HUNTSVILLE, Ala. ( WHNT ) — The inaugural South Star Festival is just a few days away, and city departments are working hard to ensure things run smoothly.
The coordination between city departments ensures the event runs smoothly for all attendees, residents and business owners.
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“Thank you to all the City departments for their hard work and dedication in helping bring the South Star Festival to life,” Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said. “This event represents a tremendous opportunity for our community, and I’m proud to see such a great display of teamwork.”
Gates open on Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. and the music will end at 11 p.m. A welcome guide from festival producer C3 Presents can be found on the South Star Festival website .
Below are a few things festival-goers need to know:
Driving & Parking
Festival organizers have designated a single entrance for attendees, located near the roundabout at Philip Dotts Drive and Jaycee Way, adjacent to Joe David Stadium. Since between 20,000 and 25,000 people will be attending the festival, Huntsville Police urges the attendees to be patient.
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Paid parking managed by the city will be available on a first-come, first-served basis in two lots near the festival site. Premium parking passes from C3 Presents have already sold out.
About 850 spaces can be found on the south side of Airport Road in the John Hunt Volleyball, Cross Country and Tennis parking area with a daily rate of $40, payable by card only. Access is through Russel Brown Drive off of Airport Road.
An additional 100 spaces are located at 3242 Leeman Ferry Road, south of the Huntsville Ice Sports Center in the Operation Green Team parking lot. The cost for these spots is $45 per day, as well as card payment only.
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Free parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis a short walk away from John Hunt Park at Milton Frant Stadium and the Huntsville Aquatics Center.
Public Transit & Ride-Share
There will be three orbit bus routes that will service the event, with the closest stop located at Hardees/Academy Sports on the Brahan Spring Route. This bus stop is about one mile from the festival and operates every 30 minutes. The service will run for an additional hour after the festival ends each night.
A one-way fare on the Orbit bus is $1.
Safety & Security
Huntsville Police and Huntsville Fire & Rescue will have personnel on duty throughout the weekend to assist attendees outside the festival grounds. Inside the festival, C3 Presents will have private security with support from Huntsville police officers.
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The previously mentioned welcome guide has a list of prohibited items.
After the Festival
Huntsville’s Green Team will be working to clean up the litter that is expected to accumulate around the festival. C3 will take care of the litter pickup inside the Festival Grounds.
Landscape Management Director Brian Walker said extra trash bins will be set up in city-owned parking lots and staff will work extra shifts for better coverage. Walker encourages festival-goers to leave the park as clean, or even cleaner than they found it.
“We’re excited for a fantastic event at John Hunt Park and remind everyone to help out by cleaning up after themselves,” he said. “Just putting trash in the bins makes a big difference for our environment and keeps our community looking its best.”
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