• psst … I’m a Realtor! Thanks for stopping by my website. I would love to help you find your dream home and community in the Hampton Roads or Williamsburg area or to sell your existing home. This website is authored by local resident and REALTOR, John Womeldorf. John is known around town as Mr. Williamsburg, for both his extensive knowledge of Hampton Roads and the historic triangle, and his expertise in the local real estate market. His websites, WilliamsburgsRealEstate.com and Mr Williamsburg.com were created as a resource for folks who are exploring a move to Williamsburg, VA , Hampton Roads VA and the surrounding areas of the Virginia Peninsula. On his website you can search homes for sale , foreclosures, 55+ active adult communities, condos and town homes , land and commercial property for sale in Williamsburg, Yorktown, New Kent, Poquoson, and Gloucester, VA as well as surrounding markets of Carrolton, Chesapeake,Gloucester, Hampton, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth Mathews, Newport News Norfolk, Poquoson, Smithfield, , Suffolk, Surry, Va Beach, Yorktown and York County Virginia You can reach John by email John@MrWilliamsburg.com or phone @ 757-254-813

Governor McAuliffe Signs Deed to Transfer Fort Monroe Land to National Park Service

Posted on August 25, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg

Governor Terry McAuliffe today signed a deed that transfers land at Fort Monroe from the Commonwealth of Virginia to the National Park Service, solidifying Virginia’s commitment to turning the fort into a national monument for the enjoyment of tourists and history-buffs from all over the Commonwealth and country. 

The deed was signed in a public ceremony at the Main Gate of the Fort by Governor McAuliffe and Peggy O’Dell, the Deputy Director of the National Park Service. The document formally and legally finalizes the transfer of land at Fort Monroe from the Commonwealth of Virginia to the National Park Service.

Governor Terry McAuliffe today signed a deed that transfers land at Fort Monroe from the Commonwealth of Virginia to the National Park Service, solidifying Virginia’s commitment to turning the fort into a national monument for the enjoyment of tourists and history-buffs from all over the Commonwealth and country

“Fort Monroe is a rich historical site that helps tell the story of our Commonwealth and our country,” said Governor McAuliffe. “By transferring this land to the National Park Service, we are creating the opportunity to enhance this great asset so that we can preserve our history and leverage it to draw greater tourism revenue and economic activity to the Peninsula. I am thrilled to sign this deed and help begin the next chapter in the history of Fort Monroe.”

The land transfer preserves a group of significant landmarks at Fort Monroe that highlight some of our nation’s most important events. Robert E. Lee lived at the Fort and helped design and construct the stone fortification. Jefferson Davis was imprisoned in a Fort casemate. Harriet Tubman spent time at the Fort after the Civil War, and Edgar Allen Poe was stationed there as a young soldier.

The Fort also tells the significant story of the beginning and the end of slavery in the United States. One such story includes three brave men — Frank Baker, James Townsend and Sheppard Mallory – who escaped enslavement and rowed a skiff to Old Point Comfort to seek asylum. General Benjamin Butler declared these men "contraband of war." This inspired tens of thousands of African Americans throughout the South to seek self-emancipation across Union lines.  This monument provides a unique opportunity to share this story with visitors from around the world.

The deed signing marks the culmination of years of hard work by state leaders, the City of Hampton, the National Park Service, the historic preservation community, the National Park Conservation Association and the Citizens for a Fort Monroe National Park.

To learn more about Fort Monroe, visit http://www.nps.gov/fomr/index.htm.

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Hampton Bay Days starts today

Posted on September 7, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

imageStarting today  September 7-9, 2012, Hampton, Virginia will once again welcome an estimated 200,000 fun seekers and festival attendees to the 30th annual Hampton Bay Days. The free event, one of the largest family-friendly festivals on the entire east coast, will showcase music by many diverse artists.

The fun begins on the 2012 Headliner Stage at Mill Point at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, September 7 with the blues-rock sound of Grinners Flight, featuring nationally-renowned drummer Mike Williams. Stroll over to the Wine Street Stage at 6:00 p.m. for a performance by the US Air Force Blue Aces. At 7:00 p.m., head back over to the 2012 Headliner Stage at Mill Point and enjoy an eclectic dance party with Hampton Roads’ R&B "supergroup" Rare Mixx. Close out the evening at 9:00 p.m. with House & Sinnett. Jae will play a short jazz set with pianist Justin Kauflin before going into a full-on House & Sinnett show.

Continue reading →

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Hampton Block Party Starts 2012 Season

Posted on April 21, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

imageHampton VA , kicks off their outdoor street party series this Saturday with Irish-flavored rock from the Virginia Beach band The Fighting Jamesons.

The band plays music that is steeped in the grand tradition of classic Irish sing-a-long and captures the true spirit of Irish music.

The party runs 6-11 p.m. Saturday, April 21 and continues Saturday nights through Sept. 1. Admission is free

The event concentrates on local cover bands with a few  National acts through the season.

The street party takes place along Queensway in downtown Hampton. It will include beer and food vendors as well as children’s activities. Admission is free. For more information, call 727-0900 or visit www.vasc.org.

Here’s the full lineup for the 2012 season

April 21 The Fighting Jamesons (

April 28 Tidewater Drive

May 5 Tailgate Down

May 12 Power Play

May 19 Flashback

May 26 The DeLoreans

June 2 Doug Dunn and Island Style

June 9 Rare Mixx

June 16 Hey Hooligan

June 23 Fastball

June 30 Vinyl Headlights

July 7 Slapwater

July 14 Hot Cakes

July 21 Excess

July 28 Stricly Bizzness

Aug. 11 BoDeans

Aug. 18 The Janitors

Aug. 25 Butter

Sept. 1 Slapwater

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Hampton Roads Chinese Drywall Issue Gains Attention

Posted on March 11, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

Representatives Scott Rigell ; Bobby Scott; Randy Forbes; and Rob Wittman – all of whom are members of the Congressional Chinese Drywall Caucus – announced legislation that will prevent hazardous Chinese drywall from being imported into the United States and ensure that existing drywall is properly disposed of so that it does not enter the recycling stream.

The four congressmen representing the entire Hampton Roads delegation toured the house to highlight the problems caused by Chinese drywall and to announce new legislation that they say has a chance to help people hurt by the drywall. Many homes have been foreclosed upon or forced into short sale, and many families have declared bankruptcy.

About 400 homes in Virginia — most in Hampton Roads communities likes Newport News, James City County, Hampton, Virginia Beach and Isle of Wight — and thousands across the United States, have been affected. Chinese drywall was imported during the mid-2000s when there was a shortage of U.S.-made drywall during the housing boom.

“This is the right step toward preventing this material from coming back into the United States,” Rigell said.  “Thousands of American homeowners have suffered from the effects of toxic Chinese drywall.  Families have been driven from their homes and faced financial hardship due to the health and home safety concerns this toxic product has created. Some have faced bankruptcy. Many have faced foreclosure. It’s time for the government of China to require these manufacturers to submit to the jurisdiction of U.S. courts and make these victims whole.”

Continue reading →

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$5,000 Grant for First-Time Military Buyers

Posted on March 10, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

Making Homes More Affordable for Military Families

The Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation, , a non-profit organization that helps meet the needs of military personnel and their families, has developed the Dream Makers Program to offer financial aid to first-time military home buyers.

The $5,000 grant, which can be used towards down-payments and closing costs on the home, is available for active duty personnel, veterans and retired military members, as well as employees of the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security.

The program ensures that the people who have helped serve our country, past or present, now have help in buying their first home.

The foundation has had fewer veterans apply for the grant in recent years, due to the economy and lack of awareness about the program. They have made it their mission to make sure as many active duty members and veterans know about the Dream Makers Program as possible. Please share this with anyone you know who may be eligible.

