History of the Chesapeake Jubilee

Happy Birthday Chesapeake! That was the idea in 1982 when the idea for the first Jubilee was hatched. The City was turning 20 years old, and the Chesapeake Chamber of Commerce was looking for a way to celebrate in style. At a retreat, former mayor Marian Whitehurst said the city needed a way to celebrate. She became our first chairman. The Jubilee was held at Greenbrier Mall in May of 1983. One of the highlights was a huge birthday cake built by Chesapeake's firefighters. The candles were lit by gas. Fire Chief Buddy Bagley made arrangements for fireworks and has been in charge of them ever since. The Chesapeake 4-H livestock show and sale have always been an integral part of the Jubilee. The youth of Chesapeake have been well served by the educational experience of the 4-H.