Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism Events

BEGINNER BELLY DANCE (NEW DROP IN OPTION)

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Belly Dance for ages 16 and older on Mondays at Whitcomb Lodge at Beaverdam Park from 7:00-8:00 pm, now through June 29th.  Beginners class to learn basics or a great place to brush up on your techniques to prepare for the Intermediate Belly Dance session in July!  The fee is $65 for the 8-week session or $9 per drop-in session.

GYMNASTICS TRIALS (NEW PROGRAM)

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Gymnastics Trials as a one-time experience to help determine your child’s interest before enrolling in a full session. Sessions offered at Botetourt and Achilles. For ages 3-16. Check our website for full list of offerings!

FREE FLOW YOGA

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Free Flow Yoga on Tuesdays in May from 5:30-6:45 PM at Whitcomb Lodge.  The fee is $40 for the whole month or $9 per drop-in session.

SENIOR BINGO 

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Bingo for ages 50 and over on Wednesday, May 27th from 10:30 am to Noon at the Stewart Building.  Winnings are prizes, no cash.  The fee is $10 and the deadline to register is Tuesday, May 26th. 

CAPE CHARLES BEST YEARS TRIP

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring a Best Years Trip to Cape Charles on Thursday, June 4 from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.  Spend the day on your own strolling the streets and have lunch along the way.  The fee is $35 and the deadline to register is Thursday, May 28th. 

YOUTH TEE BALL & WIFFLE BALL 2026

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Youth Tee Ball and Wiffle Ball for ages 3 – 7 in June. Practices and games will be at Ark and Abingdon Parks. Please see our website for more information on ages, dates and fees!

KID’S FREE FISHING DAY

The Department of Wildlife Resources & Beaverdam Park are sponsoring a free day of fishing for children at Beaverdam Park on Sunday, June 7th from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.  No freshwater fishing licenses are required statewide during the first weekend in June. We will have a Conservation Police Officer on site; they will provide Fishing Poles and Bait to registered participants. After fishing, lunch will be provided by the Abingdon Ruritan Club. This program is free, but we ask that you register online by Sunday, May 31st.

JUNE BEST YEARS SOCIAL  

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring the June Best Years Social for ages 50 and over on Tuesday, June 2nd from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Beaverdam Park’s Whitcomb Lodge. Come on by and enjoy light refreshments and a great time socializing, learning about upcoming trips and helping us get the word out about these trips! If you’d like to help with refreshments, please send an email to ekeefer@gloucesterva.info or call (804) 693-1264. Free event.  

KID’S SALTWATER FISHING WORKSHOP

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring a Kid’s Saltwater Fishing Workshop for ages 12 – 15 on Saturday, June 13th from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Machicomoco State Park. The fee is $15 and the deadline to register is Saturday, June 6th.

KID’S SUMMER FISHING TOURNAMENT

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring a Kid’s Spring Fishing Tournament for ages 5 – 15 on Sunday, June 14th from 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Beaverdam Park. Prizes will be awarded based on age divisions and shore/boat divisions. The fee is $15 and the deadline to register is Sunday, June 7th.

SPRING 2026 ADULT PICK-UP FIELD HOCKEY

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Adult Pick-Up Field Hockey on Sundays from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at the Old Page Grounds Field Hockey Fields until May 10 with ongoing registration and drop-ins welcome. For ages 18+. Please see our website for more information!

ADULT COURT COLLECTIVE: PICK-UP BASKETBALL

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Adult Pick-Up Basketball on Friday evenings in June and July at Ark Park with ongoing registration and drop-ins welcome. For ages 18+. Please see our website for more information!

PARK AFTER DARK

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Park After Dark on Friday, June 26 from 8:00-11:00 pm at Beaverdam park’s Main Entrance (only).  Participate in fishing, boating, biking or hiking after hours.  All activities require head lamps.  The fee is $5 and all rental fees apply; the deadline is Friday, June 19th.

