Traffic surges as Roots N Blues N BBQ wraps

Roots N Blues N BBQ wrapped up Sunday night, meaning many people left the festival and Columbia. Thousands of people attend the festival each year at Stephens Lake Park.

Festival organizers have taken steps to spread out traffic and keep people safe. Free shuttles are available from downtown parking garages to the festival.

Adam Vogt has attended the festival for several years. He said the shuttles are very beneficial.

“It limits traffic, then when you’ve got a lot of foot traffic going in when there is the rush, safety concern. Yeah, put people in an out spot. We’ve got plenty of parking garages; might as well utilize them going forward,” he said.

The Columbia Police Department is also working with the festival to direct traffic and reduce traffic and parking in certain areas.

Vogt usually leaves as it wraps up each night, and said if people will be driving Sunday, they should give themselves some extra time to get where they are going.

“I mean, traffic’s always going to be a little bit heavier. I mean, especially in a tight community when people come from the outskirts. Plan accordingly. Maybe step out a couple minutes early. You can catch the tunes on the way out as you’re walking along the paths here at Stephens Lake.”

Yezaz Ghouri said this was his first year attending the festival. He said he had to park far away from the park Saturday night, and ended up walking in the rain.

Sunday, he decided to leave his vehicle at home.

“Today, I decided to leave my car at home and just take an Uber. It’s so much more easier and I recommend other people to do the same. It just makes more sense,” he said.

Ghouri said he was sure volunteers would assist getting people home and making things run smoothly.

“I think the services are pretty good that are arranged with the festival. I think they’re doing an excellent job with all that, but of course the number of people that show up here, I think it’s kind of hard to keep up, but I’m sure these guys will have a way to figure it out,” he said.

Ghouri and Vogt said those leaving the festival should be sure to find a ride if they have been drinking in order to keep people safe.

KMIZ 2019