This program is a great service for our nation’s military personnel who are finally able to purchase a home and settle down.

.Find out more here  www.PentagonFoundation.org

Applying for a Dream Makers Grant

You don’t have to be a Pentagon Federal Credit Union member to benefit from Dream Makers, and you can apply the grant to a mortgage from any financial institution.

Continue reading →

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President Signs Proclamation Naming Fort Monroe a National Monument

Posted on November 1, 2011 by mrwilliamsburg

Known first as "The Gibraltar of the Chesapeake" and later as "Freedom’s Fortress," Fort Monroe on Old Point Comfort in Virginia has a storied history in the defense of our Nation and the struggle for freedom.

President Barack Obama signed an executive order Tuesday granting national monument status to Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia, ending a five-year, grassroots effort to protect a storied spit of land that witnessed the beginning and end of slavery in the United States – and lots of military history in between.

Fort Monroe Hampton VaObama’s proclamation on Hampton’s Fort Monroe, which he signed in the Oval Office before more than a dozen witnesses, signals the start of a new chapter for the former Army base, built between 1819 and 1834. The National Park Service will manage more than half the land, including hundreds of acres of undeveloped waterfront property and the moated stone fortress itself.

Tuesday marked Obama’s first use of the Antiquities Act of 1906, which empowers presidents to designate federally owned land of significant historical value as a national monument. Politicians from both parties supported the idea, which was first suggested and long advocated for by a local group of history buffs that formed an alliance called Citizens for a Fort Monroe National Park.

Work on the stone fortress began in 1819 under President James Monroe, who sought to protect the fledgling democracy from invasion after the British navy sailed up the Chesapeake Bay and burned Washington during the War of 1812. When it was completed in the 1830s, the "Gibraltar of the Chesapeake," surrounded by an 8-foot-deep moat, enclosed 63 acres.

Fort Monroe was a military base until mid-September, when the Army moved its personnel to comply with a 2005 base realignment and closure decision. A little over half of its 570 acres will be managed by the park service. A state entity, the Fort Monroe Authority, will oversee the reuse of the rest of the property, including limited development in certain sections.

A yet-to-be-announced park superintendent will begin working at Fort Monroe this week, Barna said, with the rest of the staff assembled in the coming months. In the meantime, he said, rangers and staff from other sites will be temporarily assigned to the fort.

Fort Monroe, designed by Simon Bernard and built of stone and brick between 1819 and 1834 in part by enslaved labor, is the largest of the Third System of fortifications in the United States. It has been a bastion of defense of the Chesapeake Bay, a stronghold of the Union Army surrounded by the Confederacy, a place of freedom for the enslaved, and the imprisonment site of Chief Blackhawk and the President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis. It served as the U.S. Army’s Coastal Defense Artillery School during the 19th and 20th centuries, and most recently, as headquarters of the U.S. Army’s Training and Doctrine Command.

Old Point Comfort in present day Hampton, Virginia, was originally named "Pointe Comfort" by Captain John Smith in 1607 when the first English colonists came to America. It was here that the settlers of Jamestown established Fort Algernon in 1609. After Fort Algernon’s destruction by fire in 1612, successive English fortifications were built, testifying to the location’s continuing strategic value. The first enslaved Africans in England’s colonies in America were brought to this peninsula on a ship flying the Dutch flag in 1619, beginning a long ignoble period of slavery in the colonies and, later, this Nation. Two hundred and forty-two years later, Fort Monroe became a place of refuge for those later generations escaping enslavement.

Continue reading →

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Fort Monroe To Become National Monument

Posted on October 30, 2011 by mrwilliamsburg

Fort Monroe in Hampton Virginia is expected to be designated a National Monument by  President Barack Obama this Tuesday.

fortmonroeU.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said in a phone interview Saturday that Obama would use powers granted to him under the Antiquities Act to preserve the former Army base  and hundreds of acres of open space along the Chesapeake Bay

Hampton Va, Mayor Molly Ward said, “We are thrilled and grateful that the President has chosen to use his authority under the Antiquities Act to designate a major portion of Fort Monroe as a National Monument.”

Since the closing of the base was announced in 2005, the City has worked with citizens and other elected officials to ensure that the history and beauty of the fort be protected as a public place.

“This effort has shown what we can do when we put our political differences aside and work for the common good,” said Ward. “We have achieved this goal with bipartisan support of Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner; Congressmen Randy Forbes, Scott Rigell, Bobby Scott and Rob Wittman; Governor Bob McDonnell and his administration; the City of Hampton; a variety of dedicated conservation partners including the National Park Conservation Association and the National Trust for Historic Preservation; and individual advocates, historians and citizen groups, particularly the Citizens for a Fort Monroe National Park.

“A National Monument at Fort Monroe will give the fort the stature it deserves in our Nation’s history. Very few Americans know the story of the Contraband Slaves, and how slavery really ended in the United States. I believe the significance of the President’s designation, and the significance of Fort Monroe, will continue to grow in years to come as its story becomes known.”

In addition, said Ward, it will provide an economic boost to Hampton and help strengthen the Hampton Roads region as a strong tourist attraction.

“Having a National Monument, especially one of such importance, will have an enormous impact on the economy of the City of Hampton and the Hampton Roads region. Studies consistently show that National Parks create jobs, and increase adjacent property values. This designation will help the City and the village of Phoebus regain the vitality and jobs lost through the Army’s departure and the base closure.”

Fort Monroe is the largest stone fort ever built in the United States and it has seen an interesting history over the years since construction began in 1819 as part of a plan of coastal defenses after the British burned Washington, D. C. during the War of 1812. This designation will help ensure that Ft. Monroe will exist as a tourist destination and that its history is not lost..

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Party Time At Fort Monroe

Posted on September 19, 2011 by mrwilliamsburg

With the Army gone, Fort Monroe is hosting its first public event at the historic Hampton fortress.

imageIt’s called a "Shuck `N Shag Feast at the Fort" and the Kiwanis Club event is planned for this Thursday. It is hoped that this is the first of many parties, concerts and festivals at the waterfront property.

Just last week, the U.S. Army handed over responsibility for managing Fort Monroe to Virginia, which wants to turn much of the fort’s valuable land at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay into a national park.

What: Kiwanis Clubs of Division 13 Shuck ‘N Shag Feast at the Fort, featuring live music from ‘Bill Deal’s Original Rhondels’, FRESH buffet-style seafood from the Virginia Seafood Council, beer and wine included

When: 5:30-8:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011
Where: Fort Monroe,Hampton

Tickets: $35 donation per ticket

Info: http://www.shuckandshag.com

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Parade of Homes In Hampton VA Starts This Weekend

Posted on September 16, 2011 by mrwilliamsburg

buckroe parade of homesThe Peninsula Housing & Builders Association is pleased to present the 2011 Fall Parade of Homes.  This premiere event will showcase homes of the Buckroe Bayfront and East Bay Communities. The Parade of Homes will take place from September 17, 2011 through October 2, 2011. There will be seven single family homes and a four-unit multi- family home showcased in this Parade. 
    Some of the finest custom home builders on the Peninsula will be participating in the 2011 Parade of Homes.

 

PHBA is taking the Parade of Homes to Buckroe!  The Fall 2011 Parade will take place September 17 – October 2, and will feature single-family homes, as well search homes in this neighborhood in hampton roads or williamsburgmansion style homes.  The entire development will be sustainable, green homes.   This mid-priced beach community will feature homes with an average 2,400 square feet, and all will follow the City of Hampton’s architectural guidelines for the area.  This year’s Parade of Homes will also feature "The Endless Summer", charity house being built by Edgerton Contracting, Inc.  Proceeds from the sale of this home will benefit two local charities: Downtown Hampton Child Development Center and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula.

