🌊 Today in NFK: OV Parade, MEAC, and More.

It’s Mid-Week, but there’s a lot coming down the pipe. Let’s get after it Norfolk. 

Today’s Weather: High of 73. It really must be the luck of the Irish.

Here’s what we’re watching today:

☘️ St. Patrick’s Day Parade☘️

🏀 MEAC: NFK’s Own March Madness🏀 

📆 Next Three Days of Events📆

☘️ St. Patrick’s Day Parade☘️

It’s been over half a century since they first painted the city green with the Ocean View St. Patrick’s Day Parade and you better believe the locals are fanatical about the tradition. The whole north side of the city practically shuts down for the day. Except the bars that is, they’ll surely be open all day long. 

For the uninitiated the parade and adjacent festivities can be a lot to take in so here’s the basics:

Parking:
The best parking will be in the blocks immediately adjacent to the parade route. Offstreet parking will be available Sarah Constant Beach Park, Ocean View Beach Park, and Ocean View Elementary. Last year, additional parking was available in the Ocean View Shopping Center parking lot, but they have not yet confirmed that for 2024. Finding parking can be made extra difficult because street closures for the parade will start hours before the parade. 

The Parade:
The parade begins at 10:00 am, departing from Northside Middle School. While the weather looks fine now, past years have been delayed for weather, so watch for updates. The parade route is around 1.5 miles long, lasting around 2 hours, and participants will include a large number of floats, marching bands, dancers, first responder units, horses, dogs, political candidates, and more. Parade walkers typically hand out beads, candy, and other small goodies. There are a limited number of bleachers available along the route, so it’s recommended that you bring your own chairs and blankets. Public consumption of alcohol is still illegal, though, you will see it happening on the route. 

The After Parties:
Greenies is no more, but the spirit lives on. Here’s most of the post-parade parties

Cafe Mudita Party at the End of the Rainbow. 10:30 am. Rip it. 
Willoughby by the Bay w/ DJ Mike. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Columbian Club of Ocean View w/ Wonderland and Savannah Band. 12:00 - 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Club 60 with Plastic Eddie. 12:30 pm. Rip it.
Ocean View Democratic Social Club with Barricade. 12:00 pm. Rip it. 
The Ocean View Beach Tavern w/ The Getdown Band. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Cova Brewing Company w/ Kaboombox & Clan MacCool Band. 12:00 pm. Rip it. 
Bold Mariner Brewing w/ Donnaka, bagpipes, & DJ Ragoza. 12:00 pm. Rip it. 
The Ocean View Fishing Pier w/ DJ Canrock & Red Staper Duo. 2:00 pm. Rip it. 

Pre-Parade - in case you’re feeling extra froggy:. 
Kegs & Eggs at Cafe Mudita. 8:00 am - 11:00 am. Rip it. 

🏀 MEAC: NFK’s Own March Madness🏀 

Everyone gets in a tizzy this month over their NCAA Tournament brackets, but they’re missing out on another very tourney worth watching: The MEAC. 

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is a conference of historically black colleges and universities that’s been around since 1970. Norfolk State is a member of the conference and Norfolk has hosted a huge number of MEAC tournaments. Norfolk played host from 1991–1993, again in 1997, and from 2013 to this year. Not surprisingly, even the MEAC headquarters is based in Norfolk. 

 2024 has come around and MEAC regular season basketball has ended with both Norfolk State University Mens and Women’s teams leading the conference in the number 1 position. The Men’s team finished 11-3 for conference play for the season and the Women’s team ended with a 13-1 record. They’re absolutely crushing it. 

Norfolk basically runs this conference at this point, we host almost every year, we have the HQ, we’re the top team in the conference. What more could you ask for?

MEAC 2024:
If you want to catch up on the Norfolk-fest that is MEAC 2024, you’re in luck. The tournament runs from Wednesday March 13th through Saturday March 16th. Quarter finals make up Wednesday and Thursday, semi-finals on Friday, and championship games on Saturday. All of it at Scope Arena. Full schedule here. 

MEAC Impact:
MEAC has a huge impact on Downtown Norfolk businesses with big crowds in town for several days. Past years have seen the tournament goers book 2500+ rooms and spend $4.9 million in the nearby economy. If we’re lucky, that will just growing in the years to come. 

After Parties:
Of course, no major college sports event would be complete without a proper after party. There’s a ton happening in Downtown Norfolk after the games come to an end. Here’s some notable ones:

Alpha After Work Day Party at Harbor Club. 4:00 pm Friday. Rip it.
Alumni Fest Championship Kickoff at Waterside. 6:00 pm Friday. Rip it. 
Lin Rountree, Jacob Webb and guests perform live at Brother’s. 6:00 pm Friday. Rip it. 
MEAC All Black Affair at Sheraton Waterside. 9:30 pm Friday. Rip it.
"You, Me and The 2000s" with DJ Supladies & Fake Uzumi at Baxter’s. 10:00 pm Friday. Rip it. 
Hey Ma! After Party with SugarBearz and Rayvon at Chicho’s Backstage. 10:00 pm Friday. Rip it. 

MEAC Fan Fest Powered by the RnB Block Party at Scope Plaza. 9:00 am Saturday. Rip it.
Occupy Granby 12 at Baxter’s. 2:00 pm Saturday. Rip it.
The Official MEAC Championship Concert at Chrysler Hall. 7:00 pm Saturday. Rip it.

