Make Way for Ducklings – Sperryfest 2024

What do AARP Virginia and little yellow rubber ducks have in common? Both were an integral part of Sperryfest 2024.

AARP Virginia was a sponsor of Sperryville’s annual community festival, which was started in 2019 to help fund the town’s walking trails. Today, the festival serves as a fun way to bring the community together and provide education on key local programs.

On the day of the festival, Sperryville’s Main Street became a lively street festival, where participants visited Main Street merchants as well as the many booths featuring local businesses, crafts people, and non-profit organizations.

Early on, the weather was better suited for ducks than people, as participants dodged back and forth between vendor booths to avoid frequent rain showers. The rain didn’t put a damper on the festive spirit, however, as even though everyone was soaking wet, there were many smiles.

AARP Virginia, along with many local organizations, provided valuable information and material to festivalgoers.

The Thornton River, which begins near the Thornton Gap and flows thorough Sperryville, is part of the Rappahannock River watershed, said volunteers from Friends of the Rappahannock.

The Thorton is a short river at just 27.9 miles long. Just past Culpeper, the Thornton joins the Hazel River, a tributary of the Rappahannock River. The Thornton plays a key part in Sperryville, with many activities centered around it. The Friends group helps provide education and activities to support watershed health and river safety.

Rappahannock County is a small rural county where about 30% of its residents are 65 and over, said volunteers from Rapp at Home, a volunteer organization for residents 50 and older.

Since the county has no public transportation service, Rapp at Home plays a key role in serving residents who can no longer drive. They have two wheelchair-accessible vans driven by volunteers to help pick up groceries and prescription medications, take residents to medical appointments, and even help with special events.

The organization also provides resources to help senior residents age in place, such as Guardian Assist devices and highly reflective house numbers to aid first responders.

In addition, Rapp at Home offers regular activities to keep members’ minds and bodies active, including exercise and fitness classes and lectures on a wide range of topics. The organization is supported entirely by grants and donations.

Other organizations present at the festival included the Rappahannock Food Pantry, Shenandoah National Park, Rappahannock League of Environmental Protection, the Rappahannock Historical Society, and Rapp Cats, a local cat rescue.

As the skies cleared, festival goers made their way to the food truck area, where many delectable treats awaited them. Many also indulged in tastings from the local wineries, breweries, and distilleries present.

The highlight of the festival, of course, were the duck races! There were two races, one for children and one for adults. The ducks floated serenely down the Thornton, to the delight and cheers of all.