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Festival goers seek fun and shelter at Virginia Beach Convention Center during Something in the Water

Posted at 9:53 PM, Apr 26, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-26 22:19:35-04

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The first stop for many festival-goers was the ticket area at the Virginia Beach Convention Center on 19th street.

The convention center was always planned as a hub for transportation and activates away from the beach, but Friday the building was packed with people just looking to stay dry.

“Literally everybody ran towards some sort of shelter, my friends and I actually had to run into a porta-potty to hide because there was no way of getting safely to the convention center,” says festival-goer Justine Chan.

A wave of rain pounded Virginia Beach in a flash, leaving many running for the closest thing to shelter, even if it is an outdoor toilet.

“We did see a big gust coming and instead of running away we thought running towards a porta potty just to seek some sort of shelter would be safer than being just under the water,” says Chan.

The convention center became a place of refuge after a washed-out Day 1 of Something in the Water.

A photo wall inside the center captured all the smiles and good vibes inside. Many people say the rain isn’t going to put a damper on their good time.

“Rain or shine, baby, so we got to go, you know, so I mean the action is not going to stop so we’re not going to stop. We’re going to bring the energy. This is the first time they’re in Virginia Beach so we got to show them some love,” says festival goer DJ Imperial.

With festival dreams deferred for the day, a dream wall was the most appropriate and maybe even unconventional activity at the convention center.

Kyra Smith wrote out her dream on a piece of paper and thumb-tacked it to the 'Dream Wall' along with more than 100 other people who shared their life dream with Virginia Beach.

“My dream is to be able to make a difference in a child’s life as a first grade teacher… I just want to make that difference in a child’s life even if it’s only one,” says Smith.

Many people are still dreaming of the good memories and good music to come on Saturday. Activities at the convention center continue Saturday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Click here for our full coverage on the Something in the Water festival.