City of Huntsville, AL
09/24/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/24/2024 10:17
South Star Festival: Huntsville departments working together to ensure smooth event
Published on September 24, 2024
The countdown is on for the inaugural South Star Festival, set for Saturday and Sunday at the John Hunt Park Festival Grounds.
Several City departments are collaborating closely to ensure the event runs smoothly for attendees as well as residents and business owners. This coordination provides a solid foundation for the festival's future growth.
Leading up to the event, the City made infrastructure improvements to the Festival Grounds, though some were already scheduled as part of the park's master plan. Some of those improvements include more pedestrian walking paths as well as new sod.
Thank you to all the City departments for their hard work and dedication in helping bring the South Star Festival to life. This event represents a tremendous opportunity for our community, and I'm proud to see such a great display of teamwork." - Mayor Tommy Battle
Festival gates open both days at 1 p.m. and the music will end at 11 p.m. See the Welcome Guide from festival producer C3 Presents here. Here's a look at what else you 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 Davis Stadium. Between 20,000 and 25,000 people will be attending the first-year festival, so Huntsville Police urge patience.
"If you're going to be attending the festival, be sure to get there in plenty of time to find some parking and get to the gate to see the first acts," said HPD Capt. Stephen Anderson. "Expect congestion in the area and be patient with everybody."
Premium parking passes from C3 Presents are sold out, but there will be additional paid parking operated by the City available on a first-come, first-served basis in two lots near the festival site. Approximately 850 spaces are located 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 via Russell Brown Drive off Airport Road.
Additionally, 100 spaces can be found at 3242 Leeman Ferry Road, south of the Huntsville Ice Sports Center, in the Operation Green Team parking lot. The cost here is $45 per day, also card payment only. Overnight parking is not allowed at either location. Attendees are also encouraged to consider private lots owned by local businesses that offer paid parking for festival goers.
Free parking will also be available on a first-come, first-served basis a short walk from John Hunt Park at Milton Frank Stadium and the Huntsville Aquatics Center.
Public Transit & Ride-Share
Three Orbit bus routes will service the event, with the closest stop located at Hardees/Academy Sports on the Brahan Spring Route. This bus stop is about 1 mile from the festival and operates every 30 minutes. After the festival concludes each night, the service will run for an additional hour. A one-way fare on the Orbit bus is $1.
Designated ride-share space at Joe Davis Stadium will be clearly marked for attendees who would rather not drive.
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 leverage private security with support from HPD officers.
"We will have an adequate number of off-duty and on-duty personnel inside the site as well as the surrounding area," HPD Chief Kirk Giles said. "We want to make sure everyone acts responsibly inside the site."
See the Welcome Guide for more information on the South Star bag policy as well as a list of allowed and prohibited items.
After the Festival
Large-scale events with thousands of attendees are bound to create some litter, but the City's Green Team is on it to keep Huntsville looking great. C3 will take care of the litter pickup inside the Festival Grounds, while the Green Team will handle the areas outside.
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. He encourages everyone attending the festival 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."
Visit the South Star Festival website for more information about the event, including a welcome guide and frequently asked questions.
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