Saturday, October 4, 2025!
Boots and Barbecue is a celebration of all the things that drive Northern Neck Land Conservancy’s commitment to protecting working farms, waters and woodlands in our region. Each year the event is held in one of the five Northern Neck counties or Essex on the Middle Peninsula – and always on an acreage that is permanently protected by a conservation easement.
“Boots” has quickly become known as one of the most enjoyable outdoor, fried oyster-eating opportunities of the year. This year’s event was on Saturday, October 4 from 1:00 to 4:00 at Wheatland on the water in Essex County, VA. It featured a delicious barbecue buffet, live music, and exhibitors and demonstrations that reflect the rural character of the Northern Neck.
We are grateful to the generous event sponsors who demonstrate their commitment to our community by supporting Northern Neck Land Conservancy through Boots and Barbecue. We also appreciate the local exhibitors who help make this event so enjoyable.
Boots and Barbecue 2025 Sponsors, Demonstrations and Exhibitors
Sponsors
Venue – Historic Wheatland
Peter and Susan Bance
Teddy and Polly Bance
Signature Level Sponsor
Atlantic Union Bank &
Atlantic Union Bank Wealth Management
Stoney Point Farm
Leader Level Sponsor
Bartlett Tree Experts
A. Mason Brent
Partner Level Sponsor
Essex County Conservation Alliance
Kathryne and Johnny Mitchell
Kess & Chitty Law
Waterloo Farm
Steward Level Sponsor
Gail Wertz and Andrew Ball
Bevans Oyster Company
Cowart Seafood Corporation
Tudy Moncure and Arn Eliasson
Karen and Rob Hedelt
Hirschler
Rachel and John Meier
River City Golf Carts
Stevenson Walker
Virginia Conservation Credit Exchange
Protector Level Sponsor
AAA-Taliaferro Excavating, LLC
Prue and Douglas Adler
Marguerite and Bill Armstrong
Lincoln Boykin and George Gates
Anne and Rob Brumley
Colonial Farm Credit
Barbara and Tal Day
Farm Bureau – Essex County
James River Equipment
Arlene and Les Kilduff
Rappahannock Restoration
Laurie and Rod Schlemm
Margie and Frank Stevens
Alice and Hill Wellford
Emily and Bucks Wilkinson
Supporter Level Sponsor
Allison’s Ace Hardware
Bay’s Best Feed
Bobbie Burton and Nancy Joel
Bruington Farm
Carroll’s Automotive
Stephanie Hanchey and Mike Purello
Cessie and Bill Howell
Jim and Martha Lynch
Pam and Chip Minor
Diana and Jim Russell
Miss Mary Seafood
Elmer “Tip” and Laura Morris
Noblett Appliances
The Old White Barn at Dovetail Farm
Diana and Jim Russell
Skaggs and Repass Contracting
Friend Level Sponsor
Old Farm Truck Market
Demonstration and Exhibitors
Patawomeck Tribe
Fishing and making traditional eel pots.
Steamboat Era Museum
Interpreting historic Saunders Wharf and life in our region in the era of steamboat travel and commerce.
Copper Fox Distillery
DAW Theatre
Essex County Conservation Alliance
Essex County Museum & Historical Society
Farm Bureau – Essex County
Friends of the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail
Friends of the Rappahannock
Jim Hall/Antique Parker Shotgun Collection
John dos Passos Institute
Menokin Foundation
Northern Neck Beekeepers
Northern Neck Hidden History Trail
Northern Neck Master Gardeners – Shoreline Evaluation Program
Northern Neck Master Naturalists
Northern Neck Sail & Power Squadron
Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia
Project Healing Waters
Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Steamboat Era Museum
Tidewater Oyster Gardeners Association
