Event Date: Friday 24th Sept ’10 – Sunday 26th Sept ‘10

Event Venue: 5th – 10th Streets,
Virginia Beach Oceanfront

Event Time:

Solo & Team Masters Division – Wed & Thur (8:00am-noon & 1:00pm-6:00pm) & Fri (8:00am-2:00pm)
School Division – Saturday, 9:00am-1:00pm
Business Division – Sunday, 8:00am-2:00pm

This September, the world renowned North American Sandsculpting Championship is back at the oceanfront. Starting 24th Sept ’10 till 26th Sept ’10, this internationally known festival will be held at the 5th – 10th Streets, Virginia Beach Oceanfront.

Be a part of this largest, one-of-its kind competition on the East Coast attracting over 300 participants in different divisions & be awe-inspired as fine grains of sand are turned into magnificent masterpieces. You can either choose to be a spectator at this Championship held during the Boardwalk Weekend of the Neptune Festival or try your hands transforming the plain golden grains of sand into beautiful sculptures. Whatever you choose, you are ensured of excitement & fun to the core.

For you to become a participant at this championship, pre-registration is required. For the general public however, viewing is open & free.

So what are you waiting for? Get your goggles & tanning lotions & find a booking at one of the oceanfront hotels like Boardwalk Resort and Villas for a fun filled weekend at the Virginia Beach oceanfront towards the last week of September. Be a spectator at the North American Sandsculpting Championship 2010 & watch amateurs & masters fight it out for the cash prizes as they mold tons of sand into the most amazing pieces of art.

Event Date: Saturday 11th Sept ’10 – Sunday 12th Sept ‘10

Event Venue: Neptune’s Park
31st Street at the Oceanfront
Virginia Beach VA, 23451-757-498-0215

Event Time: 12 P.M – 5 P.M daily

This September Virginia Beach brings to you the 14th Annual Neptune’s Fall Wine Festival starting 11th Sept ‘10 to 12th Sept ’10. The festival would be held at the Neptune’s Park 31st Street close to the oceanfront from 12 P.M – 5 P.M daily. Join friends & families for an interesting afternoon by the oceanfront hosted by some of the leading vineyards of Virginia.

The crisp autumn breeze & the beautiful Atlantic Ocean backdrop provide the perfect setting for guests to enjoy a taste of Virginia’s premium wineries. Savor a drink of chardonnays or enjoy a leisure sip of rieslings & merlots. Besides sampling the endless varieties of Virginia wine, the guests can also spend their time trying the various delectable & tantalizing gourmet foods, buying different wines & wine accessories from specialty vendors or enjoying the exclusive live music.

Groups visiting the Neptune Festival can also book one of the limited numbers of shaded tables available for 8 people for $300. For those looking for a stay near Neptune Park that will allow them to be in the midst of all the action & fun can book one of the many oceanfront hotels like Hilton Virginia Beach or Residence Inn available close by. While there are several ways of savoring the variety of Virginia wines, nothing can second Neptune’s Fall Wine Festival in fun, entertainment & food.

Visitor Information
Saturday Tickets: $30 in advance/$35 at the gate/$350 for umbrella table for 8

Sunday Tickets: $25 in advance/$30 at the gate/$300 for umbrella table for 8

Contact Info: 757/498-0215

Virginia Beach is truly a perfect city in every sense. To know more about the city is through its revealing facts. The word fact reminds me of Samuel McChord Crothers, who speaks, “The Trouble with Facts Is That There Are So Many of Them”, this is true with Virginia Beach.

When survey was conducted in US under “Top 100 Places to Raise a Family” based on cities crime, cultures, housing prices, professionals, health cares, education and other things. Virginia Beach stood 2nd with the first being Hawaii. The criteria’s which worked in the favor were low crime rate, more number of people employed, more educational avenues and standards, less inflation, pollution and much more.

The present look of Virginia Beach is far more different than those of in nineteenth century. This small hamlet rose into prominence when a rail road connecting its oceanfront with Norfolk was constructed, along with the first hotel. Later the place was turned into a town and further progressed into a city, making it the largest city in Virginia.

