Hearts will race and thousands will sweat this Labor Day in Virginia Beach. Two invigorating events will get you groovin' and a-movin' along the seashore. The 11th Annual American Music Festival kicks off September 3-6 and will be featuring the sizzling tunes of national and regional recording artists. Participants in the 4th Annual Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon will be kicking up some sand for a charitable cause September 5.

Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon
On September 5, 2004, more than 16,000 runners and walkers will be racing and pacing their way to the finish line of the 4th Annual Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon. The race, which is quickly becoming known as a premier athletic competition, consists of a 13.1-mile oceanfront course that starts adjacent to the Virginia Beach Pavilion Convention Center, runs through the resort area, dashes through Camp Pendleton, rounds 37th Street and finishes on the breathtaking oceanfront Boardwalk. After the race, participants will experience a post-race Finish Line Beach Party on the sand as well as a spectacular headliner concert by Sugar Ray, Collective Soul and Fallen From Grace that evening.

The half marathon starts at 7 a.m. and offers an invitational wheelchair and elite women's start at 6:40 and 6:45 a.m. Sixteen local cheerleading squads will be stationed at various locations to cheer on the participants and music from 20 live local bands along 14 stages will be rocking the oceanfront streets.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training program is the official charity and training program of the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon. In the past two years, participants in the event have raised more than $3.4 million, helping to fund blood-related cancer research and patient services. Team In Training provides participants with a fitness program, expert coaching, a support team of runners and walkers, entry into the half marathon and travel and accommodations in Virginia Beach.

11th Annual Verizon Wireless American Music Festival
Virginia Beach will again host the largest outdoor music concert on the East Coast-the Verizon Wireless American Music Festival, presented by JABRA-on September 3-6. Featuring three dozen bands that will rock your body, it is a non-stop four-day party of music and fun for all ages. Headlining the event will be Sugar Ray, Collective Soul, Fallen From Grace, B-52's, Baha Men, Isley Brothers, S.O.S. Band, The Charlie Daniel's Band and Georgia Satellites on the 5th Street stage. Along 10 other stages will be performers such as The Gin Blossoms, Bill Deal's Rhondels, The Pat McGee Band and much more.

Although most concerts are free and open to the public, "passport pins" allow patrons access to all ticketed performances, including the headlining acts. Available for $20, pins can be purchased locally, beginning July 15 at the Virginia Beach Visitor Information Center, Virginia Beach Hotel & Motel Association, the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater, David's Beach Shop, Beachevents Resort Office or through Ticketmaster (service charge is included). Individual performance tickets are available in advance or at the gate.

Verizon Wireless American Music Festival, Presented by JABRA
Entertainment Lineup

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2004
5th Street Main Stage (7:15pm-11:00pm)
6:00pm        Gates Open
7:15pm        The S.O.S. Band
9:30pm        The Isley Brothers

17th Street Stage (5:30pm-11:00pm)
4:30pm        Gates Open
5:30pm        Holiday Band
8:30pm        Bill Deal's Rhondels

24th Street Stage (6:15pm-11:00pm)
5:30pm        Gates Open
6:15pm        Jesse Chong
7:30pm        Carbon Leaf
9:30pm        Pat McGee Band

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2004
5th Street Main Stage (6:00pm-9:00pm)
4:30pm        Gates Open
6:00pm        Baha Men
7:30pm        B-52's

13th Street Stage (7:00pm-9:30pm)
7:00pm        Butter

17th Street Stage (6:30pm-11:00pm)
6:00pm        Gates Open
6:30pm        The Lizards
7:45pm        Vanilla Fudge
9:30pm        Bad Company lead singer Brian Howe

20th Street Stage (5:00pm-7:30pm)
5:00pm        Chasing Rhinos

22nd Street Stage (8:00pm-10:30pm)
8:00pm        Strictly Bizzness

24th Street Stage (7:15pm-11:00pm)
6:00pm        Gates Open
7:15pm        Peaches & Herb
9:30pm        WAR

25th Street Stage (8:30pm-11:00pm)
8:30pm        Latin Music (TBA)

29th Street Stage (6:00pm-11:00pm)
5:00pm        Gates Open
6:00pm        Some Odd Cents
7:30pm        Seven Mary Three
9:30pm        Gin Blossoms

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2004
5th Street Main Stage (6:00pm-11:00pm)
4:30pm        Gates Open
6:00pm        Fallen From Grace
7:20pm        Sugar Ray
8:45pm        Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon Awards
9:30pm        Collective Soul

13th Street Stage (7:00pm-9:30pm)
7:00pm        Dynamohum

17th Street Stage (Beach Music, 5:30pm-11:00pm)
5:00pm        Gates Open
5:30pm        The Entertainers
8:30pm        Mystic Soul Bubbas

20th Street Stage (5:00pm-7:30pm)
5:00pm        Fools & Horses

22nd Street Stage (8:00pm-10:30pm)
8:00pm        Snackbar Joes

24th Street Stage (7:30pm-11:00pm)
6:30pm        Gates Open
7:30pm        Chip Taylor and Carrie Rodriguez
9:30pm        Robert Earl Keen

25th Street Stage (8:30pm-11:00pm)
8:30pm        Latin Music (TBA)

29th Street Stage (7:30pm-11:00pm)
6:30pm        Gates Open
7:30pm        Filo Math
9:30pm        Twisted Sister

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2004
5th Street Main Stage (2:00pm-6:00pm)
12:30pm       Gates Open
2:00pm        Georgia Satellites
4:30pm        The Charlie Daniels Band

Virginia Beach entices visitors to "Live the Life" every season of the year! Located in the southeastern corner of the state, Virginia Beach is four hours southeast of Washington, D.C., by car and within a day's drive or less from two-thirds of the U.S. population. For visitor information, call 1-800-VA-BEACH (800/822-3224) or visit the Web site www.vbfun.com for online trip planning. For media information and digital images, click on www.vbpressroom.com.