Parks & Recreation Newsletter | February 2014 | VBgov.com/parks

If all the snow and cold weather has given you a touch of the winter blues, it's a great time to think ahead to spring with our Spring Programs & Activities Catalog! The new catalog is now available online. Register in person at any recreation center or with EZreg.

Mark your calendar for summer camp registration which begins March 15 for Recreation Center and Specialty Summer Camps. Registration for School-Based Summer Camps is March 29.

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Free Admission for Princess Anne's 20th Anniversary

Saturday, March 15 | 1 - 4 pm | Princess Anne

It's been 20 years since we opened the doors to Princess Anne Recreation Center and the fun hasn't stopped! To thank everyone for their continued support and patronage, we're offering an afternoon of free admission and fun for the whole family, including children's crafts, face painting, cake and prizes from 1 to 4 pm, Saturday, March 15. No membership needed.

Celebrate Japanese Culture at Cherry Blossom Festival

Saturday, March 29 | (New Time) 3:30 - 6:30 pm | Red Wing Park

Drummers Join us as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of our annual Cherry Blossom Festival. The Sister Cities of Virginia Beach and Miyazaki, Japan, invite you to celebrate spring, peace, and goodwill during the blossom season. The festival features diverse and creative programs, traditional Japanese music, arts, and culture while promoting natural beauty and community spirit. #VBCherryBlossom

Admission and parking is free. Food and beverage are available for purchase. You are welcome to bring a blanket or lawn chair for the performances.

Event Features

- Arts & Crafts by A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts (Birchwood Shopping Center)

- Koto & Sanshin Musical Performances

- Drum Routine by SOKA Taiko Group

- Martial Arts Demonstrations

- Origami, Pottery & Bonsai Activities and Demos

- Tea Samples at the Azumaya

Save the Date! Mount Trashmore Star Party is April 5

Saturday, April 5 | Dark - 11 pm | Mount Trashmore Park

Star Party

Take your stargazing to Mount Trashmore Park on Saturday, April 5 for our annual Star Party! Come and observe night sky wonders through a variety of telescopes. Learn to identify constellations in the sky as they are pointed out by planetarium coordinator Chuck Dibbs and the Back Bay Amateur Astronomers. Offered in collaboration with the Virginia Beach City Public Schools Planetarium and local astronomy clubs, the event begins when the sky gets dark and goes until 11 pm.

A tent to experience ViewSpace will also be set up. ViewSpace is an exhibit from the Space Telescope Science Institute, home of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Learn more about ViewSpace.

Anyone wishing to set up a telescope can also do so. The goal is to share the beauty of the night sky with anyone wishing to learn about it. Event is dependent on clear skies. Hot chocolate will be available for purchase. Also, meet the Tidewater Alliance Star Wars Club - from a galaxy, far, far away, this fanforce will be at the event in full costume! #VBStarParty

Eco-Friendly Exhibitors Needed for Earth Day Celebration

Saturday, May 3 | 11 am - 4 pm | Mount Trashmore Park

The Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Earth Day Celebration is an opportunity for local businesses to educate the public on their environmental initiatives. Reach thousands of event attendees interested in your eco-friendly products or services. The event is free & open to the public and will feature environmental and science exhibits, interactive displays, demos, crafts, games, food and live entertainment. Download the Application.

Exhibitor Categories

- City/Government Agencies

- Non-Profit Organizations

- Commercial Businesses

- Green Market Vendor

Please Note Our Upcoming Facility Closures

Bow Creek Recreation Center is closed for a long-term modernization project.

The weight room will be closed at Princess Anne Recreation Center on February 26 for replacement of circuit and strength training machines. Great Neck's weight room will be closed February 27, Bayside's weight room will be closed February 28, and Seatack's weight room will be closed March 3.

Seatack Recreation Center will be closed for maintenance March 10 - 16. The pool will reopen March 24.

Don't forget that your membership is good at all Virginia Beach Recreation Centers! If your usual center is closed for maintenance, take the opportunity to visit another center. Use this locator to help you find one!

Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation believes all of our diverse citizens have a right to participate in community recreation and we are committed to creating equal access for everyone who may have a challenge or barrier. If you or your child requires additional support, we can help. Learn more about our accommodation and inclusion services.

We welcome your comments and questions. Feel free to email us at fun@VBgov.com.

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation is accredited by CAPRA,
the certifying agency of the National Recreation and Park Association.