June 1, 2025
At last Friday’s Membership & Marketing Committee meeting, we were thrilled to receive the proceeds from the 2025 Culpeper Chamber of Commerce Community Guide & Business Directory, presented by Tom Spargur of the Culpeper Times. A huge thank you to Tom and the Culpeper Times team for continuing to produce this award-winning publication — an incredible resource for both residents and visitors alike!
Stay informed and connected — pick up your copy at local businesses around town or stop by the Chamber office to grab one!
June 2, 2025
We were thrilled to celebrate Wolford And Associates Realty’s 1st anniversary with a joint ribbon cutting alongside Culpeper Renaissance Inc. on Friday, May 30!
In just one year, Wolford & Associates Realty has made a strong impact in our local real estate market, offering clients expert guidance, personalized service, and a commitment to making every buying, selling, or investment experience a positive one. Thank you to everyone who came out to mark this special milestone — we’re proud to have Wolford & Associates Realty as part of the Chamber family and look forward to seeing their continued success in the years ahead!
June 3, 2025
Truly a night to remember!
Amy had the honor of attending Germanna Community College’s Gala – a beautiful and heartfelt celebration of Dr. Janet Gullickson’s retirement and her extraordinary impact as President of Germanna since 2017. As the first woman to lead the college, Dr. Gullickson’s legacy is one of innovation, inclusion, and growth. Under her leadership, Germanna became one of the few community colleges in the country to see sustained enrollment increases—including a 25% rise in African American student enrollment—and earned national recognition from the Aspen Institute, WalletHub, and more.
The Gala wasn’t just a farewell—it was also a fundraiser for Germanna Cares, a powerful program that provides students with life-changing support to help them stay on track and thrive. We heard moving stories from students and alumni who’ve been directly impacted— including Michael Ly, a proud Culpeper County High School graduate and President of Amy’s graduating class! Michael went on to George Mason University and now is a Director and CPA at PwC and he gives back by funding a scholarship for first-generation students!
One of the evening’s most meaningful moments was the announcement of the Dr. Janet Gullickson Student Empowerment Fund, a tribute to Dr. Gullickson’s commitment to lifting up others. Her legacy will live on through the opportunities this fund will provide for students for years to come. Thank you, Dr. Gullickson, for your tireless dedication to education and community. Your work has inspired many, and Friday night’s program showcased that fact that you’ve changed so many lives.
June 3, 2025
On Friday and Saturday night, we hosted the Soundwave Showdown preliminaries at Jewell Tone Music & Art. And, WOW, these local artists brought their A-game! Huge thanks to all the talented bands who took the stage: Bhophadeus, David Scott Weaver, Elle Christine, Mayfly, Sue Hutchins Project
We’re thrilled to announce the FINALISTS heading to the main stage at CulpeperFest on June 13: Bhophadeus, David Scott Weaver, Sue Hutchins Project. We would also like to extend a special thank you to our judges for lending their time, expertise, and support to help select the finalists — we truly appreciate your thoughtful feedback and encouragement of local talent!
A massive thank you to John and the amazing team at Jewell Tone Music & Art for helping make this event seamless, from stage setup to sound and everything in between. If you haven’t been, stop by to check out their space and the fantastic local art on display!
Join us at the Soundwave Showdown finals on June 13 at CulpeperFest!
Free tickets available now at culpeperfest.com
Come cheer on your favorite band and celebrate the best of local music!
June 13, 2025
Today is CulpeperFest 2025!
Our incredible team, dedicated committee, amazing volunteers, supportive businesses, and our wonderful community have all worked so hard to bring this event to life — and it’s going to be AMAZING!
Join us today from 4–8 PM for this free, family-friendly community event full of fun, connections, and celebration. You won’t want to miss it!
PS- A special thank you goes to our event coordinator, Sarah Langland who isn’t pictured because she was too busy running around making things happen. Your hard work, passion, and dedication have truly made this day possible!
June 16, 2025
Last week, Amy had the pleasure of meeting Drew Gruber, the first-ever State Park Manager for Culpeper Battlefields State Park! It was an honor to welcome him to our community and share in the excitement of this historic new chapter for Culpeper.
A huge thank you to Culpeper Tourism – Visit Culpeper VA, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, and Friends of Culpeper Battlefields for hosting this special meet and greet. Your dedication and collaboration continue to make moments like these possible.
We are thrilled about this incredible development and the bright future ahead for Culpeper Battlefields State Park. Welcome to the community, Drew – we’re glad you’re here!
June 16, 2025
CulpeperFest 2025 was a success — rain and all!
We always say CulpeperFest happens rain or shine, and this year we certainly got a little bit of both! But that didn’t stop us from having a wonderful time together and honoring all that Culpeper has to offer.
