festival is another can’t-miss event, featuring much more than oysters. It’s an all-you-can-eat buffet of shrimp, crab, fish, and even barbecue as well! Join the fun each October in Kilmarnock, VA, just a short drive from our inn. Tickets typically go on sale in May, so mark your calendars and purchase them while you can!
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Reedville Fishermen’s Museum Oyster Roast
The commercial fishing industry is nothing new to the Chesapeake Bay, and the Reedville Fishermen’s Museum helps to preserve that rich history. You can walk through the oldest house in Reedville, view artifacts detailing the lifestyle of 19th-century watermen, and, on November 9th, celebrate at their oyster roast!
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Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail Fall Oyster Crawl
Yes, the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail Oyster Crawl returns in the fall each year! That gives you two chances to try our local oyster specials and exquisite wines! After the Spring Oyster Crawl in April, it all starts up again from November 9 – 10. Feel free to check the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail Facebook page for updates as we get closer to the event!
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Taste by the Bay
Before the holiday season kicks off once again, make sure you check out Taste by the Bay in November! For many people, this is their favorite event of the year, and it’s easy to see why. It happens each year at the Tides Inn, just a couple of minutes away from the Hope and Glory Inn, and features everything you could ask for in a Northern Neck celebration. There’s food, wine, music, and plenty of fun times to be had. You might even see us there again in 2019 with our wine from the Dog and Oyster Vineyard!
Get the Full Northern Neck Experience by Staying at the Hope and Glory Inn!
Do you know the best part about these Northern Neck events? They all take place just minutes away from the Hope & Glory Inn and Vineyard! No matter which celebration brings you to the Northern Neck, you’re always welcome to stay with us nearby to enjoy it.
Not only do we offer a convenient location, but you’re also welcome to walk to our vineyard, try the seasonal specialties at our oyster stand, make reservations for our on-site restaurant, and so much more. The Hope and Glory experience is one-of-a-kind, and numerous media outlets agree. MSN.com even named us at the most charming bed and breakfast in Virginia! Explore some of our uniquely designed guest rooms today, and book your favorite. We look forward to making your visit the best it can be!