PLAY ALL DAY VA

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is celebrating the longest day of the year as part of the Play All Day VA initiative by the Virginia Recreation and Parks Society on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21 at Beaverdam Park. Enjoy many activities for kids and adults. Activities include painting rocks, making wooden ornaments, and creating a Father's Day craft. You can also enjoy landscape painting, terrarium making, and more!  This program is free, but we ask that you register online by Saturday, June 20th.

DOLPHIN WATCHING

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring a Best Years Trip of Virginia Beach for Dolphin Watching on Wednesday, July 8th from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.  The fee is $70 and the deadline to register is Wednesday,  June 24th.

For more information on these and other activities call PRT at 804-693-2355, email prt@gloucesterva.info or stop by our office 6382 Main Street.  For online registration visit https://gloucesterva.info/civicrec

The Disabled American Veterans Chapter 58, located in Gloucester VA, at 6265 Professional Drive, directly behind the radio station. Their Certified Claims Service Officers can assist ALL Veterans and their dependents with submitting claims to the Veterans Administration at no cost. No appointment necessary, you’ll need a DD214, hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 2pm and they can be reached at 804-695-1558.

For a ride to Richmond or Hampton for appointment, call Keith Davis at 757-728-3148 to make arrangements.

Gloucester County Unveils New Driving Tour Exploring the
1781 Battle of the Hook
The Gloucester Museum of History proudly announces the launch of the Battle of the Hook Driving
Tour, a new self-guided driving tour exploring the events, people, and key sites of the Battle of the
Hook, the largest cavalry engagement of the American Revolution and a crucial Franco-American
victory. The tour brochure is available at the Museum of History and Gloucester Visitor Center, at
no cost, and an online version is also available.
 

The October 3, 1781, Battle of the Hook is one of the most important episodes of the siege of
Yorktown, when the Duc de Lauzun's famous Legion of hussars with 300 troops of the "Infanterie
de Marine,” and Lieutenant Colonel John Mercer's Select Battalion of Grenadiers, under the overall
command of French Brigadier General Claude de Choisy, defeated Lieutenant Colonel Banastre
Tarleton's British Legion and a detachment of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. The fighting at Gloucester
helped cut off British escape routes from Yorktown, directly contributing to their surrender just
sixteen days later, on October 19, 1781.
 

The driving tour guides visitors to pivotal locations throughout Gloucester County, including the
historic Tavern at Gloucester Courthouse (now the Gloucester Museum of History), Ware
Episcopal Church, Abingdon Episcopal Church, and Seawell’s Ordinary. Each site reveals how local
landscapes became strategic military positions during the final campaign for American
independence.
Additional highlights include the Second Surrender, memorialized at Tyndall’s Point Park, where
British troops garrisoned in Gloucester surrendered to French forces one hour after the October 19,
1781, capitulation at Yorktown. The tour also directs visitors to Abingdon Elementary School,
where they may experience interpretive signage and a new memorial honoring the five French
soldiers who fell during the battle.
“This tour invites locals and guests to explore Gloucester’s beauty and history while visiting
landmarks where decisive moments in America’s fight for independence unfolded,” said Robert
Kelly, Gloucester’s Historic Resources Supervisor. “As we commemorate the nation’s 250 th birthday,
the tour is a powerful way to connect Gloucester’s history and landscapes with the broader story of
America’s founding while also honoring the importance of the Franco-American Alliance.”

Registration is now open for 4-H Camp for Gloucester, Essex and Middlesex. Camp will be held June 8th-12th at the Jamestown 4-H Center.

Do you have concerns regarding your preschooler's development? Gloucester County Public Schools conducts screenings for preschool children as part of their Child Find Activities throughout the school year. Parents/Guardians should consider having their children screened if they are experiencing difficulty walking, talking, playing, and meeting developmental milestones. If you are interested in having your child screened, please contact your child's zoned school. Any further questions please contact the Special Education Office at 804-693-7880 or 804-693-7944.