This Month, Meet Flipper, Watch A Monster Truck Battle, Sip International Wine, Jam to Music in the Sand, Salute to Summer and Much More
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (April 20, 2016) – Spring is finally here and events are filling the beach in May, offering variety and fun for every visitor to experience. From beachside entertainment to wildlife spotting, patriotic celebrations and even strawberries served 50 different ways, visitors are sure to kick off the season in a colorful way in Virginia Beach this month.
SONGS IN THE SAND
Blending the best of the oldies, Beach Music Weekend (May 13-15) is a jam-packed blast to the past! Settle into the sand as top beach music bands from up and down the East Coast descend on the Resort Beach in a nostalgic salute to the “good old days.” The weekend-long series of free concerts is presented on a stage built right on the beach at 30th Street. All beach performances are free to the public!
Salute to Summer (May 27-29) is a “Star-Spangled” salute to great music, fun in the sun and the military men and women who have sacrificed their lives throughout our country’s history. Live entertainment will grace three outdoor stages and will feature music presented by local and regional bands. Original essays written by local high school students describing military conflicts throughout history will be reproduced on four-by-eight banners for visitors to read as they stroll the boardwalk.
The Resort Beach sidewalks become the stage during Beach Street USA (May 30 - Sept. 5), when musicians and novelty acts perform along Atlantic Avenue during the summer and fall months. From 7:30 p.m. - 11 p.m., an eight-block corridor will transform into a magical world of its own that is part circus, part outdoor music festival and a complete family-friendly zone. Performers from all over the U.S. and Canada visit Virginia Beach each year for the opportunity to entertain visitors during this multi-month event!
AQUATIC ADVENTURES
Dolphin Discoveries Sea Adventures and Rudee Flipper (Mar. 19 - Oct. 31) offer unparalleled opportunities to experience the sights and sounds of our marine environment. Cruise the coastline in search of playful bottlenose dolphins and other wildlife, as you take in beautiful views and gorgeous sunsets. Aquatic wildlife specialists will explain the incredible dolphin behaviors and share what is being done to conserve and protect the species and its habitat. Brown pelicans, bald eagles and sea turtles are also frequently sighted along the way, so keep your eyes peeled for an unforgettable experience!
THE ULTIMATE BEACH TAKEOVER
Chevrolet Monsters on the Beach (May 6-8) brings thrills and chills to the Resort Beach, as monster trucks battle for ultimate sand domination. This family-friendly event is every little boy or girl’s monster-truck dream, loud and fast! The course is built in the sand at 6th Street, with bleachers for visitors to overlook from the boardwalk. This is a two-hour ticketed event.
The USA Ultimate Beach Championships (May 14-15) provide national level competition for players in the beach division. Combining the nonstop movement and athletic endurance of soccer, with the aerial passing skills of football, a game of ultimate is played by two teams with a flying disc on a field with end zones. Visitors can cheer on competitors during this fast-paced, fun and exciting game!
The following weekend, the War Birds Over the Beach airshow (May 20-22) takes visitors on a trip back in time to the days of the WWII era at the Military Aviation Museum. Look up in the sky to see fighters and bombers of our Armed Forces patrol the countryside in Pungo. Experience all this and more, with hundreds of re-enactors, warplanes and entertainment reminiscent of the 1940s during this family-friendly ticketed event.
SPRING FESTIVITIES
This year, the Virginia Arts Festival (Apr. 9 - May 26) is celebrating its 20th anniversary, bringing world-class performing arts to the beach. To kick off the event, the festival presents the Spring for Dance Gala, gathering dancers from around the world. From Peking acrobats to the International PANFest, it’s sure to be an exciting month full of exquisite performances.
The Virginia International PANFest (May 6-7) is set in a casual atmosphere at the Resort Beach, with the soothing sounds of steel pan music. Fusing together the rhythm of steel bands and great international food, the oceanfront boardwalk transforms into an island paradise for this weekend-long event.
Visitors can let their taste buds travel the world while staying beachside during the Neptune Festival’s International Spring Wine Festival (May 14). The 31st Street Park will transform into a hub of tasting stations from around the world, including wines from nine countries, each featuring blends and styles that will ignite the traveler in every visitor. With the Atlantic Ocean backdrop and an afternoon enjoying live music and good company, visitors can let their palate do the traveling!
The family-friendly Sonrise Music Festival (May 20-22), located at the Resort Beach, will come alive with the sounds of Alternative music. Held at the 31st Street Neptune Park, the event will feature Christian artists offering a variety of musical genres, including cutting edge Top 40, Hip Hop and Indie music. Visitors will have the opportunity to win a meet-and-greet to hang with national and local celebrities, as well as browse and shop at numerous local vendor booths along the boardwalk.
Every year, Virginia Beach pays tribute to the Pungo Strawberry during the 33rd Annual Pungo Strawberry Festival, held Memorial Day weekend (May 28-29). With more than 120,000 people expected to be in attendance over the two-day event, the festival is among one of the most popular on the East Coast! Not only does the festival have all the strawberries you can eat in more than 50 different ways, but visitors can enjoy various activities, including a pie-eating contest, strawberry bake-off, live entertainment, a parade, a multi-million-dollar military display, pig races and much more. All proceeds from the festival are donated to non-profit community and service organizations.
Come stay with us this spring or begin planning your adventure for later in the year! To learn more about Virginia Beach, plan a stay or request a complimentary vacation guide, contact the Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau by calling 1-800-VA-BEACH or going to www.VisitVirginiaBeach.com.
