Latest news with #Harborfest
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
LVA says controversial speaker banned from VFW and Sheraton
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A controversial speaker initially listed for the upcoming USS Liberty Veterans Association reunion in Norfolk has been banned from speaking at the event at the Sheraton, according to organizers. John Dixon, media director for the Liberty Veterans Association, also confirmed the VFW's decision to remove Peters from a separate memorial service at the USS Liberty Monument, hosted by VFW Post 4809 in Norfolk June 8. 'As of right now, Stew Peters is banned,' Dixon said. 'That's all we can say. We don't know anything — the reasoning behind it. We don't know anything.' The reunion, scheduled for June 6–9 at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel, will bring together survivors and supporters of the USS Liberty, a U.S. Navy ship attacked during the 1967 Six-Day War. Dr. Kenny T. Fountain, a professor and director of Writing & Rhetoric at the University of Virginia, said understanding the historical context is important. Criticism emerged after an online flyer circulated listing far-right media personality Stew Peters among the speakers. Peters has faced backlash for pushing antisemitic rhetoric and conspiracy theories. In a statement released last week to 10 On Your Side, the VFW emphasized it does not support extremist ideologies. Fountain said rhetoric like Peters' is not just inflammatory, but potentially harmful. 'Anti-Jewish sentiment that transcends the state of Israel gets kindled by these kinds of ideas,' he said. 'Repetition can encourage belief, whether we like it or not.' City officials say a robust security plan is in place for the weekend, which coincides with Norfolk's annual Harborfest celebration. The city of Norfolk stated that 'Norfolk Police Department will have an increased security presence throughout downtown Norfolk during the entire Harborfest weekend. NPD also receives additional assistance from federal law enforcement partners during Harborfest. While specific details cannot be provided, the Norfolk Police Department maintains a robust security plan for large scale events such as this one to ensure the safety of our public. ' WAVY 10 has reached out the Sheraton numerous times, and has yet to receive a response. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Maritime festival, a supercharged Harborfest, planned in Norfolk for America's 250th birthday
NORFOLK — Surrounded by tugboats blaring their horns, sprays of water and the tall ship American Rover, Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Friday kicked off a one-year countdown to a massive maritime festival. During a news conference at the Waterside dock, Youngkin and city and state officials announced plans for the Sail250 festival to celebrate the United States' 250th anniversary. Addressing the City Council this week, Karen Scherberger, Sail250 executive director, described the event as a supercharged version of Norfolk's annual Harborfest festival. Scheduled for the Juneteenth weekend in 2026, it will feature more than 60 tall ships and military vessels from at least 20 countries that are expected to dock in Norfolk as the city and country celebrates the United States' sesquicentennial. Youngkin highlighted Virginia's historic role in American independence during his remarks Friday, noting iconic Revolutionary War scenes in Virginia such as Hanover County's Patrick Henry proclaiming, 'Give me liberty, or give me death.' 'America was really founded by Virginians,' Youngkin said. 'This story is one that we have to remind ourselves is not just part of our national narrative, but Virginia's.' Events during the weekend will include a June 19 boat parade, fireworks and ship tours, among others. Scherberger said Tuesday that 22 tall ships confirmed they will be at the event, and another 24 have been invited. Scherberger said the last big maritime celebration of this scope was OpSail 2012, when vessels paraded and docked in Norfolk to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. She said the event could draw more than 3 million visitors to Virginia over a 10-day period in 11 cities, as well as $150 million in visitor spending. Alexandria, Cape Charles, Chesapeake, Hampton, Onancock, Portsmouth, Richmond, Smithfield, Virginia Beach and Yorktown also will be participate. Across the country, Sail250 events also are planned for New Orleans, Baltimore, New York and Boston. On Tuesday, after hearing a presentation from Scherberger, Norfolk City Council members debated the logistics of holding the event along with a Juneteenth celebration. Council member Mamie Johnson, who is co-chairing a city planning committee for a celebration in Town Point Park, said she and co-chair Jeremy McGee were navigating how the events could be celebrated at the same time. However, council member John 'JP' Page said he thought mixing Juneteenth celebrations with the maritime event was a horrible idea. Mayor Kenny Alexander said he was concerned Juneteenth would be lost amid the Sail250 celebrations. He hoped members of the Juneteenth committee would sign off on coordinating with the Sail250 event. Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345,
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Maritime festival, a supercharged Harborfest, planned in Norfolk for America's 250th birthday
NORFOLK — Surrounded by tugboats blaring their horns, sprays of water and the tall ship American Rover, Gov. Glenn Youngkin kicked off a one-year countdown to a massive maritime festival on Friday. Youngkin and city and state officials announced plans for the Sail250 festival to celebrate the United States' 250th anniversary during a news conference at the Waterside dock in downtown Norfolk. Addressing the City Council earlier this week, Karen Scherberger, Sail250 executive director, described the event as a supercharged version of Norfolk's annual Harborfest festival. Held during the Juneteenth weekend in 2026, it will feature more than 60 tall ships and military vessels from at least 20 countries that are expected to dock in Norfolk as the city and country celebrates the United States' sesquicentennial. Youngkin highlighted Virginia's historic role in American independence during his remarks Friday, noting iconic Revolutionary War scenes happened in Virginia like when Hanover County's Patrick Henry proclaimed, 'Give me liberty, or give me death.' 'America was really founded by Virginians,' Youngkin said. 