Friday Five: Upcoming Summer Festivals

I snapped these photos last weekend, at the Blackbeard Pirate Festival in Hampton. That's one of my favorite things about living in Hampton Roads in the summer (besides the quality beach time available) -- the awesome summer festivals that spring up all over the area. It seems like every weekend in the summer features a new extravaganza, the chance to taste/see/do/experience something new, outdoors, with friends.

So for this week's Friday Five, I thought I'd list some of the upcoming festivals that we, as a family, are most excited about. We've already marked them on our calendar, have you?


1. Norfolk Harborfest: Features the Parade of Sail and the largest fireworks show on the East Coast! Starts TONIGHT. June 6-7. (On the other side of the river, check out the Portsmouth Seawall Music Festival, also starting tonight).

2. Tall Ships at Cape Charles Festival: A rare opportunity to get up close to and explore tall ships and to talk with the crew. June 14-15.

3. Bayou Boogaloo and Cajun Festival: New Orleans spirit and culture (and food!) in Town Point Park. June 20-22.

4. Knotts Island Peach Festival: Crafts, classic cars, music and PEACHES just over the border in North Carolina. June 28-29.

5. Pork, Peanut, and Pine Festival: Enjoy three of Virginia's biggest exports while strolling Chippokes Plantation State Park in Surry. July 19-20.


Over at Fun and Free Hampton Roads this week, I wrote about the Thursdays in the Park concert series happening all summer long at the Mariner's Park in Newport News. What a great deal!

Have a great weekend, everyone!