The Mayor of Virginia Beach is under fire this week after making the controversial decision to shut down the Mt. Trashmore carnival early, leaving many families disappointed and local businesses frustrated. Mayor Bobby Dyer is standing firm on his decision, saying it was made in the interest of public safety.
The carnival, which had been operating at Mt. Trashmore Park for several days, was closed on Saturday evening. The decision sparked immediate backlash from residents and carnival-goers who were caught off guard. Many had plans to visit during the weekend and were surprised to find the gates closed earlier than expected.
Why the Carnival Was Shut Down
Mayor Dyer explained that the city made the call after receiving multiple reports of large crowds, safety issues, and concerns about public behavior. According to city officials, law enforcement and emergency services were stretched thin due to the size of the crowd, and there were reports of fights breaking out near the carnival grounds.
“There were growing concerns that we couldn’t guarantee the safety of families attending the event,” Dyer said in a press statement. “Public safety always comes first. That’s the responsibility we owe to our community.”
City officials said the final decision was made in consultation with the Virginia Beach Police Department and emergency personnel.
Reactions from the Public
The closure triggered a wave of reactions online. Many local residents took to social media to share their disappointment, with some accusing the city of poor planning and lack of communication.
“I brought my kids out here thinking we’d enjoy a fun Saturday night, only to be told it’s shut down,” said local resident Amanda Parker. “There was no warning, no signage, nothing.”
Others, however, supported the mayor’s call.
“If things were getting out of control, I’m glad the city acted fast,” said Mark Wills, another Virginia Beach resident. “Better to be safe than sorry.”
Carnival Organizer Responds
The organizers of the Mt. Trashmore carnival expressed frustration over the city’s decision. In a statement, they acknowledged the crowd issues but said they had security measures in place and were not informed about any major incidents that would justify a shutdown.
“We’ve hosted events here before without problems,” the organizer’s spokesperson said. “This feels abrupt, and we were not given enough time to prepare or communicate the closure to the public.”
They also mentioned that vendors, many of whom rely on weekend business, were hit hard by the sudden end to the event.
Virginia Beach Police Weigh In
According to the Virginia Beach Police Department, officers responded to several disturbances near the carnival grounds over the weekend. While they did not share detailed incident reports, they confirmed that crowd control was becoming a challenge and that tensions were rising among attendees.
“There were isolated incidents that raised red flags,” said a spokesperson for the police department. “In the interest of public safety, we supported the decision to close the carnival early.”
You can check official updates from the City of Virginia Beach or the Virginia Beach Police Department for further public safety information.
Business Owners Raise Concerns
Local food vendors and game booth operators expressed their concerns about the financial impact of the decision. Many said they had invested heavily in the weekend, expecting strong turnout due to good weather and end-of-school celebrations.
“We spent thousands prepping for this weekend,” said Jamal Rivers, who runs a funnel cake stand. “Now we’re packing up early and won’t recover the losses.”
Some vendors are calling on the city for financial compensation or a clearer set of guidelines to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
Mayor Dyer Stands by His Decision
Despite the criticism, Mayor Dyer has not backed down. He insists that his administration had to act in the best interest of families, children, and residents attending the event.
“This is not about shutting down fun. It’s about preventing possible harm,” Dyer said. “When public safety is at stake, we have to make tough calls, even if they’re unpopular.”
City leaders said they will work with event organizers going forward to create better safety protocols, especially for large-scale events like this one.
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