 

Parade Of Homes 2011 Hours
September 17 – October 2, 2011
Weekdays 12pm-9pm
Weekends 10am – 8pm
Tickets $10.00 for adults
12 and under FREE!!

More info here

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Like what you are reading ? Want to receive updates by email in the future ? Sign up here  banner psst … I’m a Realtor! Thanks for stopping by my website. I  would love to help you find your dream home and community in the Hampton Roads or Williamsburg area or to sell your existing home. This post was authored by local resident and REALTOR, John Womeldorf. John is known around town as Mr. Williamsburg, for both his extensive knowledge of Hampton Roads and the historic triangle, and his expertise in the local real estate market. His websites, WilliamsburgsRealEstate.com  and Mr Williamsburg.com were created as a resource for folks who are exploring a move to  Williamsburg, VA , Hampton Roads VA and the  surrounding areas of the Virginia Peninsula. On his website you can search homes for sale , foreclosures, 55+ active adult communities,   condos and town homes , land and commercial property for sale in Williamsburg, Yorktown, New Kent,  Poquoson, and Gloucester, VA as well as surrounding markets of Carrolton,  Chesapeake,Gloucester, Hampton, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth  Mathews, Newport News Norfolk, Poquoson, Smithfield, , Suffolk, Surry,  Va Beach, Yorktown  and York County Virginia You can reach John by email John@MrWilliamsburg.com or phone @  757-254-8136

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Hampton Bay Days This Weekend

Posted on September 8, 2011 by mrwilliamsburg

image This Week’s Top Pick

Come celebrate and learn about the importance of the Chesapeake Bay at the 29th Annual Hampton Bay Days this weekend, September 9-11, 2011

The free event, one of the largest family-friendly festivals and largest “Green” events on the entire east coast, will showcase music by national recording artists Marshall Tucker Band, The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards, and Colt Ford.

The fun begins on the City Hall Stage at 8:30 p.m. Friday, September 9 with Marshall Tucker Band. Formed in Spartanburg, SC in 1971, Marshall Tucker Band is one of the most well known Southern rock bands of the 1970s. To date, the group has garnered five gold albums and one platinum album, Carolina Dreams, which features their biggest hit “Heard it in a Love Song.” This is the band’s 40th anniversary tour.

On Saturday, September 10, The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards will take to the City Hall Stage beginning at 8:30 p.m. After Dennis Edwards replaced founding member David Ruffin in 1968, the group continued on with a string of Top 10 US hits including “Cloud Nine,” “Runaway Child , Running Wild,” “I Can’t Get Next to You,” “Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me),” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.” Dennis Edwards was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 as part of The Temptations and continues to tour with his version of the group, The Temptations Review.

image

At 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 11, Colt Ford lends a bit of country hip-hop flavor to the City Hall Stage. A native of Athens, Georgia, Ford (real name Jason Farris Brown) is a former professional golfer turned musician. His debut album “Ride Through This” featured guest appearances from Jermaine Dupri, Adrian Young of No Doubt, Jeremy Popoff of Lit, rapper Bone Crusher, and country singer Jamey Johnson. His third studio album, “Every Chance I Get,” was released in May 2011. He was nominated for a 2011 CMT Music Award.

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Summerfest By The Bay In Hampton VA

Posted on June 14, 2011 by mrwilliamsburg

image

 

For Concert info call Fort Monroe MWR: (757) 788-3151

Note: You must have Photo ID, Drivers License and Vehicle Registration to get on the base. You do not need a military ID. Civilians are allowed on base.

Map and Directions to Fort Monroe

image

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What the heck is an APZ Zone ?

Posted on October 17, 2010 by mrwilliamsburg

A question I am often asked by Hampton Roads Home buyers is “ What does the term APZ stand for” ? I see it on every home listing in this area that is for sale or rent.

 APZ is the acronym for Accident Potential Zone. Because we have some many flight paths from military and commercial aircraft this has to be defined in every home listing in Hampton Roads.  The highest probability for a aircraft crash ( and the noisiest) is  APZ-1 . Slightly lower and quieter is APZ-2, and both have lower potential than the clear zone.

DoD identifies APZ’s as a planning tool for local planning agencies.  APZ’s are areas where an aircraft mishap is most likely to occur if one occurs.  They do not reflect the probability of an accident.  APZ’s follow arrival, departure and pattern flight tracks and are based upon analysis of historical data.  For an area to be deemed an APZ, a minimum 5,000 flight operations- landing or takeoff- have to occur annually.

The clear zone, the area closest to the runway end, is the most hazardous. The overall risk is so high that DoD generally acquires the land through purchase or easement to prevent development. APZ I is an area beyond the clear zone that possesses a significant potential for accidents. APZ II is an area beyond APZ I having a lower, but still significant, potential for accidents.

In general, to be compatible with noise zones and APZs around a military airfield, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) recommends that noise-sensitive uses (e.g., houses, churches, amphitheaters, etc.) be placed outside the highest noise zone; that people-intensive uses (e.g., regional shopping malls, theaters, etc.) not be placed in APZ-1 areas; and that sound-attenuating methods be incorporated into building design and construction. In general, the only uses deemed compatible in an APZ-1 area are wholesale and manufacturing (with conditions), agriculture and public rights-of-way.

In other words if a home is located in an APZ-1 zone you will have a hard time hearing each other at outdoor barbecues in the backyard of your new home !!

More detailed information on Langley AFB APZ Zones can be found here

Here is a map indicating the APZ zones around Langley AFB in Hampton VA. In the chart below the beige area is APZ 2 , The Yellow is APZ 1 .

APZ Zone Hampton VA Langley AFB

Air Installation Compatible Use Zones for Hampton Roads

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Festival Fun at 28th Annual Hampton Bay Days 2011

Posted on September 10, 2010 by mrwilliamsburg

Hampton Bay Days PosterBay Days starts today and continues through the weekend in downtown Hampton. Visitors will experience a unique, three-day family festival featuring national recording artists, children’s activities, arts and crafts, fireworks, and more.

On Saturday, September 11, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic will perform at the Hampton Bay Days Festival.  The show begins at 8:30 p.m.  The performances are free and open to the public and will be followed by a 20-minute fireworks celebration at 10 p.m.

Other artists include The Fabulous Thunderbirds tonight and Joe Nichols Sunday afternoon. A wide variety of musical talent will perform on multiple outdoor stages throughout the Hampton Bay Days weekend. For a full schedule of performances and other event activities, visit

www.baydays.com. Continue reading →

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The City of Hampton, VA is dealing with an issue that dates back to the Wild Wild West – squatters.

Posted on June 18, 2010 by mrwilliamsburg

Urgent Warning!

There has been a recent incident where an organization using the name the Moorish Science Temple of America has illegally entered a home listed for sale, changed the locks and taken over the premises.  The incident is under investigation by the Hampton VA Police Department and they have reason to believe that other properties may have been compromised.

The squatters posted a flier in the window of the vacant home that read in part, “possession is nine-tenths of the law, This property has been adverse repossessed” The flier also warned anyone of trespassing.

The group identified in the flier is the Moorish Science Temple of America. The religious group has a Web site which identifies its headquarters as being in Washington. D.C., and it lists “subordinate temples” in Chicago on E. 50th Street and another on N. Spaulding Ave.

The Web site includes the Temple’s history and beliefs, but does not mention anything about property repossessions.

