Hampton Bay Days in Hampton, Virginia – September 11-13, 2009

As a change of pace, I thought we’d give you more than a couple days’ warning on something. You know, test those waters a little.

We’re headed back to the east coast and Hampton, Virginia this September for Hampton Bay Days. This lively waterfront festival is celebrating its 27^th year of good music, delicious seafood, awesome kids’ programming, education, fireworks and whatever else they can pack in. And as always, they’re doing it for free.

Hampton Bay Days is principally a music festival, though that hardly tells the whole story.  The main stage features national acts and headline entertainers while a second amphitheatre features regional and even local performers. Headlining this year’s event are back-to-back Grammy favorites Bruce Hornsby and Ricky Skaggs. You can read a little more about it here (PDF).

The feature performance, starting at 6:00 on Saturday, September 12, will be followed by a 20 minutes fireworks display.

Concerts are just part of the fun. Hampton Bay Days rounds out the weekend entertainment with variety of festival favorites. The Car & Motorcycle Show brings dozens of classic and custom rides as well several stock cars from nearby Langley Speedway. Saturday morning starts with a family 5K run, which is the perfect way to build up an appetite for the succulent food.

Seafood is the specialty of the day, especially the delicious crab cakes, but you can also find several terrestrial favorites such as Greek gyros and Virginia barbeque. Vendor kiosks are another festival staple in full force at Bay Days.

Here I am seven paragraphs in and I haven’t even gotten to the “other” side. True enough, good family fun is the star of this show, but Hampton Bay Days has always strived for something more: an impact. Bay Days is dedicated to environmental conservation and education.

The festival features a large Bay Education Area endorsed by Virginia Green that welcomes children and provides programming that entertains while teaching valuable lessons about conserving the environment and keeping the Bay area clean. Programs include live animal shows, interactive presentations, children’s concerts and more than 20 booths of walk-up fun. It’s a defining characteristic of Bay Days, and you shouldn’t miss it.

Hampton Bay Days will run from September 11-13, 2009 in downtown Hampton, Virginia. The festival is free to attend, parking is $5.00. Learn more.

If you need a hotel in Hampton, Virginia, the choice couldn’t be easier: stay at the Crowne Plaza Hampton Marina. It’s located adjacent to the event so you won’t even have to fork over for parking. Get even more out of your trip with the “Visit Hampton Vacation Package” featuring breakfast, a tour and tickets to local attractions.

Have fun!

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