Tim and April started what became Supernova in 2014 in Fredericksburg, Virginia. They are lifelong ska fans and fell in love with the music during their time living in Tokyo for 3 years from 1993-1996. They moved to the DC area in 2000 and spent a couple decades listening to the best ska bands in the country. They somehow missed the media headlines that ska was dead and decided to start a ska festival in 2014. The festival grew over the years and it moved with them to the beach at Fort Monroe on the Chesapeake Bay.

Virginia Humanities at WHRO is proud to support the Amplifying Talent program of the Festival, which equips students from historically underrepresented communities with hands-on training in live event production while exploring the cultural roots of reggae and ska music.

The 2025 Supernova International Ska Festival takes place on September 12-14. The line-up includes Less Than Jake, The Flatliners, Bedouin Soundclash, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Mustard Plug, Catch 22, The Pietasters, Desorden Publico, The Calamatix, & more