Visiting Hampton Roads: Bermuda, Jamestown, Virginia and Shakespeare

by Victoria Cash, Director of Leisure at CI TRavel; Cruising Norfolk is the blog devoted entirely to Norfolk Cruises. It is published as a community service by CI Travel to connect travelers going on cruises from Norfolk to share comments, experiences, suggestions and tips for great things to do while on or off the ship.

Did you know that Bermuda was settled 400 years ago (1609) as a result of a shipwreck? Even more interesting, it was that shipwreck which inspired Shakespeare's "The Tempest"!

"Let me live here forever
So rare a wondered father and wife
Makes this place a paradise."

- William Shakespeare, "The Tempest"

In celebration of the 400th anniversary of Bermuda's founding, the Department of Community & Cultural Affairs is having a special Jamestown - Bermuda exhibition from May 13 - May 31. the exhibition "...explores governmental, religious and trade connections between England’s second permanent colony in the New World and its first – Jamestown, Virginia founded in 1607.

The exhibition illuminates Bermuda’s unique character: strategic location and historic stone forts; extraordinary importance of sports and recreation; and land and seascapes immortalized by internationally renowned artists, leading to Bermuda’s rise in the 20th century as a premier travel destination." according to the official Bermuda Tourism website.

Enquiries: Department of Community & Cultural Affairs, 81 Court Street, Hamilton HM12, tel 441 292 8990, fax 441 292 2474, email bermuda2009@gov.bm, website www.bermuda2009.bm

Just a unique cultural experience you may want to mosey on over to while in port.

Originally posted on the Cruise Norfolk Blog and reprinted here by permission of the author.

Pungo Strawberry Festival, unique community support in rural Virginia Beach (yes, rural)

Hampton Roads' charities use the annual Pungo Strawberry Festival, the 26th celebrated in 2009, to raise money. The Lions Club sells strawberry shortcakes, money they raise to help kids with diabetes. Breast cancer survivors were raffling a Harley to help raise money to find a cure. Crowds in Pungo this Memorial Day weekend were looking for more they strawberries, they're eager to help their community. All proceeds from our Festival are donated to non-profit community and service organizations.


The festival is a family-oriented, wholesome, alcohol-free event. You'll find all the strawberries you can eat - and drink - offered in over 50 different ways, a pie eating contest, continuous entertainment on three stages, a parade, one of the largest carnivals on the east coast, a livestock show and sale, a multi-million dollar military display, pig races, youth art show, and arts and craft booths.


Thanks to Wayne Carter of WVEC.com for his coverage.

photos by Missy Schmidt, Communication Manager for the Hampton Roads Partnership. Being from the rural western side of Virginia and a relative newcomer to the region, finding a wonderful venue that reminds me of home was a wonderful compliment to all that Hampton Roads has to offer.

Visiting Hampton Roads: The Great American Backyard Barbeque

photos and story by Kaitlyn Fohl

This past weekend (May 22-May 24), the boardwalk at the Virginia Beach oceanfront was bustling with excitement. In honor of Memorial Day and the start of summer, people crowded the area to take part in the Great American Backyard Barbeque.


The Great American Backyard Barbeque is a token to delicious food and soulful music. The event pays respect to the roots of American life – pulled pork, sweet country music, and the blues. It’s an event designed with the whole family in mind. The BBQ is brought to residents and visitors alike by Beach Street USA, the events program presented by the City of Virginia Beach, with concerts, festivals, and activities primarily held at the oceanfront resort area.


This year, local vendors lined the boardwalk near the 31st street and 21st street concert arenas. The sweet, smoky smell of roasted barbeque was impossible to resist while enjoying the musical talents of blues artists like Marcia Ball and Roomful of Blues, and country artists like Keith Anderson, Sammy Kershaw, and Jason Michael Carroll.

In addition to fantastic food and music, the boardwalk was also lined with essays written by Advanced Placement U.S. History students at Salem High School. The essays covered historical military events that our country has been a part of over the years. Each essay was printed on a large banner and the banners lined the boardwalk all the way from 17th street to 31st street. This display of patriotism was called the “Heroes Walk”.


To conclude the eventful weekend, fireworks lit up the night sky at ten o’clock on Sunday evening. This colorful demonstration was the perfect way to top off the American Backyard Barbeque. One can only hope next year’s barbeque bash will be just as successful and fun!


Kaitlyn Fohl is a rising sophomore at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech, Go Hokies!) in International Studies and Art. Kaitlyn is a resident of Virginia Beach and completed the Teen Apprenticeship Program at the Contemporary Art Center in 2008. For Summer 2009, Kaitlyn is an intern with the Hampton Roads Partnership covering Arts, Culture, History and Tourism with her own special flair.

Where in the World do Newport News Travel & Tourism dollars come from?

Newport News has developed a unique Tourism Awareness Contest...

Did you know that each U.S. household would pay $995 MORE in taxes each year without the tax dollars (revenue) generated from the travel and tourism industry? That would pay for a lot of food, gasoline and entertainment for your family!

This $1.6 trillion industry creates jobs and attracts arts and entertainment to our community, which enhances the quality of life for all. To celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week, Newport News Tourism announces our annual "Where in the World?" contest.

Newport News City Council and City Manager assist in the clues, appearing in the Daily Press and online here. You could be a winner, drawn from all those who correctly match the clues to where the travel and tourism dollars come from!

Contest begins on Monday May 11, and ends on Wednesday May 27 at 5:00 p.m. Open to all U.S. residents 18 and over; here's how to enter.

National Tourism Week

In celebration of National Tourism Week May 9-17, 2009, the Norfolk Convention and Visitors Bureau will be awarding the top hospitality workers at the Award Winning National Tourism Week Rally called "Champions of Hospitality" on Wednesday, May 13th from 1:30 to 3:30pm at the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center. From amongst all the winners, one person will be awarded the "Hospitality Worker of the Year" award. More than 100 associates have been nominated in 21 categories. The Rally is open to the public.

SmartRegion.org welcomes other information about Tourism events! Please submit to: Contact@HRP.org