Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism Events

THE FULL HIKE

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring The Full Hike on the 3^rd Saturday of  April and May at 9:00 am.  Join us at Beaverdam Parks Main Entrance, at 8:45 am we will shuttle you to the Fary’s Mill Road Park Entrance where you will hike the trail back to the Main Entrance.  The hike is approximately 9 miles.  The registration fee is $5 and the deadline is 1 week before the hike.

NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDEN – BEST YEARS TRIP

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring a Best Years Trip to the Norfolk Botanical Garden on Wednesday, April 29 from 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM. The Azalea tour in late April is beautiful with displays of many colors of Azaleas, Camellias and more! The fee is $50 and the deadline to register is Wednesday, April 22nd.

KARATE 

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Karate for ages 4 and older on Mondays or Thursdays at T. C. Walker from April 13 – June 8 or April 16 – June 11.  Four classes are offered for students of all levels, including a family class where adults and youth work together to learn.  Fees are $35-$45 and the deadline is Monday, April 20th.

PLEIN AIR PAINTING

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Plein Air Painting this Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22 from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Beaverdam Park. This traditional approach to painting embraces natural beauty and helps artists get out of the studio. You’ll bring your easel, canvas, and paints. This program is FREE but registration is required. Deadline is Tuesday, April 21st.

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.