It’s Wednesday in the NFK, here’s what we’re watching today:

🇺🇸 💸 Patriotic Festival Returns to Norfolk, Promising Economic Boost 🇺🇸 💸 

🎖️🏛️ The Issues Facing Vets 🎖️🏛️

📆 Next Three Days of Events📆

🇺🇸 💸 Patriotic Festival Returns to Norfolk, Promising Economic Boost 🇺🇸 💸 

The highly-publicized Patriotic Festival is set to return for its 20th year, and it’s third in Norfolk, bringing with it a wave of economic activity and excitement over Memorial Day Weekend. The four-day event, taking place from May 23-26, will feature a lineup of top-tier musical acts, military displays, and free activities, drawing thousands of visitors to the city's downtown area.

Economic Impact

The festival's economic impact on Norfolk is expected to be significant. In previous years, the event has generated millions of dollars in economic activity for the city, according to Magnum Economics. This year, with an expanded lineup and continued post-pandemic recovery, an even greater economic boost could be on the way.

Local businesses, particularly those in the hospitality and tourism sectors, are poised to benefit moderately from the influx of visitors. Past years have shown that a majority of attendees, while not Norfolk residents, are Hampton Roads residents, and just under 10,000 came from out of state. One hotel staff member in the downtown area, who asked not to be named directly, said their hotel is already reporting higher than usual room bookings but not yet sell outs. Similarly restaurants and bars stand to see a decent uptick in business with last years festival bringing $1,905,000 in additional food and beverage spending. 

Beyond the Dollars

The Patriotic Festival's impact extends beyond the purely economic. The event serves as a tribute to the active duty and retired military members, fostering a sense of patriotism as well as boosting Norfolk’s reputation as a military-friendly community. Norfolk also gets the opportunity to showcase the vibrant Downtown area to thousands of locals and tourists alike, attracting potential residents, return visitors, and maybe even investors.

Challenges and Opportunities

While the festival promises a significant economic boost, it’s no easy feat to pull off. Managing increased traffic and ensuring public safety are big undertakings and do not come cheap. Last year the festival required at least five street closures, but likely did put some extra parking cash in the coffers with $20 rates.  

Hosting events of this scale is important for future opportunities as well. Showing other potential event producers that the city can successfully host major festivals and manage the logistics smoothly will help solidify Norfolk’s position as a premier location for major cultural events.

The Lineup

The economic impacts aside, this festival is a fantastic way for locals to celebrate Memorial Day and enjoy world class entertainment in their hometown. 

Thursday May 23, 2024: Warren Zeiders & Alana Springsteen

Friday May 24, 2024: Bailey Zimmerman, Nate Smith, Josh Ross

Saturday May 25. 2024: Hardy, Ella Langley, John Morgan

Sunday May 26, 2024: Zac Brown Band, Megan Moroney

Tickets and more information available here. 

🎖️🏛️ The Issues Facing Vets 🎖️🏛️ 

It’s no secret that Norfolk and the 757 are home to more than their fair share of veterans. Those vets have their own specific set of concerns when it comes to the government, which handles their retirement, healthcare, and other important services for them. 

Next Wednesday, local veterans are getting their own Town Hall to hear more about the latest legislative and budget changes as well as to talk directly with representatives who work on those issues. 

Delegates Phil Hernandez and Michael Feggans are hosting the “For Our Veterans” Town Hall at the American Legion Post 35 in Ocean View. They’ll be joined by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. This event is a golden opportunity, especially if you're interested in the inner workings of legislation and budgets affecting veterans in Virginia. Not only will you get the latest updates, but you'll also have a chance to connect directly with delegates and state officials. 

Of the topics to be discussed is HB 558, which brings a ballot initiative to the entire state to approve or reject real property tax exemptions for the spouses of those who died in the line of duty. The referendum would be an expansion of current exemptions which cover just the spouses of those killed in action. 

The event takes place on May 29th at 5:30 pm and the organizers asked those with questions to email [email protected].