There are lot many sources that constitute the economy, but the major source is Tourism, that makes it evident with the heavy influx of tourists. Definitely this place offers the best things which make tourists throng this place. First and the foremost is the clean air, and this clean air comes from the Atlantic Ocean.

No, this is not a fib, but a stark truth accredited by the Environmental Protection Agency who strongly support, that there are no bad air days in Virginia Beach- Boon for Health. Secondly it has the most astounding landmarks to visit. The beaches here are a treat, clean and purely enjoyable beaches with myriads of activities.

It has the longest line of delightful and safest beach, which finds its mention in the Guinness Book of World records. No public drunkenness and vulgarity of any sort is tolerated. The whole world is concerned about the tons and tons of garbage dumped which is not only hazardous to health but poses great threats to environment, people try to keep such landfills away from human habitation.

But people of Virginia Beach are an exception; they actually organize innumerable events like carnivals, fireworks and Independence Day in and around this land fill. Don’t make faces, they don’t love dirt and filth, but have created something unique and beautiful from huge pile of accumulated trash which is popular as MT.Trashmore

The Trashmore Mountain is the standing example of a very large landfill, turned into a 60 ft tall mountain fully covered with lush green grass. This proves to be the most unbelievable factor for the tourists.

May it be any city; events are the heart and soul when it comes to entertainment. Likewise Virginia Beach boast of several events, but the one that seems so unusual is the Annual Delmarva Chicken Festival. In this festival the frying pan which is used is the largest in the world and has the capacity of 180 gallons of oil. The festival started  in 1950 is still celebrated today. The frying pan used can fry up to 800 chicken quarters at once. You must be trying to gauge, how big the pan is, don’t tax your brain so much, I will help you out with it, it is almost twice the size of a Jacuzzi.

These were my little efforts to compile all the wonderful facts that make up Virginia Beach.

Tourists like me enjoy the places being like the natives. Elbowing our way through traffic, boarding on public transport to get to our required destination, is what makes us satisfied. For many we are laughing stock, as we choose a less comfortable way of moving in the city we have come to enjoy and surf.

Instead of hiring taxis and moving around comfortably which will lower down my enthusiasm and exhaust my energy, I love to be with crowd, this gives me an opportunity to be with the natives and see life more closely. The Virginia Beach trolley bus systems just turn out to be ideal type of transportation for a person like me.

There are several signs around Atlantic Ave. and on other destinations indicates, the stop where you can get the trolley buses. I boarded my bus from the Atlantic Ave. and with this I began my trip. How amazing it is to see the bus you are in, is moving on its dedicated lines and has nothing to do with the traffic on the road.

It moves slowly at the speed of fifteen miles an hour giving you ample time to see through, what the city has to offer. While looking outside the window for a while, my imagination took hold of me and gave me the feeling of being in a horse driven royal carriage moving on the road, unrestricted.

A woman sat beside me and broke my train of thoughts. But her friendly smile compensated

all. It did not take much of her time to realize that I am not one of them, may be the curiosity in my eyes made it evident. While we were moving I saw one trolley ahead of us and other trolley at the back, it seems the drivers had perfect coordination. No one was in a hurry to overtake and moved on the same way throughout.

Seeing my curiosity the respected lady started the conversation by asking my whereabouts. My further indulgence in the conversation gave me the idea that she knows a lot about this place. She gave me more information on the public transport as she is the regular commuter since 10 years.

She told me there are three main routes and appropriate for the visitors to enjoy every activity in Virginia Beach. The red route 30 takes you to the shops, restaurants and hotels in the Atlantic Ave, whereas the Yellow Route 31 also known as Museum Express takes you to the Fun Park and museums and other places in south. The third route known as Blue Route 32 shoppers Express takes you to the shops at Hilltop and Lynnhaven Mall.

I found this service not only great but amazing, I thanked her and bid good bye when she alighted from the bus and continued my journey in the trolley.

