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By Staci Dennis
Correspondent
VIRGINIA BEACH
Sitting around a bonfire and snuggling up with family is how Jodi Yoder likes to spend her vacations.
The Chesapeake family loaded up their camper, packed plenty of food and set out for a Thanksgiving to remember - in Virginia Beach.
"This is the best place to come and have fun and not too many people know about it," Yoder said. "It's a nice weekend getaway."
The Yoder family joined the Workman family, also of Chesapeake, at the Holiday Trav-L-Park on General Booth Boulevard for a weekend of fun and festivities. Thanks to June LeBeau, event coordinator at the park, activities were plentiful for all ages - and they continue this weekend.
"This is a great destination for people who live close by because it won't break your budget and it feels like you are in the middle of nowhere," LeBeau said. "You don't have to spend a lot of money to plan a great vacation close to home."
This year, LeBeau kicked off the holiday season with a bonfire, illumination, caroling, a visit from Santa and holiday lights contest. This is the first year she planned Christmas activities and hopes to do it every year.
"We want to get bigger and better every year," LeBeau said. "The more people who come, the more fun it will be."
This weekend there will be another bonfire on Friday night and children's activities, a movie, Christmas caroling and bingo on Saturday.
A hayride on Saturday night will take onlookers through a garden of lights with moving displays. At the end of the journey, participants will be given hot apple cider or hot chocolate.
"Anytime there is something big planned, we always make it a point to show up," Yoder said about visiting the park. "The kids always have something to do and we really get into the contests."
Yoder and the Workman families spent a recent Wednesday decorating their sites and campers with hundreds of Christmas lights. The family duo won for the best decorated site.
"Starting in April, I try to plan something every weekend through June," LeBeau said. "I want to get people hooked and coming back for more."
The park holds yard sales, a chili cook-off, mother and father's day celebrations, a luau, Beach Music Weekend and Halloween events. In the summer, there is a disc jockey and live bands that play every night. The activities are typically free and open to all residents staying at the park.
There are more than 900 spaces to rent on the 100-acre park.
"We are a hidden secret right here in Virginia Beach," LeBeau said. "People can come here and feel like they have gone out-of-town for the weekend without the hassle and expense of really leaving."
Staci Dennis, sdennis@cox.net
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