News

Actions

Safety personnel broken down, closures listed as Something In The Water approaches

Posted at 4:39 PM, Apr 23, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-23 17:27:37-04

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The Virginia Beach mayor and city council were briefed one last time before the Something in the Water festival kicks off on Friday.

116 personnel - broken down by fire officials, public safety, EMS, EOC and state resources - will be on site daily to ensure the festival runs smoothly.

Additional resources from Chesapeake and the state have been requested, and the city has tapped into some FEMA funds to make sure its staff are taken care of while working this weekend.

Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer addressed the council, saying this is a great opportunity for the city and saying he is looking forward to seeing how it plays out. Logistically, departments and city agencies are working out final kinks but appear ready for the music festival that they have called "an unbelievable undertaking."

The city put out this update for residents and people visiting the Oceanfront:

To facilitate preparations for the festival, including construction of the festival stage and other infrastructure, be aware of the following activities:

  • Closing boardwalk/bike path at 10th (parallel with the south edge of the 10th St. connector park)
  • Closing beach (enforced at mean high tide mark) 10th to 2nd Streets starting today (Monday, April 22) at 5 p.m.
  • Open until Thursday, April 25 at 6 p.m. – The 1st to 2nd Streets beach and surfing area, Grommet Island Park and Rudee Walk as well as supporting on-street parking at Rudee Loop.
  • Open until Thursday, April 25 at 7 p.m. – Oceanfront Area Library. It will reopen Monday, April 29.

Beach Access
Residents and visitors are encouraged to take the Atlantic Avenue sidewalk north to the 10th St. connector park to access the boardwalk, shared use path and 31 blocks of Resort area beach from there throughout the festival.

Information Resources
Text SITW to 226787 to receive text message updates and emergency information. The text service will automatically expire Tuesday, April 30.

Click here for our full coverage on the Something in the Water festival.