YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The stage was erected Wednesday on the field at Stambaugh Stadium for this weekend’s Y-Live country music concerts.
Now all we’re waiting for is Jason Aldean on Friday, Eric Church on Saturday and the tens of thousands of fans who will file in to see them. Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster.com.
The stage is on the 50-yard line, with seating available for about 5,000 on the field in front of it, and room for another 15,000 in the stands.
Signage will be placed at the entrances to direct fans to either the floor seating or the stands, said Jamie DeFrank, spokesperson for JAC Live, the promoter.
Travis Tritt and Sadie Bass will be the opening acts for Aldean. Ernest and Caylee Hammack will open for Church.
A plastic flooring has been placed across the entire field to make footing easy.
For those who haven’t purchased a parking space in advance, there will be room in Youngstown State University’s M30 parking deck on Wick Avenue for $20 (cash only). Parking will also be available at private lots in the area.
Parking lots will open at 4 p.m. both days, with the stadium gates opening at 5 p.m. and the concerts starting at 6:30 p.m.
Free parking will be available at the Covelli Centre lot in downtown Youngstown, where pre-parties are planned each afternoon on West Federal Street, beginning at 2 p.m. both days, and inside downtown bars and breweries.
There will not be a shuttle bus from downtown to the stadium, but the walk is only seven or eight blocks.
Tailgating parties in the YSU parking lots on Fifth Avenue, which are reserved for prepaid spots, or anywhere on campus property are strictly prohibited.
As many as 20,000 fans are expected for both concerts, and attendees are encouraged to give themselves extra time to get to the stadium.
The drop-off and pickup point address for patrons using ride-sharing app services will be 332 W. Rayen Ave., in an area between the University Edge apartment building and the Barnes & Noble bookstore.
Tickets will be sold before each concert at a temporary box office that will be set up at Fifth Avenue and Armed Forces Boulevard.
All purchases at the stadium will be cashless, including for food and drinks. Patrons must use a credit or debit card.
Only clear and see-through bags no larger than 12-inches-by-12-inches-by-6 inches and clutches no larger than 4.5 inches-by-6.5 inches-by-1 inch will be permitted in the stadium.
Drones, laser pointers, noisemakers, professional cameras, video cameras and umbrellas are prohibited. Seat cushions are permitted as long as they do not have seat backs.
Pictured at top: The stage is in place on the field at Stambaugh Stadium.