About

Come celebrate the Northern Neck’s pristine natural resources and rich historic cultural heritage to raise awareness of the value of conservation and the beauty of the region’s water, land and historic resources.

Kayakers, families, and adventure enthusiasts will join Menokin for its inaugural kayak race and festival to celebrate the Power of Place and the beautiful waters on Cat Point Creek in Virginia’s Northern Neck on Saturday, July 13th, 11 am - 5 pm (8 am for kayak racing; 11 am onward for festival activities).

There is no other event like this in the region. The Power of Place: Conservation, Kayaking, and Culture Festival offers recreational activities for the whole family, including kayaking, hiking, live music, food, film, tours, more.

Fact Sheet:

• Location: Menokin, 4037 Menokin Road, Warsaw, VA 22572
• Date: July 13th, 2024 EST
• Time – 8am -5pm

Kayak Race: 8am-11am

Kayak and water enthusiasts may participate in a kayak race along picturesque Cat Point Creek. This 7.5-mile run, organized in partnership with the American Canoe Association, promises breathtaking views and exciting competition, as kayakers of all skill levels navigate through the pristine waters from Menokin Bay to where Cat Point Creek meets the Rappahannock River.

Festival: 11am-5pm

After the race, the excitement continues with a day full of festivities at the Menokin property. With a bandstand, food vendors, tours, trail hikes and a movie reel in the Visitor Center, plan to immerse yourself in the rich history, vibrant culture, and conservation efforts of Menokin and the Northern Neck. Activities include among others:

• Live music, short films and delicious offerings from food and drink vendors.
• Engage with environmental advocates and learn about the importance of conservation in the Chesapeake Bay region
• Embark on special pontoon excursions across Menokin Bay to explore the newly opened Cat Point Creek Wildlife Refuge, featuring children's hiking trails
• Delve into the history of Menokin, a National Historic Landmark, with guided tours of the Menokin grounds throughout the day
• Walk Menokin’s nature trails and look for installed fairy houses along the way
• View the VMFA Exhibit Cultivating History: Food, Crops, and Art inside the Menokin Visitor Center

This event is made possible with funding from: Richmond County, Virginia Tourism Corporation, and the American Canoe Association (ACA)

Promotional and participating partners for this event include:
Town of Warsaw, Naylor’s Beach Campground, Rappahannock Wildlife Refuge Friends, Friends of the Rappahannock, Tidewater Oyster Gardeners Association (TOGA), Northern Neck Soil & Water Conservation District, Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School, and Rappahannock Adventures, LLC among others.

If you are interested in participating in this event as a vendor, please visit www.menokin.org/power-of-place and fill out the registration form, or email Alice French at afrench@menokin.org for details.

Links and downloads:

Power of Place: Conservation, Kayaking and Culture website - https://www.menokin.org/power-of-place

Download Power of Place: Conservation, Kayaking and Culture flyer and detailed schedule at https://www.menokin.org/press-kit

For more information and promotional materials, please contact Michael Beller at mbeller@menokin.org