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RivahFest Community Grants 2011
RivahFest Grants 2009-2011
RivahFest Grants 2010
RivahFest Community Partnerships 2009
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RivahFest Supports Tappahannock Main Street Program |
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 Above: After another successful RivahFest on June 18th, 2010, the Steering Committee releases some of the pent up stress by celebrating the installation of several new design intersection street signs made possible by RivahFest grant to the Tappahannock Main Street Program. From left to right: David Broad (Promotion & Website),Thomas Bradshaw (Entertainment), Jeff James (Planning & Liaison), Kristen Morris (Tastes of Tappahannock), Sharon James (Past Chair), Katherine Newman (Co-Chair 2009-11), Terry Brooks (Arts & Crafts), and Elizabeth Franklin (Co-Chair 2009-11). Not pictured: Rebecca Hubert (Sponsorship), John Clickener (Treasurer) and Joey Reinhardt (Publications). Tappahannock, VA (June 28, 2011) - In setting out along the lengthy path to revitalize downtown Tappahannock, the Main Street Program joined forces and partnered with several leading local community organizations to bring as much energy as possible to the mission of the group. This spring TMSP and RivahFest Steering Committee set a goal to significantly improve the Tappahannock downtown street signage and showcase the dozen historic houses and buildings in the immediate area of the annual festival. With the financial support of the Middle Peninsula Garden Club, Rotary Club of Tappahannock and RivahFest and the encouragement of the Tappahannock Town Council, TMSP designed and solicited bids for the new historic signage. A feature of the signage is a consistent logo of the old courthouse and war monument in a black silhouette on a blue background repeated on each sign. Topping off the intersection signs with a “Historic District” panel highlights the date of the first recorded visitors to this area. As a measure of thanks to this valuable community beautification project, TMSP will place small recognition plaques on each intersection sign with the name of the donor organization. “We have received several additional requests for the opportunity to add their organization’s names to this program.” Said David Broad, treasurer and founding member of TMSP, “As we complete the first round of downtown intersections we will open the recognition program up to other local organizations”. The Tappahannock Main Street Program, started in 2005, is a grass roots community effort initiated by local citizens, business and property owners, and members of civic groups, to promote the revitalization of downtown Tappahannock. One of the first TMSP tasks was to evaluate downtown Tappahannock options and was rewarded with the skilled services of a VCU graduate student Laura Baker to produce an extensive Creek to Creek study (available as a reference book at the Essex County Public Library) and makes a wide range of recommendations, short and long term. One of the more evident survey outcomes recommends developing community events in the downtown area to draw visitors and in turn draw businesses. In 2010, TMSP initiated the highly successful Tappahannock Farmers’ Market, an event that continues to grow in size and popularity. Further projects are on the laundry list and TMSP attempts to steer a path that improves the visual quality of our area in tune with the limited budget at their disposal. “The goals are to continue to work with the Tappahannock Main Street Program and any interested parties in the revitalization efforts for our town. We are currently working with TMSP, the Town Manager and Mayor in designing directional signage to our historic downtown from the main VDOT corridors of Rt. 17/360 (Queen Street), Church Lane (Rt. 17) and Prince Street and Church Lane (Rt. 17) and Wright Street. This is in addition to realistic discussions and plans for the old Prince Street boat ramp, reformulation of the sidewalks of Prince Street, new plantings and crosswalks.” remarked Pete Trible, chairman of the Town Council Revitalization Committee. As TMSP grows and develops its fund raising and grant writing skills, the scope of improvements to our community will expand. “We continually hear about how other communities in Virginia have taken successful steps to revitalize their townships and most do not even have a quarter of the historic elements found in Tappahannock! With a modest effort over the next few years we can outshine most of these other historic locations!” said Forrest French, Interim Chair of TMSP and professional architect specializing in major city restoration projects. Read more on How to Apply for a RivahFest Grant |
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