Something In The Water is scheduled for April 28-30, 2023.
Location:
Primary festival footprint will include all beach access points from the South End to 14th Street with road closures extending to 17th Street on Atlantic Avenue.
Logistics for Locals:
Road closures will be updated in real time on the Waze traffic app.
Residents are encouraged to avoid the interstate entering the oceanfront and access the neighborhood via Norfolk Avenue rather than the Winston Salem entrance.
Expect delays and heavy traffic, especially on Friday afternoon.
Atlantic Avenue will be closed from 5th Street to the South End for all vehicles, bikes, and pedestrians.
Atlantic Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic from 5th-17th Street from 10am on Friday until Sunday, April 20th. Pedestrians will be still allowed access to Atlantic Avenue along these roads.
Atlantic Avenue north of 17th Street will be open with normal traffic patterns.
The bike path from Rudee Bridge to the boardwalk will be closed April 26 - May 1.
There may be additional road closures along Atlantic and Pacific as needed.
Unlike the SITW 2019 event, all oceanfront restaurants will remain open to the public.
Additional bike parking will be available at a temporary Bike Parking Lot on the grass at The Breakers Inn, 1503 Atlantic Ave.
If residents are concerned with noise disturbances, please contact 3-1-1.
Public Safety:
There will be a single command post for all EMS, Fire, Police, Public Works, Sheriff's office, ECCS, and Emergency Management to maintain a coordinated safety plan.
VBPD will have a strong presence throughout the oceanfront and will utilize video monitoring to ensure safety of residents, visitors, and attendees.
Police encourage attendees and locals, "see something, say something;" however, police will be focused on overall safety and major concerns rather than minor infractions or disturbances.
Sunday Pop-Up Church will occur between 20th Street and 22nd Street on the beach and is open to the public.
Volunteers: The Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission is seeking volunteers to serve as independent observers at the Oceanfront during festival. The goal is to observe citizens, City services and visitors to assess the event atmosphere with regards to providing a safe and friendly environment, and look out for any signs of potential human rights violations or discrimination.
Teams of volunteers will observe and evaluate the Oceanfront area by walking along Atlantic Avenue, between 5th and 31st streets, observing parking garages, businesses, hotels, motels and the activities and interactions of the general population.
Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older to participate. Cell phone access is needed to communicate and coordinate during the program. Volunteers must be able to stand and walk for three-hour shifts in large crowds of people. Volunteers will also be asked to complete an online survey to provide feedback about their experience as an independent observer. To access the shift schedule and sign up, visit virginiabeach.gov/hrc. For more information about the Independent Observer Program, email hrc@vbgov.com or call 757-385-1158.
More information about SITW2023 can be located at VirginiaBeach.gov/EventInfo
Questions can be submitted to SITW@vbgov.com
