Sister Cities International aims to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation – one individual, one community at a time. Each year, the Young Artists and Authors Showcase encourages youth from around the globe to express the mission of Sister Cities International through original artwork and literature. This year’s theme, "The Art of Diplomacy," highlights the importance of citizen diplomacy and the innovative ways citizen diplomats achieve peace through people-to-people interaction. Students are encouraged to draw inspiration from their experiences with sister cities, travel, exchange, international friendships, and the many ways that people cultivate relationships across cultures.

Hosted by the Nansemond River Garden Club, the Franklin Garden Club, and the Elizabeth River Garden Club, this tour celebrates the beauty of the Eclipse area by focusing on four private homes and two gardens. Visitors will appreciate the history and culture of the area and enjoy access to unique and diverse private homes surrounded by nationally recognized gardens. Tickets are $30 per person in advance and $35 on the day of the tour; children 6 and under are free. A complete list of ticket outlets is listed below. Contact the Suffolk Visitor Center at 757.514.4130 or visit www.facebook.com/historicgardenweeksuffolkva for additional information.

Please join us on April 21, 2018 from 10am to 4pm for the Second Annual Suffolk Earth and Arts Festival. We will be bringing together artists, musicians and gardening professionals to celebrate the best that our region offers. There will be live music, plant sales, sustainable vendors, and non-profits committed to educating people on the best practices to protect our environment. Business sponsorships available - visit the website for more details.

Suffolk Literary Festival is literally the BEST of Suffolk! Discover local authors and artists and participate in activities to capture your unique voice. This event is free and open to all ages. Sponsored by Paul D. Camp Community College and Suffolk Public Library.

Are you and your family up for a Fitness Challenge? Then bring the family for a day of fitness and fun. Families will have the opportunity to spend time together while interacting through fitness, fun, and family challenges. We have activities for the entire family to include dance/zumba demo, exercise, toddler stations, healthy food and desserts, give-a-ways and most exciting the family obstacle course challenge. This event is free and open to adults and children of all ages. Pre-registration required by April 18. For more information, please contact Rebecca Skinner.

Come out to Touch a Truck in Driver Village! Let the kids get up close, climb on and see these big vehicles. There will be vendors and food available for purchase. Sponsored by Driver Volunteer Fire Department & Driver Merchant Association.

The Chowan University Choirs will present an exciting and varied program of classical and contemporary choral music. Benjamin Thorburn is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Chowan University. A versatile conductor and singer with experience in opera, oratorio, and early music, he has appeared as a soloist throughout Virginia, the mid-Atlantic, and the Northeast. As a music scholar, he is a specialist in Baroque music and performance practice and has presented his research at national and international conferences. He was previously Director of Vocal Studies at Bluefield College in Virginia. He received a Ph.D. in music history from Yale University and a Bachelor of Arts in music from the University of Rochester.

Local History and Genealogy Librarian LaSandra Adams will be available to answer your questions, demonstrate the use of tools like the microfilm machine, and record oral histories for Suffolk Speaks. You do not need to be a library member to attend.

It's all about the birds! Expect some changes, but there will still be...daily morning Guided Bird Walks - come out early for a guided bird walk at selected sites on the refuge; also Guided Nature Walks in the afternoon - always popular walks that include a little nature, a little history, and whatever else crosses the trail.

For the fourth year, the Suffolk Education Foundation will celebrate the arts in our schools. Performances from our local schools with artwork from our elementary schools. Support goes towards annual scholarships and grants. Tickets are $35 each or $300 per table. Semi-Formal attire. Doors open at 6pm and the program is from 6:30-8:30pm.

The Tour de Cure is our largest annual fundraising event. The 2018 Tour de Cure will offer an exciting new opportunity to "Choose Your Move," with four cycling routes from 12 to 100 miles in distance, as well as a Walk and a timed 5K Run. The Tour is a ride, not a race, with routes designed for participants of all ages and abilities, including the occasional rider to the experienced cyclist. The event is supported from start to finish, with rest stops, mechanical support, safety marshals and food to fuel your journey along the way. Our adventure also includes a post ride celebration with entertainment and delicious food, as well as an informative wellness village and fun "Get Fit Don't Sit" activity zone!

Be part of something great with the third annual gathering of Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Comic and Anime fans. The multi-fandom IconiCon includes a Gaming Tournament, Cosplay Contest, Fan Art Contest, Exhibitors and more! This event is FREE and for all ages. Visit our IconiCon website for more information and contest entry forms. You do not need to be a library member to attend.

See Suffolk through the eyes of years gone by. Suffolk’s rich heritage dates back to the early 17th century, when Captain John Smith first encountered the Nansemond Indians on the Nansemond River. Even now, you can trace Suffolk’s legacy through our historic homes and neighborhoods, churches and Virginia Civil War Trails. Guided by a Suffolk historian, you meet the people and places that made Suffolk the city it is today. Highlights of this windshield tour include Cedar Hill Cemetery, Riddick’s Folly House Museum, Constant’s Wharf, College Court and Suffolk’s Historic Lakeside neighborhood.

An official Virginia Civil War Trail site, Cedar Hill Cemetery has long been an attraction for history buffs and even walking groups. The Suffolk Division of Tourism offers a guided stroll through the pleasant 32-acre cemetery, rich in history and natural beauty. The 90-minute daytime tour will offer unique insights into Suffolk’s heritage as tour goers traverse the cedar-lined terrain dotted with timeworn headstones. Reservations are required and cancellations are expected no less than 48 hours prior to scheduled tour. Call the Suffolk Visitor Center at 757.514.4130 to reserve your spot. Special rates are available for groups of 12 or more.

A hair-raising encounter with the spirited side of Suffolk. Follow a costumed guide through the shadows of historic Main Street discovering stories, legends and "unexplained occurrences" by lantern light. Tales of unsolved mysteries and unresolved affairs abound throughout Suffolk's historically hip Ghost Walk. Reservations required.

An official Virginia Civil War Trail site, Cedar Hill Cemetery has long been an attraction for history buffs and even walking groups. The Suffolk Division of Tourism offers a guided stroll through the pleasant 32-acre cemetery, rich in history and natural beauty. The 90-minute daytime tour will offer unique insights into Suffolk’s heritage as tour goers traverse the cedar-lined terrain dotted with timeworn headstones. Reservations are required and cancellations are expected no less than 48 hours prior to scheduled tour. Call the Suffolk Visitor Center at 757.514.4130 to reserve your spot. Special rates are available for groups of 12 or more.