The Virginian-Pilot
©
Sometimes
you need to find
a little fun for the
family.
Festival season in Hampton
Roads is a real treat - an array of
events awaits us each year, including
many with a "family friendly" rating.
Offerings range from carnival rides to tall ships to sandsculpting, music and crafts.
Here are a few of the many events aiming to please festivalgoers of all ages:
The Chesapeake Jubilee
The Jubilee helps kick off the season. When May 20-23
Where Chesapeake City Park, 900 Greenbrier Pkwy.
Contact (757) 482-4848, www.chesapeakejubilee.org
Why we think it's cool The Jubilee offers a mix of music, 4-H shows, carnival rides, festival food - I'll take another smoked turkey leg, please - and the Zambelli Fireworks Internationale sky-filling display.
Music headliners include Steel Pulse (8 p.m. May 21), Tonic (7:30 p.m. May 22) and Rodney Atkins (4 p.m. May 23). Fireworks: 9 p.m. May 22. Other highlights include crafts and a BBQ Cook-Off.
Admission $2 entry fee; ages 5 and under free. On-site parking: $5.
More family-friendly festivals:
27th annual Afr'Am Fest
When 5 to 10 p.m. May 21, noon to 10 p.m. May 22, noon to 8 p.m. May 23
Where Town Point Park, Norfolk
Contact (757) 639-7054, www.afram-fest.info
Why In addition to musical acts like Salt-N-Pepa, Bell Biv Devoe and Keith Sweat, the festival offers a "Children's Village" filled with storytellers, musicians and clowns, along with activities such as face-painting.
Admission $10 per day, $25 for a family four-pack, military and senior discounts, children 6 and under free
34th annual Harborfest
When June 11-13
Where Town Point Park, downtown Norfolk
Contact (757) 441-2345, www.festevents.org
Why Music headliners include BoDeans (8:30 p.m. June 11), The Robbin Thompson Band (3:30 p.m. June 12), The Family Stone (8 p.m. June 12) and Chris Cagle (4:30 p.m. June 13). Don't forget the Parade of Sail (noon June 11), food and children's activities (face-painting, crafts and games), and fireworks (9:30 p.m. June 12). New this year: Disney activities and a water park (slip-and-slide rides and water balloon games).
Admission Free; metered and garage parking spaces
20th annual Afrikan American Festival
When June 25-27
Where Mill Point Park, 100 Eaton St., Hampton
Contact (757) 727-8311, www.hampton400.com
Why This outdoor, nonalcohol, family-oriented event features music, an arts and crafts marketplace, ethnic foods, children's games and more. Celebrates the city's four centuries of African American history.
Admission $3 donation
37th annual Virginia Beach Neptune Festival
When Sept. 24-26
Where 5th to 32nd streets at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Contact (757) 498-0215, www.neptunefestival.com
Why Music, North American Sandsculpting Championship, Grand Parade (Sept. 25), Art and Craft Show, fireworks (9 p.m. Sept. 25), Youth Day (Sept. 25) and Youth Art Show (Sept. 26)
Admission Free
37th annual Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife
When Oct. 2-3
Where Newport News Park, Fort Eustis Boulevard and Jefferson Avenue, Newport News
Contact (757) 926-1400, www.nnparks.com/festivals.php
Why Music, crafts, food, children's activities
Admission Free; $10 parking fee
GO BACK to the summer festival interactive guide
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