As coronavirus cases rise in Norfolk, Festevents announces 3 new events
NORFOLK — With coronavirus cases on the rise in Hampton Roads, Norfolk Festevents has postponed several of its signature events until next year.
But even as the number of COVID-19 cases surge in Norfolk, that hasn’t seemed to deter the city from tempting residents to a slew of new waterside events in place of the scrapped festivals.
On the same day the city set a new record high of 146 positive cases, Festevents on Thursday announced three new weekly outdoor events, including two happy hour series and a family-friendly movie night.
The new events begin next week at Town Point Park and will continue through August, with the possibility of extending through the fall, according to a news release. Attendance will be capped for each event at 1,000 people, though the number could change depending on the state’s COVID-19 guidelines at the time of each event.
The new series will take place as follows:
Thursdays, from 5-8 p.m. – Happy hour concerts with live entertainment
Fridays, from 5-8 p.m. – Chip & Sip, interactive target golf game and happy hour
Saturdays, from 8–11 p.m. – Family outdoor movie nights
The annual Norfolk Waterside Jazz Festival, previously scheduled for Aug. 21–22, was one of the events removed from the city’s event lineup. Instead, Festevents is now planning a Jazz Festival Tribute featuring local musicians for the same weekend.
All events will implement COVID-19 regulations, the announcement said, including requiring all attendees to wear face coverings at all times unless they are eating or drinking. Guests are encouraged to practice social distancing and refrain from gathering around bars, food trucks or stages. They will be asked to take all food and beverages to their seats.
No one with a fever, symptoms or known exposure to the coronavirus in the prior 14 days will be allowed to enter the event area.
“We are excited to be open again and to bring great outdoor entertainment to our community,” said Festevents CEO Karen Scherberger in the news release. “However, the success and our ability to continue these and other events will depend on how well our patrons follow the important safety guidelines that everyone should be aware of by now.”