The stage is going up, porta-potties are being brought in and dozens of workers are busy making sure Big Music Fest goes off without a hitch.
“We’re a little bit ahead of schedule, which is surprising due to all the rain we’ve had,” festival president Mark Higgins said Wednesday.
Friday is kickoff day for the three-day event at Kitchener’s McLennan Park.
Starting that afternoon and running into the evening, 25 up-and-coming bands from across the province will try their luck at what’s dubbed the ‘Breaking Bands’ competition.
Saturday and Sunday, it’s the professionals’ turn to take to the stage, with headline acts including Bryan Adams, Aerosmith, Slash and Styx.
On each of those days, Higgins says he expects between 20,000 and 25,000 people to attend the festival – easily the biggest crowd the former Mount Trashmore has ever seen.
While concern was raised in late June when high levels of methane gas were detected in the drainage system in the park, officials say the affected areas have been capped and no methane-related issues are expected over the weekend.
Looking ahead, Higgins says he plans to bring his event back to Kitchener in 2015 – and possibly host an even bigger audience.
“I’ve pretty much got the lineup for next year,” he said.
Two-day passes for the festival remain available, as do single-day tickets for Saturday.
