For additional community events in Newport News, please see the Newport News Community Events Calendar.

2009 Newport News Special Events:

MARCH 17, 2009:
Shamrock Party on O'Plaza
- City Center at Oyster Point Fountain Plaza
Performances by Shane Cooley, the Rhythm of Ireland Dancers, and Carbon Leaf. Food ($) and beverage ($) vendors on site. Free admission, free parking. Attendance: 4,000. NO PETS PERMITTED IN THE EVENT AREA.  See here for more information.

May 2; 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
20th Newport News Children's Festival of Friends
- Newport News Park
Kids ages 2 -12 will enjoy over 100 free hands-on activities, costumed characters including Maisy, Amelia Bedelia, Danny's Dinosaur, Little Critter, Wild Thing, Madeline, Spot, Stinky Cheese Man, Mouse, and Pig; free children's rides. $3.00 per car parking fee, all activities are free. Food vendors ($) on site. Attendance: 10,000. NO PETS PERMITTED IN THE EVENT AREA.  See here for complete information on the 2009 Newport News Children's Festival of Friends.

May 29; 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Virginia Symphony Concert
-City Center at Oyster Point Fountain Plaza
Enjoy a free sunset performance by the Virginia Symphony. Food vendor on site ($). Free admission, free parking. Attendance: 2,000. NO PETS PERMITTED IN THE EVENT AREA.  Rain site: Woodside High School.  See here complete information and the concert program.

July 4; 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
4th of July Stars in the Sky
- Victory Landing Park
Celebrate the 4th of July with entertainment, free children's activities, food vendors ($), and fireworks over the James River . Free admission; Attendance: 20,000. NO PETS PERMITTED IN THE EVENT AREA.  See here for complete event information.

August 1, 8, 15 & 22; 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Family Films by the Fountain
- City Center at Oyster Point
Free “film-themed fun” starts the evening with pre-show entertainment and hands-on activities based on the theme of the film.  Schedule: August 1: Madagascar 2 (PG), August 8: Hotel for Dogs (PG), August 15: Kung Fu Panda (PG), and August 22: Journey to the Center of the Earth (PG)  See here for complete film series information. Food vendor ($) on site. Free admission, free parking. Attendance: 1,000 per week. NO PETS PERMITTED IN THE EVENT AREA.  Updated Aug. 22, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.- Family Films by the Fountain is CANCELLED for Aug. 22, 2009 due to rain and standing water in the event area.

August 28; 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Virginia Symphony Concert
-City Center at Oyster Point Fountain Plaza
Enjoy a free sunset performance by the Virginia Symphony. Food vendor on site. Free admission, free parking. Attendance: 2,000. NO PETS PERMITTED IN THE EVENT AREA.  Rain Site: Heritage High School.  See here for concert program.

October 3 & 4; 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. each day
36th Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife
-Newport News Park
Southeast Virginia's biggest traditional craft show features over 200 vendors, traditional crafts and trades, folk entertainment, food ($), and children's activities. $5.00 per car parking fee; Attendance: 70,000. NO PETS PERMITTED IN THE EVENT AREA.  See here for complete information on the 36th Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife.  View the 2009 Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife Program as a PDF file.  Crafter/Vendor application deadline was April 1, 2009 (see below for applications).  We are NOT accepting any additional applications for 2009.

November 13 ; 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Oyster Point Oyster Roast
The Oyster Point Oyster Roast scheduled for Friday, November 13, 2009 has been CANCELLED due to the rain and wind from the nor 'easter. The event will not be rescheduled.
-City Center at Oyster Point Fountain Plaza
This popular event features live music and seafood. Food ($) and beverage ($) vendors on site. Free admission, free parking. Attendance: 2,000. NO PETS PERMITTED IN THE EVENT AREA. See here for complete information for the 2009 Oyster Point Oyster Roast.

November 26 - January 1; 5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. each night
Celebration in Lights
- Newport News Park
Drive through two miles of holiday light displays. $10.00 per car, $50.00 per bus; Attendance: 100,000. See here for complete Celebration in Lights information.

December 4; 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Hollydazzle
-City Center at Oyster Point Fountain Plaza
This unique holiday event combines fireworks, special effects, and music in a spectacular show presented “in the round” on the Fountain Plaza . Free children's activities, holiday performances, and food vendors ($). Free admission, free parking. Attendance: 15,000. See here for complete Hollydazzle 2009 information including the 2009 event program.

Event details subject to change. Check on-line for updates or call (757) 926-1400.

Vendor, Exhibitor, Entertainer, and Sponsor information for Newport News Special Events:

Vendors (selling on site at events):
Commercial vendors interested in selling food, crafts, or other merchandise at Newport News Special Events should contact Sunny Demming at (757) 926-1400. The deadline for craft and merchandise vendors for the Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife is April 1st of each year (the festival is always the first full weekend in October).

2009 Merchandise Vendor Application (events other than the Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife):
2009 Merchandise Vendor Application (.pdf file)
2009 Merchandise Vendor Application (Word Document)

2009 Food Vendor Applications (all events):

• 2009 Food Vendor Packet Cover Letter 

• 2009 Food Booth Information & Fees

• 2009 Food Vendor Application Form

• 2009 Vendor Instructions How to Apply

• 2009 Food Vendor Agreement

• 2009 Guidelines for Obtaining a Temporay Food Permit

• 2009 Food Vendor Electrical Request Form

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Exhibitors:
Non-profit and community groups can apply to be exhibitors at Newport News Special Events by calling Denine Miller at (757) 926-1400. Check here for updates on events that accept non-profit and community group exhibitors.

Entertainers:
Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism accepts local, regional, and national entertainer submissions for booking consideration. Please forward a press packe with a demo CD and a list of your most recent performances to:

Ms. Liz Spence
Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism
Fountain Plaza Two, Suite 320
700 Town Center Drive, Newport News, VA 23606.

lspence@nngov.com

Sponsors:
Corporate Sponsorship opportunities are available for all events. Sponsorship rates are based on benefits requested by each sponsor and benefits can be customized to meet individual sponsor needs. In-kind (trade of services) contributions may be accepted in combination with/in place of cash contributions. Please call Renee Popernack at (757) 926-1400 for additional information.