Best Annual Charity Event
First place: Chesapeake Academy Community Oyster Roast, Irvington, ChesapeakeAcademy.org, 804-438-5575
Though the all-you-can-eat oysters are the indisputable headliners of this October event, you’d be remiss not to save some space for the chowder, sweet potato fries and other menu delights. Proceeds benefit the Chesapeake Academy Financial Assistance Program.
Second place: RE Strong Run, Urbanna, REStrongRun.com, 804-758-4477
Third place: Polar Plunge Festival, Virginia Beach, PolarPlunge.com, 757-962-1575
Best Art Event
First place: Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Festival, Virginia Beach, BoardwalkArtShow.com, 757-425-0000
At the inaugural Boardwalk Art Show in 1956, 104 artists vied for a $25 grand prize. More than 60 years later, the outdoor event draws more than 1,000 applicants across disciplines—from ceramics and digital arts to traditional fine arts and woodwork—offering a prize of $7,500 for Best-in-Show.
Second place: Stockley Gardens Arts Festival, Norfolk, StockleyGardens.com, 757-625-6161
Third place: P. Buckley Moss Gallery, Mathews, PBuckleyMoss.com, 804-725-7378
Best Charity
First place: The King’s Daughters Foundation, Norfolk, KingsDaughters.org, 757-668-7718
Through events such as the Moonlight & Mistletoe holiday gala and the RunWalk for the Kids, the 1,000-plus volunteers of the King’s Daughters Foundation (founders of the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters) have raised funds to establish a milk bank and purchase 29 state-of-the-art cribs, an ambulance to transport children from other hospitals to CHKD and a therapy pool.
Second place: Hope House Foundation, Norfolk, Hope-House.org, 757-625-6161
Third place: The Animal Welfare League of the Northern Neck, Inc., Kilmarnock, 804-435-0822
Best Family Entertainment
First place: Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, SeaWorldParks.com, 800-343-7946
With fast and furious rides like Verbolten and Griffon, Busch Gardens has long been a favorite destination for thrill seekers. The amusement park’s 2016 additions, however, show that the park can be just as fun for those not looking for adrenaline—including its new evening show, All For One, based on The Three Musketeers.
Second place: Virginia Living Museum, Newport News, TheVLM.org, 757-595-1900
Third place: Virginia Beach, VisitVirginiaBeach.com, 800-822-3224
Best Food Festival
First place: Urbanna Oyster Festival, Urbanna, UrbannaOysterFestival.com, 804-758-0368
For one weekend in November, the population of the town of Urbanna multiplies by 150—a shining endorsement for the Oyster Festival, the largest single fundraiser for many Middlesex County organizations. The pay-as-you-go fest features wine tasting, a parade, an antique car show, and, of course, plenty of bivalves, served as many ways as you can think of.
Second place: Bayou Boogaloo Music and Cajun Food Festival, Norfolk, FestEvents.org, 757-441-2345
Third place: Poquoson Seafood Festival, Poquoson, PoquosonSeafoodFestival.com, 757-868-3588
Best Movie Theater
First place: Paragon Theater, Newport News, ParagonTheaters.com, 757-525-9898
At the Paragon Theater, guests can kick back in luxury recliners (complete with footrests) and dine on meals or snacks from the theater’s on-site restaurants, Neo Kitchen & Bar and My Pi Pizza. Think of it like watching a flick at home—only on a wall-to-wall, floor to ceiling screen (and probably not in your pajamas).
Second place: Naro Cinema, Norfolk, NaroCinema.com, 757-625-6276
Third place: Beach Movie Bistro, Virginia Beach, BeachMovieBistro.com, 757-963-2548
Best Museum
First place: Chrysler Museum, Norfolk, Chrysler.org, 757-664-6200
The Chrysler Museum houses nearly 30,000 works in its permanent collection. Upcoming exhibits include Herb Ritts: The Rock Portraits, organized by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and Branding the American West: Paintings and Films, 1900-1950, which focuses on the frontier.
Second place: The Mariners’ Museum and Park, Newport News, MarinersMuseum.org, 757-596-2222
Third place: Steamboat Era Museum, Irvington, SteamboatEraMuseum.org, 804-438-6888
Best Music Venue
First place: The NorVa, Norfolk, TheNorva.com, 757-627-4547
Feeling a little bit hungry and a little bit rock and roll? Through the NorVa’s “Get in Early” program, grab a bite at neighboring FM Restaurant before taking in a concert (this summer’s schedule includes Of Monsters and Men and 96x Fest with headliners The 1975). Plus, dinner beforehand earns you early entrance to the show—15 minutes before doors open.
Second place: Sandler Center for Performing Arts, Virginia Beach, SandlerCenter.org, 757-385-2555
Third place: Christopher Newport University’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News, FergusonCenter.org, 757-594-8752
Best Performing Arts Company
First place: Virginia Stage Company, Norfolk, VAStage.org, 757-627-6988
While its home, the Wells Theatre, undergoes a $4 million renovation, the company is hitting the road: to Old Dominion University’s Goode Theatre in September, for I Sing the Rising Sea, a collaboration with ODU, and to Tidewater Community College’s Roper Performing Arts Center in October for Oliver Twist, co-produced with the Governor’s School for the Arts.
Second place: The Hurrah Players, Norfolk, HurrahPlayers.com, 757-627-5437
Third place: Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Norfolk, VirginiaSymphony.org, 757-892-6366
Best Special Event Venue
First place: The White Dog Bistro, Mathews, TheWhiteDogBistro.com, 804-725-7680
Events at The White Dog Bistro can be as formal or as casual as you wish. Inside the 1840s Georgian mansion, two dining rooms offer up space for 75 guests; outside, a tented courtyard seats up to 250; and the restaurant’s Key West-inspired bar offers a casual spot for gatherings small and large.
Second place: Belle Grove Plantation, King George, BelleGrovePlantation.com, 540-621-7340
Third place: Christopher Newport University’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News, FergusonCenter.org, 757-594-8752