Culpeper, VA – The Town of Culpeper has been awarded a $30,000 grant through the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) Spring 2026 Marketing Leverage Program to support tourism marketing initiatives designed to increase visitation, extend overnight stays, and strengthen the local economy.
The grant will support Culpeper Tourism’s targeted marketing efforts focused on leisure travel, nature, and outdoor recreation, a growing travel segment for Culpeper, through strategic advertising and promotional initiatives designed to attract new and repeat visitors to the community.
In addition to the Town’s award, Culpeper Tourism staff assisted community partner Out of the Woodwork Productions, producer of the Virginia Renaissance Faire, in securing a $20,000 Spring 2026 Marketing Leverage Program grant to support expanded marketing efforts for the annual event. In fall 2025, Out of the Woodwork Productions acquired nearly 100 acres in Culpeper to establish the Virginia Renaissance Faire’s first permanent home. The faire is expected to launch its first season at the new site in 2027, representing a significant long-term tourism investment for the Culpeper community and the surrounding region.
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Together, the two awards bring $50,000 in new tourism marketing to the Culpeper community this funding cycle.
These latest awards build upon the Town of Culpeper’s continued success in securing competitive tourism funding. Over the past eighteen months, Culpeper Tourism has secured more than $150,000 in grant funding to support targeted advertising campaigns, cooperative marketing efforts, visitor research and analytics, public art initiatives, and VA250-related programming designed to attract new visitors, enhance in-market experiences, extend visitor stays, and strengthen Culpeper’s economy.
“Tourism is an important economic driver for Culpeper, and these grant opportunities empower us to continue investing in initiatives that increase visitation and support local businesses,” said Paige Read, Director of Culpeper Tourism and Town Economic Development. “We are especially excited to support the Virginia Renaissance Faire as they establish a long term presence in Culpeper. Their investment in the community represents a tremendous opportunity to expand Culpeper’s tourism offerings and attract new visitors to the region.”
In celebration of National Travel & Tourism Week, Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) awarded more than $2.2 million in matching grant and sponsorship funds to 143 tourism programs across the Commonwealth. These awards are funded through VTC’s Marketing Leverage and Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) Marketing Programs.
“Effective tourism marketing is key to turning interest into visitation and visitation into economic impact,” said Rita McClenny, President and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation. “These programs give our partners the tools to tell more compelling stories about their destinations, connect with travelers in meaningful ways, and inspire deeper exploration across Virginia.”
VTC’s tourism marketing and sponsorship programs are designed to maximize limited marketing dollars through public-private partnerships, stimulate new tourism promotion initiatives, and extend the iconic Virginia is for Lovers brand to drive visitation and increase visitor spending.
A full list of funding recipients for both grant programs can be found here.
About Culpeper Tourism
Culpeper Tourism is responsible for promoting and marketing Culpeper as an attractive travel destination, enhancing the community’s public image as a dynamic place to not only visit, but live, work and play. Through the impact of travel, Culpeper Tourism strengthens Culpeper’s economic position and provides opportunities for residents and local businesses. visitculpeperva.com
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. Learn more at virginia.org.
