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Parks & Recreation Newsletter | March 2014 | VBgov.com/parks
Cherry Blossom Festival This Saturday
Saturday, March 29 | 3:30 - 6:30 pm | Red Wing Park

  

Drummers

Join us this Saturday as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of our annual Cherry Blossom Festival at Red Wing Park. The event hours have been changed to accommodate Virginia Beach Schools' make-up day, so please note the new time of 3:30 - 6:30 pm. 

 

The festival offers something for everyone. Enjoy the traditional Japanese music, dance and martial arts performances as well as the cultural art displays and demonstrations. Tea samples will be offered at the Azumaya and arts & crafts will be available for the kids. 

 

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. #VBCherryBlossom 

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See the Stars at Mount Trashmore Star Party
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

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Stop By the Pottery & Ceramics Studio Open House
Saturday, April 12 | 9 am - 12 pm | 2289 Lynnhaven Parkway
 
Have you discovered our Pottery & Ceramics Studio? Tucked away behind our City-Wide Programs Office at 2289 Lynnhaven Parkway, this spacious studio houses everything you need to create beautiful works of art. Classes are offered year-round for all skill levels, including Ceramics, Mosaic Design, Pottery, and our popular Wine Bottle Slumping Workshops. 

During the Open House, you will be able to tour the studio, meet our skilled instructors, and check out demonstrations of various pottery and clay techniques. You can also learn how to decorate glass bottles and see how to make creations from tile, glass and broken dishes. Kids will have the opportunity to get hands on building unique clay creations. 
 
There is no cost to attend, so drop in and see what we have to offer!
Experience Native American Culture at Pow Wow
Saturday, April 26 | 11 am - 6 pm | Mount Trashmore Park
 
Come out to Mount Trashmore Park on Saturday, April 26 from 11 am - 6 pm for the 14th Annual American Indian Pow Wow: A Celebration of Life for all People. Experience Native American culture as it is showcased through spirited music, dancing and drumming, and American Indian cuisine.

 

Learn about various dances and regalia worn while taking the opportunity to participate in intertribal dancing. Browse among the exhibitors with sales of authentic and Indian-inspired arts and crafts, as well as educational displays of American Indian artifacts. American Indian foods and other festival foods will be available for purchase.

 

Master of Ceremonies: Clark Stewart (Chickahominy) 
Arena Director: Chief Thomas Lewis (Meherrin) 
Head Male Dancer: Danny Gear, Jr. (Choctaw/Monacan) 
Head Female Dancer: Chris Kelsey (Cherokee/Saponi) 
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. #VBPowWow

 

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Join Us at Mount Trashmore for Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, May 3 | 11 am - 4 pm | Mount Trashmore Park
 
 Expand your commitment to bettering the environment at our Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, May 3 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. #VBEarthDay


AAA Recycling Zone | 10 am - 2 pm   

All recycling will take place in Parking Lot 1 at Mount Trashmore Park, located near the YMCA. *Please enter from South Boulevard. Visit the event website for acceptable items.
  • Electronics Recycling
  • Document Shredding
  • Car Battery Round Up
  • Child Safety Seat Recycling
  • Rain Barrel & Compost Bin Sales
  • Household Hazardous Waste Disposal 
  • Metals Recycling  
Live Music
Performing on the main stage is The Futuros at 11 am and London at 2 pm. 

NEW! Green Market 
Shop local, green and fair trade vendors. 

Dumpster Dive Demonstration | 12 - 3 pm
Are we recycling as much as we can? Project Green Teens will sift through trash and debris in a park dumpster to find items that could have been recycled.    
 
NEW! Trashion Show | 1 pm
Cox High School's Fashion Marketing students will showcase their recycled outfits, creatively designed from newspaper, trash bags, magazines, bubble wrap, cds, old clothing and other items.

Recycling Dumpster Painting
Make your mark! Paint with The Governor's School for the Arts students and raise awareness about conservation.

Children's Activities
Children's crafts will be provided by the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast. A bounce house and other inflatables will also be available.    
   
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Please Note Our Upcoming Facility Closures

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

  
The gym at Great Neck Recreation Center will be closed through April 6 while the divider walls are sanded and repainted.

 

The gym at Bayside Recreation Center will be closed April 21 - May 4 while the divider walls are sanded and repainted.

  

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