Something in the Water festival prep underway at Rudee Loop

VIRGINIA BEACH — Pharrell Williams’ Something in the Water festival concerts begin in two weeks, and preparation is already underway at Virginia Beach’s Rudee Loop. Half of the public parking lot at 2nd Street closed this week as festival organizers set up a large white tent next to the Boardwalk.

On Thursday, tractor trailers lined up on Atlantic Avenue with decking that will be placed on the beach, said Lisa Bleakley, resort administrator.

“If you’ve got a big festival, you’ve got the build-up,” she said. “It doesn’t go up overnight.”

[ Related: Traffic changes announced for Something in the Water festival, as Virginia Beach prepares for large crowds ]

Several other city parking lots in the Rudee Loop area are filled with construction trailers, fencing and light equipment.

Atlantic Avenue will be closed to traffic from 5th Street south to Rudee Inlet beginning April 26, as it will be a service area for the festival production team and performers, according to the city.

This year’s event is expected to be much larger than in 2019, with two main stages on the beach and approximately 50,000 attendees.

Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com