If you have a vacant home for sale here are a few suggestions:

1. Make sure the home is visited by your listing agent frequently to make sure it has not been  compromised. 

2.  Check the locks to make sure they have not been rekeyed.

3.  Ask the neighbors  to call you if they see anything suspicious.

4.  Beware of a potential buyer who refers to themselves as brother or sister and refers to you as brother or sister.

5. If you receive an email from any of the following email addresses:  ankh2b1@yahoo.com or crescentu@aol.com report it to the police

According to Detective Flora of the Hampton VA police this organization believes that they have the right to inhabit properties that they do not own, so we are dealing with a very strange situation and you should exercise caution if you believe you have come in contact with this group

If you have any information of similar events in Hampton VA, please contact Detective Flora at 757 289-8351

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4th of July Fireworks and Celebrations in Williamsburg, Yorktown and Hampton Roads VA-2010

Posted on June 10, 2010 by mrwilliamsburg

 
Here is my 2010 annual list of area fireworks and 4th of July celebrations for the Williamsburg, Yorktown and Hampton Roads VA areas .

View Independence Day fireworks at any of our region’s displays this weekend, and ooh and ahh en masse. Or watch the sky light up from the relative privacy of a neighborhood street, the top of a building, or a park bench near the water.

If I missed any please drop me a line at John@MrWilliamsburg.com If you have questions about the specific events please contact them directly. The list includes events in Chesapeake, Gloucester, Hampton, New Kent, Newport News, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Yorktown, Williamsburg and VA Beach, Virginia

Have any secret tips about what to do or where to park. Please add them in them in the comments section below for all to share.

Thanks and Have a Happy 4th !

 

Chesapeake VA Independence Day Concert & Fireworks at the Bagley
Date: Saturday, July 03, 2010
Chesapeake City Park
900 Greenbrier Parkway
Chesapeake, VA 23320
Phone: (757) 382-6411
Email: prgeneral@cityofchesapeake.net
Opens: 7:30:00 PM
Children Welcome
Join us @ 7:30pm for a holiday concert with/ Fireworks on the Bagley Stage featuring the renowned “U.S. Fleet Forces Band.” Come out and celebrate our nation’s birthday under the stars, featuring lively music and a fireworks finale! FREE admission. ($5 fee for site parking will help us continue this great family event!) Bring lawn chairs and/or blanket. You can purchase food at the concessions for a picnic supper. 

Chesapeake VA 4th of July Celebration at Lakeside Park–
Date: Saturday, July 03, 2010
Lakeside Park
1441 Bainbridge Blvd
Chesapeake, VA 23324
Phone: (757) 382-6411
Email: prgeneral@cityofchesapeake.net
Opens: 10:00:00 AM
Closes: 4:00:00 PM
Children Welcome
Parade, entertainment, food, games and paddleboat rides. Event is FREE to the public.

Gloucester VA- Celebration & Fireworks. A day of family FUN at the beach…picnic, swim or fish. A variety of entertainment throughout the day. Gloucester Point Beach on the York River north side of the Coleman Bridge. Watch the Yorktown Fireworks here.
Sunday July 4th, 2010 10 am – 9 pm.
(804) 693-2355.

Hampton VA Fourth at The Fort-

Sunday July 4, 2010 from 4:00pm – 11:00pm

Fourth at the fort Fort Monroe

Fort Monroe
Hampton, Virginia 23651
757 788 3151
Get Directions

This lively celebration of our nation’s independence takes place at the largest stone fort ever built in the U.S. Enjoy live music, children’s games and rides, food and beverages, military exhibits and of course, fireworks! Walker Field. Free.

Free Concert:
Emily West performs at 7pm
Jimmy Wayne at 815pm
:
Fort Monroe MWR: (757) 788-3151

Note: You must have Photo ID, Drivers License and Vehicle Registration to get on the base

 
Mathews County  Sunday, July 4, at Mathews High School Athletic Field. YMCA Family Olympics with games for all ages for kids from 5 to 7 p.m., followed at 7 p.m., Riptide (band), and professional fireworks display until 11 p.m. Food available on grounds. Free. Call (804) 725-1488.

Newport New Va 4th of July Stars in the Sky
Date: Sunday, July 04, 2010
Victory Landing Park
50 26th Street
Newport News, VA 23605
Phone: (757) 926-1400
Opens: 6:00:00 PM
Closes: 10:00:00 PM
Children Welcome
Everyone is invited to the Virginia Peninsula’s biggest Fourth of July party – Fourth of July Stars in the Sky at Victory Landing Park. This waterside park, which offers spectacular views of the James River, is filled with 30,000 people who come to celebrate our nation’s birthday. The evening begins as crowds gather to enjoy summer’s favorite foods from a variety of vendors and children check out the rides and crafts. As dusk approaches, the stage comes alive with the music of a nationally-known entertainer. As the last note from the concert ends, the sky over the James River explodes with a kaleidoscope of color in a spectacular fireworks show. Free parking. Victory Landing Park is located at exit 6 from I-664, just minutes from Colonial Williamsburg, Norfolk, Virginia Beach and all Newport News attractions.

4th of july colonial downsNew Kent VA Colonial Downs’ "Racing to the Stars and Stripes"
Date: Sunday, July 04, 2010 Colonial Downs
10151 Colonial Downs Parkway
New Kent, VA 23124
Phone: (804) 966-RACE
Opens: 5:00:00 PM
Closes: 10:00:00 PM
Admission Fee
Children Welcome
Enjoy a horse racing/live concert/fireworks tripleheader at a special 5:00 PM post time. After the fireworks, stick around for a live concert, entertainment, free ice cream, kids activities & a $500 cash harborfest fireworksgiveaway! Get the best seats in the house & buy a trackside "Blast Zone" Table for 4 — you’ll have the best vantage point for the fireworks! 

Norfolk VA   Town Point Park… located at the tip of Norfolk’s Downtown on the Elizabeth River, is the site of Norfolk’s daylong Independence Day Celebration. Lots of Musical Acts and Entertainment start in the afternoon, and end with a really big Fireworks Display at 9:30 PM. Thousands of People will turn out, but you can also view the fireworks from a variety of `less crowded‘ spots nearby. July 4th at Town Point Park activities begin at 2 PM and end at 10 PM.

Norfolk VA  The Shore Thing Concert and Independence Day Celebration, music by The Janitors at 6 p.m, fireworks (9:30 p.m.) and more. 6 to 10 p.m. Sunday at Ocean View Beach Park, 111 W. Ocean View Ave., Norfolk. 441-2345. www.festevents.org.

 

4th of july portsmouth va Portsmouth VA 4th of July Fireworks over the Elizabeth River
Date: Sunday, July 04, 2010
On the Elizabeth River between Downtown Norfolk and Olde Towne Portsmouth
Crawford Parkway, between Washington and North Streets
Portsmouth, VA 23704
Phone1: (757) 393-5111 Portsmouth Visitor Information Center
Phone2: (757) 441-2345 Norfolk’s Festevents
Email: festevents@festevents.org
Opens: 9:30:00 PM
Closes: 10:00:00 PM
Children Welcome
Pets Welcome
View Independence Day Fireworks from the Seawall in Olde Towne Portsmouth or along Crawford Parkway, between Washington Street and North Street. Cradock’s Historic Patriotic Salute begins with a children’s bike parade at Afton Parkway and George Washington Highway at 9:30 a.m. Music and a flag ceremony continue at the Cradock gazebo.

 
Suffolk, VA Stars & Stripes Spectacular
Date: Sunday, July 04, 2010
Constant’s Wharf Park
100 East Constance Road
Suffolk, VA 23434
Phone2: (866) SEE-SUFK Suffolk Visitor Center Toll Free
Children Welcome
Celebrate Independence Day Suffolk-style with fireworks, live music, food and family fun at the Constant’s Wharf Park & Marina in downtown Suffolk on the Nansemond River. Free and open to the public. 

