M Established Local and National Artists As Well As Local Amateur Talent
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Media Release FOR IMMEDIATERELEASE March 30, 2015 Contact: Ryan Downey, 757/728-5328 [email protected] Mary Fugere, 757/728-5327 [email protected] UPDATED 2015 SUMMER CALENDAR!! Warm Up To Hampton, Virginia Events This Summer! Hampton, Virginia- This summer, warm up to Hampton events! Whether it’s plundering and pillaging at the 16th annual Blackbeard Pirate Festival, listening to great live music at the 25th annual Afrikan American Festival, or closing out the season at the 33rd annual Hampton Bay Days, there is something for the entire family this summer in Hampton. On April 18, the 15th annual International Children’s Festival energizes Mill Point Park. Showcasing close to 40 countries, ICF allows children of all ages the unique opportunity to experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of cultures from across the globe. Entertainment for this year’s festival will take place on three stages and includes the -More- Warm Up To Hampton, Virginia Events This Summer! - Page 2 popular Dragon Head Dance, native folk dancers, and musicians. In addition, Hilby the Skinny German Juggle Boy and magician John Kingry will provide roaming entertainment throughout the day. Returning to the festival for the second year is the ever popular “Animals From Around the World,” featuring camel rides for $3 per person! On May 1, Paradise Ocean Club at Fort Monroe re-opens for the 2015 season. Located on the Chesapeake Bay, the club stays hopping during the late spring and summer with live music by national recording artists, special events, private cabana rentals ($200 a day), an Olympic size pool, private beach, and more. Admission to the club is $10 per day and guests receive access to the pool, beach, and more. For operating times and additional info, visit www.paradiseoceanclub.com. The Second annual Bodacious Boardwalk Bazaar & Wine Festival is an amazing three-day shopping experience happening at historic Fort Monroe, May 1-3. The festival includes talented artists, crafters, local businesses, and a car show at an extraordinary venue. The show will donate a percentage of its net to several chosen non-profit organizations. On May 9, the Downtown Hampton Block Party returns to Queens Way, complete with musical entertainment, cold refreshments, and family fun. The Downtown Hampton Block Party is scheduled Saturday evenings, May 9-August 29. Some of this year’s highlights include the Jimmy Buffet-inspired Party Fins on May 2nd, national recording artist ska band Fishbone on May 9th, and local favorites Fuzz Band on May 23rd. May 16 and May 23, enjoy Contraband Commemoration Living History Tours that -More- Warm Up To Hampton, Virginia Events This Summer! - Page 3 follow the presumed footsteps of freedom seekers at Fort Monroe and their contributions to the Civil War effort and the ending of slavery. Tours will go on rain or shine and are approximately one hour in length. The free tours will take place (starting in Cannon Park) at Fort Monroe at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. May 16-17 marks the returns of Chesapeake Bay Reggae Fest. This year, the event moves from Buckroe Beach to Mill Point Park in downtown Hampton. Enjoy live reggae music during this two-day family-friendly event. Featured musical artists include Tuff Lion, United Souls, Iron Lion, Adwela & The Uprising, Natures Child, Machet, Buddha Council, Ras Iba, and Carlton Livingston. Join over 1,500 canine friends at the Virginia Memorial Day Cluster All-Breed Dog Show, taking place at the Hampton Roads Convention Center May 22-25. Hosted by Langley and Gloucester Kennel Clubs, the event is expected to draw over 4,000 spectators. Highlights include obedience trials, a Junior Showmanship clinic, AKC Rally®, and over 30 vendors offering pet merchandise unique to the Hampton Roads region. May 29-May 31, Hampton plays host to the 16th annual Blackbeard Pirate Festival, a weekend full of swashbuckling excitement on the downtown Hampton waterfront. Immerse yourself in early 1700s Hampton while enjoying live entertainment, sea battles, fireworks, children’s activities, and more. Experience the fantastical craftsmanship, conveyances and contraptions from an alternative Victorian era and Wild West frontier in Steampunk: Visions of Futures Past during Blackbeard Festival Weekend. Enjoy live music at Visions of Futures Past Opening Celebration on Friday, May 29. Throughout the weekend marvel at the -More- Warm Up To Hampton, Virginia Events This Summer! - Page 4 imagination and workmanship of artisans whose vehicles, weaponry, communication devices, musical reproduction gear and fashion, conjure up time when airships were commonplace and steam power ruled the world! Saturday and Sunday entry into the Hampton History Museum galleries and Steampunk exposition are free. On June 13, Buckroe Beach hosts the Third