Ballin' on the River: Back to School Boost | Virginia Beach News

Hundreds of families flooded Portsmouth’s riverfront for the sixth annual Ballin’ on the River — a vibrant, free resource fair packed with school supplies, haircuts, food, and even a $5K basketball tournament. Organized by Big H.O.M.I.E.S. and Portsmouth Parks & Recreation, it’s more than back-to-school prep: it’s a community hub connecting families with essential support year-round. Retired barber Tenico Jones flew in from Florida to boost kids’ confidence with free cuts, while attendees like Kishauna Harris praised the lifeline these resources offer. Former pro Vernon Macklin dropped motivational wisdom, reminding everyone that mindset matters. This regional effort, welcoming all of Hampton Roads, blends fun, fellowship, and purpose — and organizers are already planning next year’s bigger, better version. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/206f1f2c99852125