Will you be stuck in traffic at the Morgan Wallen concert?

RIDGEDALE, Mo. – Tens of thousands of people will pack Thunder Ridge Nature Arena this weekend for the Morgan Wallen concert.

The arena in Ridgedale caused a social media stir in 2022 when Garth Brooks came to town and some people had to walk miles to get in, while others were stuck in traffic for so long that they missed the concert entirely.

Arena managers said they have learned from their mistakes.

“It’s a major event,” said VP of marketing for ASM Global Kate Girotti. “And any time you have 18 to 20,000 people trying to get somewhere and at one particular time you’re going to have some traffic.”

Construction continues on Thunder Ridge Nature Arena, where a year and a half ago the arena bit off more than it could chew when Garth Brooks came to town.

“It grew into something bigger and we were able to put on three additional Garth Brooks shows here at the property and really see what this place was capable of,” Girotti said.

AMS Global, who are the new marketing managers for the arena and overseeing the Morgan Wallen concert this weekend, said they have done a lot to make sure the show runs smoothly.

Some of those changes include more paved paths, new roads and more parking spaces.

“We went from 3,000 spaces to over 6,000 spaces, and now we have the addition of open air trams that will help shuttle people from their vehicles down to the arena area,” Girotti said. “You know, one of the other things, too, is nature is in the name. So please make sure if folks are coming here that you’re wearing comfortable shoes. There is walking.”

Thunder Ridge also worked with MoDOT to expand Highway 86 and even got some tips from NASCAR to create better road and parking systems.

“As with any other mega-events, such as a football game or a concert at a traditional arena or stadium, you are going to have traffic anywhere you go,” Girotti said. “So give yourself enough time to get here.”

Girotti said buying parking passes before the event will also help guests get in and out faster.

If you are attending the concert this weekend, you are asked to get to Thunder Ridge around 2 p.m.

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