VB City Council to discuss financial support for Something in the Water

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – Virginia Beach City Council is expected to meet Tuesday night to figure out the financial support for the Something in the Water Festival. This comes just a few days after the festival was originally slated to take place on Oct. 12-13 .

During last week’s city council meeting, members spoke at length about the festival. Something in the Water organizer Robby Wells said they expect to propose new dates for the festival by Oct. 19.

Councilmembers hope the festival returns to College Beach Weekend in April for 2025, saying this is the time of year most people want the event to take place. Councilmember Joash Schulman then reminded Wells of the impact the cancelation had on the economy, stating they all need to do better.

“Beyond the disappointment and the fanbase, there are some serious monetary revenue impacts for our local economy in terms of having this festival rescheduled,” Schulman said. “People who made reservations at hotels, who made travel arrangements, events and weddings that were turned away.”

In addition to discussing Something in the Water, councilmembers are also expected to vote to approve additional funding for the 5/31 memorial, which aims to honor the 12 people who were shot and killed in a mass shooting at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center on May 31, 2019.

Last week, the 5/31 committee learned they were $4.3 million short to complete the memorial. The project is anticipated to cost the city more than $12 million and be completed by May 31, 2026.

City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

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