March 31, 2023

A publication by Gloucester's Department of Community Engagement and Public Information

Gloucester Daffodil Festival to be Held Sunday, April 2 ONLY due to Anticipated High Winds

The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Advisory for our area for most of the day Saturday. The forecast wind gusts could reach higher than 45 miles per hour. After consulting with Gloucester’s Emergency Management Department, the County’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department had to make the difficult decision to cancel Saturday’s Daffodil Festival activities, including the Parade, out of an abundance of caution. The festival will still be held on Sunday, with extended hours.

Sunday hours will now have the festival open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Many of Saturday’s events will be rescheduled to Sunday, including the Amazing Mutt Show, Opening Ceremonies and more. The indoor Daffodil Show at Newington Baptist Church will take place Saturday and Sunday as normal. Tours of Brent & Becky’s Bulbs will take place on Sunday only.

An updated schedule of events for Sunday will be posted on the Daffodil Festival’s website at www.daffodilfestivalva.org before the end of the day today. Unfortunately, the Good Shot Judy outdoor concert scheduled for Saturday will have to be canceled.

“Canceling the parade and Saturday’s events was an extremely difficult decision to make,” said Katey Legg, Gloucester’s Director of Parks, Recreation & Tourism. “However, we want to make our participants’ safety top priority.” She said with floats made of various material that could easily blow off them, it would adversely impact the safety of those viewing the parade. There is also the high potential that vendor tents, merchandise and setups would present a danger to visitors with the high winds that are anticipated.

Festival staff members are working diligently to communicate with vendors and the public the changes to the festival. The shuttle from the Gloucester High School parking lot to the festival will run from 8:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Sunday only.

Since this is such a fluid situation, Legg encourages residents and visitors to monitor Gloucester’s social media channels and the festival’s website, www.daffodilfestivalva.org, for updates. 

Report Power Outages and Stay Clear of Downed Lines

Dominion Energy’s on-staff meteorologists are forecasting high winds and thundershowers on Saturday, April 1^st that will peak between noon and 6:00 PM, and may cause power outages. Sustained winds may run 15-25 mph with frequent 35-45 mph gusts. In some areas of our Central region, 40-50 mph gusts are expected.

Dominion Energy will be prepared to respond to all outages and restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

Report all power outages by calling 1-866-366-4357, visiting www.DominionEnergy.com/outages, or through Dominion Energy’s free app, available through the Apple Store or Google Play. 

Historical Scavenger Hunt Scheduled for March 21-April 13

Looking for something fun to do? How about an option for a staycation over Spring Break? 

GCPS is proud to partner with the Pocahontas Project, the Gloucester Collaboration, and the Fairfield Foundation to offer the Historic Gloucester Scavenger Hunt from March 21-April 13. 

Hunters will visit 18 different historic locations around Gloucester County, with each location having a specific piece of information to share on their completed Scavenger Hunt Google Form. Every hunter who submits a completed form by the end of the day on April 13th will be entered into a random prize drawing with prizes donated by Gloucester County businesses and organizations. Students will get an additional award from their school too!

What a great way to connect to the history that is right in your own backyard! Follow the QR code in the image to start your hunt on March 21.

Virginia Cooperative Extension to offer a FREE Lunch and Learn Series – Master Your Money Management

Sessions will be held at River Bend Apartments (5823 Sadlers Neck Rd, Gloucester, VA 23061) on the last Wednesday of the month from 12:00 -1:00 PM. Below is the upcoming schedule and topics:

April 26th – Getting Started & Setting Goals

May 31st – Your Financial Health

June 28th – Spending Plans

July 26th – Credit Reports

August 30th – Investment Basics

Registration is required! To register, contact us at gjsturm@vt.edu or (804) 693-2602 to reserve a seat.

Replayed Post on Money, Health and Other Things

Over the next few weeks, the Virginia Cooperative Extension will revisit its multi-part series on risk management and the basics of different insurance plans! This week, they will begin the discussion on common insurance terms. To tune in, click here.

LIBRARY NEWS

PARKS & RECREATION NEWS

Register Today for our Boating Safety Education Course!

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is offering a Boating Safety Education Course sponsored by Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism on May 6th at the Whitcomb Lodge-Beaverdam Park.

This course is recommended for motivated students 12 years of age and older who want to learn more about the fundamentals of safe and responsible boating.

Registration for this free community event is required. Click the link below.

https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/192030

Parks, Recreation and Tourism Events for the Week Ahead

SPRING GYMNASTICS REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Gymnastics for ages 3 to 18 on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings from April 18 thru May 25, at Botetourt or Abingdon. Please visit our registration page for the full 12 class schedule.

SPRING BREAK ADVENTURE CAMP AT BEAVERDAM

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Spring Break Adventure Camp at Beaverdam for ages 9-12 on April 3-6 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Hiking, kayaking, crafts, games and more. Dress to get dirty and for the weather with sturdy shoes (no slide on or open toes). The fee is $45 and the deadline is March 27.

FREE FLOW YOGA

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Free Flow Yoga on Tuesdays in April from 5:30-6:45 pm at the Whitcomb Lodge. The fee is $32 for the whole month or $9 per day and the deadline is March 28.

3^RD ANNUAL DOG EASTER EGG HUNT & CONTESTS

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring the 3^rd Annual Dog Easter Egg Hunt & Contests on Saturday, April 8 from 12:00-3:00 pm at Beaverdam Park. Treats, eggs, photo op, training session, and a trick or costume contest. Dogs must be at least 12 weeks old and vaccinated. Dogs must remain on leash with an adult guardian. Fee is $12 for one dog or $20 for two and the deadline is April 2 or when full.

ZUMBA

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Zumba on Mondays and Wednesdays in April (10-26) from 6:45-7:45 pm at Abingdon. The fee is $48 for the full month or $9 per day for individual days. The deadline to register is April 6.

THE FULL HIKE

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring The Full Hike (9.5 miles) on Saturday, April 8 at 10:00 am. The registration fee is $5 and the deadline to register is April 1.

SCENTWORK

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Scentwork for Dogs on Sunday, April 16 from 2:00-3:00 pm at Beaverdam. The fee is $46 and the deadline is April 9.

PACK WALK

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Pack Walk for Dogs on Sunday, April 16 from 3:30-4:30 pm at Beaverdam. The fee is $46 and the deadline is April 9.

METRO RICHMOND ZOO

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring a Best Years Trip to Richmond to visit the Metro Richmond Zoo on April 19 from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. Lunch is on your own. The fee is $60 and the deadline to register is April 12.

EARTH DAY MINDFULLNESS HIKE

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring an Earth Day Mindfulness Hike on Saturday, April 22 from 10:00 am to Noon at Beaverdam Park. Dress for a hike, sturdy shoes and water. The fee is $5 and the deadline is April 15.

For more information on these and other activities call PRT at 804-693-2355, email prt@gloucesterva.info or stop by our office 6382 Main Street. For online registration visit https://gloucesterva.info/civicrec