A new music festival is coming to Newport News. Here’s what to expect.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Newport News is gearing up for its first-ever major music festival, and city leaders are excited to attract national musical talent to the area.

News 3’s Kelsey Jones sat down with Mayor Phillip Jones to discuss plans to make this vision a reality over the next 18 months.

“I think it’s going to grow over the years, but I see it as a multi-day festival,” said Mayor Jones, who mentioned the festival could be a one or three day festival. .

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Asked what type of musical artists he hopes to attract, Mayor Jones said he is currently in talks with high-profile artists, although he did not share specific names.

“I don’t know what it’s going to look like, but I have a lot of confidence in the city staff. I’m really excited about what we can bring not only to Newport News but to the entire Peninsula,” Jones added.

One possible location for the festival is Victory Landing Park, a scenic waterfront location favored by the mayor and some city council members. To gauge community interest, Kelsey Jones spoke with local residents who were unaware of the festival’s plans.

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“What kind of music festival?” » one person asked, expressing curiosity about the event.

Another resident said: “It would be a good thing – we need more activity in this area. » When asked if they would attend, their response was: “Of course! »

City leaders believe the festival will not only enhance local entertainment options, but also boost tourism and support local businesses.

Jones said many Virginia cities receive tourism dollars and state sponsorships to host festivals that attract visitors and encourage local spending.

Governor Glenn Youngkin recently announced roughly $800,000 in state subsidies for 81 events and festivals through the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s Special Events and Festivals Sponsorship Program.

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“I saw all these cities getting state grants for public-private partnerships, and I wondered, ‘Why are we being left out?’ That’s because we don’t really have a big event, so let’s make it happen. Mayor Jones expressed.

Jones stressed that this festival doesn’t intend to compete with Pharrell’s “Something in the Water” festival, but he hopes this new festival can be just as big.

“It’s the whole region coming together. We have an incredible arts and culture scene – let’s highlight it,” he said.

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To ensure the festival meets community expectations, Mayor Jones plans to host community forums where families can share their ideas and preferences. Although dates for these meetings have not yet been announced, residents are encouraged to stay tuned for updates.

News 3 will provide the latest news on the Newport News Music Festival and other community events.