annual Life’s a Beach Triathlon. The Life’s A Beach swim is 200 yards of “Almost Anything Goes,” with racers allowed to use boogie boards, swim fins, mask and snorkels, water wings, and almost anything else to help them feel comfortable and have fun. The bike portion of the race is only five miles and is for fat tire bikes ONLY—beach cruisers and mountain bikes—as some courses may actually involve stretches of beach riding. The two-mile beach run is laid back and includes some of the Life’s A Beach challenges—obstacles to break up the run in a fun way. This unique triathlon is expected to draw over 500 participants from across the eastern seaboard. The weekend of June 26-28, two of Hampton’s most celebrated occurrences return, the 25th annual Afrikan American Festival and 48th annual Hampton Jazz Festival. At the Afrikan American Festival enjoy an outdoor, non-alcoholic, family-oriented event that includes nonstop entertainment, food, and over 70 vendors. During the Hampton Jazz Festival groove to the sounds of the nation’s top blues, soul, pop, and jazz performers at the Hampton Coliseum. On June 28, Aberdeen Gardens Historic & Civic Association celebrates its unique heritage with Aberdeen Gardens Heritage Day, a free celebration with entertainment, food, and more. On July 11, skate into downtown Hampton for Rolling of the Bulls 2015. Inspired by the Running of the Bulls, an event that takes place in Spain, Portugal, and some parts of Mexico where festival goers…what else… run with the bulls, the Rolling of the Bulls in -More- Warm Up To Hampton, Virginia Events This Summer! - Page 5 Hampton will feature participants running from Dominion Derby Girls on skates with whiffle ball bats. The event begins with the Blessing of the Bulls and then the .5 mile run starts. Each runner MUST wear white with a red scarf and sash (so the girls know exactly who to hit!) and creativity is highly suggested. On Saturday, July 25, head to Mill Point Park in downtown Hampton for the Sixth annual Freaky Kon-Tiki! The river raft race, presented by 33rd annual Hampton Bay Days, allows a team of five people to build a raft on-site and race other contestants around a course in the Hampton River. Each participant must be at least 14 years-old to compete. This August 8-9, the 90th annual Hampton Cup Regatta speeds back into town. Join us as Hampton welcomes 10 classes of the fastest hydroplanes in North America. The fun begins on Friday with Bash at the Bridge and racing takes place on Saturday and Sunday. Other festivities include food and beverage vendors, souvenir programs, children’s area, and racing-enthusiast clothing and collectibles for sale. Lawn chairs are highly encouraged as bleacher seating is extremely limited. Attendees are also encouraged to bring pop-up tents or umbrellas for shade; however coolers, pets, bikes, and skateboards are not permitted. Close out summer and usher in fall at the 33rd annual Hampton Bay Days, September 11-13. In 1982, Hampton Bay Days was created as a unique outlet to educate the public on the importance of the Chesapeake Bay in the Hampton Roads region, as well as the rest of Virginia and Maryland. The goal of the festival is to provide an entertaining atmosphere while ultimately serving the greater purpose of highlighting aspects of the bay and promoting its upkeep and preservation. About 150,000 people are expected to attend the 32nd anniversary celebration in downtown Hampton. Activities include live -More- Warm Up To Hampton, Virginia Events This Summer! - Page 6 musical entertainment, over 100 merchandise and craft vendors, a 30-minute fireworks display, bay education area, and more. Other notable summer happenings include the Seventh Annual 3D Sand Soccer Shootout at Buckroe Beach; Hampton Parks and Recreation activities like Groovin’ by the Bay, Family Movie Series, and Storytelling in the Park; AAU Basketball Championships at the Boo Williams Sportsplex throughout July, and NASCAR racing at Langley Speedway, among others. Partially bordered by the Hampton Roads harbor and Chesapeake Bay, Hampton, with the 344,000 sq. ft. Hampton Roads Convention Center, is located in the center of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. Hampton is the site of America's first continuous English-speaking settlement and is home to such visitor attractions as the Virginia Air & Space Center and Riverside IMAX ® Theater, Hampton History Museum, harbor tours and cruises, Hampton University Museum, Fort Monroe, award-winning Hampton Coliseum, The American Theatre, among others. April 2015 4- September 26 Racing at Langley Speedway (Saturdays only) Nearly every Saturday, satisfy your need for speed at this historic NASCAR home track. The only weekly racing series in Hampton Roads. Late model, Grand Stocks, Modifieds, Legends, Super Trucks, U-Cars, Super Street, Pro Wing Champ Karts, Enduros, and Pro 6 racing. Langley Speedway. Gates open at 2:00 p.m. and racing starts at 7:00 p.m.