Culpeper Downtown

April 2025 Newsletter

Gnarly Culpeper Block Party & Brew Fest

Benjamin Franklin once said, “In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria.” Skip the bacteria and enjoy a taste of wisdom, served with a whole lot of freedom at Culpeper Renaissance, Inc.’s annual fundraiser and kick off to the spring and summer downtown event calendar, the Gnarly Culpeper Block Party & Brew Fest! Celebrating its 11th anniversary, Gnarly is back, showcasing your favorite local and regional brews, plus delicious cider and fine wine! Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 26 from 12pm to 5pm, and spend a great day in the historic and charming Depot District of Culpeper Downtown!  


The 2025 Gnarly Culpeper Block Party & Brew Fest is the only place you can experience 12 of the best breweries and cideries in Virginia, all in one location. Sample tastings or enjoy full pours* (*additional cost) from Altered Suds Beer Company, Bald Top Brewing Company, Beer Hound Brewery, Cider Lab, Death Ridge Brewery, Far Gohn Brewing Company, Iron Pipe Alewerks, Old Bust Head Brewing Company, Silver Branch Brewing Company, Son of a Bear Ciders, Tap 29 Brewery & Pub, and WAR Craft Brewery. New this year, vote for your favorite as we name a Best in Brew, with one lucky winner claiming not only the gold, but also bragging rights! Plus, the Virginia Eagle beer truck will be in attendance with 16 taps flowing, to include Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company, Blue Mountain Brewery, Starr Hill Brewery, Bold Rock Hard Cider, New Realm Brewing Company, South Street Brewery, Michelob Ultra and more!


The Gnarly Culpeper Block Party & Brew Fest will deliver a day full of entertainment well beyond beer, cider and wine. Starting at 12pm, rock out to the alternative 90s sounds of local musician Eric Misa, with Bobby G. & the Heavies taking over the mic at 2:30pm, performing an eclectic mix of classic rock, soul, pop, blues and country hits. From 2pm to 2:30pm be sure to find yourself at the stage and learn a thing or two from Karen’s Line Dancing! Have the family in tow? You’re in luck as they will be thoroughly entertained by Danny’s Bouncy House, Sandy’s Face Painting and Brennan’s Balloons, all located within the Kid Central Kid’s Corner! Plus, enjoy a caricature from the talented Daniel Ryman or play a game of corn hole!  


In between the excitement, don’t miss an opportunity to shop local artisan vendors Bad Ass Pickles, EstRaeya Jewelry Designs, Historic Smoke Cigars, Sweet Bites by Laura, Sweet Dove Crochet & Company and Uncle Andy’s. Nosh throughout the day at some of the best food trucks in the area, including Catch the Chef, Country Kettle, CRAVE Hot Dogs & BBQ, Garam Masala, Happy Family Ranch, Moo Thru Mobile, Mulligan’s Pub on the Green and Zandra’s Taqueria! With flavors from around the world, covering savory to sweet, you are sure to leave with a full belly, and maybe even some leftovers!  


All are welcome, but please no pets, coolers or solicitation. To purchase tickets, visit Vinosity or Far Gohn Brewing Company in Culpeper Downtown, or online by visiting www.culpeperdowntown.com or eventbrite. Early Bird Unlimited Tasting tickets drop online and at ticket outlets Friday, March 21, at a special price of $35. But hurry as Early Bird sales end Friday, March 28! The cost of the Unlimited Tasting ticket then goes to $40, with the price increasing to $50 if purchased at the gate. Unlimited Tasting tickets include entry, unlimited beer, cider and wine samples, souvenir tasting glass, live entertainment, and corn hole. Not interested in beverage tastings, but want to join in on the fun? Pick up your General Admission ticket for just $15 in advance or $20 at the gate! General Admission tickets include entry, live entertainment, and corn hole. Children 13 and under get in FREE!


Lastly, a huge thank you to the generous and supportive sponsors that make CRI events of this nature possible, including the Town of Culpeper, Kid Central, Country Chevrolet, Far Gohn Brewing Company, UVA Community Credit Union, TechBox, YHB CPAs & Consultants, Duckett Corbin Team with RE/MAX Gateway, WJMA & SAM-FM, Culpeper Chamber of Commerce, Culpeper Times, Culpeper Media Network, Merchant’s Grocery Company, Cintas, Fraternal Order of the Eagles, and Xpress Copy & Graphics. 


To volunteer or for more information about this or future CRI events, visit www.culpeperdowntown.com, email crievents@culpeperdowntown.com or call 540-825-4416.  

