This Weekend in Hampton Roads (Virginia Beach, Norfolk: power lines, skateboarding, purchase)

[janeannwho]

Originally Posted by Kuharai

Town Point Park or Mount Trashmore was the place to be for an entire celebration/festival dedicated to the Fourth of July. Problem is, most places do have really bad traffic jams for these events because people come en masse.

I'm lucky that my husband's parents live right next to Mount Trashmore. We parked our car at their place and walked over to enjoy the fireworks... then walked back to their place to wait out the traffic.

Thanks, because we will have more company next year and would love to be able to stay in town. The bright spot of the night was going to Abbey Road where all sorts of foreign born Americans were having a great time celebrating their independence!

[Rita Mordio]

Originally Posted by wjjbward

We braved the oceanfront traffic ourselves this year. We parked at the convention center and walked to the beach. One of these days we'll head to Mt Trashmore. What do they do about parking up there, though? There aren't many parking spaces there. Do they have off site parking somewhere and bus people in? Do people park at the YMCA?

We don't live near that part of VB and don't want to chance going up there and not getting a place to park.

A few years ago we were in Sandbridge for the 4th of July b/c my sister and her family were there for the week and had an extra parking pass for their condo. There were fireworks going on all around us right on the beach. It was pretty cool.

Over at Mt. Trashmore, there's several businesses that open up their lots for free parking. People pack the YMCA parking lot. A few years back, several people were parking over at Dick's Sporting Goods - and walking all the way down.

This year, normal parking at Mt. Trashmore was $5.

[Rita Mordio]

I'm a little late this week...

For Friday, it's Cow Appreciation Day over at Chick-Fil-A. So put on those Cow Outfits - and get FREE FOOD.

Also, make sure to drop by every 7-11 you can think of. Free Slurpee Day! Get your free 7.11oz slurpees to celebrate 7-11's 81st Birthday Party.

This weekend, head out to Town Point Park in Norfolk for the Latino Music Festival! Between 5pm and 10pm, you can dine on traditional and authentic Latino food, watch beautiful dancers, and listen to authentic music.

Or you can head to the Oceanfront at 9am on Saturday for the Hermit Crab Challenge. Featuring competitions ranging from a Miss Curvaceous Crustacean Beauty Pageant to a Hermit Race!

Saturday Evening, put the pedal to the metal for the Hampton Heat NASCAR Late Model Stock Car Division Race at the Langley Speedway. Entertainment starts at 5pm and the racing begins at 7pm.

For those young Football fans, see if they would like to participate in the Official Reason Weekend Football Camp being hosted by NFL Cornerback David Macklin.

Where are the horses' missing shoes? At the 8th Annual Chesapeake Open Horseshoe Tournament, of course! Head over to the Chesapeake City Park! Saturday is the sanctioned tournament for National Horseshoe Pitchers Association cardholders only, while the open tournament is going to be on Friday at 5:30pm(with finals on Sunday starting at noon).

[Erma]

Originally Posted by Kuharai

This year, normal parking at Mt. Trashmore was $5.

Do you know why they charged this year?

[Rita Mordio]

Originally Posted by Erma

Do you know why they charged this year?

Absolutely no idea. When I walked up there, I saw the signs and stands where they were taking money. It was kind of silly if you ask me.

[Leigh Penner]

Also, for those looking for a new family member, check out the pet adoption event at Virginia Beach Animal Control Welcome to Friends of Virginia Beach Animal Control

[Rita Mordio]

I completely forgot about this! ((Someone should remind me if I haven't made an update by Wednesday or so!))

Well, I saw a sign over by Mt. Trashmore about Movie Night tomorrow at 7:30pm. I might check it out if I'm not too busy. This is in Virginia Beach.

This weekend, check out CaribFest 2K8 over at Town Point and Harbor Parks in Norfolk. Yes, folks, a Caribbean Festival complete with a gorgeous parade! Check out who can make the best jerk (food, that is), the wares as far as the eye can see, and enjoy traditional and modern music - including Haitian performers!

On Saturday, head out to Ocean View Park in Norfolk to enjoy the Crab and Seafood Fest. This event is apparently free, but I'm sure you have to pay for your food.

Or head over to the VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads building in Norfolk for Hot Latin Nights. Seats are $50/person, but all proceeds go towards the non-profit organizations locally in Hampton Roads.

On Sunday, York River State Park in Williamsburg is having another Fishing is Fun! Fishing Tournament for youths.

[Rita Mordio]

This Weekend in Hampton Roads is brought to your by your Neighborhood Friendly Salmon Lunch.

Speaking of lunch, make sure you head over to Downtown Norfolk between now and July 27 for full entree specials at many restaurants. That's right. It's Norfolk Restaurant Week. Sit down to a full 3-course meal for $20 or $30 dollars all this week.

This Saturday, Virginia Beach will be hellish over by the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheatre as Projekt Revolution takes place. Linkin Park, Busta Rhymes, Chris Cornell, Bravery, Ashes Divide Atreyu, Ten Years, Hawthorne Heights, and Armor for Sleep will all be there. I'd love to go for just Atreyu, but I'm not paying that kind of money for just one artist. But you may find me at Princess Anne Park around the time of their performance......

For those who are avoiding that area, head over to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront for the Chalk the Walk ArtSplosion and 17th Street Art Festival. Starting at 10am and ending at 730pm, make sure you pack plenty of sunscreen!

For those who love alcohol and helping others, make your reservation for the 2008 Ghent Summer Bar Tour. All proceeds go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Reservations are required for this event that start at 430pm.

Want to try some Salsa? Don't have time for a full course? Then take a nose dive into the Mini Salsa Boot Camp. Talk about a serious crash-course into the world of Salsa. And no, we're not talking about food. That's right, learn simple choreography that will get you started into the world of Salsa Dancing!

On Sunday, there's a Roller Derby at the Haygood Skating Center in Virginia Beach. Our local Dominion Derby Girls will be competing against the DC Derby Girls!

At Chrysler Hall in Norfolk, Disney's High School Musical will be performed all weekend long.

And Finally... I just want to inform people of the Energy Share Fundraiser being held at Cold Stone Creamery. Eat Ice Cream between 4-9pm to raise money to help those less fortunate in Hampton Roads keep cool during this scorching summer. A little birdie told me that there could be prizes involved as well....

Another note, come November, the Broadway Hit: Spamalot will be coming to Hampton Roads. Tickets on sale this weekend!

[Erma]

Originally Posted by Kuharai

Absolutely no idea. When I walked up there, I saw the signs and stands where they were taking money. It was kind of silly if you ask me.

I swear we live closer to each other than we realize.

[Rita Mordio]

This Friday, Kuharai will be unavailable. Why?

Because the Rockstar Energy Drink Monster Mayhem Festival (Concert) will be going on at the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheatre! With Dragon Force, Disturbed, AND Slipknot on one stage, Kuharai would not miss the chance to be right in front of the stage.

Though, for the less Metal-Headed, you can check out the 3rd Annual Changes Are Good Fashion Expo at Granby Theater in Norfolk from 7-930pm. Tickets cost $10 and are directly donated to the Hope House Foundation.

On Saturday, check out The Daily Show's Lewis Black over at the Chrysler Hall in Norfolk. The show starts at 8pm. And for those who don't go, "Let them eat Cake" as Lewis Black says.

However, during the day on Saturday, check out East Coast WakeFest 2008 over at Oak Grove Lake Park in Chesapeake. With fun for the whole family, you can watch, compete, and just enjoy everything included with WakeBoarding! Admission is FREE.

More to come.