Annual Preakness Party Raises Record-Breaking Amount for Rappahannock Community College’s Educational Foundation
Millmont on the Rappahannock River in Wake, VA, was the setting for this year’s Preakness Party held in May. Over 300 guests enjoyed appetizers and wine from local restaurants and wineries, bid on auction items, and watched a live stream of the Preakness Stakes. Best hat and most dapper man contests during the festivities brought out the competitive spirit in many of the guests.
Gourmet fare was provided by these top restaurants and caterers: 1710 Tavern (Tappahannock), Indian Creek Yacht & Country Club (Kilmarnock), Java Jack’s (Tappahannock), Prince Street Café at Hobbs Hole (Tappahannock), RCC Culinary Arts Program (Glenns), and Something Different (Urbanna). Local wines were served by General’s Ridge Vineyard (Hague), Good Luck Cellars (Kilmarnock), and Ingleside Vineyards (Oak Grove).
This year’s Preakness Party netted over $106,000 in support of the RCC Educational Foundation, its scholarship program, and construction of a state-of-the art health science building at the Warsaw campus. The building will be the first new instructional facility on the campus in 45 years, significantly enhancing RCC's capacity to provide top-tier training resources for students.
Thank you to our valued sponsors. Diamond: The Stephen E. Tallent Family Education Trust, Virginia American Water and American Water Charitable Foundation. Gold: Chesapeake Bank and CoBANK. Silver: Blue Ridge Bank, Mason Brent, Connemara Corporation General Contractors, Lakey and Ellen Cowart, Dominion Energy, Eugene Duffer Foundation-The Neal Family, Frederick Northup, Inc., Cynthia Hudson, and Little Sue Food Stores. Bronze: Bevans Oyster Company, Inc., Margaret Lewis, Northern Neck Chevrolet, Northern Neck Insurance, Primis Bank, Redlaw Mechanical, River City Golf Carts, River Pools of Virginia, Jean Ann Sanford, Stella Jones Corp, and United Bank. Friend: Al Pugh Distributing, Currie Funeral Home, Susan Ludeman, Old Orchard Builders, and Welch Funeral Home. The Preakness committee also thanks everyone who donated items for the silent and live auctions.
“The Preakness Party is our premier fundraising event benefiting the RCC Educational Foundation,” said Sarah Pope, Executive Director. “We're incredibly grateful for the community's support, as well as the dedication of our steering committee, staff, and volunteers who make this meaningful and enjoyable event possible.” Save the date for May 16, 2026—location to be announced.