29th Annual Hampton Bay Days Returns to Downtown HamptonSeptember 9-11, 2011
-An estimated 200,000 attendeesexpected to enjoy free event headlined by musical entertainers MarshallTucker Band, The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards, and Colt Ford-
This September 9-11, Hampton will once again welcome an estimated 200,000 funseekers and festival attendees to the 29th annual Hampton Bay Days. The free event, one of the largest family-friendly festivals and largest “Green” events on the entire east coast, will showcase music by national recording artists Marshall Tucker Band, The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards, and Colt Ford.
The fun begins on the City Hall Stage at 8:30 p.m. Friday, September 9 with Marshall Tucker Band. Formed in Spartanburg, SC in 1971, Marshall Tucker Band is one of the most well known Southern rock bands of the 1970s. To date, the group has garnered five gold albums and one platinum album, Carolina Dreams, which features their biggest hit “Heard it in a Love Song.” This is the band’s 40th anniversary tour.
On Saturday, September 10, The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards will take to the City Hall Stage beginning at 8:30 p.m. After Dennis Edwards replaced founding member David Ruffin in 1968, the group continued on with a string of Top 10 US hits including “Cloud Nine,” “Runaway Child , Running Wild,” “I Can’tGet Next to You,” “Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me),” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.” Dennis Edwardswas inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 as part of The Temptations and continues to tour with his version of the group, The Temptations Review.
At 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 11, Colt Ford lends a bit of country hip-hop flavor to the City Hall Stage. A native of Athens, Georgia, Ford (real name Jason Farris Brown) is a former professional golfer turned musician. His debut album “Ride Through This” featured guest appearances from Jermaine Dupri, Adrian Young of No Doubt, Jeremy Popoff of Lit, rapper Bone Crusher, and country singer Jamey Johnson. His third studio album, “Every Chance I Get,” was released in May 2011. He was nominated for a 2011 CMT Music Award.
In addition to all of the great musical entertainment, the 29th annual Hampton Bay Days festival will also include over 75 merchandise and craft vendors. During festival weekend, more than 30 food vendors will also be available throughout the downtown area. Those looking for more conventional dining options can choose one of the many eclectic restaurants that line historic Queens Way.
While at Bay Days, don’t forget to educate yourself on the value and importance of the Chesapeake Bay by stopping by the Bay Education and Children’s Area (Friday - Sunday through 8:00 p.m.), located between Eaton and Wine Streets. Featuring over 20 interactive booths, the area is a great way to learn about environmentalism, conservationism, clean water, and one of our area’s most important natural resources (and the nation’s largest estuary), the Chesapeake Bay. Families will have the opportunity to discover live animal shows, aquatic art workshops, interactive presentations, and children’sentertainment all focused on having fun with the “Go GreenGeneration.” This year, Bay Education will showcase Community Lane, a section specifically dedicated to non-profit organizations.
New this year is the Fine Arts Area, featuring over 25 vendor booths, and Teen Zone, sponsored by Mekos Skate Shop. Located in Mill Point Park (100 Eaton Street), at the heartof Hampton Bay Days, the Fine Arts Area will highlight artists selling original work in several categories, including painting, photography, drawing, graphics,and mixed media. The Teen Zone,located at Carousel Park (602 Settlers Landing Road), will showcase Mekos’ athletes performing skate and BMX exhibitions, as well as live DJ’s, a “Gamer Bus” with 18 Xbox’s, Monster EnergyDrinks, Water Wars, and the WAVY-TV 10/FOX 43 W82TXT (Wait to Text) pledge.
Also new to Bay Days this year is the Inaugural Hampton Bay Days BBQ Challenge. The BBQ competition, governed by the rules of the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) and Hampton Bay Days, will take place on Saturday, September 10. Limited to 25 entries, each team participating will need to submit entries intofour categories (to be considered for Grand Champion): beef brisket, pork ribs (loin or spare), pork (shoulder, butt, or picnic), and poultry. Cost of entry is $250 for KCBS members and $275 for non-members.
The Hampton Bay Days Fireworks Show, presented by WAVY-TV 10 and Fox-43 (spanning 25-minutes), is one of the largest, longest, and most impressive fireworks displays at any festival. In order to clear the Settlers Landing Bridge for the fireworks, the Harbour Centre Parking Garage and Settlers Landing Road will close at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 10, an hour and a half before the 10:00 p.m. show. Folks who arrive after 8:30 p.m. will not be able to drive on Settlers Landing or park in downtown Hampton.
Directions
From Richmond/Williamsburg:
Travel Interstate 64 East to LaSalle Ave. exit. Turn left at the third traffic light onto Settlers Landing Road and follow into the festival area.
From Southside Hampton Roads:
Via the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel - Travel Interstate 64 West to the Downtown Hampton/Woodland Road/Hampton University exit (Exit 267). Turn left at the traffic light at the end of the exit ramp onto Settlers Landing Road. Follow across bridge into the festival area.
-OR-
Via the Monitor Merrimac Tunnel - Travel Interstate 664 North to Powhatan Pkwy exit. Turn right at the end of the exit ramp onto Powhatan Pkwy. Continue to first the traffic light and turn left onto Pembroke Ave. Follow to Settlers Landing Road intersection and turn right to continue into the festival area.
