Black Meetings and Tourism

Black Meetings & Tourism February/March 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com Virginia Special Advertising Section eight African-American cemeteries, including the final resting places for Maggie L. Walker, Arthur Ashe Jr. and many other prominent Richmonders and African-Americans. If you're visiting the Richmond Region during the summer or fall, don't miss the many festivals and events planned to celebrate African- American heritage, past and present. Every Friday evening from May through August, savor the sounds of Fridays at Sunset, an outdoor con- cert series held at downtown's Kanawha Plaza. If you're looking for family fun, don't miss the Down Home Family Reunion, an annual fes- tival celebrating African-American folklife, every August. In October, Richmond's African-American community comes alive during the annu- al Second Street Festival, which celebrates the 1920s through 1940s with music, food and shopping. And for holiday visitors, celebrate Kwanzaa during the annual Capital City Kwanzaa Festival. Many of these cele- brations are planned by the Elegba Folklore Society, a non-profit organ- ization that offers cultural arts programming and educational opportu- nities to promote a deeper understanding of the rich diversity of these African-American traditions. VIRGINIA BEACH As a popular meetings destination, Virginia Beach offers the excite- ment of a large metropolitan area, nestled in the mild climate of a rich coastal atmosphere. Dig a little further and you will discover a destina- tion rich in history and culture. Peek into the lives of Virginia Beach's earliest residents at the historic sites, including the Cape Henry Lighthouse, Adam Thoroughgood House (circa 1680) and Lynnhaven House (1725). During a Histories and Haunts Ghost Tour, a talented "scaryteller" spins tales of tragic shipwrecks, haunted hotels and a spir- 99 Couple walking the beach Photo Credit: Virginia Beach CVB

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