Mt Trashmore Va Beach July 4th Celebration at Mount Trashmore
Date: Sunday, July 04, 2010
Mount Trashmore Park
310 Edwin Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Phone: (757) 385-2990
Email: smoore@vbgov.com
Opens: 4:00:00 PM
Closes: 10:00:00 PM
Children Welcome
Celebrate America’s birthday and salute the military with live main stage musical entertainment, children’s activities and delicious festival foods! The night concludes with a BANG – ooh and ahh at our fabulous fireworks display that will fill the summer sky. Free and open to the public with on-site (fee), sponsored by The City of Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation. Experience the Fun!

Va beach fireworks VA Beach Stars and Stripes Explosion
Date: Sunday, July 04, 2010
Virginia Beach oceanfront
on the beach at 20th Street and in the 17th, 24th and 31st Street Parks
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Phone: (757) 491-SUNN Virginia Beach Visitor Center
Children Welcome
Multiple performance venues at the oceanfront attract thousands of out-of-town visitors and locals alike for a "Star-Spangled" salute to this great country of ours! With a program that encompasses patriotic songs, Broadway tunes, movie themes and folk music, nostalgia reigns as the presentation segues into a magical fireworks show that explodes over the oceanfront. Stars and Stripes Explosion is an unabashed tribute to the United States of America.

colonial williamsburg fourth of july Williamsburg VA –Colonial Williamsburg’s Fourth of July Activities celebrate the founding of a nation.

The Declaration of Independence, drafted by Virginian Thomas Jefferson, was adopted July 4th, 1776. Celebrate the nation’s birthday with Fifes and Drums, militia parades, and Colonial Williamsburg’s famous Historic Area fireworks. Colonial Williamsburg offers programs throughout the day that honor the birth of our nation.

At 10 a.m. on Market Square, Salute to the States kicks off the day’s programming. A special militia muster in commemoration of the anniversary of the birth of our nation honors the 13 original colonies. Colonial Williamsburg’s Fifes and Drums play while the flags of each state are displayed. Muskets and cannon fire salute the event.  No ticket is required to attend.

At 11 a.m. on the Capitol Green, guests can witness the program, The Times that Try Men’s Souls: An American Patriot Speaks about Revolution. Patriot Patrick Henry recalls the origins of the American Revolution in Williamsburg and remembers important lessons in citizenship learned in the colonial capital.  He challenges citizens to consider what independence might mean, and what their rights are and responsibilities will be in a self-governing republic. No ticket is required to attend this event.

At 11:35 a.m. in the backyard of the Coffeehouse, catch The Promised Land. Gowan Pamphlet, a popular 18th-century African American Baptist preacher, talks about his hopes for the future in a new society where all citizens are equal and where there will be no state church connected with the government.  A young soldier confronts him with questions of faith in the face of war and world-changing events. No ticket is required to attend this event.

At 12:30 p.m. at Capital Circle on Duke of Gloucester Street, A Declaration of Independence will take place. The Declaration of Independence is read to the citizens of Williamsburg.  This news arrives only a few weeks after Virginia’s representatives have adopted their own Declaration of Rights and a Constitution for the new state.  No ticket is required to attend this event.

Hear music from the collections of our Founding Fathers as well as some of the patriotic pieces that inspired the Revolution during Planters and Patriots: Songs of the Revolution at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum.  Join the Cobham Consort for a spirited concert of political songs and popular ballads and tunes from colonial Virginia.  Admission to this program is included in all Historic Area or Museum admission passes.

At 8:15 p.m., Music for the Fireworks leads up to the fireworks display. The Fifes and Drums perform a concert of patriotic music on stage behind the Courthouse. No ticket is required to attend this event.

Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. The best places to see these spectacular fireworks are from Market Square or Palace Green. Parking is available at the Visitor Center. Due to heavy traffic, shuttle bus service to the Historic Area is not available between 8:45 and 10:45 p.m. Shuttle bus service is available with or without Colonial Williamsburg admission tickets.

Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or a lawn chair, and park at the Visitor Center and take Colonial Williamsburg’s buses to the Historic Area. No ticket is required to enjoy this program.

Also happening this summer, Spirit of Liberty will take place at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum.  Former slave, Gowan Pamphlet, recalls the events of 1776 and their impact on the enslaved community.  The program will run every Friday, July 2 through Friday, Sept. 3.  The time for the event is 3:30 p.m. Admission to this program is included in all Historic Area or Museum admission passes

The 28th annual "Ice Cream Social" has become a tradition for locals and visitors and is sponsored by Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center Auxiliary. Money raised from the social helps support the auxiliary’s community programs, including free mammogram, bone density and health screenings for the uninsured, scholarship programs, pediatric gift bags in emergency, chemo cap program and holiday tray favors for patients.

The event takes place on July 4th in the Wren Courtyard at the College of William and Mary from 4:30pm until 7pm.  We will be serving hot dogs $3 each, cake and ice cream $3 each and soft drinks and water $1 each.  The Smith Wade Band will provide entertainment/music.  It is a great community event and a nice place to picnic before the fireworks in CW.

There are always a lot of people–and especially families–who attend and we look forward to good weather.  Rain date is July 5th.

Please plan to attend and bring your co-workers and friends and family!

Busch Gardens Fireworks 4th of july Williamsburg VA-  Four Nights of Fantastic Fireworks at Busch Gardens as it  Celebrates Independence Day  2010- Prepare to “ooh” and “aah” as the sky above the world’s “Most Beautiful Park” explodes with color to top off Independence Day festivities. Celebrate America’s birthday at Busch Gardens with four nights of patriotic fireworks set to music July 1 – 4. The fireworks extravaganza, “Boom ‘n July,” is included with park admission and begins each night at 9:15 p.m..

The villages of Oktoberfest and San Marco are prime viewing areas for the fireworks show.
Guests also can dine in the park’s Black Forest Picnic area behind Das Festhaus during a pre-fireworks buffet that also includes access to an exclusive fireworks-viewing area near Festhaus park. Dinner seating begins at 8:30 p.m.. For more information on the Boom ‘n July fireworks or to make dinner reservations, visit www.buschgardens.com/va  or call (800) 343-7946.

LOCALS TIPS: For those trying to watch the Busch Gardens fireworks for free, don’t try to park on the flyover from Interstate 64. Police will move you along. There are a few places to view them along Rt 60 and Rt 143

Yorktown Fourth of July Fireworks. 9:15 p.m. over the York River. The best viewing areas are along the waterfront and at the Yorktown Victory Monument. The beach picnic area will not be open to the public as it will be used as the launch site for the fireworks show. Visitors are urged to arrive in Yorktown before 5:30 p.m. for the fireworks show due to heavy traffic. Once the parking area has reached capacity, the entire town will be closed to vehicular traffic.

Visitors arriving early can enjoy these activities:
4 p.m. – The Fifes & Drums of York Town – Victory Monument, Voices of the Yorktown Chorale – York Hall (Main and Ballard Street)
4 p.m. – Children’s fun and games area – (Main and Nelson Street)
5 p.m. – Sounds of Liberty Bell Ringing Ceremony – Nelson House (Main and Nelson Street)
6 p.m. – Parade on Historic Main Street – begins at Main and Ballard Street to Victory Monument- background music by U.S. Coast Guard Band
7 p.m. – The Fifes & Drums of York Town – Victory Monument
7:30 p.m. – The story behind the hallowed words of the "Pledge of Allegiance," presented by Guy Manchester at Victory Monument
8 p.m. – U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band – Victory Monument
9:15 p.m. – Fireworks display over the York River
For information, call 890-3500; or http://www.yorkcounty.gov/fourth
Liberty Celebration. 9 a.m. Saturday, and Sunday, July 4. Visitors can observe tactical and artillery drills, take part in a variety of military exercises, discover the origins of "American" dishes such as apple pie, and learn about the sacrifices of our nation’s founders. A rare early broadside printing of the "Declaration of Independence," is featured in the museum’s gallery.The Yorktown Victory Center, located on Route 1020, near Colonial Parkway in Yorktown. Admission is $9.50 for adults and $5.25 for youth ages 6-12. 888-593-4682, 253-4838; http://www.historyisfun.org.

