VIRGINIA
State of Virginia
Summer in the citieS
“Virginia Is for Lovers” stands for love—pure and simple. The
tag line was adopted in 1969, a time when the idea of love overtook the country (think Woodstock, tie-dye and peace symbols),
but the sentiment seems just as relevant today. Visitors flock to
the coastal state for its Atlantic beaches, scenic Piedmont rivers,
Shenandoah Valley country roads and Appalachian Mountains
culture (such as soulful bluegrass tunes), not to mention Virginia’s
rich history. With Amtrak’s new service from Washington, D.C.,
to Central Virginia, including stops in Culpeper, Charlottesville
and Lynchburg, and expanded service into Richmond, visitors
have even more reason to enjoy events that fill the summer calendar across the state.
top: Scenic view
of the Blue ridge
mountains seen
from Skyline drive.
Far left: manassas
national Battlefield
Park in manassas, va.
left: the roanoke
Farmers market.
SAVE THE DATE
WILLIAMSBURG
July 4 and anytime • History Recreated
Any time of year is a good time to visit the historic district and get
transported to the sights and sounds of the 18th Century. Costumed
interpreters, tradespeople and guides wander the 301-plus acres of
original and reconstructed buildings—sites where George Washington,
Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry helped write U.S. history. And
what better place to celebrate the Fourth of July? Independence Day
here means a day-long celebration ( 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.) of fifes and
drums, militia parades, a reading of the Declaration of Independence
and fireworks. 757-229-1000; history.org
FREDERICKSBURG
mid-Summer Wine FeStival
July 10–11
Raise a glass! Hartwood Winery in Stafford County hosts a wine
festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring tastings (from here and from
Cooper Vineyards), live music, winery tours, light hors d’oeuvres and
the chance to wander among the grapes. The $15 admission includes
a take-home festival glass. The countryside venue regularly invites
guests to enjoy barrel tastings, private dinners and open houses.
540-752-4893; hartwoodwinery.com
CHARLOTTESVILLE
reStaurant Week • July 12–18
After a successful inaugural Restaurant Week in January that featured
venues ranging from Cassis and L’Etoile to The Boar’s Head and
Carmello’s, Charlottesville brings the event back for a summer
revival. Diners choose from prix-fixe menus at participating fine-dining establishments and enjoy an appetizer, entree and dessert
for just $26 (beverages, tax and gratuity not included). The Blue
Ridge Food Bank receives a $1 donation for each dinner purchased.
cvilleyum.com
RICHMOND
Caryto Wn Watermelon FeStival
Aug. 8
What says summer better than sinking your teeth into a juicy slice
of watermelon? In Carytown (“A Mile of Style”), some 115,000 visitors take to the streets from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the 27th annual
Watermelon Festival. The free, family-friendly gathering features performances by 80 musicians as well as 100 exhibitors and, of course,
plenty of vendors selling refreshing watermelon. Proceeds benefit
the Shriners children’s hospital. 804-422-2279; carytownrva.org
VIRGINIA BEACH
the verizon WireleSS ameriCan
muSiC FeStival • Sept. 3–5
Alfresco tunes reign this Labor Day Weekend. During the largest
outdoor musical event on the East Coast, the sounds of rock,
country, jazz, R&B and other genres resonate in the summer air.
Past performers include 3 Doors Down, the B-52s and Journey.
Local, regional and national acts rock on a 60-by-60-foot beach
stage at Fifth Street and on other stages along Virginia Beach’s
shore. Thousands of festivalgoers descend on the coast to experience live outdoor music with an exquisite backdrop plus a vibrant
boardwalk teeming with food, beer and merchandise vendors.
757-491-7866; beachstreetusa.com
