baydays.com

30^th Annual Hampton Bay Days Returns to Downtown Hampton September 7-9, 2012

This September 7-9, Hampton will once again welcome an estimated 200,000 fun seekers and festival attendees to the 30th annual Hampton Bay Days. The free event, one of the largest family-friendly festivals and largest “Green” events on the entire east coast.

In addition to all of the great musical entertainment, the 30th 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 at Carousel Park. Featuring over 20 interactive booths, the area is 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. Again, this year we will feature the Fine Arts Area, located in Mill Point Park (100 Eaton Street), at the heart of Hampton Bay Days, the Fine Arts Area will highlight artists selling original work in several categories, including painting, photography, drawing, graphics, and mixed media. Interested vendors are encouraged to check out www.baydays.com to register.

The Hampton Bay Days Fireworks Show, (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 8, 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. Please note - there is a home football game at Hampton University on Saturday night against ODU; please be aware of traffic patterns.

The Hampton Bay Days schedule is as follows: Noon-11:00 p.m. on Friday, September 7; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 8; and Noon- 6:00 p.m. on Sunday September 9. Both festival and musical entertainment admissions are free, though a fee will be charged for crafts, games, and food and beverages. Parking will be available in the downtown area for $5.00 per vehicle but it is very limited. Non-profit organizations help staff parking lots and proceeds help local charities. More information on the 30th annual Hampton Bay Days can be obtained by calling 757/ 727-1641 or by visiting www.baydays.com. Additional information can be obtained by calling the Hampton Visitor Center at 757/727-1102 or the Hampton 311 Call Center at 757/727-8311. For hotel and package information, check out www.visithampton.com. Those looking for dock space during the 30th annual Hampton Bay Days are encouraged to contact marinas located throughout the downtown area, including the Hampton Public Piers (757/727-1276), Customs House Marina (757/868-9375), Bluewater Marina (757/ 723-6774), Sunset Boating Center (757/722-3325), and Joy’s Marina (757/723-1022). Call for details and availability.

In 1982, Hampton Bay Days was created as a unique outlet to educate the public on the importance of the Chesapeake Bay in the Hampton Roads region, as well as the rest of Virginia and Maryland. The goal of the festival is to provide an entertaining atmosphere while ultimately serving a greater purpose, highlighting aspects of the Bay and promoting its upkeep and preservation.

Partially bordered by the Hampton Roads harbor and Chesapeake Bay, Hampton, with the 344,000 sq. ft. Hampton Roads Convention Center, is located in the center of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. Hampton is the site of America's first continuous English-speaking settlement and is home to such visitor attractions as the Virginia Air & Space Center and Riverside IMAX ® Theater, Hampton Maritime Center, Hampton History Museum, harbor tours and cruises, Hampton University Museum, Fort Monroe, award-winning Hampton Coliseum, The American Theatre, among others.

If you have a scroll wheel on your mouse, you can use the wheel to scroll between the poster images, otherwise, click to select a poster. Click again to see a close up image of your selected Bay Days poster.

Hampton Bays Days is a not-for-profit organization based in Hampton, Virginia. This organization is responsible for putting on the annual Bay Days festival. Every September, the weekend after Labor Day, 250,000 people visit historic downtown Hampton to play and learn about the Chesapeake Bay.

Festival goers enjoy shopping, a grand fireworks show and lots of free entertainment. Add the car show and various merchants and there's something for everyone. The festival brings 5 million dollars to the local economy and 60% of the economic impact comes from outside the city of Hampton.

The mission of Hampton Bay Days is to encourage stewardship of the Bay. We offer an extensive children's area with interactive exhibits, art and activities that make learning about the Bay fun. Children's entertainment, crab races, and rides all combine to create an entertaining experience for the entire family.