Virginia Beach city constantly works to improve the quality of life of the people in all concerns, whether it is environment or education, low crime rate or less inflation. To add to this Virginia Beach city has open new avenues to involve maximum number of people in sports which they feel makes positive impact on the life of the people.

I will go with them as what they feel and do for it is truly creating a sportsmen spirit and never say die attitude towards any situation in life. People here are lively and bubbly with immense excitement towards

every activity they are involved in.

There are several sports played in Virginia Beach with same gusto and excitement. Of all the most widely played sports are Basketball, soccer, ice hockey, baseball, roller derby, golf course, sports fishing, football, volley ball, softball and lacrosse.

Through its Sports Marketing Event Support Program the Virginia Beach City has widen the scope for sports, working as a milestone for the aspiring as well as already established sports persons. In short it is another feather in the cap of Virginia Beach City who has taken proper initiatives to promote sports through proper channel.

This program offers full support to games, exhibitions, tournaments and other sports related events. Those which get the assistance of this program are those sports events that are planned, organized and played in Virginia Beach. This is not all the program goes a step further in supporting those organizations working for the betterment of sports.

The second program is the Grant Program especially designed to those elements which are involved in promoting year round tourism like professional sporting events, conferences and meetings. These are just two programs I have come to know during my visit to Virginia Beach, but there must be several that provide endless opportunities to keep the ball rolling.

Isn’t it a novel idea, Sports To Improve Quality Of Life, what do you think?

Sometimes the deciding factor for the parents to settle down in certain place depends entirely on what educational standards the place offer to their children. When we talk about Virginia Beach we find education is on the fore front with several public and private schools are shaping the future generation and considerable amount of colleges and universities giving the youths opportunities to grow and flourish in their desired field of study.

The schools and colleges maintain all the educational standards required for the proper growth of an individual. Moreover one can go through the several options and find out the best from the education and career point of view. The number of schools and varied career options gives you an idea of how concern and aware people are about education.

The literacy rate of the place is commendable with around 28.1% of the people of age group 25 and above hold graduates degree, while 90.4% people have high school diploma or any course equivalent to it, as stated by US

Census. Moreover the schools or college drop out rates are very low.

The school systems in Virginia Beach have public as well as private schools. These schools incorporate elementary, middle and high schools. Those who feel their child along with the education should also know about their religion. The private schools are what you are looking for. The education system here, along with the study curriculum also advocate a particular religion so that good habits are inculcated and they get exposure to religion and God.

This could be the strong reason for many parents to send their children to private schools. When we talk about public schools Virginia Beach City Public Schools is one of the largest in the whole State. The public schools are in itself form a small world with students of different genders, races, religious and nationalities take education.

Many parents feel this gives their children diverse atmosphere and prepares them for the life after school- the actual

world. Virginia Beach is the home to good colleges and universities. Also there is no dearth to specialty schools offering courses in varied field like technology, fine art, business marketing, Visual and performing arts, information technology and many such courses that prepares the students for pursuing job.

Virginia Beach offers the complete conducive atmosphere and proper scope for education and progress in desired field. For graduate and post graduate courses Virginia Beach has two popular universities The Regent University and Atlantic University. More courses are provided in Virginia Wesleyan College, ECPI College of Technology and Bryant and Stratton College.

Virginia Beach has gone a step ahead to educate the masses and keep them updated with the knowledge by giving them free access to Virginia Beach Public Libraries that have proved to be of great help of students in their studies.

Eat drink and be merry this is what Virginia Beach stands for. Finest and freshest food is the trademark of Virginia Beach. I have good appetite and like a sniffer dog I automatically get attracted towards good food and places that serve good food. There is a strong reason for the availability of fresh food here.

It is located in coastal area with abundance of sea food. Mostly the sea food prepared in the restaurants is the fresh catch of the same day, whether it is tuna, crabs, rockfish or flounder. Among the seafood the hot favorite are the crab cakes and she crab soup. The fried crispy blue crabs are simply amazing. Also the most integral part of local cuisine -Lynnhaven Oysters are the best and rare to find.

