Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer is threatening to pull the plug on next year’s Something in the Water festival if the organizers don’t sign a contract by Friday.
The city council directed the city and SITW organizers to enter into a contract for the event after the festival was postponed this October.
Festival organizers had a deadline to sign the contract by November 1, the city says. However, News 3 learned in a city council meeting Tuesday afternoon that the contract is not signed.
Watch previous coverage: Virginia Beach city council will discuss a contract for Something in the Water 2025 this week
VB city council will discuss contract for Something in the Water 2025 this week
Some city leaders expressed frustration with organizers, including council member Amelia Ross Hammond who said, “We are not a toy.” Mayor Dyer added, “I am not a happy camper.”
“Don’t mistake kindness for weakness. This is what I consider a culture of arrogance and disrespect for this council and the people of Virginia,” said Mayor Dyer.