RICHMOND—The Rappahannock Community College (RCC) Educational Foundation recently announced the 20th Anniversary Preakness Party, celebrating the running of the Preakness Stakes, from 4-7 p.m. May 18 at Shandy Hall on the Rappahannock near Warsaw.
The Preakness Party will feature cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, live and silent auctions and a best hat and most dapper contest.
The hat contest brings out the competitive spirit in many of the guests who don enormous, colorful hats. One-of-kind auction items include a breakfast or cocktail cruise, skeet shoot experience and lunch, sailing excursion, private oyster roast, fine jewelry and vacations. The all-inclusive tickets are $100 per guest. For tickets, call 333-6707 or visit www.rappahannock.edu/preaknessparty.
Preakness Party proceeds support the RCC scholarship program that provides more than $500,000 annually in awards to students, as well as other program needs not funded through state allocations. For the 2023-2424 academic year, RCC EFI provided 220 awards totaling over $215,000 to every high school senior in the 12-county service region who completed the scholarship application, ensuring that a college education is within reach for students. “We appreciate the support from guests and area businesses that step up to sponsor the party,” said RCC president Dr. Shannon Kennedy. “The Preakness is a fun event for a very worthy cause!”
Food and beverages are included in the ticket price with offerings from 1710 Tavern, Indian Creek Yacht & Country Club, Java Jacks Cafe, Ma Margaret’s House Bed & Breakfast, Prince Street Café, RCC Culinary Arts and Relish, General’s Ridge Vineyard, Good Luck Cellars, Ingleside Vineyards and Winebow. In addition, domestic beer, a full bar and non-alcoholic beverages will be available. The celebration culminates with the Preakness Stakes shown on large screens in the event tent.