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This was a ticket-less event with no pamphlets
June 1st, 2007
Patriotic Festival Virginia Beach, VA
The Patriotic Festival is an annual event which takes place in Virginia Beach. I think this is only the third year. Not sure. Anyway, what it is, is mostly a concert series over three days. In 2006 we remember seeing the Comedian Sinbad. This year we only went Friday June 1st. The concert that day was Huey Lewis and the News and before them a Navy band called four star edition. The next night was Sugar Ray and Sunday was supposed to be 38 Special and Gretchen Wilson. I don't know if that took place because it rained a LOT all day. At this event, which takes place on the beach and along the boardwalk, they have exhibits (military and civilian businesses), vendors (mostly food and selling you stuff like cel phone service or insurance). This day, there was one "event" scheduled which took about 10-15 minutes from beginning to end: it was a navy dive exercise, where they showed the Navy divers (not Seals) who go by helicopter and jump into the ocean to detonate explosive ordinance. Before detonation, they get lifted back out. It's quite unique looking and very harrowing! They face bashing waves and high winds from the copter, as well as cold waters and the fear of being blown up or being snapped from the copter. Below are some photos of the event. This event is free. You can take chairs but no coolers. Parking will cost you about 5-20 dollars for the night depending where your park. Food is NOT good there. Avoid the chicken; it's horrendous two years in a row. Prices pretty high for the quality. Bring water bottles, sunscreen, a towel to wipe your feet off, money, camera and to get a good seat, you need to get there WAY early (three hours will be the earliest they'll let you set up). If you do this, you'll be bored, so bring a book to read or something.
From left to right: 1) Channel 3 News Anchors Kurt Williams and Barbara Ciara 2) Sculptures of big fish (there are a ton of sculptures all along the boardwalk) 3) Navy Divers in the air 4) Nave Divers ni the air again 5) and another photo of Navy divers in the air
LINKS:
Huey Lewis and the News Photos (this site)
Virginia Beach Patriotic Fesitval
Patriotic Fesitval 2007 photos (this site)
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