The Kilmarnock Town Centre Park grand opening is set for Saturday, July 8. Residents and visitors, families, couples, seniors and even good dogs on leashes are welcome.
“The new Town Centre Park is ready for visitors,” said town manager Tom Saunders. “The festivities begin at 9 a.m. with opening ceremonies. Children’s activities begin at 10 a.m. and run until 1 p.m. Food is available throughout the day. Adult beverages will be available in the beverage garden from 5 to 9:30 p.m.”
“The Town of Kilmarnock is thrilled to add Town Centre Park to all the wonderful things our region has to offer. I couldn’t be more excited,” said mayor Mae Umphlett. “The July 8 kick-off celebration is just the beginning. A 2017 music series is planned. The Lancaster by the Bay Chamber of Commerce will hold its Rhythm & Brews by the Bay event at the park July 22.”
Soul Expressions, a high-energy, seven-piece, Richmond band will cap off the day’s festivities with a free concert at the Half Shell Stage, playing their own special mix of funk, rock, reggae, jazz and Motown tunes from 7 to 10 p.m. The outdoor amphitheater with terraced seating can accommodate 500 people.
“Good food and drink are available for purchase from local vendors. No coolers will be allowed,” said deputy town manager Susan Cockrell. “We’ve arranged for parking at the Chesapeake Commons Shopping Center with shuttle service provided by Bay Transit from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Additional parking is available at the municipal lots by the Masonic Hall on Augusta Street and at Lancaster Middle School.”
Opening day partners include David A. Nice Builders, Guernsey Tingle and Associates, Land Planning & Design Associates, Bank of Lancaster/Virginia Commonwealth Bank, 101.7 BAY FM, Bay Transit, Chesapeake Bank, Chesapeake Homes, Children’s Theater presented by Rebecca Nunn, Etudes Ballet, Franklin Mechanical Contractors, Kilmarnock Lancaster Rescue Squad, KVFD, Lancaster by the Bay Chamber of Commerce, Lancaster Community Library, Lancaster Lions Club, Middle Bay Realty, RAL Art Center, VDOT, Virginia State Police and White Stone Church of the Nazarene.
Itinerary
9 a.m., Opening ceremonies, featuring the Kilmarnock District & Pipe Band and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 33.
10 a.m., Children’s activities begin, children’s theater performances on the Half Shell Stage directed by Rebecca Nunn, storytime plus Grab-n-Go Crafts, Baby Garten up to age 2 presented by Lancaster Community Library and Bank of Lancaster.
10:30 a.m., Etudes Ballet Studio performances on the Half Shell Stage, story time plus Grab-n-Go Crafts ages 2 to 7 presented by Lancaster Community Library and Bank of Lancaster.
11 a.m., Children’s theater performances on the Half Shell Stage directed by Rebecca Nunn, storytime plus Grab-n-Go Crafts, Baby Garten up to age 2 presented by Lancaster Community Library and Bank of Lancaster
11:30 a.m., Etudes Ballet Studio performances on the Half Shell Stage, storytime plus Grab-n-Go Crafts ages 2 to 7 presented by Lancaster Community Library and Bank of Lancaster.
9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Music by 101.7 BAY FM, face painting presented by Rappahannock Art League Studio Gallery, “Big Toys” presented by White Stone Church of the Nazarene, free snow cones presented by Bank of Lancaster (while they last), free hot dogs for ages 12 years and younger by Lancaster Lions Club (while they last), toys and games presented by Town of Kilmarnock, Kilmarnock Volunteer Fire Department, Kilmarnock Police Department and Kilmarnock-Lancaster Rescue Squad and Giggles the Clown presented by Chesapeake Bank.
Food vendors throughout the day, including Byrd’s Seafood, J-Dean’s Smokin’ 6 O, Car Wash Cafe, Shachah World Ministries, Country Cottage, Northern Neck Popcorn Bag and Smokin’ Logans.
6:50 p.m., Ceremonial “First Shuck” on the Half Shell Stage.
7-10 p.m., Free concert by Soul Expressions.
5-9:30 p.m., Adult beverages sold by Lancaster by the Bay Chamber of Commerce, Good Luck Cellars and Dog & Oyster Vineyard.