Certain foods here are served with a difference, the barbecue here is known as North Carolina white barbecue. The reason being it does not have the usual sauce, just the pit cooked pork with vinegar and red pepper sprinkled over it. It tastes good ha try it! Strange but people love barbecue sauce on sandwiches.

There are locally owned as well as national chain restaurants, so you have ample choice to try, whatever appeals to you whims and fancies everyday. Agriculture also plays major factor in contributing the fresh food which is served in almost all restaurants. Produce from local fields comes to the restaurants with fewer hassles, keeping it fresh and less tampered.

In a day you can have your food in almost three restaurants. Try morning breakfast in some other restaurants, lunch different and so on. The beaches, eco-friendly weather and food are all that attracts tourists. If you are on week’s tour the more alluring would be your visit. In a week’s tour I not only tried local cuisines but also went for the more usual one like American, Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Italian and much more.

The wine off course comes with the never to be forgotten taste and variety. Some restaurants offer award winning wine collection for visitors. Non sea food lovers do not have to frown as they too have good surprises like steaks, chops, pastas and prime ribs. The taste still lingers in my mouth. The mere sights of the food in Virginia Beach awaken all my taste buds and crave for more. Simply wine and dine and go ga ga with the food that you get here.

One good thing leads to another, known for its fresh air, less pollution and scope of fun filled activities, Virginia Beach attracts millions of tourists every year. Also tourism contributes to major economy. Let’s not talk about those things which are none of our concern. But one cannot deny the fact, the innumerable restaurants we have here, that are placed in every nook and cranny.

The equation is simple, stand any where in Virginia Beach and throw a stone in any direction, it is sure to strike a restaurant. When moving in Virginia Beach no one has to bear the pangs of hunger. If just satisfying the hunger is not your aim, then one can bechoosy to dine at the best known places of Virginia Beach.

Almost all restaurants keep up with the good standards, but few attract and pull more traffic. I specially

try to find, the place which serves the best local cuisine. When talking about restaurants, few of them deserve special mention. Those are the one which follow eco friendly practices and contribute in the protection of environment.

Going to Rockafellar’s restaurant, Hot Tuna SeaFood Grill, Croc’s 19th Street Bistro, Shorebreak Pizza Sports and Billiards and Terrapin restaurant offers an entirely different experience. These Virginia Green certified restaurants are known for their environmental friendly practices like mostly the recycled material is used, here it is no no to those materials that cannot be recycled. Even the take out foods or left overs, are packed in biodegradable materials.

We all believe nature friendly things are health friendly and going to such places would always worth the price you pay for the food. The food served in these restaurants is clean safe and no compromise is made with the taste.

When in Virginia Beach, don’t devoid yourself from dining on the Oceanfront with the spectacular view and sumptuous food. The scenic beauty itself makes the food more tantalizing and inviting. Boardwalk is lined with innumerable oceanfront restaurants, with variety in food and required ambience.

All varieties are served here, but the special is the sea food prepared from the fresh catch. Some restaurants even go the extent of chef’s preparing your ordered dish in front of you. If the Oceanfront restaurants are in your priority list then don’t miss going to Waterman’s Beachwood Grill, Mahi-Mah’s, Rockfish Boardwalk Bar and Sea Grill, Capes Café, Latitudes and Altitudes, Salacia and many more.

Restaurants are simply not acceptable if the atmosphere or ambiance is not appealing. Virginia Beach people have better approach to deal with this. In some we find live music and pianos are played, while in others efforts are made to make it more festive and fun evoking. To the sports loving guys some restaurants are equipped with televisions and satellites to view their favorite sports.

In the nutshell Virginia Beach is the best place to pamper all your senses, mostly eyes and palate.

Nothing can be more enjoyable than starting a day with a cup of coffee or tea along with the newspaper in hand with fresh news. Go anywhere in the world and you will find people with this same attitude. Reading or watching news is the integral part of everybody’s life and people of Virginia Beach are no exception to this. News keeps us updated with the day to day happenings, views related to social cause, job openings and the best part is you are connected to the world.

