Preparations underway for Roots N Blues N BBQ

Preparations are underway for the annual Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival at Stephens Lake Park. The festival kicks off Friday and lasts until Sunday.

Festival President Richard King said the festival is on track to sell about as many, if not more tickets than it did its record 2016 year. Here’s a look at how Fest officials are working to keep attendees safe.

Security:

The Columbia Police Department, EMS, the festival’s own paid security and more than one hundred volunteers will be on-site to help with the festival’s security.

“We think we put together a great security plan,” King said. “We update it every year.”‘

King said the festival management put together a 100-page security document. He said festivalgoers are allowed to bring in backpacks but thinks this will be the last year they allow it.

People are not allowed to bring food into the festival but are allowed to bring in lawn chairs.

Bird Scooters

Bird scooters have become a means of transportation for some Columbia residents and visitors.

King said Bird Scooter parking and management was something he had to recently consider with the festival.

“When you get to the park, just get off your Bird and walk it or set it wherever you want to,” King said. They also ask the same for bicyclists.

There is a bike valet area where people can check-in their bikes, but King said Bird scooters are not allowed inside the valet area.

King said he plans to make contact with the scooter company to make sure the scooters are picked up by 10 p.m. Bird Scooter’s stop running after 9 p.m.

King said he expects a lot of festival goers to ride the scooters from downtown to the festival, but said all downtown parking garages are free this weekend, and city buses are offering free transportation from downtown garages to the festival.

Transportation and Parking:

“After the last performance each night, look for Go COMO buses and yellow school buses lined up on the north side of the park at the Riechmann Pavilion to take attendees back downtown or back home on each of Go COMO Transit’s 11 City bus routes,” according to a city press release. “No transfers or connections necessary. Free rides apply to all customers on the fixed bus routes this weekend, and no special pass or ticket is required to board for free.”

Parking will be restricted near Broadway, Old Highway 63 and East Walnut Street. “East Walnut Street from Old Highway 63 to the dead end will be closed to through traffic,” the city said.

East Walnut Neighborhood public parking will only be available to those with neighborhood passes only. Drivers without passes will be ticketed and subject to a $50 fine and towing. The restrictions start at 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 28 and continue until the event’s completion on the evening of Sunday, Sept. 30.