2026 SESSION

ENROLLED

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 129

Commending Smithfield VA Events.

Agreed to by the Senate, March 12, 2026

WHEREAS, Smithfield VA Events has strengthened the Smithfield community by bringing well-organized, first-class events to the Town of Smithfield, bringing together the community and supporting the local economy; and

WHEREAS, Smithfield VA Events originated after Joseph W. Luter III, founder and former CEO of Smithfield Foods, gifted the Windsor Castle Park property to the Town of Smithfield in May 2010; shortly thereafter, a group of civic-minded residents came together with a plan to use the park as a central event venue and formed the Smithfield Wine & Brew Fest Committee; and

WHEREAS, held in April 2012, the first Smithfield Wine & Brew Fest, hosted by the Smithfield Rotary Club, and in partnership with sponsors and the support of multiple civic organizations, brought in a sold-out crowd of 1,600 people, 45 percent of whom came from out of town, contributing to the revitalization of tourism in Smithfield; and

WHEREAS, by 2014, the Smithfield Wine & Brew Fest Committee expanded its offerings of events, adding the Smithfield VA BOB Fest & 8K Chilly BOB Roadrace and the Smithfield VA Bacon & Bourbon Music Fest; with its new offerings, the organization renamed itself as Smithfield VA Events, filing for status as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit; and

WHEREAS, Smithfield VA Events now hosts more than 9,000 festival attendees annually, 62 percent of whom come to Smithfield as tourists; the organization gives more than $200,000 back to the community annually, offering grants to local organizations and assisting in other organizations' fundraising events; and

WHEREAS, unable to host large events during the COVID-19 pandemic, Smithfield VA Events began to host a small series of upscale dinner events called the Manor House Dinner Club, which it now continues to offer in addition to its three annual festivals; and

WHEREAS, since April 2012, Smithfield VA Events has donated more than $2 million back to the community through 181 organizations; the organization has boosted the local economy and has funded restoration and community projects at Windsor Castle Park, bringing a wealth of benefits to the Smithfield community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Smithfield VA Events be commended for its contributions to the community and to the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the board of directors of Smithfield VA Events as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for the organization's endeavors.