The Colonial Beach Chamber of Commerce has been awarded a $20,000 grant through the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC)’s Special Events & Festivals Sponsorship Program (SEF). The funding will support the 11th Annual Colonial Beach Bike Fest, scheduled to take place from October 9–12, 2025.
The Colonial Beach Bike Fest is the town’s largest single event, drawing tens of thousands of visitors to the region each year. This highly anticipated festival not only boosts the local economy by driving significant traffic to area businesses but also enriches the community by offering free concerts and a variety of sponsored activities for attendees to enjoy.
With this grant, the Colonial Beach Chamber of Commerce aims to enhance the festival’s visibility and attract even more visitors, ensuring its continued success as a premier event in the region.
Virginia Tourism Corporation will award more than $812,139 in matching grant funds to 81 special events and festivals as part of this program, ultimately impacting 324 combined partners. The VTC Special Events & Festivals Sponsorship Program is designed to leverage local marketing and event production dollars with matching state funds to increase overnight visitation, improve the visitor experience, and increase traveler spending at Virginia special events and festivals. The program also extends the Virginia is for Lovers brand to drive special event and festival visitation. Each Go Virginia region is limited to 20% of available funds creating a matrix of sponsored special events and festivals statewide.
Using the hub and spoke tourism model to create multi-day itineraries, four Virginia entities partner financially to apply for funding. Partners may consist of Virginia cities, towns, counties, destination marketing organizations, restaurants, museums, attractions, and other tourism-related businesses. With the special event or festival as the main lure, the program is designed to encourage visitors to extend their stay to experience Virginia Main Streets, boutique shopping, unique restaurants, and historic sites creating significant economic impact driven by the special event or festival.
This funding cycle, local partners will commit more than $4.8 million in private-public sector funds to match the VTC funding, providing more than $5.62 million in new marketing and event production activity focused on increasing overnight visitation to Virginia in 2025.
“We eagerly anticipate Bike Fest each year, as it not only brings vibrant energy to our community but also showcases the best of what Colonial Beach has to offer,” said Dave Lipshaw, owner of Colonial Beach Plaza Bed & Breakfast and Board Member of the Colonial Beach Chamber of Commerce. “The event consistently fills our local lodging establishments to capacity, providing us with the opportunity to share in the festivities alongside our guests while introducing them to the exceptional dining experiences our town has to offer. Additionally, the influx of visitors in October generates significant revenue for Colonial Beach through meals and lodging taxes, which directly supports community services and infrastructure beyond the summer season.”
“Special events and festivals are at the heart of what makes Virginia such a unique and vibrant destination,” said Rita McClenny, President and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation. “We are excited to support these events through the Special Events & Festivals Sponsorship Program, helping to create unforgettable experiences while increasing overnight visitation and traveler spending in Virginia.”
VTC will have additional grant and sponsorship rounds opening throughout 2025. Organizations and businesses that are interested in applying may visit vatc.org/grants for more information.
A full list of funding recipients for all grant programs can be found here.
Out-of-state visitors and Virginians alike are encouraged to visit www.virginia.org to start travel planning for these special events and festivals in the New Year.
For more information on the Colonial Beach Bike Fest, visit https://colonialbeach.org/colonial-beach-bike-fest/
About the Colonial Beach Chamber of Commerce
The Colonial Beach Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to fostering economic growth, supporting local businesses, and enhancing the community’s quality of life. Serving as a vital link between businesses, residents, and visitors, the Chamber promotes tourism, organizes signature events, and advocates for the interests of its members. Through initiatives like the annual Colonial Beach Bike Fest, the Chamber celebrates the town’s vibrant culture and scenic waterfront, helping to position Colonial Beach as a premier destination for recreation, dining, and hospitality in the Northern Neck of Virginia.
About Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC)
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.