Preparing the Made in America festival for its debut

Downtown L.A.’s Grand Park is being readied for its debut as a festival site, with stages, beer gardens and lighting rigs under construction.   (Albert Lee / Los Angeles Times)

Approximately 240 Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies will be present on the county-owned park grounds along with a private security firm, while LAPD will have about 285 officers working the streets surrounding the festival.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Riggers build a stage on the steps of City Hall. The stages are named after pop icons: Marilyn Monroe, Bob Dylan and James Dean.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

“The city is underserved in terms of a festival that’s easy to attend and affordable, and it has an A-level quality of artists,” said Omar Al-Joulani, vice president of touring at Live Nation.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Promoter Live Nation has agreed to pay $500,000 to Los Angeles to cover public services, including police, and an additional $600,000 to Los Angeles County for use of the park and sheriff’s services.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Made in America offers single-day passes for just under $100, or $185 for both days.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

According to the promoters, beer will be sold in five restricted beer gardens and must be consumed in those areas. No hard liquor will be sold.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

“There are amazing artists on the bill, we have a Cause Village [for charity], we have a skate park, we have amazing food trucks. This festival isn’t about me -- it’s about an experience,” said artist Jay-Z, the festival’s creator.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Work continues on the festival site at Grand Park.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

“MIA stands for this all-American product in the heart of great urban cities, and that’s exactly what we are branding L.A. to be,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.  (Hal Wells / Los Angeles Times)