📆 Next Three Days of Events📆

WEDNESDAY:
Klassic Doughnut Popup at Cova Brewing. 7:00 am. Rip it. 
7th Annual May BizConnect "Gives Back" Networking/Coffee at Harbor Club. 8:00 am. Rip it. 
Utilities Career Fair at Jordan-Newby. 2:00 pm. Rip it. 
Summer Market Grand Opening at Afterglow. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
Super Casual Wednesday Bike Ride departing Slow & Steady Bikes. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Car Crazy Cruise In at Doumar’s. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Diverse Hampton Roads Sunset Social at Plum Point Park. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Boardgame Night at Atlantis Games & Comics. 6:00pm. Rip it.
Norfolk Run Club Wednesday Meetup at Armed Forces Brewing. 6:20 pm. Rip it.
Wednesday Night Music Bingo at Sanctuary Lambert’s Point. 6:30 pm. Rip it. 
Trivia Night at Smartmouth. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
D&D Game Night at Atlantis Games & Comics. 6:30pm. Rip it.
The Improvised Movie Workshop at Push Comedy. 6:30 pm. Rip it. 
Forward! To the Moon at Michael and Kimthanh Lê Planetarium. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Bhav Brigade Sunset Yoga near the Pagoda. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Trivia Night at MJ’s Tavern. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Trivia Night at Torch Bistro. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Trivia Night at Hank’s Filling Station. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Trivia Night at Stockpot. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Trivia Night at Azalea Inn Grill. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Pat Garvey performs live at Grace O'Malley's. 7:30 pm. Rip it. 

THURSDAY:
Business On The Balcony at The Slover. 5:30 pm. Rip it.
Open Mic Night at Cova Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Ocean View Run Club Group Run/Walk at The OV Beach Tavern. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Park to Park to Park Mountain Bike Ride at Northside Park. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Trivia Night at Elation. 6:30 pm. Rip it. 
Crazy DJ Music Bingo at Smartmouth. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Trivia Night at Bold Mariner. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Trivia Night at Pixel’s. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Trivia Night at Baxter’s. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Patriotic Festival: Warren Zeiders at Chrysler Hall. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Cypher Night at House Of Consciousness. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Pat Garvey performs live at Grace O'Malley's. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Sounds Made Up: Real Stories & Improvised Musical Comedy at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Garden Stars at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 8:30 pm. Rip it. 
Performers Playground Stage Workshop at The Venue on 35th. 9:00 pm. Rip it.

FRIDAY:
Norfolk Run Club Friday Meetup at Yorgo's Bageldashery . 6:00 am. Rip it 
Sunrise Yoga + Coffee On The River at Pagoda & Oriental Garden. 6:30 am. Rip it 
Trail Beautification Days at Elizabeth River Trail. 9:00 am. Rip it 
Children's Yoga at Park Place Branch Library. 4:30 pm. Rip it 
Vince Kornegay performs live at Smartmouth Beer. 4:30 pm. Rip it.
Friday Night Live: Matt & Ali at Cova Brewing Company. 6:00 pm. Rip it 
Friday Night Magic: Commander at Atlantis Games & Comics. 6:00 pm. Rip it
An American Abroad: Opening Night Celebration at Hermitage Museum and Gardens. 6:00 pm. Rip it 
Gabe Schillman performs live at Granby Theater. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Wine Dark Sea performs live at Elation Brewing. 6:30 pm. Rip it
Red Sky in the Morning, Sailors Warning - Maritime Disasters of Hampton Roads at Elmwood Cemetery. 6:30 pm. Rip it
Carlton Baker performs live at Brothers. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Open Mic Night at The Muse Writers Center. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Family Twilight Trek at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Justin Kauflin presents Michael Hawkins & The Brotherhood. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Patriotic Festival presents Bailey Zimmerman at Scope Arena. 7:00 pm. Rip it
GSA’s Something Rotten at the Wells Theater. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Kountry Wayne: The King of Hearts Tour at Chrysler Hall. 7:30 pm. Rip it 
Friday Night Magic: Draft at Atlantis Games & Comics. 7:30 pm. Rip it
Indecent performed by Generic Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Cult Comedy Show at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Pat Garvey Plays at Grace O'Malley's Irish Pub & Restaurant. 8:30 pm. Rip it 
Vince Kornegay performs live at Tap It Local. 9:00 pm. Rip it.

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