VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Riding on the heels of a successful planned return for the Something in the Water Festival, the Virginia Beach City Council is planning to discuss another musical possibility.
On Feb. 7, agenda documents show that members will address the proposed "Beach IT!" music festival.
Their hope is to bring both emerging and top country artists together in the south beach area of the city.
The Patriotic Festival moved from Virginia Beach to Norfolk last year. But, Beach IT! would take its place, from June 23rd through the 25th.
“We mourn the loss of Patriotic Festival, so this would be a nice, pleasant activity to replace that for us," said Virginia Beach Restaurant Association Executive Director Martha Davenport.
Davenport said business owners are buzzing about the new festival potential and the busy summer ahead. Something in the Water Festival kicks off in April and the new action sports Jackalope Festival in June.
"We are going to be at the capacity for fun this summer," Davenport said.
The potential Beach IT! venue area would stretch from 1st Street to 8th Street at the Oceanfront.
If successful, officials hope that this would become an annual event.
In order to assist and attract the festival to the area, the city would allocate an initial $1.5 million in funds that would be adjusted if needed.
Paperwork on the city agenda includes a sponsorship agreement city officials could sign with Live Nation. It said the company would let city officials know the names of performing artists by March 30.
Live Nation is behind big events like the Tortuga Music Festival in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This year, country music stars Shania Twain, Eric Church and Kenny Chesney are headlining Tortuga.