 |
History Long before protecting the environment became the “in” thing, Hampton, Virginia was focusing on the importance of Chesapeake Bay preservation with a unique, annual festival. Local waterman and citizens began to see the negative changes in the bay and wanted to create some awareness about the effect on the resources. Hampton began the tradition of celebrating the Chesapeake Bay on October 6, 1979. The Citizens Program for the Chesapeake Bay, Inc. chose Hampton for the first Chesapeake Bay Appreciation Event in Virginia. In 1982, Bay Days was combined with a City-organized event called “Hampton Fair Day”, and so was born the first “Hampton Bay Days”; in 1983 Bay Days became a three-day event. In 1985, the festival became a not-for-profit, non-stock 501(c)(4) corporation and in 1997 a new 501(c)(3) foundation was created to further expand Bay Days’ environmental goals. Today, Bay Days promotes environmental conservation, enhances community pride, provides enriching hands-on activities, provides volunteer opportunities, and celebrates the unique qualities, history, and natural resources of the Chesapeake Bay region. Every September the weekend after Labor Day, over 40 educational exhibitors join the festivities with elaborate displays, hands-on exhibits, and show-and-tell areas about the bay as Bay Days continues its role in creating awareness and education about the Chesapeake Bay. |