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Explore Japanese Culture at Cherry Blossom Festival!
Saturday, April 6 (Rain Date: Sunday, April 7) | 12:30 - 4:30 pm | Red Wing Park
 Help us celebrate Virginia Beach's international sisterhood with Miyazaki City, Japan, at the 9th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival on Saturday, April 6 at Red Wing Park.
Enjoy the rich culture and beauty of Japanese music, martial arts, creative activities by A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, an origami display and fold-along with Rich Gray, and various demonstrations. This is a family event that allows everyone to come together and embrace the nature that surrounds us. Featured performances include a drum routine by SOKA Taiko Group. Check out this video of their performance from last year's event.
Food and beverage are available for purchase. You are welcome to bring a blanket or lawn chair for the performances. Parking and admission is free.
We want to see your photos! Tag them with #VBCherryBlossom!
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Celebrate Arbor Day and 'Tree City USA' Award
Friday, April 12 | 10 am | College Park Elementary School, 1110 Bennington Road
 Join us for our 2013 Arbor Day Celebration at 10 am on Friday, April 12 at College Park Elementary School. Owing to its sustainability and energy saving features, including an integrated wetland rain garden as well as 10,000 square feet of green roof with roof top learning areas, College Park Elementary has earned a LEED platinum certification. This year, Virginia Beach will receive its 33rd consecutive "Tree City USA" Award from the Virginia Department of Forestry. The "Tree City USA" award identifies the city as a community that has a proven commitment to an ongoing community forestry program.
Representatives from the Council of Garden Clubs of Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach Beautification Commission, Virginia Beach Master Gardener Tree Stewards, and third grade students from College Park Elementary School will also participate in the Arbor Day festivities. The Virginia Beach Council of Garden Clubs will host a reception after the ceremony. All residents are invited to attend the ceremony and to celebrate the "Tree City USA" award.
The 2013 Arbor Day celebration kicks off the City of Virginia Beach's "50 Years for 50 Trees" planting initiative, in which 50 individual trees will be ceremoniously planted to mark the City's 50th Anniversary, "50 Years of Living the Life in Virginia Beach." The first tree celebrating this milestone will be planted at this event. |
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Join Us at Mount Trashmore for Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 20 (Rain Date: Sunday, April 21) | 11 am to 4 pm | Mount Trashmore Park
 Expand your commitment to bettering the environment at our Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 20 at Mount Trashmore Park (one of the nation's first recycled landfills) from 11 am to 4 pm. You'll enjoy a variety of exhibits, displays and activities that will give you a chance to discover and explore effective and convenient ways to green your lifestyle.
Event highlights include:
AAA Recycling Zone | 9 am - 4 pm
All recycling will take place in Parking Lot 1 at Mount Trashmore Park, located near the YMCA. **Please enter from South Boulevard.**
Electronics Recycling by Synergy Recycling
Get rid of those old electronics! View a list of accepted items.
Car Battery Round Up
Get a $5 gift card (while supplies last) for every vehicle battery you bring in (limit 5). Car, motorcycle, lawnmower and tractor batteries are eligible.
Child Safety Seat Recycling
Have a used child safety seat that no longer meets industry safety standards? We'll see to it that all the plastic parts are properly broken down and recycled.
Household Hazardous Waste Disposal
Don't put that leftover paint or household cleaner in the trash! We'll properly dispose of these items for you. View a list of accepted items.
Metals Recycling
Did you know we can recycle the metal from your old power tools or unwanted vacuum cleaner? View a list of accepted items.
Rain Barrel & Compost Bin Sales
Recycle rain water with a conservation-friendly rain barrel and make your own nutrient-rich soil for the garden by investing in a composter, both available for purchase onsite, or pre-order online and pick up at the event.
Recycled Float Parade Competition | 12:30 pm
The first Recycled Float Parade competition is seeking your creativity and resourcefulness! Create a float comprised of repurposed or reused materials that you can sit in, ride on, push, pull, or peddle and compete against others in the Junior Recycler (age 12 & under), Recycler (age 13 & up), or Team Recycler Division (all ages). The panel of judges will select the winners based on the most imaginative design, best use of materials, and the environmental message. Registration is free and available now! Other Activities
We'll also have bicycling activities, a dumpster dive demonstration and recycled dumpster painting. Plus, we've got live music by 4Shore, School of Rock and The Futuros on the main stage, food available for purchase, and children's activities including crafts and a bounce house. Find out more!
Taking photos at the event? Tag them with #VBEarthDay!
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Experience Native American Culture at Pow Wow
Saturday, April 27 | 11 am - 6 pm | Mount Trashmore Park
 Come out to Mount Trashmore Park on Saturday, April 28 from 11 am - 6 pm for the 13th Annual American Indian Pow Wow: A Celebration of Life for all People. Experience Native American culture as it is showcased through spirited music, intertribal dancing and drumming, and American Indian cuisine at this interactive and educational event. Learn about various dances and regalia worn while taking the opportunity to participate in intertribal dancing. (Due to the nature of the American Indian Pow Wow, no pets are allowed in the event area.) There will be over 25 exhibitors with sales of authentic and Indian-inspired arts and crafts, with educational displays of American Indian artifacts. American Indian foods as well as other festival foods will be available for purchase.
Master of Ceremonies: Clark Stewart (Chickahominy)
Arena Director: Chief Thomas Lewis (Meherrin)
Head Male Dancer: Mavrick Wallace (Creek)
Head Female Dancer: Jesse Wallace (Creek) Host Drum: Stumptown Singers (St. Stephen's Church, VA)
Guest Drum: Red Blanket (Bridgeton, NJ)
The event opens at 11 am for educational and craft displays/sales. The grand entry will take place at noon followed by American Indian drumming, dancing and activities, until the closing ceremony at 5:45 pm. This event is free with ample on-site parking. Tag your photos with #VBPowWow!
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