VIRGINIA BEACH — While the ViBe District might not be part of the ticketed action, they are planning on hosting events to keep the community involved with the ‘Something in the Water’ festival.
A big portion of the district’s planning involves opening the Old Beach Farmers Market a week early, said Kate Pittman, executive director of the ViBe Creative District.
Organizers from Pharrell Williams’ team approached the farmers market and requested they open a week early, she said.
Old Beach Farmers Market has been running since 2008, weekly in the summer months and monthly during the winter, Pittman said.
The special week-before opening will be a bit different than the usual market, though.
The market will be offering pop-up opportunities for artists and small business plus the usual cohort of farmers on April 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pittman said.
“The markets have been an incubator space for ViBe District businesses,” she noted.
The Stockpot, North End Bag Company and Three Ships Coffee all got their start at the farmers market.
In addition to hosting the market, the ViBe park will have live music with special performances from School of Rock Virginia Beach and Academy of Rock Music which will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the ViBe Park stage.
“It’s great that Pharrell is able to impact the whole community,” she said, noting how the festival not only brings big-name artists but also local arts to the area.
Pittman said they have heard from vendors all over Hampton Roads, all ready to participate in the market.
“This is a way to see the festival without having the buy a ticket,” she said.
Inside the actual festival footprint there will be an art walk which is still in the works, Pittman said.
The ViBe District and Williams’ team have been working together to make the art walk possible.
More details will be released closer to the festival, she said.
To keep up with what’s happening in the ViBe District, click here.
The Old Beach Farmers Market will be located between the Oceanfront and the Virginia Beach Convention Center, the markets will be spread out between the parking lot at Croc’s 19th Street Bistro (19th & Cypress), ViBe Park Virginia Beach (18th & Cypress) and the ViBe Parklet (18th Street between Mediterranean & Cypress).
