Good morning, Scoopers!

Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know.

🌦️ Weather

🌀 Hurricane shelter locations

🌉 Nansemond Parkway Bridge reopening soon

🥒 Pickle Palooza winners

📅 Events

Let’s get into 👇

The News: If a hurricane threatens Suffolk, residents may be directed to shelters at Nansemond River High School, Lakeland High School, or King’s Fork High School. Nansemond River High School is the city’s pet-friendly shelter. Not every shelter opens for every storm, so the city will announce which locations are active based on the situation.

Why It Matters: Hurricane season is here, and shelter plans are something you want to know before the wind and rain show up. Waiting until the last minute can make a stressful situation even harder.

✅ Nansemond River High School, pet-friendly
✅ Lakeland High School
✅ King’s Fork High School

👉 The Move: Monitor suffolkva.us and sign up for Suffolk city alerts so you get real-time updates when a storm approaches. Have a plan before you need one.

Learn More…

The News: The Nansemond Parkway Bridge replacement project is on track to reopen before students return to class on August 24. The project has closed part of Nansemond Parkway since summer 2025, sending drivers on long detours.

Why It Matters: The closure has been especially tough for families traveling to Mack Benn Elementary School. Right now, traffic on Nansemond Parkway can only go as far as Golden Maple Drive before drivers hit the detour. After more than a year of navigating around the closure, Suffolk families may finally be close to relief.

👉 The Move: Hang tight, Suffolk. The bridge is expected to reopen before August 24. Watch suffolkva.us for the official reopening announcement.

Learn More…

The News: More than 6,200 pickle lovers packed Downtown Festival Park on July 19 for Suffolk’s second annual Pickle Palooza. The event featured pickle pizza, pickle beer, and plenty of briny creativity before rain cut the fun short.

Why It Matters: Even with the weather, attendance topped last year’s first event, with visitors coming from across Coastal Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. Suffolk’s pickle festival is officially becoming a thing.

And the winners are:

🏆 Biggest Dill Award: Nansemond Brewing Co.
🏆 People’s Choice Pickle Award: Farms of Eden
🏆 Best Pickle Innovation Award: Amicis Pizza Café
🏆 Pickle Passion Award: Bad Ass Pickles

👉 The Move: Congratulations to all the winners and everyone who came out. Rain or shine, Suffolk showed up for the pickles.

Learn more…

Oil Painting Class (6-Week Series Begins) – Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Spooky Summer Artisan Night Market – Suffolk Art League (118 Bosley Ave) | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Band-It Live – Derl'z Restaurant & Pub (425 E Pinner St) | 7:45 PM

Monthly Bluegrass Jam Session – Nansemond Brewing Station (212 E Washington St) | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

School Supply Drive with Suffolk Virginia Sheriff's Office – Walmart (N Main St, Suffolk) | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Oil Painting Class (6-Week Series Begins) – Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Adult Recess: Kickball – Wellons Park – 6:00 PM–9:30 PM

Suffolk Parks & Recreation’s TGIF Summer Concert Series kicks off Friday, June 12 at Downtown Festival Park, 215 W. Washington St.

✅ Festivities start at 6 p.m.
✅ Live music runs from 6:30–9:30 p.m.
✅ Admission is free for all ages
✅ Food, concessions, and adult beverages for guests 21+ will be available for purchase
✅ Concerts will be held at Downtown Festival Park and Bennett’s Creek Park
✅ Bring a chair or blanket
✅ No tents or outside alcohol
✅ Free parking is available in nearby public lots

This summer’s lineup includes Island Boy, RaJazz, Slapnation, The Deloreans, The Steals, Anthony Rosano & The Conqueroos, and The Band Monarch.

For weather updates, follow Suffolk Parks & Recreation on Facebook or call 757-514-7250 ext. 5.

The 48th Annual Suffolk Peanut Fest returns to Suffolk Executive Airport from October 8 through 11 with country headliner Chris Cagle, a brand-new drone show, a live butterfly walk-through exhibit, and more. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Generations, One Picture Perfect Memory at a Time!” The festival is one of Suffolk’s biggest annual events, and this year’s new drone show and butterfly exhibit give families even more reasons to mark the calendar.

The Suffolk Virginia Sheriff’s Office is hosting a school supply drive on Friday, August 7, 2026, at 9 a.m. at Walmart on N. Main Street. Stop by during the 5-hour event to donate backpacks, notebooks, crayons, pencils, and other supplies for students in need. It’s also Tax-Free Weekend, so it’s a great time to help local kids start the school year ready.

Aria is a 2-year-old Pit Bull who is spayed, microchipped, vaccinated, and ready for a loving home. She already knows “sit,” loves toys and treats, and is eager to keep learning. Smart, playful, and affectionate, Aria would thrive with a family that enjoys training, playtime, and quality time together.

Chloe is a 6-year-old Doberman Pinscher with a gentle heart and great manners. She is vaccinated, already knows “sit” and “shake,” and has a calm, mature personality. Chloe is ready for a loving home and someone to share everyday moments with.