Category: Events

WILLIAMSBURG JUNE EVENT PREVIEW WITH CEO ED HARRIS

Visit Williamsburg CEO Ed Harris previewed upcoming June events and promotions on 92.3 FM The Tide.
Highlights include Juneteenth celebrations and the Williamsburg Whiskey and Wine Weekend June 27-29.
The new “The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge” roller coaster at Busch Gardens was also mentioned.
He discussed the Cool Summer Savings Pass offering deals and prizes in July and August.
More information is available on the Visit Williamsburg website and blog.

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In The Know With Visit Williamsburg: Previewing A Busy June With CEO Ed Harris [AUDIO]

A Guns to Gardens event is being held today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Williamsburg United Methodist Church, where unwanted firearms will be accepted for dismantling and transformation into garden tools. Co-sponsored by the James River Chapter of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, the event offers a safe disposal method and serves as a community service transforming weapons into life-giving instruments.

Williamsburg United Methodist Church is hosting a Guns to Gardens event on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. where community members can turn in unwanted guns to be dismantled and forged into gardening tools and artwork as an effort to combat gun violence and provide a healing experience. The event, held at 500 Jamestown Road, is a partnership with the James River Chapter of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy and is based on a project by the faith-based organization RAWtools. Firearms must be unloaded and no ammunition is accepted; donations are anonymous but require the owner to be present for dismantling, with no transfer of ownership.

NEWS BRIEFS

Soundscapes is hosting a benefit concert on June 1 to support student musicians facing funding cuts.

The Abram Frink Jr. Community Center will close for maintenance from June 16-27.

The Williamsburg Farmers Market received Gold Certification status for the second consecutive year.

James City County will offer a free seminar on June 13 about upcoming stormwater management regulatory changes.

Grants totaling $4 million are available from the Virginia Department of Veterans Services for programs to prevent veteran suicide and opioid abuse.

The Virginia Chamber of Commerce announced two new team members, Carter T. Whitelow and Sarah Muse.

Chesapeake Bank hired Keith E. Gillespie as Commercial Loan Officer for the Peninsula market.

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News Briefs for May 28

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS HOSTS ARMY BIRTHDAY FESTIVAL

Joint Base Langley-Eustis is hosting a special festival at Fort Eustis.
The event on June 13 celebrates the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday.
The base gates will be open to the community for the first time since 2018.
The festival is free and open to the public starting at 2 p.m.
Activities include family fun, food, entertainment, and Army equipment displays.
The Nashville Nights Band performs at 6 p.m.
A fireworks display will conclude the event at 8 p.m.

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Joint Base Langley-Eustis Invites Community to Celebrate Army 250th Birthday Festival

Chesapeake will host its annual Memorial Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday in front of City Hall.
Norfolk’s annual Memorial Day wreath laying ceremony is Monday at 2 p.m. at Wisconsin Square.
The Larchmont-Edgewater Civic League hosts a Memorial Day parade and ceremony Monday from 10-11:30 a.m. starting at Larchmont United Methodist Church.
The MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday for visitors to honor fallen service members.
Portsmouth will hold its annual Memorial Day parade at 10 a.m. Monday on High Street.
Suffolk hosts a Memorial Day ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery.
Virginia Beach’s annual Memorial Day ceremony is Monday from noon to 1 p.m. at the Tidewater Veterans Memorial.
York County will host its annual Memorial Day ceremony at noon Monday on the lawn of York Hall in Yorktown.

VDOT LIFTS LANE CLOSURES FOR MEMORIAL DAY TRAVEL

VDOT is suspending many highway work zones and temporary lane closures for Memorial Day weekend.
This suspension is in effect from noon Friday through noon Tuesday, May 27.
The measure is intended to improve traffic flow for the start of the summer travel season.
Some semi-permanent work zones will still be present.
Travelers are encouraged to use VDOT’s resources like the 511 app, 511 website, and holiday travel trends map for planning.
Specific alternative routes are suggested for Hampton Roads tunnels to ease congestion.
VDOT reminds drivers to practice safe habits such as buckling up, avoiding distractions, and obeying the Move Over law.

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wydaily.com

The Virginia Arts Festival presents violinist Lana Trotovšek, cellist Nina Kotova, and pianist Olga Kern in an all-Beethoven chamber music concert at 10:30 a.m. on June 5 at William & Mary’s Concert Hall. The Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra closed its season on May 14 with music director Michael Butterman, featuring flutist R. Carlos Nakai, the world premiere of Dawn Avery’s “Secrets,” and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9. The Virginia Arts Festival and Virginia Symphony Orchestra collaborated on the VSO’s season-closing concert, performing Mahler’s Symphony No. 9. The Williamsburg Choral Guild performed the Brahms “Requiem” and Brahms’ “Sehnsucht” under director Daniel Parks.

LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS

The Peninsula Chinese American Association showcased Chinese culture at the Hampton Mosaic Festival with performances and activities.
York County Public Library is participating in the Big Library Read, offering “Uncommon Measure” for free on Libby from May 15-29.
York County Tax Bills have been mailed and payments are due by June 25.
Habitat for Humanity is holding two “Drink Beer, Do Good” fundraising nights with Coastal Fermentory on May 27-28 to support a house build.
Companies can register to participate in the Civic 50 Hampton Roads assessment by July 15 to benchmark corporate social responsibility.
Tickets are now on sale for the Colonial Downs expanded 41-day summer racing season running from July 9 through Sept. 13.
Food Lion recognized over 380 long-term associates for their service, including two from the greater Williamsburg area.
The Virginia Association of Counties Board of Directors held their annual spring meeting in James City County on April 25-26.
Chesapeake Financial Shares reported a net loss for Q1 2025 but declared a $0.16 quarterly dividend, continuing a 32-year increase streak.
Norfolk Airport Authority announced Melinda Montgomery as its new Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, starting in early June.

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News Briefs for May 18

VIRGINIA STATE PARKS CELEBRATE KIDS TO PARKS DAY

Virginia State Parks is hosting special kid-friendly programs for National Kids to Parks Day on Saturday, May 17.
This annual event, sponsored by National Parks Trust, is in its 15th year and falls on the third Saturday of May.
The day aims to connect children and families with public lands, promote education, and encourage healthy activity.
State parks across Virginia will offer various activities like kayaking, hiking, fishing, and crafting.
Specific events vary by park and focus on the park’s natural and cultural aspects.
Examples include a Kids to Parks Day Fair at James River State Park, Nature Journaling at Natural Tunnel, Fishing with Friends at Shenandoah River, a Nature Expo at Smith Mountain Lake, Fossil Quest at Westmoreland, and Youth Archery at Widewater.
A full list of events can be found on the Virginia State Parks website.

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Virginia State Parks Offers Special Events for National Kids to Parks Day Saturday