Hometown Warrenton, Inc. is excited to announce some upcoming changes to our lineup of events for the year. As part of the Main Street program, events play a critical role in achieving our mission to revitalize and strengthen downtown Warrenton. Events are more than just opportunities for community gatherings—they are key drivers of economic activity, tourism, and civic pride.

By hosting events, we aim to:

• Promote Local Businesses: Downtown events bring people into the heart of the city, creating opportunities for businesses to showcase their products and services to both residents and visitors.
• Strengthen Community Ties: Events create a sense of belonging and shared identity, bringing together residents of all ages and backgrounds to celebrate our town’s rich heritage and bright future.
• Celebrate Cultural Heritage: Many of our events are designed to highlight Warrenton’s unique history and cultural traditions, preserving the stories and legacy of our town for future generations.
• Attract Tourism: Well-planned events are a powerful tool to draw visitors from neighboring towns and beyond, helping to boost the local economy and spotlight all that Warrenton has to offer.
• Create Lasting Memories: From festivals and markets to parades and celebrations, our events leave a lasting impact on those who attend, fostering positive connections to our downtown area.

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As a Main Street program, Hometown Warrenton is committed to aligning our events with the broader goals of economic development and community engagement. These upcoming changes reflect our dedication to creating vibrant, engaging, and sustainable events that benefit everyone involved.

​Phasing Out

We will be phasing out Downtown Days/Market on Main as part of our efforts to refresh and update our annual event lineup, making room for new ideas and experiences that better align with the evolving needs of our community. Over the past two years, Downtown Days has seen a decline in attendance from both visitors and citizens, and we believe this shift in focus will allow us to create events that engage the community more effectively.

​Originally designed as a family-friendly, free event series featuring vendors, food trucks, and live entertainment, Downtown Days was aimed at bringing people into the heart of Warrenton. However, the changing interests of our community have led us to explore fresh concepts that will better serve downtown and generate greater participation. While Downtown Days has brought many great moments, we are excited to introduce new opportunities that will continue to strengthen downtown Warrenton in more meaningful ways.

Policy Changes

Event Vendor Policy Update
Effective immediately, we are implementing changes to our vendor policies to enhance the success and experience of both vendors and attendees at our events. These changes reflect our commitment to curating a high-quality vendor lineup that benefits everyone involved.
Key Changes:

1. Reduced Food Vendor Capacity:
   • To maintain a balanced and diverse vendor mix, we will accept fewer food vendors at all events. This adjustment is designed to minimize competition among food vendors and maximize their profitability.
2. Updated Vendor Pricing:
   • Vendor fees will increase to accommodate the reduced number of food vendors. This change ensures that the events remain financially viable while providing vendors with a greater opportunity for success.
3. Enforcement of Listed Items Policy:
   • Moving forward, all items sold by vendors must be listed on their registration form. This policy will be strictly enforced to guarantee a curated selection of offerings and prevent duplication among vendors. Vendors are encouraged to provide a detailed and accurate list of their products during the registration process.

Our Goals:
These changes aim to:

• Promote a diverse and unique shopping experience for event attendees.
• Support vendor success by reducing direct competition and ensuring a wide variety of products are available.
• Create a fair and transparent process for vendor selection.

Vendor Registration

​Event Enhancements

Our first Initiative, Event Enhancements, focus on improving accessibility and participation by adjusting the timing of key events to maximize community engagement and inclusivity.

• Art on Main: We’re moving this event from October to May to better accommodate participation from local school students, ensuring that young artists from our community have the chance to showcase their talents. By shifting the timing to align with the school calendar, we aim to encourage greater involvement from teachers and students alike. Our goal is to grow Art on Main into a larger, more interactive event, incorporating not just visual arts but also performances, workshops, and hands-on activities that allow attendees of all ages to explore their creative sides. We envision this event becoming a staple of Warrenton's cultural offerings, bringing together families, artists, and art enthusiasts to celebrate creativity in the heart of downtown.

Local Partnerships

Our second Initiative focuses on strengthening Local Partnerships. By collaborating with other community organizations, we aim to create more dynamic and engaging events that reflect the diverse interests and heritage of our town. These partnerships include:

• Camak Railroad Days (in partnership with Camak Railroad Days, Inc.)
• Chalk the Block (in partnership with Events of Warren County, as part of Art on Main)
• Celebrate Warrenton (in partnership with Events of Warren County)
• Fall Festival (in partnership with Events of Warren County)
• Gospel on the Green (in partnership with Dr. Ken Blair)

These collaborations not only help expand our event offerings but also foster a greater sense of unity and support within the community. Together, we’re creating experiences that bring residents and visitors closer, all while celebrating the rich culture of Warrenton.

New Lineup

We are excited to unveil our refreshed event lineup for the coming year, featuring exciting new collaborations and a renewed focus on community engagement. These events will highlight the vibrancy and unique charm of Warrenton while celebrating the creativity, heritage, and spirit of our residents and visitors alike.  The events in BROWN are hosted by us. The events in BLUE are partnerships that we are supporting. Here's a preview of what’s in store:

• Camak Railroad Days (April): In partnership with Camak Railroad Days, Inc., Hometown Warrenton will support this event that celebrates our railroad history and its impact on the region.
• Art on Main (May): Now moved from October, this event will showcase local artistry and creativity on the streets of Warrenton. Additionally, Chalk the Block, hosted by Events of Warren County, will be part of this colorful celebration.
• Juneteenth Celebration (June): Honoring freedom and history, this event will bring the community together to celebrate African American culture and heritage.
• Back to School Bash/Ice Cream Social (August): A family-friendly event to kick off the school year, with fun activities and, of course, ice cream!
• Celebrate Warrenton (September): In partnership with Events of Warren County, this event will bring the town together to celebrate all things Warrenton.
• Fall Festival (October): Another collaboration with Events of Warren County, this festival will feature seasonal festivities for the whole family.
• Gospel on the Green (October): In partnership with Dr. Ken Blair, this uplifting event will fill the downtown with soulful gospel music and community fellowship.
• Sportsman's Festival (November): A long-standing tradition, the Sportsman's Festival will feature outdoor sports, local vendors, and activities to enjoy the fall weather.
• Hometown Christmas (December): Our annual holiday celebration will light up downtown Warrenton with festive activities, shopping, and plenty of holiday cheer.

These changes reflect our commitment to delivering events that bring people together and create lasting memories while continuing to support Warrenton’s growth and development. We look forward to seeing you at these exciting events!

Check out our Events page for exact information!