Want to get involved with Something in the Water? Here’s how.

VIRGINIA BEACH — With only about five months until the Something in the Water festival, Hampton Roads businesses are eager to participate and want to know how they can get involved.

“My staff would love to be a part of it,” Allison Stephens, owner of Anchor Allie’s restaurants in Virginia Beach, told the City Council at a meeting last Tuesday.

Tickets are on sale for Pharrell Williams’ groundbreaking event, which is returning to the Oceanfront April 28-30.

Applications for local vendors and volunteers recently became available on the festival’s website: somethinginthewater.com.

One option is to apply for a booth at a craft and food market that will be held during the festival weekend. It will feature local retailers, grab-and-go treats, fashion, gifts, art and other handmade items, according to the website. The vendor fee is $400.

Want to promote your business to festival ticket holders while they’re in town? Virginia Beach-based businesses and restaurants can sign up to be included in a special discount program. Local eateries can also apply to be food and beverage vendors at the festival.

Promoters who want to produce their own official festival event must apply for approval, provide insurance coverage, sign an agreement with the festival and pay a $100 administrative fee.

Volunteers are also needed to help with festival logistics. David Leader told the City Council last week that volunteering at the festival in 2019 opened doors for him and his mentorship organization called Team Lamb.

“Since that time we saw what Pharrell was doing for the city, and it inspired us to look at ways that we can be impactful in the city as well,” Leader said.

Team Lamb was able to secure grant funds from the city to help produce a Juneteenth celebration on the Boardwalk last summer.

Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com