Featured Image: Mel Lhuillier | Marlin Chronicle
Spring semester is just five weeks in and all college students can think about is summer break. It is the perfect opportunity to enjoy themselves with zero school-related stress attached. With so many things to do around the area, students have endless chances to make some awesome memories.
Virginia Wesleyan University is right in the middle of one of the hottest tourist spots, especially during the summer. The beach is a huge hit, as there is no better way to relax than to the sound of the waves crashing. When the weather starts getting warmer, the students flock to Chic’s Beach. It is a college student’s dream location, with free parking, little to no children and the whole beach to themselves–on a good day.
After a day at the beach, there is nothing more exhilarating than going to a concert and what better place than the Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater.
The amphitheater is 12 miles away from campus and has been a popular destination in the Virginia Beach area since 1996. It gives the fans an experience of a lifetime with its attractive backdrop, an open outdoor venue that seats about 20,000 people. Additionally, there are an endless amount of options for food. Food trucks offering meals from cheeseburgers to tacos, and even alcoholic beverages.
The lineup for this summer is diverse–even if you’re not a fan of pop or country genres, there are others being showcased such as rock, rap and shock rock. In May, Janet Jackson, the queen of pop, is coming to the amphitheater to give the parents, faculty and staff a night out!
The summer of 2023 has become the summer of music festivals in Virginia Beach, with the Beach It and Something in the Water returning to our coast. Virginia Wesleyan Marlins have a huge advantage being so close to some of the hottest events this summer. Between the line up at the Veteran United Home Loan Amphitheater, and the Beach It! Festival at the Virginia Beach OceanFront, locals and students are in for a treat.
After a three year hiatus, Something in the Water is finally back at our beach. Despite minimal information about the setlist and who is making an appearance, the 3-day VIP admission has been sold out due to all the hype.
There are still other passes available, such as the 3-day general admission pass priced at $299 with the option of 3-day shuttle pass priced at $50. The shuttle pass includes parking at the Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater with a public transport shuttle to the Oceanfront. The shuttles will run all day and will end an hour after the music ends each night.
Beach It! is an all country music festival with big hits like Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell, Brothers Osborne and so many more. The Festival is from June 23 – 25, located at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront from 5th to 8th street.
Passes for this festival include the 3-day general admission pass, 3-day VIP pass and 3-day VIP reserved pass with prices starting at $249 and ending at $1,149 respectively. For active military, retired veterans and first responders discounted passes are available through Vet Tix. They also have a payment plan for your purchases called Layaway. The event will also offer lockers to guests to rent, to store their personal belongings safely.
There are so many opportunities to hear good music, and make awesome memories this summer. Go out and adventure each weekend. Make your summer worth every minute, and don’t leave it with any regrets!
By Madison Dzwonkowski
mkdzwonkowski@vwu.edu