 

Secret Viewing  Spots  From Locals:

Watch the Yorktown Fireworks aboard a boat on the York River. The reflection of the fireworks against the water is magnificent.

Rent a room at The Duke of York Motel in Yorktown. “Viewing from the fourth floor pool area is exquisite,”.

The Yorktown Fourth of July Celebration Committee recommends viewing from the Victory Monument. Fireworks are launched from the beach picnic area directly below the monument.

Parking in Yorktown is difficult. Arrive early enough to score a spot in the parking deck at Riverwalk. From there, it’s a short left down Water Street to the Colonial Parkway or Route 17.

Want a postcard view? Climb to almost any rooftop or parking deck top in downtown Norfolk to catch a sweeping vista and watch the lights play over the city skyline and waterfront. Bring a chair and a beverage. Add your own music. Relax. Leave the traffic delays for the workweek.

The Pagoda and Oriental Garden in Norfolk’s Freemason neighborhood. It’s off West Tazewell, which puts the location slightly away from Town Point Park, but close enough that you feel part of the action. Grab a bench or sit on the steps by the water and people-watch as you wait for the fireworks to start. Some condominiums stand between you and the park, but the fireworks are high enough in the sky that you don’t notice. Plus there’s a nice view of Portsmouth across the water.

The view from the other side  Lots of folks enjoy the fireworks and a nice view of Norfolk from across the water in Portsmouth’s Olde Towne.

Plum Point Park along the Elizabeth River in Norfolk’s West Ghent provides close-up views of the downtown fireworks. Driving there is a challenge – there’s no parking. But walking or biking make access easy: Just follow the Elizabeth River Trail, either from Southampton Avenue in the Freemason neighborhood or from an opening off Claremont Avenue just off Redgate Avenue.

Trashmore from a distance  Some people park at the old Kmart lot on Holland Road to watch the Mount Trashmore displays, some setting up lawn chairs or sitting on the roofs of their cars. The spot is great for avoiding the tangle of traffic on Independence Boulevard.

Suffolk sights Folks who live in Suffolk’s Eclipse/Crittenden community can walk to their favorite viewing spot toting lawn chairs. People like us, who drive in from other locations, park near the Ebenezer United Methodist Church or the community swimming pool. If you drive to the end of the road afterward, it’s sometimes possible to see Newport News’ fireworks in the distance.

Get out on the water. Take a cruise from downtown Norfolk on the Victory Rover or American Rover, or head out on your own craft.

On the beach in Willoughby you can see Hampton, Newport News, Virginia Beach and Ocean View’s fireworks. Private homes on the beach put on some pretty spectacular fireworks displays as well. Or check out the beaches in Ocean View, at one of the public parks on the Bay.

 

Search 4th of July Fireworks and Celebrations around Virginia here

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1st Annual Phoebus Rock-n-Blues Fest May 22, 2010

Posted on May 18, 2010 by mrwilliamsburg

3 Blues Bands: Planet Full Of Blues, HRB Blues Band, Jackie Scott and the Housewreckers partner up with the Phoebus American Legion to support their Membership Drive. Come on out with your friends and have some fun – listen and dance to some great rockin’ blues
.
Date: Saturday, May 22, 2010

Time: 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM; Doors Open at 7:00 PM
Where: Phoebus American Legion Post 48,
221 E. Mellen St., Hampton (Phoebus), VA
Tickets: $10 at the Door and in Advance
Food and Beverages: Available for Purchase

Contact for Information and Tickets: Tharon Greene (804) 815-3016

Phoebus

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Hampton’s Saturday Summer Street Fest — returns this Saturday

Posted on April 23, 2010 by mrwilliamsburg

hampton street festAssuming we have good weather The group Cracker, known for rock radio hits "Low," "Euro-Trash Girl," and "Get Off This,"will perform at the season’s first outdoor bash on April 24.

In addition to music, the Street Fest includes a children’s area outfitted with inflatable rides, face painting and craft activities. Children can enjoy unlimited fun there with a $4 ticket.
As always, though, admission to the block party itself is free.

 

 

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Kids Eat Free- Williamsburg and Hampton Roads VA

Posted on February 6, 2010 by mrwilliamsburg

As a family we are all about saving money. Eating out is a not too frequent luxury these days. With that being said in this current economy I thought I would try compiling a local “Kids eat free” or  “Reduced price kids meal specials” in the Williamsburg or Hampton Roads Virginia area.

This is just a start and I appreciate any updates you know about . In searching the web I found quite a few outdated offers that are no longer available. Verify them yourself before you go.  As of 2/6/2010 they are current.

They are in random order….

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New Stores announced at Peninsula Town Center

Posted on January 19, 2010 by mrwilliamsburg

More Than 50 Stores and Restaurants To Open in 2010

Many Will Be New to the State or Region

 

Fashion retailers Hollister, Justice, New York & Company, The Limited, Chico’s, Caché, Forever 21 and H&M are among more than 50 retail and restaurant tenants  that will be joining already opened Macy’s, Barnes & Noble, Target, JC Penney, LensCrafters, bd’s Mongolian Grill, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Chipotle, Outback Steakhouse, The Pub and Mattress Discounters at the Peninsula Town Center (PTC).

“Many of these new tenants, including The Wine Loft, dELiA’s, Shoe Woo and CinéBistro are either new to the state or new to the region,” says Steiner, who, along with property owner Mall Properties, is developing PTC.

The list includes many of the nation’s strongest brands including Aéropostale, Victoria’s Secret, Express, Build-A-Bear, Charming Charlie and Lane Bryant. Among the 15 restaurants listed are several that are making their Virginia debuts, including Bensi’s Ristorante Italiano, Huey’s Diner, Kenji Fusion and (coach) Frank Beamer’s American Grill.

“This is the right project, in the right location, at the right time,” said Hampton Mayor Molly Ward. “Our community asked for an upscale, energy-filled mixed-use project. We are getting a good first look at that quality today with the announcement of these great and exciting retail, restaurant and entertainment tenants.”

The 1.1-million-square-foot Peninsula Town Center is located off of Mercury Boulevard at the I-64 Interchange in Hampton’s Coliseum Central Business District. The 75-acre mixed-use project features 340,000 square feet of fashion and specialty retail, 55,000 square feet of restaurant and dining, 400,000 square feet of traditional/anchor retail, 115,000 square feet of Class A office space and 158 residential apartment units.

Peninsula Town Center’s Grand Opening is scheduled for March 11, 2010. The full list of retailers and restaurants, along with upcoming activities, is posted online at www.peninsulatowncenter.com.

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Fort Monroe Development

Posted on September 27, 2009 by mrwilliamsburg

fort_monroe_va_1861 The Historic Preservation Advisory Group for Fort Monroe in Hampton VA met recently to solidify it’s vision for parts of the Fort Monroe after the Army base closes in 2011.

They shared recommendations with the Fort Monroe Federal Area Development Authority about what to do with the open space that makes up nearly half of the facility’s 570 acres.

Old Point Comfort is home to the Fort Monroe Historic National Landmark District. It is located on a barrier spit at Hampton Roads Harbor and the southern end of Chesapeake Bay where the Old Point Comfort lighthouse has been welcoming ships since 1802.