Get Your Tickets Here
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Culpeper Renaissance, Inc. Participates in Give Local Piedmont!

Mark your calendars! Give Local Piedmont (GLP), through Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, is May 13th this year. For anyone unfamiliar with GLP, it is a one day online giving event to show support to our local non-profits!


** EARLY GIVING BEGINS APRIL 29TH!

Did you know that Culpeper Renaissance Inc. (CRI) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the vitality of downtown.


Donations made to CRI during Give Local Piedmont will provide much needed funding for the Culpeper Hometown Heroes Banner Program.


CRI will reopen the program with all new hometown hero banners to be displayed. Current banners will be donated to the families of the currently displayed banner heroes. 


The Culpeper Hometown Heroes Banner Program, sponsored by CRI and donations made from our community, is a celebration to honor our past and present members of the armed forces. The program will honor veterans, living and deceased, honorably discharged and active-duty members of the Armed Forces with banners, to be displayed on light poles within the Culpeper downtown district for Memorial Day and Veteran's Day starting in spring 2026. Each banner will feature one or two (dependent upon the amount of submitted applications) individual’s photo, name, and branch of service and/or credentials.


To learn more about Culpeper Renaissance visit: www.culpeperdowntown.com


To donate visit: https://www.givelocalpiedmont.org/organization/CRI-glp


Your help marketing our campaign can make a huge difference in its success. Please consider sharing our Facebook and Instagram posts and planning even a small donation April 29th - May 13th! Thank you! 

Donate Here

April Downtown Events Calendar

Click Here for the Full Calendar of Downtown Events

Culpeper Downtown Farmers Market

Culpeper Renaissance Inc. (CRI) is excited to announce the Opening Day of the Culpeper Downtown Farmers Market! Enjoy Sandy's Facepainting, Danny's Bounce House & Live Music!


The Market season will kick off Saturday, May 3, from 7:30am to 12pm, at the Culpeper Baptist Church parking lot (318 S. West Street). The Market will continue, every Saturday, through October 25, 2025!


The Culpeper Downtown Farmers Market will open with 46 full & part time vendors this season offering a wide array of products. Stroll through the market for locally grown fruit, vegetables, herbs, and vibrant flowers. Taste the very best farm fresh eggs, delicious baked goods, locally raised beef, pork, lamb, and much more.


Through grant funding by the PATH Foundation, SNAP participants will be able to double their money when they purchase tokens at the market, up to twenty-five bonus tokens per visit. That means if you swipe your EBT card for any amount up to $30 of tokens, you will receive that same amount up to $60 worth of tokens to use at the market. This program kicks off at the May 3rd season opening of the Farmers Market and will last until the matching funds are exhausted.


CRI is thrilled to bring back the ever-popular kid’s I’m SOW Healthy Youth Nutrition Education program during the 2025 Market season, thanks to grant funding from the PATH Foundation. The I’m SOW Healthy Youth Nutrition Education program includes healthy, seasonal recipes, along with $5 Farm Fresh Dollars, available to children ages 2 to 13, once a month, to purchase fresh produce and foods or even food producing plants at the Market. Additionally, this program features live cooking demonstrations in partnership with Virginia Cooperative Extension Family Nutrition Program and Rappahannock Rapidan Regional Commission’s Purely Piedmont the second Saturday of every month.


Be certain to stop by the market to pick up locally grown produce while supporting regional farmers! For more information, please contact Culpeper Renaissance, Inc. at 540-825-4416 or click the link below. Follow the Culpeper Downtown Farmers Market on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CulpeperFarmersMarket to check out the latest offerings and information on the market.

Click Here for More Farmers Market Information

3rd Thursday Summer Concert Series

 Are you a little bit country or do you like rock n’ roll?  Do you like your music loud, with a little bit of funk and a whole lot of soul?  Maybe beach music is your jam.  Then allow Culpeper Renaissance, Inc. (CRI) to introduce you to the 3rd Thursday Summer Concert Series!  Taking place, the third Thursday of the month, May through August (with September serving as a rain date), from 5pm to 9pm at the Depot (111 Commerce Street) enjoy quality live music, delicious food vendors, refreshing adult beverages, a kid’s corner and more!


Click the link below and stay tuned for more information!

Visit our Website Here

Kids Spring & Summer Camps

State Climb Sping Camp Info Here
State Climb Summer Camp Info Here
Windmore Foundation for the Arts Summer Camp Info Here
Join The Fun - Volunteer Here!
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127 West Davis Street, Culpeper, VA 22701

540-825-4416

cridirector@culpeperdowntown.com

www.culpeperdowntown.com