Sitting in your drawing room you will come to know what is happening in a country which is thousands of miles away from the place you reside. People of Virginia Beach get there news through reading newspaper, watching it on the television and listening on the radio. All these sources have strong hold and immense potential to make people addict of listening news through their source.

‘The Virginian Pilot’ is the award winning daily newspaper. Most of the people in Virginia Beach start their day with this newspaper. The Virginian pilot is issued by

Pilot media Companies which also include the famous online portal for news in the

form of pilotonline.com/ Hamptonroads.com.

The Hispanic population here enjoys reading Tidewater Hispanic newspaper. It is the hub of information and opens new avenues for the growing Hispanic population. A newspaper in you hand means complete information of Virginia Beach compiled in few pages, whether it is about local issues, people, business, events, politics, holidays, vacations, finance, stock market, investment reports, weather, real estate or job vacancy everything is covered in the newspaper.

It is said that audiovisual aid is more powerful as it leaves long lasting impression on the minds of the people. Virginia Beach is served by several Television and Broadcasting Companies which produce and deliver network-quality news everyday. To name the few there are The Christian Broadcasting Network, Max Media, WTKR, Katz Television, ABC Family, Fox Family, Atlantic Broadcast, Tele-Video Productions Inc and Video News Inc.

Radio stations are the oldest form of electronic media still in vogue and cherished by young generations. Virginia Beach too has radio station on the AM and FM dials and very popular among people. Communication media is very strong in Virginia Beach and provide job to eight people that live within 30 miles of Virginia Beach.

The communication media in Virginia Beach works to keep the people update with the latest news and happenings in and around the world.

We all are the living with the technology and experiencing tremendous progress. At the same time we have realized the dearth of environment friendly habitation. In the morning we get up with the honking of horns and not the chirping of the birds. Our way to the office are concrete paved ways and not the lush green walk way.

We live in the world of cement and concrete. Going to the parks and gardens which are a rare commodity in metros

are also a far fetched idea, for it needs to overcome a hell lot of traffic to reach there and way back home.

But there are few cities were special care and prime importance has been given to parks and one of them is Virginia

Beach. It is the proud owner of 208 parks that cover 4,000 acres of area. There are community parks, district parks neighborhood parks and much more. The best part is every park has its own distinct identity, appeal and ambience.

Creative things have always attracted me. And if the creativity is from the trash then definitely, one would not stop praising the person, in whose brain the idea must have taken birth. Mt Trashmore is one such idea. Virginia Beach is basically a flat surface area with no mountains or hilly areas what so ever, but an artificial mountain made of trash.

It is rightly said necessity is the mother of invention, the rising concern for environment and ecology, made people

realize and focus on covering the dump and making proper utilization of the place. If you are completely new to this place the name might click in something otherwise looking at it, I would say ignorance is bliss.

From the time it has been opened for public, in 1973 it has been a constant source of entertainment and a venue for several events. These 165 acres of area has lakes, open grounds, jogging track, exercising ground, basket ball court, walking trail, picnic shelters, four volleyball areas, landforms vending machines and rest rooms in totality. Either choose the sixty one stairs to reach the mountain or to add the flavor of adventure climb or run to reach the top.

The whole mountain is covered with green grass and devoid of uneven surface. It would sound weird but just remove your shoes and walk over it; it will tickle your feet the moment they touch the soft grass giving you a very good and sensuous feeling.

The two lakes, Lake Trashmore and Lake Windsor partially surround the mountain, and both are well stocked with

fish, making fishing a favorite activity along with kite flying and other activities. Children too can participate in the race of kite flying. Talking about children it reminds me of the huge wooden structure called Kids Cove with special surprises for children.

The creation inside is superb and it can draw even the most mellow kind of kid and transform it into the wildest form. The whole family can have their share of uninterrupted fun activity in the park. When in park one cannot stop thinking about the people of Virginia Beach and their whole hearted commitment for protecting the environment.

Seeing at the handicapped accessible playground, it stirred my heart, I would say this is the most commendable effort, which can bring smile on the faces of such children.