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Join hosts Reginald Robinson and Judy Leonard for this annual celebration of “The Vacation Paradise of the South.” Enjoy this virtual stroll down memory lane recalling the premier seaside resort for African-Americans during the Jim Crow Era. 

Robinson and Leonard will entertain with skits and sing-alongs, enlighten with history and stories, honor the BayShore Hall of Fame 2022 class, and present the 2022 Charles H. William Award of Leadership.

From your host with the most, Reginald Robinson!
Your summer of fun is not quite over yet! There is more fun to be had at the 8th Annual BayShore Beach Experience!

Join us at the Hampton History Museum on September 17 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at 120 Old Hampton Lane in beautiful downtown Hampton. Admission to this special and memorable event is free. Due to the increasing popularity of this event seating is limited, and first-come, first-served. This year's BayShore Experience will be a special night, as the entire program will be a salute to Hampton's own music legend Purcell Chuck "Guitar" Chavis!  As always there will be a plethora of rare and vintage BayShore Beach artifacts on display in the Great Hall. In addition, we encourage each and every one to visit the BayShore Beach exhibit that is part of “Historic Black Beaches: BayShore and other Memorable Sands” on the second floor. This very special tribute closes on October 2, so don't miss it!

Your evening commences with a selection from the writings of Helen Steiner Rice, to give comfort to those who have lost loved ones recently. We then pay tribute to those gone but not forgotten by announcing their names accompanied by the tolling of the bell. After this memorial celebration we will have the invocation, for we are always thankful for the opportunity to present this annual BayShore family reunion.

Throughout the evening we will celebrate the life and legacy of Hampton legend Chuck “Guitar” Chavis. This beloved hometown legend found success in all of his endeavors, but never forgot where he came from. Throughout his life believed that "It's nice to be important but more important to be nice."

Continuing on my friends, as with every year there will be a video tribute to my Mother, Mrs. Virginia Lee Robinson, the driving force behind all of the past, present and future BayShore Beach Experience events. In fact, we have added a little something to our dedication to make it even more enjoyable. There will be 2 more additions into the ever-growing BayShore Beach portrait gallery, along with the reading of poetry by Suffolk, VA resident Tonya Sinclair Swindell who was inspired to put pen to paper after visiting the “Historic Black Beaches” exhibit.

Oh yes, we have not forgotten the fun associated with this annual get-together, not at all. Throughout the evening there will be sing-a-longs, a skit or two, giveaways and a chance to win 1 of 3 great prizes—that is if you can unscramble a word posted on the BayShore Beach scramble board in 60 seconds.  And we are not done yet, your evening of fun celebrations and memories continues as the BayShore Beach Hall Of Fame induction ceremonies are presented. Remembering historic Black vacation destinations, we honor City Beach in Norfolk, and Log Cabin Beach in Williamsburg. Leaving a historic legacy of pride and of education from 1932 to 1968, we honor the staff and the baby Pirates of George P. Phenix High School. Alto Saxophonist Larry Gray, member of the Rockin Cabanas, inducted into the BayShore Beach Hall Of Fame  in 2021, left the group and started his own musical caravan Larry Gray and the Sensational Soul Seekers. Our evening’s honoree Chuck “Guitar” Chavis is a 3 time inductee and was the former lead guitarist for the Rockin Cabanas, and before that formed his first group of musical troubadours The Enchanters backed by the sultry, silky sounds of the Satin Dolls. Congratulations to all our inductees.

We are still not done yet, as the ceremonies continue with the presenting of the prestigious Charles H. Williams award of leadership. This annual award is given in honor of, Charles H. Williams, native of Lexington, Kentucky, seeking a better education came to Hampton enrolling at Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute in 1905, graduating in 1909. Mr. Williams received his B.P.E. from Springfield College in 1924 and a M.E. from Harvard in 1930. From 1910 to 1951 he served as director of physical training and chairman of the department of physical education and director of athletics at Hampton Institute, Founding Father of the C.I.A.A. and Father of modern dance at Hampton Institute, serving on the boards of Hampton University and the Peoples Building and Loan Association trustees from 1954 to 1969, real estate developer and guiding force responsible for the resurrection, expansion and success of BayShore, our 1st Black Disneyland.

The Charles H. Williams award of Leadership will be bestowed to the Barrett Peake Heritage Foundation and will be presented by Charles H. Jones, M.S.ED., the nephew of Charles H. Williams. Past recipients of the C.H.W award have been, Laura Sanford, Dr. Mary T. Christian, Dr. Colita.N.Fairfax, Dr. Christine Darden, and Roger Saunders, posthumously.

So folks there you have it, and what a night it will be at the 8th Annual BayShore Beach Experience, presented at the Hampton History Museum on Saturday, September 17 from 6:00 pm to 8:00pm. Admission is free, but seating is limited and first-come, first-served. For more information call the Hampton History Museum at 757-727-1102.

HEY! It's the BayShore Beach Experience, if you haven't experienced it, well, what are you waiting for?

Let's Have Some Fun Again!
Reginald Robinson              

 Image: Reginald Robinson, Judy Leonard, and City of Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck at the 2021 Virtual BayShore Experience