VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — The Something in the Water Festival is just days away and residents living near the Oceanfront say they’re thrilled for this weekend’s events.

“We’re excited and looking forward to it. It’s giving unique opportunities given the lineup with the people they have coming in. It’s not just the 5th Street stage. You have the gospel singing up here at the church to the convention center and all that’s in between. The lineup is absolutely incredible,” said Nancy Parker, who is president of Resort Beach Civic League.

Parker has lived in the area for decades and wants to welcome all the festival goers to the Oceanfront.

She says many of her neighbors also feel the same way and they’ve had plenty of meetings to understand everything that will happen.

Parker knows there will be traffic issues and doesn’t plan on going out this weekend.

Dwayne Appleton, who also lives in the neighborhood, will be doing the same.

“We’re going grocery shopping for the whole weekend,” Appleton laughed. “Everything will be so busy. It’s like going out on a holiday.”

Appleton also owns Java Surf Coffee and Espresso Bar.

He says they’re expecting to get a lot of foot traffic in, and believes the festival will boost business to others as well.

“I think that’s something to celebrate, something we can get behind as long as it stays healthy, stays safe, not just for locals, but everybody. It’s something we should get behind and support,” he said.

Appleton believes police will do a good job of controlling the crowds based on last year’s efforts and hopes everything goes smoothly this year.

“We’ve had tons and tons of large scale events. We’ve had hundreds of thousands of people for certain events. It’s nothing we haven’t seen before. I think the speed behind it took people by surprise because it was able to come together so quickly. That only speaks to the organization behind it,” he said.

Appleton has his fingers crossed it will be a great event and Parker also hopes the same.

She just hopes people who do attend are patient with others so everything goes well.

“Everybody who goes down here enjoy yourself, relax, have fun, and walk away with some good memories,” she said.