Ad & Information submission deadline:

The Chamber E-blast is a weekly e-newsletter distributed every Tuesday. All information for consideration in the newsletter is due by Friday for the following week's e-newsletter.

You're Invited to our Monthly Business After Hours Networking Event at Consociate Media.

The Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce and Chesapeake Bank invites you to join us for our monthly networking Business After Hours event on Thursday, June 15th from 5:30 - 7:00pm. We can't wait to see you all! 

Photo Credit: Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism | Visit Gloucester VA

Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce Receives Virginia Tourism Corporation Grant for Tourism Marketing

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce received $10,000 from the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) Regional Marketing Program (RMP). In total, VTC awarded more than $3.2 million for 236 local and regional tourism marketing programs across the state to help increase visitation and revenue for Virginia’s localities through tourism. 

Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce received a $10,000 grant for Gloucester Wine Festival. As the official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) of Gloucester County, Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism is pleased to offer its support of the Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce Wine Festival. We commend the Chamber staff for applying for the VTC Special Events & Festivals Program.

Using the hub and spoke tourism partnership model, Virginia entities partner to apply for funding. Partners may consist of Virginia cities, towns, counties, convention and visitors’ bureaus, chambers of commerce, other local or regional destination marketing organizations, private businesses, museums, attractions, cultural events, and other tourism-related businesses. “VTC’s tourism marketing and sponsorship programs are designed to increase visitor spending by leveraging limited marketing dollars, to stimulate new tourism marketing through partnerships, and to extend the “Virginia is for Lovers” brand to drive visitation,” said Rita McClenny,  VTC President and CEO.  More information on VTC’s Marketing Leverage and Regional Marketing Programs can be found at vatc.org/grants.

“VTC’s marketing and sponsorship programs are powerful incentives creating tourism partnerships across Virginia that are a robust part of Virginia’s economic ecosystem,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “From first-time applicants like Foxfield Races and Paradise Springs Winery to large music festivals in Hampton Roads and Southwest Virginia driving inbound overnight visitation, these programs show that tourism and tourism partnerships help Virginia’s vibrant communities grow and thrive.” 

“Driving inbound out-of-state overnight visitation is a key economic strategy and the VTC grant and sponsorship programs help create unique partnerships that have tangible economic impacts across Virginia,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “Many of these programs also support regional marketing initiatives designed to encourage Virginians to explore their own state.”

For more information on Gloucester Wine Festival, visit www.gloucestervawinefestival.com

About Gloucester Wine Festival September 23^rd and 24^th 2023, kicks off the Gloucester Wine Festival (12^th) annual at the internationally acclaimed gardens of Brent and Becky’s Bulbs, 7900 Daffodil Lane, Ware Neck VA.

We will host 12-14 wineries, artisans, food trucks and music by The Deloreans and Good Shot Judy. 

About Virginia Tourism Corporation

Virginia is for Lovers is one of the most iconic and recognizable travel brands in the world. Using that powerful brand equity, Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) is charged with promoting the Commonwealth as a premier travel destination by showcasing all there is to love in a Virginia vacation. The dollars spent by travelers fuel the economy, provide jobs for Virginians, and improve communities across the state. Simply put, tourism helps make Virginia a great place to live, work, and vacation. Learn more at virginia.org.

Here's All The Info You Need

to Know to Plan The Month of June!



We are thrilled to announce the full schedule for the 2023 Edition of the annual Gloucester Arts Festival! This year will feature twenty-seven highly acclaimed and award-winning plein air artists from across the country to capture the beauty of our community, with we will bring new exciting events and venues to explore.

The Cook Foundation and the Gloucester Arts Festival Committee are privileged to bring this month-long cultural event to your doorstep. Over eight days, the Plein Air artists will paint the amazing countryside and people at work on boats and farms for the 2023 Heart of the River Collection. Artists will gather at designated picturesque venues where you may watch the magic unfold. More information is available on our website. (http://gloucesterartsfestival.com)

For details of these and more events, please visit our website: www.gloucesterartsfestival.com. Many events are free and open to the public. Please see the attached schedule of events and our website for more events and full details.

We Have TWO New Thrilling Announcements!

The Cook Foundation is pleased to announce the opening of the Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester on June 13, 2023, and the acquisition of more than 300 works and artifacts by Kacey Carneal (1935-2022), a self-taught naïve folk artist who painted at her home in Gloucester every day for nearly fifty years. We would like to extend our deepest thanks to Kacey’s daughters, Vicki Henderson and Susie Mains, for their collaboration and generosity. 

The opening exhibit is a Carneal retrospective entitled “Back Home” featuring 90 works spanning from the 1970s through 2020, with Carneal’s last completed work, “They have suffered a great something and yet stood proud.” (2020) 

The Bulb Shoppe and Gardens at Brent and Becky’s are open Monday – Saturday, 9 am to 4 pm, through December 16, 2023. Closed for holidays on May 29, July 3&4, September 4 and November 23. 