📆 Next Three Days of Events📆

WEDNESDAY:
Klassic Doughnut Popup at Cova Brewing. 7:00 am. Rip it. 
Align: Small Business Series at NSU Innovation Center. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
MEAC Basketball Tournament at Scope Arena. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Super Casual Wednesday Bike Ride departing Slow & Steady Bikes. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Mustang and Ford Association Doumar’s Cruise In. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Boardgame Night at Atlantis Games & Comics. 6:00pm. Rip it.
D&D Game Night at Atlantis Games & Comics. 6:00pm. Rip it.
Fireside Jams at Elation Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Chakra Healing Circle at Gypsea Roots Collective. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Norfolk Run Club Wednesday Meetup at Afterglow Brewing. 6:20 pm. Rip it. 
Cocktails for a Cause at Town Point Club. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Trivia Night at Smartmouth. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Planetarium Show at Michael and Kimthanh Lê Planetarium. 7:00pm. Rip it.
Trivia Night at MJ’s Tavern. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Trivia Night at Torch Bistro. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Trivia Night at Hank’s Filling Station. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Trivia Night at Reaver Beach. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Brandon Bower band performs live at Grain. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Sky’s the Limit Yoga at Eleanor's Bookstore. 7:15 pm. Rip it.
Bhav Brigade Yoga at Norfolk Karate Academy. 7:15 pm. Rip it.
Ken Ludwig's The Three Musketeers at Wells Theater. 7:30 pm. Rip it. 
Glasgow Kiss performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 7:30 pm. Rip it. 

THURSDAY:
MEAC Basketball Tournament at Scope Arena. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Flood Strategy Open House at Southside Aquatics Center. 5:30 pm. Rip it. 
Open Mic Night at Cova Brewing Company. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Thrilling Thursday Bike Ride at East Coast Bicycles. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Open Gym at Push Comedy. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
POSSES$ION - 8th Annual Immersive Theatre Series at Hermitage Museum & Gardens. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Hampton Roads Pride Night at The Three Musketeers. 6:30pm. Rip it.
Attack of the Rookies! Improv Comedy Showcase at Push Comedy. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Carlton Baker performs live at Brother’s. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Cypher Night at House Of Consciousness. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Trivia Night at Bold Mariner. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Trivia Night at Pixel’s. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Trivia Night at Baxter’s. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Trivia Night at Stockpot. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Cody Stageburg band performs live at Grain. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Demons, Prisoner, Listless, Domthedestroyer, And Dettermeine at Chicho’s Backstage. 7:30 pm. Rip it. 
Garden Stars at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Ken Ludwig's The Three Musketeers at Wells Theater. 7:30 pm. Rip it. 
Glasgow Kiss performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 7:30 pm. Rip it. 
Performers Playground Stage Workshop at The Venue on 35th. 9:00 pm. Rip it.

FRIDAY:
Norfolk Run Club Friday Meetup at Yorgo's Bageldashery. 6:00 am. Rip it
TIDEWATER ORCHID SOCIETY SHOW & SALE at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 9:00 am. Rip it
Writers Who Submit at The Muse Writers Center. 9:30 am. Rip it 
USO on the Go at Naval Station Norfolk. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Babygarten at The Slover. 10:30 am. Rip it
Sensory Toddler Time at Jordan-Newby Anchor Branch Library at Broad Creek. 10:30 am. Rip it
St. Paddy's Weekend at Hank's Filling Station. 11:00 am. Rip it
MEAC Basketball Tournament at Scope Arena. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Join Us at Greater Richmond Convention Center. 2:00 pm. Rip it
Do Look Up! Solar Eclipse Party. 3:00 pm. Rip it
Friday Night Live at COVA Brewing Company. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Friday Night Magic: Commander at Atlantis Games & Comics. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Luck Oil Making at Aries Apothecary, LLC. 6:00 pm. Rip it 
Family Twilight Trek at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 6:00 pm. Rip it
POSSES$ION - 8th Annual Immersive Theatre Series at Hermitage Museum and Gardens. 6:30 pm. Rip it
Michael Carson performs live at Brothers. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Closed Rehearsal: Chicken & Biscuits at Little Theatre of Norfolk. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Wanda Sykes: Please & Thank You Tour at SevenVenues. 7:30 pm. Rip it
Norfolk Word Art Show at The Muse Writers Center. 7:30 pm. Rip it 
Friday Night Magic: Draft at Atlantis Games & Comics. 7:30 pm. Rip it
Ken Ludwig's The Three Musketeers at Virginia Stage Company. 7:30 pm. Rip it 
The JAM! The Women's History Month Edition at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it 
Glasgow Kiss Plays at Grace O'Malley's Irish Pub & Restaurant. 8:30 pm. Rip it
What Happened to RnB at The NorVA. 9:00 pm. Rip it
Aaron Fulcher performs live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it. 
Official Fri. Night MEAC All Black Affair at Sheraton Waterside. 9:30 pm. Rip it.
Teacher's Pet - Improv Comedy Show at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it
"You, Me and The 2000s" with DJ Supladies & Fake Uzumi at Baxter’s. 10:00 pm. Rip it. 

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