Boardwalk Art Show kicking off Friday at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront

Saleen Martin, The Virginian-Pilot
·2 min read

Art made of wood, ceramics, canvas, even cowhide leather, against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean — the 2021 Boardwalk Art Show opens Friday.

The festival runs through Sunday, spanning 23rd Street to 32nd on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk.

The event, now in its 65th year, draws over 200,000 people annually, according to organizers from the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. Nearly 160 artists are participating from near and far, including Virginia Beach, Florida, Connecticut and Ecuador.

Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m., the 24th Street Park will offer free pumpkin picking, art kits, face painting and rotating performances:

Saturday

  • 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. — Symphonicity Brass Quintet

  • 1:15 to 1:45 p.m. — Rhythm of Ireland School of Irish Dance

  • 2:15 to 2:45 p.m. — Twinkle Toes Performing Arts Company

  • 3:15 to 3:45 p.m. — Bach to Rock Virginia Beach

Sunday

  • 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. — Twinkle Toes Performing Arts Company

  • 1:15 to 1:45 p.m. — The Hurrah Players, including an excerpt from Disney’s Moana Jr.

  • 2:15 to 2:45 p.m. — Symphonicity String Quintet

  • 3:15 to 3:45 p.m. — Bach to Rock Virginia Beach

Sentara Healthcare will offer breast cancer awareness information, free skin cancer screenings and COVID-19 vaccinations on the Boardwalk. Pre-registration for a COVID-19 vaccine is required.

The VIP Boardwalk Beach Club returns. Beach Club members can go to the 31st Street Park and have lunch from Steinhilber’s Restaurant and custom cocktails by Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Tarnished Truth Bourbon Whiskey. The club has lounge seating, free valet parking, outdoor games, live music and complimentary wine and bourbon tastings. Tickets start at $65 for members and $75 for non-members. Tito’s Handmade Vodka will donate between $20 and $2,500 to Virginia MOCA for every ticket sold.

Also happening this weekend is a scavenger hunt with 10 questions that’ll teach participants about Virginia MOCA and the Boardwalk Art Show’s history. Prizes include Boardwalk Art Show commemorative posters, shirts and Virginia MOCA memberships. Scavenger hunting sheets will be at the Virginia MOCA tent between 27th and 28th streets.

Participating businesses will offer discounts. For more info, visit www.boardwalkartshow.marqueecoupons.com.

Saleen Martin, 757-446-2027, saleen.martin@pilotonline.com

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If you go

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday

Where: 23rd Street to 32nd Street on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk

Tickets: Festival is free; Beach Club, $65, Virginia MOCA Members, $75, non-members

Details: 757-425-0000 ext. 319, kerry@virginiamoca.org or www.tinyurl.com/BASVB21