ESVA Chamber Fest awarded Virginia Festival Grant

Eastern Shore of Virginia ChamberFest is among 88 special events and festivals statewide selected to receive funding through the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s Special Events & Festivals Sponsorship Program, as part of a new round of tourism grants announced last week by outgoing Governor Glenn Youngkin.

ChamberFest, organized by the Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce, will receive $2,030.22 in matching grant funds benefiting Northampton County. The funding is aimed at increasing overnight visitation and visitor spending tied to the 2026 festival.

Statewide, the program is awarding $885,733 in matching grant funds to support 88 festivals and special events across the Commonwealth. The initiative, administered by the Virginia Tourism Corporation, is designed to leverage local public and private investment to expand event marketing and production while encouraging visitors to stay longer and spend more in host communities.

According to the state, local partners will contribute more than $4.8 million in matching funds, generating over $5.68 million in new marketing and event-related activity focused on driving overnight visitation in 2026. The grants are expected to impact more than 500 tourism-related partners, including local governments, businesses, nonprofits, and attractions.

Governor Youngkin said special events and festivals play a key role in strengthening Virginia’s visitor economy by celebrating communities and creating economic momentum across the state. Commerce and Trade Secretary Juan Pablo Segura added that tourism serves as a gateway to broader economic development, noting that the supported events are projected to attract more than two million attendees.

The program uses a hub-and-spoke tourism model, encouraging visitors drawn by major events like ChamberFest to explore nearby Main Streets, restaurants, historic sites, and attractions, creating economic benefits beyond the festival itself.

Each GO Virginia region receives a share of available funding to ensure geographic balance, allowing rural areas like the Eastern Shore to compete alongside larger destinations. Organizers say the ChamberFest funding will support event promotion and planning while reinforcing the festival’s role as a regional draw for residents and visitors alike.

Additional grant and sponsorship rounds through the Virginia Tourism Corporation are expected to open later in 2026.