ICYMI: Bummer news guys!! Just got word that the Taste of Suffolk Festival is closing early today at 2:30 p.m. due to inclement weather.
Are they seriously calling for more rain this weekend? Good thing I’ve found us a mix of things to do. Oh and for you health nuts, trust me there are thousands of runs and walks across the region this weekend. And for the rest of us we’ll enjoy FREE food. So, let’s get started.
There are thousands of things going on this weekend, but here are a few that made the list…
Hampton Bay Days 10K and Scallop Gallop Fun Run
NewsChannel 3 is teaming up with the Hampton Bay Days team for the 10K and Scallop Gallop Fun Run in downtown Hampton Saturday morning at 7:00 a.m. While the run will be short, the fun won’t be! And neither will be the fatigue I’ll experience. As a Hamptonian, I can guarantee you Bay Days won’t disappoint. So, gallop on down to Hampton early for a day full of imagination, creativity, prizes, and running!! Line up begins in Downtown Hampton near Hampton University (34 Wine Street, Hampton, VA 23669) with costs at $45-$55 for the 10K and $10 for the Fun Run. For more information, visit www.baydays10k.com.
Freedom Run
Note to all of my Dismal Swamp commuters, portions of the road will be closed during the early morning hours for the annual Freedom Run. The Freedom Run is held every year to remind us of our invaluable freedom and in memory of those who lost their lives in the event of September 11, 2001, while also honoring members of the United States Military and Public Safety. The Run includes a 9.11 mile walk, 5K and a kids run. Kickoff is at sunrise on the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail. To register go to www.chronotrack.com or call 757-382-8244.
ECSU Chancellor’s Color Run
Help Elizabeth City State University welcome their 10th executive officer, Stacey Franklin Jones, Saturday, September 12 for a colorful run that is fit for all. Apart of Jones’ installation week and Health & Fitness Day, this unique 5K run will feature color stations throughout the course as an exciting twist to promote healthy lifestyles. Also, the color run will have FREE health screenings, local vendors from area physicians, dance studios, kayak stores and more. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy various outdoor activities including volleyball and corn-hole; bicycles and kayaks will available for rent. For more information, visit www.ecsu.edu.
Victory Walk
As an early awareness event, the Hampton Roads Chapter of the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation presents the 9th annual Victory Walk in Portsmouth Saturday. This 2-mile walk will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the N’Telos Pavilion and wind along the waterfont. Registraion is $15 for children ages 5-11 year old and $25 for everyone else. Help raise money for the Virginia Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation. For more information, visit www.vbcf.org.
R(e)cycling Drive and Tire Amnesty Day
Give back to your community in a GREEN way this weekend by helping Suffolk clean up unwanted recyclables. Acceptable materials include tires, electronics, all types of paper, alkaline batteries, steel, tin, and aluminum cams, empty food boxes/cardboard boxes, glass containers, and all plastic bottles. Donations will be accepted in the Lowe’s parking lot located at 1216 Main Street from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Goodwill’s Reconnect program is a technology recycling partnership with Dell Computers that keeps hazardous e-Waste out of local landfills. To learn more, visit www.goodwillvirginia.org. Each Goodwill donation is eligible for a tax deductible receipt. For more information, call (757) 514-7604.
RIVERfest!
Rediscover the lost branch of the Elizabeth River Saturday at Nautics as they celebrate RIVERfest! This all day event includes a living river art show, grand finale party with Skye Zent’s original riversong, free sailing and free boat rides. Best part is it’s FREE all day from 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. rain or shine. THis premiere environmental festival is sure to hit! You can find more information on this over at www.elizabethriverfest.org.
Aaron’s School Supply Giveaway
I could tell you all about this amazing event, but NewsChannel 3’s Barbara Ciara said it best…
2015 Taste of Suffolk Street Festival
Want to find great food, fabulous entertainment, and plenty of children’s activities all within walking distance of each other? Take a bite out of the annual Taste of Suffolk downtown street festival on Saturday, September 12, 2015, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. in downtown Suffolk. Our stage will be filled with live music with the Fuzz Band kicking off at 11:00 a.m. and the Michael Clark Band at 2:30 p.m. Lipton Tea and Buffalo Wild Wings will sponsor contests for adults. Washington Street will host a Children’s Area featuring bounce houses, a rock wall, fun crafts, face painting, amusements and more. Costume characters will stroll throughout the site during the day and a petting zoo will be at the Ordezo Fountain area, located beside the Godwin Courts Building, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. After all of that morning walking/running, treat yourself to some good food in Suffolk.
Scholar, Arts and Youth Festival on 35th
Kick-off the new school year with a family “old school” block party! The Scholar, Arts & Youth (S.A.Y) Festival joins together Scholarfest with a Youth Explosion and the Park Place Child Life Center’s (PPCLC) Children’s Art Festival to promote education, youth and family. This free festival will take place Saturday, September 12, 2015 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on the 500 and 600 block of 35th Street in Norfolk, VA. The fun will continue “after-hours” on the 600 block of 35th Street from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Get yourself on culture and contact Elder Cleveland E. Bates at (757) 628-1027 for more information.
Thank God for the Bay Festival
Join the city of Hampton as they celebrate the anniversary of one our oldest standing churches in Hampton Roads, Queen Street Baptist Church. Opening prayer is at 11:00 a.m. with the ceremonies beginning at 12:30 p.m. followed by a Crabtown Crab Cake contest and gospel concert at 3:30 p.m. Stuff your face with heritage and food and Thank God for the Bay.
Music at the Point
Make your way back to the peninsula for Blues Empacts, Shadowjack featuring the Sportsters and Robin Thompson at Music at the Pint in Hampton at 3:30 p.m. apart of the Bay Days celebration. For further information on “Music at the Point” and the Hampton Bay Days 10K and Scallop Gallop Fun Run, visit www.baydaysevents.com.
Still Hope Celebrity Golf Classic
Still Hope Foundation will host its 8th Annual Hope Celebrity Weekend Extravaganza – September 11-13. As the organization’s signature fundraising event, this year’s Hollywood-inspired weekend will bring the “LA” glitz and glamour to Hampton Roads ending with the Celebrity Golf Classic Sunday at 8:00 a.m. Still Hope was established in an effort to lighten the parenting responsibilities borne by single mothers throughout the Hampton Roads, Virginia communities. The foundation’s goal is to equip mothers with those tools that will enable them to become self-sufficient. For more information about Still Hope Foundation, visit www.stillhopefoundation.org.
For a listing of these events and more head on over to our Events tab located on the home page of our website. Also, if you would like to submit any events to be featured in our weekly blog, send them over by emailing us at desk@wtkr.com. And of course catch us weekends starting at 6:00/6:30 p.m. on NewsChannel 3.
-McKinley Strother