The 570 acre site includes the largest stone fort ever built by the United States. It consists of seven fronts and covers approximately 63 acres of ground and is surrounded by a water filled moat.

The Fort Monroe Federal Area Development Authority is the official "Local Development Authority" recognized by the Department of Defense. Fort Monroe FADA is a political subdivision of the state. FMFADA will receive the property for the Commonwealth of Virginia because it is slated for closure by the U.S. Army under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission of 2005.

fortmonroe At the eastern edge of Hampton, Fort Monroe in Hampton has been slated to be turned into a mix of residential, retail and office buildings. 40% of the 570 acres will remain in recreational space, making it one of the largest waterfront parks in Hampton Roads .

Fort Monroe’s closure was announced in 2005, and the Army will leave in 2011. Most of the land, which has unobstructed views of the Chesapeake Bay, will revert to the state. Notable historic properties on the site include the stone fort, the Old Point Comfort Lighthouse and The Chamberlin, a former hotel that is now an apartment complex targeted to senior citizens.

Advocates for creation of a national park at Fort Monroe to preserve the historical sites were given a nod of support from the Hampton City Council on Wednesday night. The council adopted a resolution that it was committed to continued recognition and protection of the fort’s status as a National Historic Landmark.

Other recommendations proposed for the open space was to host festivals and sporting events, have an open beach and add boat launches.

  Here is a a short video showcasing the history of Fort Monroe by local historian  John Quarstein

Explore the redevelopment plans for Fort Monroe here

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Hampton Bay Days- 2009

Posted on September 9, 2009 by mrwilliamsburg

Hampton Bay Days will take place Friday, September 11-Sunday, September 13 , 2009 in downtown Hampton. Visitors will experience a unique, three-day family festival featuring national recording artists, children’s activities, arts and crafts, fireworks, and more.

On Saturday, September 12, Grammy-winning musicians Bruce Hornsby and Ricky Skaggs will perform at the Hampton Bay Days Festival.  The two-part, star-filled show begins at 6 p.m.  The performances are free and open to the public and will be followed by a 20-minute fireworks celebration at 10 p.m.

A wide variety of musical artists will perform on multiple outdoor stages throughout the Hampton Bay Days weekend. For a full schedule of performances and other event activities, visit www.baydays.com.

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H2O in Hampton VA

Posted on August 8, 2009 by mrwilliamsburg

h2o  L.M. Sandler & Sons, Inc. and Chesapeake Homes appear to be moving forward with their newest community, H2O, located near the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, VA.

H2O will feature three different product types:
Three-story flat condominiums ranging from 843-1,513 square feet and priced from $190,000 – $300,000.
Two-story stacked townhomes from 1,400–1,900 square feet in size and priced in the mid $200-thousands.
Three-story townhomes ranging from 1,950–2,250 square feet and priced from the high $200-thousands to low $300-thousands.

The community will offer amenities including a state-of-the-art fitness facilities and kayak access to the waters that run throughout the as part of the New Market Creek Park and Trail System. Other features should include walking/biking trails and outdoor open spaces lined with trees as well as Wi-Fi Internet access in public places, a junior Olympic-sized pool with cabana, community clubhouse, landscaped common areas and water features.

h2ohampton Shopping, dining and entertainment are located only minutes away at the newly developed Power Plant entertainment district. Residents can catch a concert at the Hampton Coliseum and shop the Coliseum Central Business District, which boasts an array of nationally known stores, many within the Peninsula Town Center, now under construction on the site of the former Coliseum Mall.

When complete, H2O will have more than 400 condos and town houses, according to the original plans. So far eleven condos have sold between December 2008 and June 2009.

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Bruce Hornsby and Ricky Skaggs to appear at Hampton VA Bay Days 2009

Posted on May 8, 2009 by mrwilliamsburg

hampton va bay days Dynamic DU-Over! It takes more than a hurricane to keep Bruce Hornsby and Ricky Skaggs from appearing at the Annual Hampton Bay Days Festival.

— Performances to take place at 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at City Hall Stage on Saturday, September 12–Hampton, VA- On Saturday, September 12, Grammy-winning musicians, Bruce Hornsby and Ricky Skaggs are back to perform at the Hampton Bay Days Festival after Hurricane Hanna forced a cancellation of last year’s performance.

“Backed by their full bands, Bruce Hornsby & the NoiseMakers as well as Ricky Skaggs with Kentucky Thunder are returning to perform at Hampton Bay Days,” said Hampton Bay Days Executive Director Shelly Ezanno. “They refuse to let inclement weather make them anything other than just a little bit late."
The two-part, star-filled show begins at 6:00 p.m. with a performance by Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby with Kentucky Thunder, followed at 8:00 p.m. with a performance by Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers. During both sets, Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby will perform together. Performances are free and open to the public.

The musical performances will be followed by a twenty minute fireworks celebration at 10:00 p.m.
Hornsby a Williamsburg, VA native and resident , twelve-time Grammy nominee and three-time Grammy winner, has produced ten albums, and sold over 11 million copies worldwide. Music lovers will enjoy an eclectic mix of hits played by Hornsby and the Noisemakers including, “The Way It Is”, the most played song on American radio in 1987, “The End of the Innocence”, “Mandolin Rain” and “Every Little Kiss.”
Also, known around the music industry as a collaborator, Hornsby has been sought after by a veritable “who’s who” in the music business. He’s played on albums with Bob Dylan, Don Henley, the Grateful Dead, Bob Seger, Crosby Stills and Nash, Stevie Nicks, Willie Nelson, and more. In 2007, bluegrass veteran Ricky Skaggs and pianist Bruce Hornsby joined forces for a collaborative album released on March 20, 2007. Eleven-time Grammy Award winner Ricky Skaggs is affectionately known as one of bluegrass music’s most recognized ambassadors.

A wide variety of musical artists will perform on multiple outdoor stages throughout the Hampton Bay Days weekend. The City Hall Stage and Mill Point Park Stage are sponsored by Tri-Cities Beverage Corp. Hampton Bay Days is in the process of securing additional headliners and will announce the
full schedule as soon as it is available. All performances are free and open to the public. For more information, check out www.baydays.com

The 27th annual Hampton Bay Days will take place Friday, September 11 – Sunday, September 13, 2009 in downtown Hampton, Virginia. The mission of Hampton Bay Days is to create a family-oriented festival that educates visitors about the importance of the Chesapeake Bay and its natural resources. Visitors experience a unique, three-day family festival and enjoy national recording artists, educational, environmental hands-on activities, children’s activities, arts and crafts, fireworks, and more.

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Explore Hampton Va Parks

Posted on April 24, 2009 by mrwilliamsburg

Outdoor Recreation Open House

grundland_creek Come experience the great outdoors at Grundland Creek Park (150 Grundland Drive, Hampton, VA) on Saturday, April 25, 2009 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  This FREE event will feature canoes and kayaks, a rock climbing wall, and the Alpine Tower, an exciting ropes course. 

Children under age 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian.

For more information, call 757- 850-5134.

Directions from Mercury Blvd: Turn north onto Fox Hill Road, turn left onto Beach Road, turn left onto Grundland Drive. The park is located at the end of this road. See map below

Grundland Creek Park was acquired by the City of Hampton form the Federal Government  in 1972. This 74.6 acre site was formerly a Nike Missile site that was constructed to protect the east coast from aerial attacks and was closed after the Cold War. Today the park features an activity building, suited for community meetings and the water, adjacent to the property, is ideal for water related activities, nature and environmental programs. Other programs offered include moonlight paddles, ecotours and Outdoor Adventure Camp. Goal oriented training and team building activities are available on a 50 foot Alpine Tower ropes course, visible from the water. Please call 850-5134 for information

 

Explore Hampton , Virginia’s other parks:

Map picture

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Air Force Week at Langley Air Force Base

Posted on March 25, 2009 by mrwilliamsburg

Hampton Roads selected to host Air Force week in 200airforceweek9

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. – Hampton Roads, VA is one of three locations selected to host a week-long series of community events called Air Force Week. Air Force Week Hampton Roads will be held April 18-26 and will culminate with Langley Air Force base’s annual open house, AirPower Over Hampton Roads.

