 Calendar of
events
for Va.
Beach
packed for 2004
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - If you're planning a trip to Virginia Beach in 2004, be sure to schedule it
around one or more of these exciting events planned near the oceanfront.
Here's a look at the events planned for spring, summer and fall.
March thru May. Virginia Opera spring season runs through early May, call the Harrison
Opera House for complete performance schedules.
March 17, St. Patrick's Day -- A great time to be in town for the Shamrock
Sportsfest.
March 20, Shamrock Sportsfest-- This 26.2 mile Shamrock Marathon Event has long
been a precursor to the famed Boston Marathon. The Sportsfest includes an 8K open, fitness walk,
children's marathon, and fitness expo.
March 20, Busch Gardens in Williamsburg opens for the season.
Mid-March, Mid-Atlantic Home & Garden Show -- Get ready for spring as the
beach becomes a mega-garden center with all the latest tips and appropriate regional plantings
discussed and displayed. Virginia Beach Pavilion Convention Center.
April 17-24, Historic Garden Week in Virginia -- Throughout the state, historic
and contemporary homes are opened to the public during the Old Dominion's most beautiful garden
season. Local homes and gardens in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake and Portsmouth are decked
out for viewing.
April 22, Earth Day -- Check out special events at the Virginia Marine Science
Museum.
May 19-23, 10th Annual Beach Music Weekend -- It's a Rock 'N' Roll Party scene
up and down the boardwalk. Top name acts come out to perform at the 29th Street stage in Virginia
Beach.
May 28-30, The 21st Annual Pungo Strawberry Festival -- Join the celebration of
the luscious berry as it is transformed into fabulous desserts and temptations to delight young and
old. Or just pick your own and take them home. There's a parade, musical entertainment, children's
activities, arts & crafts show.
 May 31, Memorial Day weekend, Ocean Breeze Fun Park -- Wild Water Rapids opens
for the season.
June, 9th Elvis Festival -- The King descends on the beach (literally), as
hundreds of them participate in a sing-off, karaoke and look-alike contests. Sample some of Elvis'
favorite dishes, look for memorabilia and be sure to watch for your favorite in the swinging,
singing Elvis contest! Activities take place at the 17th Street and 24th Street parks at the
oceanfront.
Mid-June, 49th Annual Boardwalk Art Show -- One of the largest art shows of
it's kind. Hundreds of artists from throughout the Atlantic region line the boardwalk at the
oceanfront with original art, paintings, jewelry, ceramics, photography and crafts.
Late June, Hampton Jazz Festival -- Three days of music from some of the top
jazz groups in the nation keeps on growing at the Hampton Coliseum.
July 4, Independence Day - Stars and Stripes Explosion -- Fireworks and a
celebration to commemorate the day are always popular at the oceanfront.
Late July, Todi Music Festival -- This annual fest is a combined effort of
local and Italian promoters to bring in music performance artists from around the world. Opera,
American traditional music including folk, jazz and pops as well as classical orchestras perform in
venues throughout the city.
 Aug. 25-29, East Coast Surfing Championship -- The longest running event of its
kind on the east coast, an estimated 100 professional and 400 amateur surfers vie for various
prizes. Let's just say the surfers own the beach between 1st and 8th Streets, and it's a spectator
event. And don't miss the bikini contest, which is always a popular event.
Sept. 3-6, 11th Annual Pontiac American Music Festival -- The largest music
event on the East Coast. More than 50 concerts are scheduled to take place on 11 stages along the
boardwalk. Rock, hop and R&B music will fill the streets and make this a Labor Day weekend
treat.
September, The Neptune Festival -- King Neptune rises out of the sea to preside
over this popular end of summer festival, full of food, fun, a huge parade and shows. There are
lots of things to see and do, including a giant sandcastle building competition and a wine
tasting.
Mid-September, Neptune Festival Air Show -- At Naval Air Station Oceana - Come
see the thrills of high flying aeronautics for a show to remember.
Mid-September, Ocean Breeze Fun Park -- Wild Water Rapids closes for the
season.
Weekends in October, Busch Gardens presents its popular Howl-O-Scream event
where the park takes on a spookier flavor.
 Late October, Busch Gardens closes for the season.
Nov. 11, Veteran's Day -- Parade held on 19th Street in Virginia Beach.
Mid-November through Christmas, Boardwalk Christmas Lights Display --
Appropriately a nautical theme for Christmas, it's a city-sponsored nighttime drive through a
winter wonderland of animated lights down the Virginia Beach boardwalk.
Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.
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