Hampton is celebrating its 400th anniversary in 2010, and lining up a full year of exciting events, highlighted by the 11th Annual Blackbeard Festival July 9-11. Come by boat! Any of these would be a great time to schedule a visit.
Don't miss a thing! Check out the anniversary website. Here are some of the feature events to whet your appetite:
March 6: The Hunt for Hampton History: From the Sea to the Stars
Help solve the mystery of Hampton's past! Describe 400 years of culture, entertainment, war, sports, and the legendary people who made Hampton what it is today. In addition to children’s activities, reenactors, and exhibits, take part in preserving history now by bringing your photographs and personal artifacts to be scanned and photographed, and returned to you on-site, for Hampton’s archives. Free. Hampton History Museum, 9 am to 3 pm.
April 25: A reenactment of Hampton’s first landing in 1607 and the peaceful meeting between the Native Americans and the European Settlers. Strawberry Banks, 3 p.m. Free.
June 25-27: Hampton will play host to two of its most popular events: the 20th annual Afrikan American Festival and the 43rd annual Hampton Jazz Festival. During the Hampton Jazz Festival, the world renowned Hampton Coliseum will come alive with the sounds of the nation’s top blues, soul, pop, and jazz performers. At the Afrikan American Festival, enjoy an alcohol-free family event with merchandise vendors, live music, and great food.
Signature Anniversary Event!
July 9-11: 11th Annual Blackbeard Pirate Festival – Celebrating Hampton’s 400th Anniversary & Hampton Founder’s Day
Set sail for Hampton’s Pirate Festival where living history and family fun goes hand-in-hand. Immerse yourself in early 1700s Hampton with Blackbeard’s Ball, live entertainment, pirate encampment, children’s activities, sea battles, fireworks and more, as Hampton reenacts and celebrates the demise of Blackbeard, one of the fiercest pirates ever known, and Hampton’s 400th anniversary.
Sept. 10-12: Hampton’s largest and best known festival, Hampton Bay Days will celebrate its 28th year of educating attendees on the importance of the Chesapeake Bay this September. The event will feature musical entertainment, an indoor juried art show, over 100 merchandise and craft vendors, GODSPEED, bay education area, fireworks, and more. In addition, world-renowned painter, sculptor, photographer, writer, SCUBA diver, and marine life conservationist, Wyland, will design this year’s Hampton Bay Days commemorative poster.
Sept. 18 Native American Festival: Thunder on the Bay is a drumming and dancing pow-wow, focusing on the continued Native American presence in our region and along the East Coast, with educational exhibits, food vendors, and craft vendors. Buckroe Beach Park. 757/726-5437.
Dec. 11 Hampton Holly Days Parade & 400th Anniversary Fireworks
Downtown Hampton. Join us for an evening of enchantment as you view the creative floats, listen to the high school bands, salute the military marching units and exciting drill teams, and wave at the beauty queens. Of course this parade is not complete without everyone’s favorite….Santa Claus. Televised live on WVEC-TV13. 7:00 p.m. With a grand finale of fireworks.
Find out more at www.hampton400.com
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