A huge THANK YOU to our Sponsors, Vendors, Volunteers, and our amazing community for braving the weather and making this event truly a community effort. We’re proud to celebrate Culpeper side by side with you! Our team was busy running around keeping things going, so we didn’t get many photos — but Strong Arm Media will have more for us soon! Here’s a sneak peek while we wait!
June 23, 2025
Amy’s whole family had a wonderful time attending the Art Gala at Spring Oak Senior Living at Culpeper on Friday, June 20th — the longest day of the year and a day recognized by the Alzheimer’s Association to shine a light on the fight against Alzheimer’s. We were so impressed by the incredible artwork created by residents and excited to bid on both the art pieces and the fantastic items donated by local businesses. All proceeds from the event were donated to the Alzheimer’s Association to support vital research, care, and advocacy.
A huge thank you to the amazing team at Spring Oak for all the hard work and heart they put into hosting this event for their residents and the community. It was a beautiful evening filled with creativity, compassion, and connection.
June 24, 2025
On Saturday, June 21, Sarah had the honor of attending the Richardsville Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad’s Annual Banquet, a special evening dedicated to recognizing the outstanding commitment and achievements of their members.
Mike Martin was honored for responding to the Most Fire Calls—an impressive feat he has accomplished for 15 consecutive years!
Jim Hurlock received the award for Most EMS Calls.
The Carl Eley Award, which honors someone who selflessly gives their time and energy to the station, was awarded to Taveon Cottoms.
The James Mastin Award, considered the department’s lifetime achievement award for exemplifying what it means to be a firefighter, was awarded to Mike Martin.
Cheree Hogan received the Harvey Mussleman Award for being the most valuable administrative member.
It was a wonderful night celebrating the dedication, service, and heart of these remarkable volunteers. Thank you to all who serve!
June 24, 2025
Happy Birthday to Steve Jewell from Acti-Kare Responsive In-Home Care and Personal Transportation Assistance!
We loved getting to celebrate this milestone with you here at the Chamber office. Thank you for all that you do for our community!
June 24, 2025
𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞?
We’re inviting our community to help us say thank you to our first responders.
Has a first responder made a difference in your life? Have you witnessed an act of compassion, quick response, or quiet heroism in our community?
We’d love to share your story at our Appreciation & Valor Awards Dinner on Thursday, July 10, at Salem Volunteer Fire Department, a night dedicated to recognizing the service and
sacrifice of those who show up when it matters most.
Submit your story by July 2 at: culpeperchamber.com/valor-awards
Let’s show our first responders how much they mean to Culpeper.
#CulpeperThanksYou #FirstResponderAppreciation #CulpeperStrong
June 26, 2025
Yesterday, we had the pleasure of joining Culpeper Renaissance Inc. in celebrating the grand opening of the Culpeper Artisan Collective at PeaPod Atelier with a ribbon cutting!
The space is a treasure trove of local talent, offering unique, handcrafted art perfect for your home, thoughtful gifts, and more. The snacks were as delightful as the company, and the creativity on display was truly inspiring.
Take a look at the photos from this special event and discover the beauty of shopping local!
June 27, 2025
The Public Transportation Board hosted their 3rd Annual Touch a Trolley event on Friday June 27th — and what a fantastic day it was! In partnership with Kid Central, the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office – Timothy W. Chilton, Culpeper Police Department and the always-sweet Fat Daddy’z Ice Cream, this event gave local kids the chance to climb aboard the Culpeper Trolleys, meet local heroes, and learn all about the transportation options available right here in our community.
Did you know that our Chamber’s President, Amy, is the Chair of the Public Transportation Board?
As part of the fun, students will create artwork to commemorate their trolley experience.
Next month, the Public Transportation Board will select winners and celebrate them with a special Awards Ceremony on August 28th!
We’re so proud of the partnerships and creativity that make events like this possible — building connections, memories, and community one trolley ride at a time.
Virginia Regional Transit
June 27, 2025
On Friday, June 27th, Amy had the honor of joining many others in a packed courtroom to witness a truly special moment — the Investiture of Kara L. Larson as a Judge of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court of the 16th Judicial District.
Led by the Honorable Culpeper Circuit Court Judge Dale Durrer, the ceremony was filled with heartfelt words and inspiring reflections. We learned that the 16th Judicial District is actually larger than the entire state of Delaware — a fact that underscores the significance of this role and the vast community Judge Larson will serve.
Ten judges from across the district were in attendance to offer encouragement and wisdom, with common themes of compassion, justice, and lifelong learning echoing throughout the courtroom.
Judge Larson has been a member of the bar for nearly 20 years and has served as substitute JDR judge. She clearly has the overwhelming support of local attorneys, fellow judges, and the broader community. Her dedication and strength of character made this moment especially meaningful.
It was a privilege to witness this powerful milestone. Congratulations to the Honorable Judge Larson!
