Good Morning Virginia Beach!

This week, a familiar local space is getting a surprising new purpose, two big festival weekends are giving us plenty to look forward to, and a national ranking is putting our coastline in the spotlight. There is also a meaningful piece of local history, an exhibit unlike anything you would expect and a feel-good story worth slowing down for as you scroll.

Let’s dive in!

— Kim Checcio

Virginia Beach has officially earned another reason to brag about our coastline. The city ranked No. 3 in the country for bottlenose dolphin sightings, making it the highest-ranked major metropolitan area on the list.

The study documented 15,429 dolphin observations across 1,747 recorded sightings near Virginia Beach.

Our region made a strong showing overall, with six Hampton Roads and Outer Banks destinations landing in the top 20:

With access to both the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean, it is no surprise that dolphins are such a familiar sight around Virginia Beach. The rankings are based on scientific survey locations, so they are not a complete count of every dolphin along the coast, but they still confirm what locals already know: this is one of the best places in the country to spot them.

👉🏼 Click Here: See the full rankings, subscriber access may be required

Get ready to spot some familiar faces around town. A new film called “America’s Favorite” is set to shoot on location throughout Hampton Roads this summer, and it's bringing some real star power with it.

The project was announced by Governor Abigail Spanberger’s office, with actor Dane DeHaan (“The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” “Oppenheimer”) leading as Peter Bale, a TV host trying to revive his career by investigating unsolved murders live on air. “I am proud to welcome America’s Favorite to America’s favorite Commonwealth,” Spanberger said, adding that she can’t wait to see Coastal Virginia on the big screen.

The production will lean on local crews and vendors, which officials say translates into real, tangible impact here at home: booked hotel rooms, restaurant meals, equipment rentals and skilled trade jobs. It’s also the fourth Hampton Roads production for producer Stephen Israel, who called the area’s variety of locations and crew professionalism his favorite part of shooting here.

No exact filming dates or locations have been released yet, so keep an eye out. You never know which street might turn into a movie set next.

👉🏼 Click Here: Read the Full Announcement

National Night Out is bringing a free evening of community fun to ViBe Park, giving locals a chance to connect with neighbors and members of Virginia Beach’s public-safety teams.

Hosted by the ViBe Creative District and the Resort Beach Civic League, the family-friendly celebration will include a community picnic, live music, entertainment and a bounce house for the kids. It is an easy way to spend a summer evening outside while getting to know more of the people who live, work and serve around the Oceanfront.

Event Details

👉🏼 Click Here: Make plans for National Night Out

A new exhibition at the Chrysler Museum of Art is proving that jewelry can be much more than diamonds and sparkle.

Constellations: Contemporary Jewelry from the Dallas Museum of Art features 385 wearable works created by more than 230 artists from 41 countries. The pieces explore identity, sustainability, politics and play through unexpected materials and designs, including plastic bottles, scissors, objects resembling burnt toast and a bracelet topped with a tiny red car.

The exhibition took six years to develop and includes custom displays, videos, sketches and interactive elements that invite visitors to reconsider where art ends and everyday objects begin.

The show is open at the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk through January 3, 2027.

👉🏼 Click Here: See the jewelry redefining wearable art

A Virginia Beach woman’s phone call has helped restore a long-missing name to an important chapter of Hampton Roads history.

After seeing a story about the search for the workers who created what is now Norfolk Botanical Garden, Barbara Rice recognized the stories her grandmother, Marie Freeman Davis Boyd, once shared. Known to her family as “Big Mama,” Boyd was among the Black workers hired in 1938 to clear 25 acres of trees, brush and swamp by hand. The difficult work paid just 25 cents an hour.

Of the original 220 workers, only about 75 have been identified. After historians verified Rice’s memories and family records, Boyd’s name was officially added to the list. Her family will celebrate her legacy at the garden’s annual recognition ceremony this September.

👉🏼 Click Here: Read how one family memory made history

Two popular festivals are bringing plenty to eat, drink and do at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront this August.

The Virginia Beach Street Food Festival is returning for its sixth year, bringing two full days of food, drinks and entertainment to The Shack at the Oceanfront.

Local restaurants and food trucks will serve a wide variety of dishes, with every food item priced at $5 or less so guests can try more without committing to one full meal. The festival will also feature live music and DJs, an axe-throwing trailer, eating challenges, a cornhole tournament, local vendors and family-friendly activities.

Event Details

• Dates: Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9
• Time: 2 to 8 p.m.
• Location: The Shack, 712 Atlantic Avenue
• Admission: Tickets are required; children 10 and younger are free

👉🏼 Click Here: Grab tickets and come hungry

The Coastal Craft Beer Festival is returning to the Oceanfront with more than 60 beers from 30 breweries, two live bands and a new Seaside Saloon experience.

Guests can sample unlimited pours, learn a few line-dancing moves and wear their best cowboy boots and hats for a chance to win prizes. This year’s selection also includes zero-proof beer and seltzer stations, plus a limited-edition golden ale created with Back Bay Brewing and New Realm Brewing in honor of the Neptune Festival’s 50th anniversary.

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, August 15
• Time: 3 to 8 p.m.
• Location: 31st Street Park at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront
• Tickets: Starting at $40
• Included: Unlimited tastings, a commemorative glass and live music
• Age Requirement: 21 and older only

Local food trucks will also be onsite with food available to purchase.

👉🏼 Click Here: See the breweries and grab tickets

Foodies: The Locals’ Market is ending its current chapter at Lynnhaven. Instead, the market will transition into a licensed commercial rental kitchen designed to help local food businesses grow.

The new shared space will be available to:

For small businesses, access to a commercial kitchen can mean pursuing new opportunities without the major expense of building or leasing a facility of their own.

Foodies says the change will allow the space to continue supporting the local food community in an entirely new way.

👉🏼 Click Here: See what is next for Foodies