NORFOLK, Va. – The City of Norfolk is expected to be packed with people this weekend for some big events.
Police are stepping up patrols to help with the anticipated big crowds.
The RnB Block Party kicked off Friday night at 5 p.m. at the Norfolk Scope Plaza. The plaza was filled with music from DJs from across Hampton Roads.
“Just good vibes, people coming to dance, smile, enjoy themselves,” said RnB Block Party Concert Producer Nathaniel Johnson.
Concert Producer Antonio Dowe said close to 5,000 tickets were sold. Norfolk Police and private security were on hand to control crowds.
Dowe said they’re taking every precaution to keep people safe.
“It will be safe,” he said. “If anyone has reservation, I would say remove it and come out enjoy yourself. You can’t get in here without going through a metal detector.”
Tickets are sold out for the 34th annual Virginia Wine Festival is back at Town Point Park. The event runs Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Those 21 and up can taste wine from more than 25 Virginia wineries. There will be food and retail vendors.
“It’s the wine,” said Anna Castillo-Lora, an employee with Stone Mountain Vineyards, one of the wine vendors for the event. “It’s the different types of wine. It’s the tasting and atmosphere of the music, and of course Hampton Roads. Last year, we had rain but this year we’re going to have amazing weather.”
FestEvents is organizing the wine festival. CEO Jordan Lett said they expect up to 10,000 people to attend on Saturday alone. Police officers, sheriff’s deputies and Homeland Security will be there for crowd control.
Kelly and Todd Potter from Seattle, Washington, are planning on going to the festival for the first time. They said they’re not too concerned about anything getting out of hand.
“It sounds like it’s pretty organized,” Todd Potter said. “It should be fine. I think everybody is just down to have a good time.”
Part of Waterside Drive at Main and Atlantic streets was blocked off Friday afternoon as tents went up.
Despite some possible traffic delays from detours, the excitement is building.
“We’ve been down here since early this morning and it’s just beautiful,” Kelly Potter said. “It’s nice. Great people.”
Students and alumni at NSU are wrapping up Homecoming week. The Homecoming Parade kicks off on Saturday at 8 a.m. followed by a football game at 2 p.m.
An estimated 20,000 people are expected on campus on Saturday alone.
NSU said plenty of campus police will be on hand. As an added safety measure, they will escort people from their car to the college 24-hours a day.
