Buckroe Beach Grooms for a Gay Summer Season

Record Number of Excursions Are Booked

BUCKROE BEACH -- Since the opening of its 1938 season two weeks ago, there has been a steady increase of summer residents at Buckroe, one of Virginia's oldest seaside resorts. New cottages have been erected and the older ones remodeled, until now this summer playground presents itself as spic and span and trim as a ship on the horizon of the blue-watered Chesapeake. With more reservations than in many years, plans are being made for an unusually active season, continuing until labor Day.

Problems of Buckroe Beach vacationists from Richmond and other inland cities will rest on experienced shoulders--those of T. M. McComb, who for the past eight seasons has been general manager of the beach.

A record number of excursions have been booked for June alone from Richmond, in addition to others from Newport News, Suffolk, Portsmouth and Hampton. Especially popular are the twilight trips from Virginia's capital, which enable Richmonders to come to the beach late in the afternoon in time for swimming and dinner. The "twilights" leave usually about 10 P. M., giving the excursionists opportunity to dance in the cool seaside ballroom before the abbreviated outing is concluded.

Midway is Gay

Buckroe's gay and colorful midway has lost none of its appeal to both kiddies and oldsters. There, in kaleidocopic profusion, bursts forth a myriad of attractions, including the old mill, the thriller, Lindy Loop, the airplanes, the merry-go-round, rides, games, and countless other alluring features. Then, for the children, the central part of the midway will reverberate with their happy cries of joy and gay laughter as they partake of the abundant pleasures awaiting them in the Kiddieland enclosure. It is here that one finds four rides for the children--circular swan swings, pony cart journey, ferris wheel and circular boat ride.

Dancing is enjoyed nightly, except Sundays, on the cool seaside pavilion where Shelly Harmon and his "ambassadors of rhythm and swing" have found much favor with the local dance set in providing music that is in trend with the times. Popular prices prevail and special features will be announced from time to time throughout the summer by the management. Other outstanding dance orchestras will follow Harmon for limited engagements thoughout the summer season.

With the majority of people on the Virginia peninsula, Buckroe is a favorite beach in this section. There is practically no treacherous undertow, and the presence of smooth sand underfoot makes for ideal bathing conditions. On its firm sandy beach, sloping gently into the Chesapeake, many suntanners enjoy numerous beach activities. The large and spacious bath house, a landmark for many years, is maintained for the convenience of those who want to come to the beach without going to the inconvenience of dragging along a wet bathing suit and other cumbersome attire. The bath house and season hotel have been completely remodeled and repainted.

Hotel Reconditioned

The Hotel Buckroe Beach, and its seaside dining room is again under the management of R. B. Thompson, who operates the Hotel Langley in near-by Hampton. The cool seaside hotel has 75 rooms with all modern conveniences and the entire structure has been thoroughly reconditioned. New springs and mattresses have been installed in every room to insure greater sleeping comfort. As in past seasons, the hotel is expected to serve as a focal point for those who come for extended rests, due to its proximity to every beach attraction and event.

Fishing boats for the vacationists are capably manned by experienced guides, who daily ply their little craft out into the deep waters in quest of Chesapeake fish.

Buckroe boasts of its large and roomy picnic pavillion, a favorite rendezvous for the family gathering at mealtime. Protected from the blistering rays of the sun and occasional summer showers, it is a convenient haven from the gay rounds of attractions at this playground by the sea.