Sand walls to protect beach stage

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY.com) - Virginia Beach Public Works crews are building huge sand walls to protect the 5th street stage and Grommet Park.

At 5th street, Virginia Beach's natural asset is being used to protect its financial ones.

"We've identified some areas down here that are critical for the city, the stage going up behind us at [the] 5th street part of the American Music Festival," said Battalion Chief Mike Barakey.

Front loaders criss-cross across the beach to create a 13-foot high, 120-foot long wall of sand. A dredge in Rudlee inlet is pumping sand along a black pipe. Eight to twelve foot waves are expected at the oceanfront and this kind of work can't wait for the last minute, said Barakey.

"We can't come out here tomorrow afternoon and expect these earth movers and front end loaders to move the amount of sand that we want," said Barakey.

Barakey said a sandy berm also surrounds the newly opened multi-million dollar Grommet Park. Since no one expects Earl to hang around for the Labor Day festivities most of the city's focus is at the oceanfront.

"We're not expecting any power outages we're not expecting any loss of infrastructure inside the city," said Barakey.

The only ones thrilled for Earl's arrival the nearly 50 surfers riding the waves. After a slow start, Earl's waves are the way to wrap up a summer.

"Feels real good, really relaxing thing to do I guess, doing it since I was 9 years old," said Kevin Cesare.

City officials will decide Thursday whether or not to cancel Friday night concerts scheduled at the American Music Festival.