Air Force Weeks were established by the Air Force Chief of Staff in 2006 and were designed to build new relationships in metropolitan areas to expose as many people as possible to the Air Force and the Airmen serving in the joint military environment everyday in defense of our nation’s freedom.

The week will include Air Force-themed events held throughout the local area, flight demonstrations and displays to give people an in-depth look at the Air Force mission and the Airmen who make it possible.

The other two sites selected for Air Force Week are Salt Lake City, Utah, June 1-7 and Sacramento, Ca., Sept. 14-20.

Air Force Week is an extraordinary opportunity to meet the dedicated men and women in your United States Air Force. Come hear their compelling stories of service in support of the Joint Global War on Terror–both in the United States and overseas.
The week offers a multitude of activities that appeal to children and adults. Events include performances from our awarding-winning bands and drill team, exciting displays, earth-shaking flyovers, and remarkable hands-on experiences with our unique equipment.
Air Force Week is also a chance for us to thank you, the people of the communities in which we work and live. Come interact with members of the Air Force at various community events and listen to speeches from local dignitaries and Air Force leaders.
Every Air Force Week culminates in an air show featuring the world-famous Air Force Thunderbirds and other amazing demonstrations. This one-of-a-kind event only happens once a year, so don’t miss out!  Click on the following links to see why!

Please click on a event below to be directed to a listing of events for that day.
Saturday, April 18 ~ Meet America’s Air Force (Opening Ceremony)
Sunday-Thursday, April 19-23 ~ Air Force Exposition

Monday, April 20 ~ Honoring America’s Veterans

Tuesday, April 21 ~ Citizen Airmen – Always There for America

Wednesday, April 22 ~ Joint Air Power Defending Freedom

Thursday, April 23 ~ The Future of Air, Space, & Cyber Power

Friday-Sunday, April 24-26 ~ AirPower Over Hampton Roads

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York County VA Neighborhoods of the Year 2008

Posted on September 23, 2008 by mrwilliamsburg

Three neighborhoods in York County VA. received the 2008 Neighborhood of the Year award.

 

Villages of Kiln Creek Homeowners’ Association  received the award for Safety. The Kiln Creek association was chosen for numerous initiatives that have or soon will result in improved safety for their community, including successfully reducing the level of speeding and hit and run incidents in the neighborhood by posting additional signs about the fines associated with speeding, and installing security cameras to monitor the area and deter would-be criminals.

Kiln Creek also holds regular crime watch meetings and has started an email list to enable crime watch captains and residents to share information when anything happens in the neighborhood.

 Running Man Community Association’s  was selected for the Neighborhood Cooperation and Spirit award. The Running Man association holds many successful community events throughout the year, including a Bicycle Rodeo, an Annual Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween Parade, Annual Yard Sale, block parties and at Christmastime, the Luminary Gift to the County, in which almost 100 percent of the homes participate.

In addition to scheduled community events, residents of the Running Man community are often seen running and walking in their neighborhood, waving hello to neighbors working in their yards. Many neighbors are involved with the Neighborhood Watch program, and several are very active in county service.

Yorkshire Downs Master Association received the award  for Beautification. Over the past year, Yorkshire Downs’ Board of Directors has actively pursued all options within the budget to increase the aesthetics of the community. As well as undertaking ongoing maintenance and repairs within the community, the association has restored a number of areas such as the club house, swimming pool, bridge and retention pond.

One of the larger projects included the installation of new playgrounds and lighting at both the swimming pool and town homes locations. But the largest and most impressive single project is the installation of a walking pier and reinforcement of a bulk head behind Clydesdale Drive. The intention of this installation was to reduce severe shoreline erosion, which has become quite a hazardous issue for residents over time. The walking pier is not only a creative resolution to safety-related problems, but also serves to further improve the appearance of the community.

The York County Virginia Neighborhood of the Year awards program were initiated in 2002 following a request by several homeowner associations to recognize and highlight the efforts of the county’s homeowners to improve their communities. 

I applaud all of these communities for their awards. Being a board member and active volunteer in my own neighborhood Windsor Forest) in  Williamsburg/ James City County VA. I understand how difficult it can be to get things accomplished in a neighborhood.

Filed under: Fort Eustis Real Estate, General Area Information Hampton Roads Virginia, Langley AFB Real Estate, New Homes Williamsburg Virginia, Real Estate information, Williamsburg Neighborhoods, York County Neighborhoods | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

York County Virginia Free Homeowner Workshop on Thursday, Sept. 25

Posted on September 23, 2008 by mrwilliamsburg

Free Homeowner Workshop on Thursday, Sept. 25  

Freddie Mac, BB&T Bank and the York County Virginia Department of Community Services/Housing Division are partnering to sponsor a “Get the Facts: Dispelling the Myths of Homeownership” workshop.

The future home buyer workshop is to be held Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the Yorktown Library, 8500 George Washington Memorial Hwy (Rt. 17), in Yorktown, VA.

Attend this free “Get the Facts” workshop to learn what it takes to become a homeowner. There will be no confusing jargon, no fine print and no sales pitch, just the information you need to better understand your path to homeownership.

For more information, contact the York County Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization Division of the Department of Community Services at 757-890-3885.

Filed under: Downpayment Assistance, First Time Home Buyers, Fort Eustis Real Estate, Langley AFB Real Estate, Real Estate information | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a comment »

Eagle Harbor Neighborhood Spotlight Isle of Wight

Posted on September 18, 2008 by mrwilliamsburg

Eagle Harbor, Isle of Wight Virginia has now been selected “Community Of The Year” three times by the Peninsula Housing & Builders Association ( PHBA)  Its charm encompasses not only the quality and diversity of homes featured in this unique community, but also in the lifestyle that is experienced by those choosing to live here.

Newport News and downtown Norfolk just a short drive away. In the center of Eagle Harbor in Isle of Wight is Celebration Park, where families and friends come together. Meet your neighbors here, or go fly a kite on the grassy banks of Eagle Lake. Play a round of Garden Golf™, or make a splash at the pool.

The quality homes at Eagle Harbor are a cut above the rest. Along quaint streets lined with sidewalks and streetlamps, traditional architectural details make way for innovative floor plans you simply will not find in other neighborhoods.

Single family homes range in price from the low $300s to over $674,500. Condominiums start in the low $200s.  Home sizes range from 1200 square foot condos to 4200 square foot detached homes.

Sold home Statistics for Eagle Harbor in Isle of Wight: The price range last 12 months for detached homes in Eagle Harbor ranges from $267,000 to $570,000. The average days on market was 220 days. The average price for square foot was $139.37. The average square footage was 2866. The ratio from list price to sale price was 96%

The price range in the  last 12 months for atached homes/ condos sold in Eagle Harbor ranged from $208,990 to $320,900. The average days on market was 153 days. The average price for square foot was $148.99. The average square footage was 1722. The ratio from list price to sale price was 100%

Search Homes For Sale at Eagle Harbor

Filed under: Eagle Harbor, Fort Eustis Real Estate, General Area Information Hampton Roads Virginia, Isle of Wight neighborhoods, Langley AFB Real Estate, New Communities Hampton Roads, Real Estate information, Selling a home in Hampton Roads VA | Tagged: , , , | Leave a comment »