NEWS & UPDATES FROM DOWNTOWN COLONIAL BEACH

Press Release Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association July 27, 2026 The Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA Virginia) is excited to announce Downtown Colonial Beach and the Town of Colonial Beach as the winner of the 2026 Holzheimer Award for its Downtown Connectivity Plan. The Holzheimer award honors outstanding planning initiatives, programs, or studies that generate measurable economic development and benefit localities, regions, or th

On Friday, July 10, Downtown Colonial Beach came alive as residents and visitors gathered for another memorable Second Friday Sip N' Stroll Art Walk. From inspiring artwork and live demonstrations to family-friendly activities, refreshments, and local shopping, the evening celebrated the incredible creativity that makes Colonial Beach such a vibrant arts destination. This month's Art Walk welcomed the exciting addition of the CB Trolley and two new participants, making the ev

Business owners, officials from Westmoreland County and Colonial Beach and CB town staff came together on Thursday, May 14 at the Ice House for the Spring Small Business Breakfast, celebrating May as both National Small Business Month and Travel and Tourism Month. Nearly 70 attendees heard an inspiring virtual address by Nathan Ohle, Director of the International Economic Development Council, touting rural businesses and how they can work with local economic development offi

Saturday, May 2d was the perfect day for the easy, breezy "Hats & Horses" Kentucky Derby Party fundraiser for Downtown Colonial Beach on Town Hill. Nearly 100 folks decked out in Derby finery -- CB-style, of course -- enjoyed, great games, food, camaraderie, and the televised live 152nd Run for the Roses. The unforgettable afternoon of Southern charm, celebration, and community impact was centered around the thrill of Derby Day, and featured all-access to an elevated Derby ex

Some photos from last night's Art Walk! Happy Faces, Amazing Art and the wind didn't stop anyone from having a wonderful time in our town. Thank you to Colonial Beach Historical Society and Museum, Hawthorn Mercantile, Circa 1892, Colonial Beach Artists Alliance, Colonial Beach Brewing, Beach Paws Boutique. CB Creative Art Center, Magnolia Hall CBVA, Sunflower Restaurant , Coldwell Banker Elite and Pier 909!

Colonial Beach has always been a place defined by its people — the neighbors who wave as they walk by, the families who have been here for generations, and the new residents who quickly fall in love with the charm, history, and unfiltered coastal beauty of our riverside town. Today, that sense of connection is growing even stronger thanks to Community Heart & Soul, a resident-driven movement designed to help towns discover what truly matters to the people who call them home.

Downtown Colonial Beach (DCB) President Eric Nelson (left) and Treasurer Cathy Cavender (center) accept a check from Topside Federal Credit Union Marketing Director Lauren Bruning (right) Downtown Colonial Beach (DCB) is grateful to have been selected as the nonprofit recipient of Topside Federal Credit Union’s recent Shred It! event held at their Dahlgren location. This community initiative not only helps residents securely dispose of sensitive documents but also gives back

Ok, it’s that time again…..Let’s celebrate Mardi Gras together on 3/1/25 from 6-9PM at the Riverboat. This 2nd annual event is hosted by Downtown Colonial Beach and will support the Town of Colonial Beach’s new Main Street USA designation! Join us for an evening of great food, music, dancing and celebration! Ticket information will be advertised soon! “Laissez les Bon temps rouler!” Save the date!

We are thrilled to announce that Colonial Beach has officially been designated as a Virginia Main Street Community! This exciting achievement was confirmed by Governor Glenn Youngkin on December 23, 2024, marking the culmination of two years of dedication and hard work by Downtown Colonial Beach (DCB), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. By earning the Advancing Main Street designation, Colonial Beach is now part of a prestigious program administered by the Virginia Main Stre

In 2019, DCB founded an annual Osprey Festival to expand events and business opportunities during the shoulder season (the festival is held every April). While the festival started as our main fundraiser, it has become a unique opportunity. After the 2022 festival, DCB partnered with CB Greenspace to sustain and expand the festival to tap into Eco-tourism. The festival has grown so significant that it has been designated one of Virginia’s three birding festivals by the Dep

Colonial Beach made it into the the latest issue of Virginia Economic Review, a state-wide journal that highlights companies across a wide breadth of industries that were founded in Virginia and continue to find success in the Commonwealth. The article has a brief description of Colonial Beach and its attractions, and a wonderful photo spread. Our little town is starting to become known far and wide! https://issuu.com/vedpvirginia/docs/vedp_q422_issuu/70

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jeff Crook, DCB President January 10, 2023 JCrook@DowntownColonialBeach.org Colonial Beach Is One Giant Step Closer to Becoming A Designated Virginia Main Street Town COLONIAL BEACH, VIRGINIA, January 1, 2023—At year’s end 2022, Downtown Colonial Beach was notified that the organization’s application to proceed to the second tier of the Virginia Main Street Program had been approved. This second tier—Mobilizing Main Street--is a two-year stage t

A native Washingtonian and 18 year part-time resident of Colonial Beach Jackie received her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in 1985 from the Corcoran School of Arts & Design in Washington, DC. In May, 1986 Jackie began a 19 year career with the Washington Post as a Graphic Designer and the first African American women to work in the Washington Post Advertising Art Department. While working for the Washington Post in 1997 Jackie received her second Bachelor’s in Interior Design from M

Downtown Colonial Beach (DCB) would like to thank everyone for showing up and showing out for the first ever Colonial Beach Sip & Stroll! Roving carolers sang spirited holiday songs and our very own Colonial Beach Boardwalk Band serenaded us with classic Christmas tunes. More than a dozen volunteer ambassadors greeted guests with event maps and a warm smile. Restaurants, wineries, breweries, retail shops, and art venues opened their doors for attendees and shoppers. And bu

Colonial Beach Volunteers Plant Trees along Colonial Avenue Some 20 volunteers contributed their time and got their hands dirty planting trees and shrubs to enhance the appearance of the town’s entry corridor on Colonial Avenue last Saturday, Oct. 23rd. Special thanks go to Master Gardeners Carol Werle and Jim Hazzard who instructed and supervised the planting. Bob and Kelly Vaughn picked up truckloads of mulch and soil amendments for the planting. De Donohoe and husband B

Come be a part of beautifying Colonial Avenue and the beachfront by helping plant trees and shrubs, Saturday, Oct. 16, 9 a.m. Downtown Colonial Beach and the Town Government received a grant from the VA Department of Forestry to plant trees and flowering shrubs along Colonial Avenue and the beachfront. We will be meeting on Town Hill where teams will be provided with instructions. The trees and shrubs will add beauty, help cool the atmosphere and reduce storm water run-off.

Colonial Beach Commercial Historic District now on the National Register of Historic Places. The official listing occurred yesterday, September 16, 2021. What it means is that our downtown is considered of national significance. Join the effort to keep it that way, and even more vibrant, beautiful and prosperous by volunteering with Downtown Colonial Beach, your preservation-based revitalization group and Main Street America Affiliate. Many thanks to all the organizations and

May we hear a drum roll please! Below is a summary of responses we received back from the Downtown Colonial Beach Survey of Retail Preferences. One of the most successful ways of generating new retail development is by encouraging local entrepreneurs to start up new businesses--these survey results may give you ideas. Downtown Colonial Beach will be partnering with the University of Mary Washington Center for Economic Development and Small Business Development Center over