Feature Articles

“The most wonderful time of the year” is near, and there are several events at the Rivah to kick off the holidays. Urbanna On Saturday, December 6, experience “Enjoy the Christmas Spirit All Day” in Urbanna, capped by the Urbanna Hometown Christmas Parade. It’s been a holiday opening event for nearly 30 years....

Hugging the shore of the Yeocomico River since it was established in 1706, the tiny village of Kinsale is steeped in history. The name, thought to have come from Irish Gaelic Cean Saile, meaning “head of the saltwater,” is fitting since its location is near the brackish waters of...

Shop locally around the Rivah region to find the perfect gifts. Click here to view PDF version: Rivah Holiday Gift Shopping 2025  

During colonial Virginia’s 1640s real estate land rush, the first official English settlers arrived in Lancaster County and, what would become Middlesex County, armed with markers, pads and broad axes to record and mark their land grant property lines. They paddled and poled along creeks and coves looking for prime...

Gloucester’s walkable Main Street welcomes exploration of fine dining, grabbing a quick bite, or savoring a specialty coffee to start the day’s adventure — Main Street has your favorite flavor. Along the way, art is tucked into every corner, unique specialty shops offer treasures to browse, and history comes...

With a variety of habitats supporting birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, a visit to the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge rarely disappoints, regardless of the season. Operated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge (RWR) is one of 570 refuges across the...

Scoot’s BBQ is so much more than the name implies. When most folks who haven’t dined there think of the restaurant in Hayes near Gloucester Point they think strictly barbecue. “I didn’t want it to be just barbecue,” said owner Gary Ward. “Living in such a small community, you have to...

WE ASKED. YOU VOTED. This year marks the 10th year of The Best of the Rivah Contest! We are grateful to our readers who continue to vote and share the places and expreriences that make the Rivah special to them. From wineries to oysters, chicken to bait, art to ice cream and much,...

In 1970 Jimmy Smith came home from Nashville after seeing the Grand Ole Opry with an idea for an abandoned Mathews movie theater — create Virginia’s Li’l Ole Opry. The first show of local musical talent in summer 1975 revived Donk’s Theater. On Saturday nights the 30-year-old theater came alive...

Growing blue-ribbon, record breaking, mind boggling, awe-inspiring ginormous produce is no easy feat. Countless trials and errors, hours of research, months of labor and perseverance go into growing newsworthy crops. While it may not be an easy feat, for Jr. Brent, it sure is a fun one. Brent of Lancaster...