What You'll Do: March 5-7

By WYDaily Staff Friday, March 05, 2010

Regular readers will remember that in this space last week we mentioned March being the month we usually get snow in Virginia. We want to stress that we had no idea it would snow this week, that school would be canceled. We just don’t exert that sort of influence over climate, sadly. We can, however, tell you this weekend will be lovely.

Hey, kids - DARE to have fun
It’s a big weekend for York County kids. The York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office D.A.R.E. program hosts its annual festival Friday and Saturday at the Grafton School Complex. There’s a countywide middle school dance Friday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Entry is $7, and activities include a bungee run, joust arena, moonwalk, inflatable slide and obstacle course – oh, yes! And a DJ with music. Concessions will be available for purchase. On Saturday the fest continues from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with concessions, rides, clowns, face painting and a variety of children’s activities. A $5 wristband for rides gets you on all of them. Also part of the fun is the York County Council PTA Health Fair.

And a bonfire to benefit Haitian relief for the big kids
The York County Youth Commission will hold a bonfire Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. at the York County Sports Complex off Route 17 in Grafton. Admission is $3 per person, and only York County high school students in grades 9-12 will be admitted. And once you’re in, no leaving and coming back. Proceeds will go toward Haitian relief.

A thoughtful lunch
Tony Conyers is a busy man this weekend. The recently retired social services commissioner for the state of Virginia will lead a brown bag discussion on poverty, race and public policy in the state and locally. On Saturday he’ll moderate the next community conversation on schools (read more here). Click here for details about the Friday lunch.

More lunch and all CW’s art museums for a year
There’s a new promotion for locals at Colonial Williamsburg, but you’ll need to hop on it sometime between March 6 and 31. Starting Saturday (March 6) $20 will get you lunch in the Museum Café and year-long access from the date of purchase to the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg — the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum — and Bassett Hall, the Rockefellers’ Williamsburg home. Lunches at the café are quite tasty – the pass includes an entrée, dessert and non-alcoholic drink. Get details here.

Have breakfast with Thomas Jefferson
That sounds like a great way to kick off a Saturday. You can do it – the Williamsburg Presbyterian Church’s Men’s Fellowship group will meet at 8 a.m. to hear Bill Barker, Colonial Williamsburg’s T.J., wax on a typically wide (Jeffersonian) range of topics. Reservations are requested. Click here for details.

Build a rocket, follow a dream
If you think you are hearing a sigh, you probably are. It’s just us – this sounds like a terrific program at the Williamsburg Regional Library: a rocket building workshop, followed by a screening of “October Sky,” the acclaimed 1999 film based on the true story of a West Virginia boy smitten by space but expected to follow his father into a mining occupation. He followed his dream and the rest is inspirational history. After the movie, out everybody will go to launch their rockets. Click here for more info.

Slim swim fashions at Great Wolf Lodge
Creator of the “slimsuit” swimsuit Carol Wior will unveil her 2010 Designer Swimwear collection at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Great Wolf Lodge. It’s all part of Williamsburg Women's Day at the Wolf. Entry to the show is $15 and includes a light lunch and beverages. A portion of the proceeds will go to Beyond Boobs, the local breast health awareness group. Click here for details.

One last Mardi Gras celebration
Oh, that weather. It did mess up some plans. Williamsburg Montessori isn’t going to let the calendar get in the way of a good time – and we do love them for that. Their Mardi Gras party and silent auction will go on this Saturday at the Williamsburg Community Building, and perfect weather is in store. Click here for details.

High school sports - state basketball tourney has big BRD presence
Yes, the other March madness is happening now, and four Bay Rivers District teams - two boys, two girls - are still in it. Tonight at 7:45 the Tabb boys play Region II champ Potomac Falls in the Division 4 state quarterfinals on Friday at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax.
Saturday brings the remaining three contests: Warhill girls (in just their third year) against Milbrook at James Madison Univerrsity at 6:30 p.m. in the Division 3 state tournament semifinal; New Kent's boys play Western Albemarle in the Division 3 state quarterfinals on Saturday at 8:15 p.m. at James Madison University. And, in a very lucky-for-locals development, York High School's girls will play their state quarterfinal game against Liberty-Beale on Saturday at 3:15 p.m. in William and Mary's Kaplan Arena.