Culpeper gears up for big bash

The 250th Anniversary Committee is serving up a first souvenir of the town’s big birthday this year, gearing up for its part in several celebrations in the months to come.

The inaugural 250th keepsake is a commemorative platter featuring the colorful anniversary logo created by Reva-based designers Walter and Kelly Burton.

The plate sells for $25, with all proceeds benefiting implementation of the town-sponsored birthday bash in September.

Pick one up at the Culpeper Tourism Office, located inside the Depot. In coming weeks, the plate and other anniversary items will be on sale at Town Hall and the Museum of Culpeper History, said Beth Burns, tourism director.

Other souvenirs to come will include coasters and glass mugs and other smaller items like playing cards and, possibly, Christmas ornaments.

Many of the 250th objects will be on sale at the town-wide, anniversary-themed Fourth of July celebration.

And don’t forget about the yearly Fourth of July shirts, which this year feature a variation of the Burtons’ logo marked with the town’s “Don’t Tread On Me” colonial flag. Burns thinks they are pretty amazing.

The T-shirts are $12 each or two for $20 and will be available on Independence Day at the Culpeper Festival Committee tent in Yowell Meadow Park.

Want to get a shirt in advance? Send an e-mail to and include name, phone number, size and quantity; the Festival Committee will arrange for pickup at Town Hall the week of June 29.

Burns added that the committee is still very much in need of donations to pull off this year’s Fourth of July celebration. Festivities start at 8 a.m. with a 5K race, and the full day will include a car and bike show on Davis Street, patriotic program at the courthouse, Main Street parade, games, dinner and music in the park and fireworks.

But first, next month downtown Culpeper will welcome 2,000 cyclists and their families June 21 and 22 as part of the 2009 Bike Virginia event, beginning and ending in Charlottesville with stops along the way in Culpeper and Orange.

Culpeper Tourism is putting a 250th twist to this large affair as well by co-sponsoring a town birthday block party June 22 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Depot.

Everyone — not just Bike Virginia participants — is invited to the party, featuring live Carolina beach music by The Rondells, a beer and wine garden, food vendors and special deals in downtown shops.
Bike Virginia participants arrive in Culpeper June 21, setting up “tent city” at Eastern View High School before traveling on to Orange June 23. The friendly ride begins June 19 in Charlottesville.

Bike Virginia will have “a huge economic impact” on the area, Burns said, noting that all of Culpeper’s hotels have been booked solid for the event for six months.

Cyclists will also ride into town hungry, she said, encouraging local restaurants to get prepared for the deluge of business.

The “official” 250th birthday bash takes place Sept. 19 and 20, offering a parade, costume ball and much more.

The 250th Anniversary Committee continues its planning for the big day at its next regular meeting, June 11 at 3:30 p.m. in Town Hall.