The Port of Chesapeake offers 35 kilometers (22 miles) of fresh and salt waterways offering limitless opportunities for outdoor adventures. Edgar Allan Poe wrote parts of his famous "The Raven" at the Dismal Swamp Canal in the Port of Chesapeake. The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and the Northwest River Park & Campground offer miles of scenic trails, rare bird species, and diverse wildlife. The Port of Chesapeake hosts many festivals throughout the year that offer great fun for families.
The Port of Chesapeake has a humid subtropical climate with hot humid summers and mild winters. Temperatures in the Port of Chesapeake range from an average high of 26.7°C (80°F) in July and August to an average low of 4°C (40°F) in January. Precipitation in the Port of Chesapeake peaks in July and August at centimeters (over five inches) and falling to a low of centimeters (three inches) in November and December. Humidity levels range from a low of about 72% from December through April to a high of about 85% in August and September. Snow comes to the Port of Chesapeake from late November through early April, peaking in January and February at almost eight centimeters (just over three inches).
The Port of Chesapeake is a popular destination for fishers. With a vast network of fresh and salt waters, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway offers deep-water canals and fishing hotspots with huge speckled trout, puppy drum, and striped bass. The Northwest River Park & Campgrounds offers a stocked freshwater lake with bass, crappie, and catfish. Lake Drummond, Virginia's second biggest natural lake, teams with bowfin, crappie, and longnose gar.
Each October, visitors arrive for the Port of Chesapeake Virginia Wine Festival at Chesapeake City Park. Some of the world's best wines, as well as those presented by Virginia wineries, are available for tasting. The wine tasting is complemented by samples from of the region's best restaurants and live music. Tickets can be purchased in advance and at the gate. Proceeds from the event to support many local charities.
In June, the Port of Chesapeake celebrates the area's Native American heritage at the American Indian Festival. The event includes traditional drumming and dancing, American Indian storytelling, and demonstrations. The Nansemond Indian Tribe hosts this Port of Chesapeake powwow, enchanting attendees with dances and drumming, performed in full traditional dress. Visitors can sample frybread and Indian tacos, shop the craft booths for beaded jewelry and leather, and learn about traditional Nansemond culture. There is no admission charge for this Port of Chesapeake festival.
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