Cape Charles, VA (February 28, 2019) – The Town of Cape Charles announced that it has received a $10,000 grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) “50 Years of Love” grant fund. “50 Years of Love” is part of VTC’s efforts to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Virginia is for Lovers tourism slogan, which was created in 1969 by Richmond-based advertising agency Martin & Woltz.
“Virginia is for Lovers is one of the most iconic tourism slogans in the world, and we are thrilled to be celebrating “50 years of Love” with partners from around the Commonwealth in 2019,” said Rita McClenny, president and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation. “This grant program provides an engaging opportunity for destinations across the state to showcase what makes a vacation in Virginia so special and helps to show travelers why Virginia is for Lovers still rings true 50 years later.”
Make a trip to downtown Cape Charles as the Summer of LOVE kicks off and you just might find a groovy mural on the fence along Mason Ave. “While designing this mural I was inspired by the idea of bringing the community together with art and music, in true 60’s fashion” shares mural artist Emily Smith. So as you stroll down to brown dog ice cream take a moment to snap a pic and post with hashtags listed below.
“The Town of Cape Charles is excited to be a part of celebrating this important anniversary for Virginia is for Lovers tourism slogan. It has been a significant part of our culture for half a century and we plan to celebrate in style in Cape Charles this summer.” shares Tammy Green Holloway, President, Cape Charles Main Street
Cape Charles Main Street will manage the grant and have partnered with over 50 local businesses to create a Summer of LOVE in Cape Charles that will kick off July 6 and last for 50 days. Residents and visitors will discover over 50 incredibly creative and interesting offerings designed especially for the Summer of LOVE. When they stop in at their favorite spot to support the LOVE sign when buying a “Heart for LOVE”, donate school supplies for our Northampton County teachers to our “Virginia is for Learners” , taste the special flavors designed especially for this celebration or take advantage of the countless creative specials created by shop owners.
We are excited to announce that the Cape Charles Brewing Company fans will get to taste a special Summer of Love brew. They will be introducing a Summer of Love brew with a limited release series celebrating the 50th anniversary of “Virginia is for Lovers”. “This light golden lager infused with Hibiscus flowers and a taste of tropical fruit creates a perfectly balanced easy drinking beer with a groovy red hue. Pairs well with summer sunsets on the Shore or wherever that wind-wave takes you. Flower power Y’all.” said co-owner Mark Marshall.
Chocolate lovers can pop in the Cape Charles Candy Company and enjoy a Cape Charles LOVE Sign chocolate bar, purchase one of kind specialty LOVE apparel, enter-to-win a “Cape Charles LOVEBIRDS” painting at Ellen Moore Gallery, Wine Lovers Tuesdays at Ambrogia Caffe & Enoteca or try the sweet taste of Virginia with a special Virginia cookie at the Coastal Baking Company to name just a few!
It’s time to hit the thrift and consignment stores and pick up your best hippy-dippy flower-power threads, because you will want to come to these events dressed in style…free treats for those who dress up!
LOVEfest 2019 kicks off the Summer of LOVE at Central Park, Saturday July 6th at 6 pm with a throwback to Woodstock and the good times of 1969! The Citizens for Central park summer concert series kicks into high gear with musical grove of The English Channel band along with food, drinks and tons of fun activities! As always gather your friends, family and neighbors and plan to gather at the park. Check out the LOVEfest 2019 Facebook event page for details!
You will really dig the “Flower Power Summer of LOVE Golf Cart Parade” Thursday, July 11th! Dress your Golf Cart in her 1969 best and meet us at the LOVE sign at 7p.m. for a groovy ride around town, showing off your “dy-no-mite” golf cart! If you are not in the parade then plan to line the route to cheer on the dude and dudettes. The parade ends at beach as we mellow out for a sunset celebration and beach bonfire. Bring a beach picnic to enjoy with the tranquil sounds of the Chesapeake Bay in the background. It’s going to be a great time with good vibes and groovy moves.
A don’t miss summer offer is the FREE Summer of LOVE 1969 throw-back movies that are co-sponsored by the Palace Theatre, Love & Rosemary, Eastern Shore Signs, The Oyster Farm at Kings Creek and Cape Charles Distillery! You can find the skinny on the movie schedule on the Cape Charles Virginia’s Cape website (details below) and plan to chill out at the Palace Theatre for the 8p.m. showings.
LOVE & Art on Virginia’s Cape Weekend is August 16-18th. Don’t miss this Summer of LOVE Art filled weekend with great special events like a “Sip and Dip” party on August 16th (registration required) at the Northampton Hotel and an open air painting event throughout the weekend culminating with a reception at the Hotel Cape Charles on August 17th, and For the Love of Art: ART Rocks the Inns returns on August 18th as the Bed and Breakfasts in Cape Charles open their porches, lawns and doors to a traveling art experience. Follow our Facebook pages @capecharlesmainstreet and @capecharlesvirginiascape for more details for these events.
The Summer of LOVE will culminate at the August 24th 5th Annual Bash by the Bay, where you can show some decade love to the 80’s at a waterfront concert featuring the Delorean’s band with food and drinks and 80’s music you will LOVE!
Here is how you can follow these exciting events for the summer!
www.capecharlesvirginiascape.com
Post, tag and share your photos, videos and experiences throughout the summer by tagging @capecharlesvirginiascape on Facebook and Instagram using hashtags
#sharewhatyoulove
#loveva
#loveccva
About Virginia is for Lovers
Fifty years after its creation, Virginia is for Lovers continues to be one of the most recognizable and iconic tourism slogans of all time. Virginia is for Lovers was inducted into the Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame on Sept. 21, 2009. The slogan was included in the Advertising Icon Museum alongside fellow 2009 inductees, the AOL Running Man, the Budweiser Clydesdales and State Farm’s slogan, Like a Good Neighbor, State Farm is There. This recognition came on the heels of Forbes.com tapping Virginia is for Lovers as one of the top 10 tourism marketing campaigns of all time. Today, a new generation is discovering love for Virginia’s mountains, beaches, history, theme parks, vibrant cities, outdoor activities, sports and hospitality.
For more information about 50 Years of Love, please visit https://www.virginia.org/virginiaisforlovers
For more information and to plan your next vacation in Virginia, please visit www.virginia.org.
About the Author
Don’t forget all the ‘love’ that was shown to our Vets returning from over seas in the summer of ’69.
Those Vets returning should have beat those college kids half to death. I know I would have.
We had dignity, Slide, they were a mindless, howling mob baying at the moon in the middle of the day.
There is no HONOR in laying hands on such, especially not when in uniform.
Our oath to the Constitution was their shield that allowed them to do so, and I was face to face with that mob, people with contorted ugly faces behind a rope barrier in the Oakland airport screaming at us in uniform and howling and shrieking and waving signs that said HOORAY for their side and gesticulating with their fists and spitting at us, the whole works, Slide.
I ignored them.
But their hatred for that uniform was tangible and palpable, and that is a fact.
And the thing was, Slide, that because so many capable people were off in VEET NAM, it was those veteran haters who by default became the managers over here and the ones in charge, and we were not made welcome in their workplaces.
Yeah, right!