'This story is one that we have to remind ourselves is not just part of our national narrative, but Virginia's.' Events during the weekend will include a June 19 boat parade, fireworks and ship tours, among others. Scherberger said Tuesday that 22 tall ships have confirmed they will be at the event, and another 24 have been invited. Scherberger said the last big maritime celebration of this scope was OpSail 2012, when vessels paraded and docked in Norfolk to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. She said the event could draw more than 3 million visitors to Virginia over a 10-day period in 11 cities, as well as $150 million in visitor spending. In addition to Norfolk, Alexandria, Cape Charles, Chesapeake, Hampton, Onancock, Portsmouth, Richmond, Smithfield, Virginia Beach and Yorktown will be participating in the event regionally. Across the country, Sail250 events are also planned for New Orleans, Baltimore, New York and Boston. On Tuesday, after hearing a presentation from Scherberger, Norfolk City Council members debated the logistics of holding the event along with a Juneteenth celebration. Council member Mamie Johnson, who is co-chairing a city planning committee for a celebration in Town Point Park, said she and co-chair Jeremy McGee were navigating how the events could be celebrated at the same time. However, council member John 'JP' Page said he thought mixing Juneteenth celebrations with the maritime event was a horrible idea. Mayor Kenny Alexander said he was concerned Juneteenth would be lost amid the Sail250 celebrations. He hoped members of the Juneteenth committee would sign off on coordinating with the Sail250 event. Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345,
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rabbi urges reconsideration of speakers at USS Liberty reunion amid concerns
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A Virginia Beach rabbi is calling on organizers of an upcoming USS Liberty reunion to reconsider allowing controversial figures to attend, citing concerns over antisemitism. Backlash builds over USS Liberty reunion event featuring controversial speaker The reunion, hosted by the USS Liberty Veterans Association, is scheduled to take place at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel from June 6 to June 9, the same dates as Norfolk's Harborfest. The event is held to honor the 34 sailors killed and more than 170 injured when Israeli forces attacked the USS Liberty in 1967. Controversy came after a flyer began circulating online, listing far-right media figures Stew Peters, Lucas Gage and Jake Shields as speakers. All three have been accused of spreading antisemitic rhetoric. 'A flyer was created by the organizers,' said Liora Rez, executive director of StopAntisemitism. 'We simply made a graphic of the existing flyer to raise awareness of the white supremacists event occurring in the Virginia area.' Rabbi Israel Zoberman, the son of Holocaust survivors, described the situation as 'deeply saddening' and warned including people with known antisemitic views undermines the memorial's message. 'For anyone who has antisemitic views to speak at any event should alarm the entire American society…,' Zoberman told WAVY. 'That really takes away from the meaningfulness of the event dedicated to the tragic event that happened with the Liberty.' USS Liberty Veterans Association President Phil Tourney confirmed that Peters asked to speak at the event, but said it's too late to uninvite him. 'If they got a problem with any speaker, Stew Peters or otherwise, there's nothing we can do about it right now,' Tourney said. Tourney emphasized that the group does not condone hate speech and said the reunion is meant to be a peaceful gathering. 'We come in peace and harmony … to remember our dead mates, break some bread together,' he said, noting the group is now spending up to $25,000 on 24-hour police protection due to threats. WAVY has not verified this with Norfolk Police. Meanwhile, VFW Post 4809 states: 'The VFW Department of Virginia and VFW Post 4809 in Norfolk are aware that the event flyer for the USS Liberty Veterans Association reunion has been edited to imply association with white supremacists and antisemites. The VFW and Post 4809 do not in any way support those who hijacked this event for their own agenda. We support the victims and survivors of the attack, and all veterans, but white supremacy and antisemitism have no place in the VFW. The event at the Sheraton in Norfolk is a Liberty Veterans Association reunion and any questions about that event should be directed to that organization. VFW Post 4809 will host a memorial service at the USS Liberty monument located outside the post so veterans can pay their respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice serving aboard USS Liberty.' WAVY reached out to both the city of Norfolk and Marriott, which owns the Sheraton venue, for comment. The city acknowledged the request but has not provided a statement. Marriott has not responded. The USS Liberty reunion is still scheduled to take place as planned. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Oswego Harborfest announces 2025 Friday night headliner
OSWEGO, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — North Carolina-based country band, Parmalee will be welcomed as the Friday night headliner of Oswego Harborfest 2025. Oneida swan in good hands after being found on snowbank days prior Funding deadline looms before Congress Fire erupts at same Jamesville lumber yard 9 years later Oswego Harborfest announces 2025 Friday night headliner United Way of Seneca County hosting pop-up thrift shop to help Ovid The concert will be at Breitbeck Park Constellation stage on July 25 at 9:15 p.m. Parmalee had '…four #1 singles on Billboard's Country Airplay charts: 'Carolina,' 'Just The Way' (with Blanco Brown), 'Take My Name' and 'Gonna Love You.' Their next album, 'Fell In Love With A Cowgirl,' will be released in April,' said Oswego Harborfest. Canadian singer Amanda Kneeles will open for the band at 6:45 p.m. 'It's going to be a great night of music, in the Harborfest tradition. You'll also discover a performer to watch in Amanda Keeles and enjoy the classic sounds of Chris Taylor and his band. You can bring your lawn chairs to the show but make sure to leave some space in front of you so you can dance!' said Dan Harrington, executive director. Harborfest is an annual tradition in Oswego. The 2025 festival will take place July 24 through July 27. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
