Highlights Of 2012 Virginia Annual Events

Virginia's annual events draw thousands of visitors each year looking for authentic experiences to share with loved ones. Pow wows, historical reenactments and celebrations center around unique experiences found only in Virginia. These annual traditions showcase the culture, history and heritage that make Virginia an ideal destination to relax and reconnect on a memorable vacation.

Below are highlights of some of Virginia's most popular and enduring annual events, with many more found on www.Virginia.org.
January


Restaurant Week

Various cities in Virginia offer up special prix fixe menus and multi-course meals at hundreds of participating Virginia restaurants throughout the month of January. Check www.Virginia.org for more information on participating cities and dates.

Date: January

Location: Various cities

February

The Virginia Wine Showcase

The Virginia Wine Showcase is the region's premier winter wine show, featuring over 300 world class wines from the boutique farm wineries of Virginia. Shoppers will delight in the ultimate collection of fancy foods, fine arts and crafts, lifestyle and culinary products in the nation.
>Date: February 18-19, 2012

Location: Chantilly

African American Film Festival

The museum will host an African-American film festival during the month of February featuring films with African-American themes. All movies are free with each day's paid admission. All movies start at 1 p.m.

Dates: February 11, 18, 25, 2012

Location: Newport News

The 5th Annual Virginia Wine Expo

The Virginia Wine Expo is Virginia's premier, upscale wine and food event of the year. Over 55 Virginia wineries will be present, sampling and selling wine for on- and off-premise consumption. The VWE will feature celebrity chef demonstrations, specialty food, the Governor's Cup Grand Tasting, wine and food pairings and wine seminars.

Date: February 24 - 26, 2012

Location: Richmond

March

Love by the Glass, Virginia Wine and Dine Month

Combining the best of culinary traditions at restaurants across the state with elegant local wines and special tasting menus, Virginia Wine and Dine Month is a new statewide promotion that features Virginia wine by the glass at participating restaurants and wine shops in Virginia. After two widely successful years of Love by the Glass, Virginia Wine Week promotions, the new Love by the Glass, Virginia Wine and Dine Month will take place throughout the entire month of March in 2012 with special events and travel packages.

Date: March

Location: Statewide

Highland Maple Festival

The Highland Maple Festival celebrates the Highland County tradition of maple syrup-making. Designated a "Local Legacy" by The Library of Congress, this festival of more than 50 years, attracts upwards of 50,000 visitors. Sugar camp tours provide a unique and educational glimpse of a rapidly vanishing way of rural American life.

Date: March 10 - 11 & 17 - 18, 2012

Location: Monterey

Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k 2012

With more than 35,000 participants, the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k has become one of the premier races in the country. Featuring a course lined with stately, historic homes, scenic tree-lined medians and statues commemorating Richmond's storied past, the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k has become the city's annual rite of spring.

Date: March 31, 2012

Location: Richmond

April


Blue Ridge Bike Fest 2012

The Blue Ridge Bike Fest is the largest motorcycle event in the state. Live music, a custom bike contest, a stunt show and hundreds of motorcycle related vendors are just some of the features that make this event so