We are located at 7900 Daffodil Lane in Gloucester. 

Contact us at (804) 693-3966 x108, for more information regarding these events and to see future events please visit www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com.

Garden Walk with Brent Heath: Wednesday, May 24, 10 am

Explore Brent and Becky’s gardens on this guided tour with Brent! Discover the unique and beautiful flowers that bridge the span from spring into summer. $5 per person, give us a call to sign up.

Second Saturdays: Saturday, June 10, 10 am

Brent and Becky’s will host the Gloucester Master Gardeners on the second Saturday of the month for an informational look at House Plants. There is no charge or registration for this informative session packed with great information!

Garden Walk with Brent Heath: Wednesday, June 14, 10 am

Explore Brent and Becky’s gardens on this guided tour with Brent! $5 per person, give us a call to sign up.

For more information regarding this release, please contact Denise Hutchins at denise@brentandbeckysbulbs.com or (804) 693-3966 x109.

Photo:

A mass planting of Amaryllis adorns the Bee Hive Observation Hut in our display gardens. Stop by to see the bees at work as they collect pollen and bring it back to the hive. The Bulb Shoppe and Gardens at Brent and Becky’s are open Monday through Saturday, 9 am to 4 pm.

GLOUCESTER PARKS, RECREATION AND TOURISM



6382 Main Street, Gloucester, VA 23061

www.gloucesterva.info/pr

Denise Rhea Carter, 804-693-1264, 

dcarter@gloucesterva.info

CHAIR FITNESS

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Chair Fitness on Thursdays in June  from 9:30-10:30 am at the Stewart Building.  Bring a mat, hand weights and water.  The fee is $40 and the deadline to register is May 25.

CHAIR YOGA

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Chair Yoga on Thursdays in June 11:00-Noon at the Stewart Building.  Bring a mat, blocks and water.  The fee is $40 and the deadline to register is May 25.

KIDS FREE FISHING DAY AT BEAVERDAM

Parks, Recreation & Tourism and the Department of Wildlife Resources is sponsoring Kids Free Fishing Day, forages 5-15, at Beaverdam Park on Saturday, June 3 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.  The weekend of June 3 and 4 are Free Fishing days in Virginia, no fishing licenses are needed to fish on those days.  A Conservation Police Officer will be on site to help and will bring fishing poles and bait for registered participants.  An adult must accompany children.  Registration is free but required in advance, the deadline to register is May 27.

BEAVERDAM KID’S FISHING TOURNAMENT

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring a Kid’s Fishing Tournament, for ages 5-15, on Sunday, June 4 from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm.  An adult must accompany all participants.  Shore fishing and boat fishing divisions, all rental fees apply.  Age divisions will be determined by registration.  The fee is $15 and the deadline to register is May 28

ZUMBA

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Zumba on Mondays and Wednesdays in June from 6:45-7:45 pm at Abingdon.  The fee is $8 per day fi you sign up for the whole month or $9 per day for individual days.  The deadline to register is May 29.

FREE FLOW YOGA

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Free Flow Yoga on Tuesdays in June from 5:30-6:45 pm at the Whitcomb Lodge.  The fee is $32 for the whole month or $9 per day and the deadline is May 30.

BEST YEARS TRIP ORIOLES VS YANKEES AT CAMDEN YARD

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring a trip to Baltimore to see the Orioles vs Yankees on Sunday, July 30.  The game is at 1:35 pm.  Trip includes game ticket and transportation.  All food is on your own.  The fee is $115 and the deadline to register is July 23 or when tickets sell out.

SPECIALTY INSTRUCTORS

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is seeking individuals that are interested in teaching classes for youth or adults.  Dance, gymnastics, yoga, exercise, crafts, arts, games, knitting, carving, and just about anything else you are interested in sharing.  Visit the county’s webpage and look for job opportunities, all applications must be online.

For learn about our programs or for more information on the activities we offer, please contact us PRT at 804-693-2355, email prt@gloucesterva.info or stop by our office 6382 Main Street.  



For online registration visit https://gloucesterva.info/civicrec

INTERESTED IN SPONSORING OUR EVENT?

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

U P C O M I N G !!

Sat / 27 May THE FIRESIDE COLLECTIVE Bluegrass

Sat / 3 June URBAN SOIL Americana Rock Soul

Fri / 9 June THE BONESHAKERS Funk Blues Rock 

Sat / 17 June THE ENGLISH CHANNEL  Classic Rock & Pop

Sat / 24 June HARVEY DALTON ARNOLD BAND Blues

Contact Us

Makalia Records

Executive Director

chamberexec@glocochamber.org

Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce

www.gloucestervachamber.org

Mailing Address:

PO Box 685

Gloucester, VA 23061

Phone: 804-832-2489