When Gina Ippolito passes the leadership torch for Smithfield VA Events in coming years, she will do so having left her community immeasurably better.

Ippolito took a fateful phone call from then-Town Councilman Andrew Gregory more than a decade ago and accepted a challenge: showcasing Windsor Castle Park, newly bequeathed to the town by Joseph Luter III, to visitors from throughout the region.

Ippolito, Gregory and a few other movers and shakers soon sat around a table at Smithfield Station and crafted a plan for a major festival that would debut as the Wine & Brew Fest two years later in 2012. What has happened over the past 13 years under Ippolito’s leadership would likely amaze even Gregory, who knew just the person to call.

The recent milestone of surpassing $2 million in funds raised for good causes through Smithfield VA Events’ annual Wine & Brew Fest, BOB Fest, and Bacon & Bourbon Fest is remarkable by any measure. Last week’s celebration by hundreds of volunteers and supporters at The Smithfield Center was an opportunity to take a step back and appreciate the accomplishment.

Ippolito is quick to give credit to the volunteers and handful of paid staff members besides herself for that success, and she’s right that they are indispensable. But so is a leader who considers such a massive undertaking her baby and devotes untold time, sweat and tears to pulling off three major events every year. Ippilito’s value far exceeds the modest salary she is paid.  

The fact that more than 180 community organizations have received grants funded by these events highlights the profound impact Smithfield VA Events has on Smithfield and Isle of Wight County. Recent $10,000 grants awarded to organizations like the Smithfield High School Band Boosters, SHS Chorus, Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department and the DeGood Foundation’s Imagination Library illustrate the tangible benefits.

The festivals’ “party with a purpose” theme is more than a slogan. In addition to the meaningful contributions to area nonprofits and charities, the dedication of your staff, volunteers and founding members, including the initial vision to utilize Windsor Castle Park, has resulted in a thriving series of events that not only entertain but also uplift the community.

Jim Monroe, vice president of corporate affairs for festival sponsor Smithfield Foods, said it well: “It’s transformational for our community and it’s really a testament to the power of community-led events to create real lasting change.”

We commend the group’s efforts in “success-ion” planning, including the hiring of director-in-training Bailey Biggs and seeking new volunteers to ensure the continued success and growth of Smithfield VA Events for years to come.