Orchard Park, N.Y. (WBEN) - It's going to be busy in Orchard Park this week. Two concerts are being hosted back-to-back at Highmark Stadium followed by the first Bills preseason game.
On Wednesday, August 9th at 4:30 p.m. at Highmark Stadium is The Stadium Tour of Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, Poison & Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. The next day at 6 p.m. the stadium will have performances from Metallica, Greta Van Fleet and Ice Nine Kills. Back-to-back concerts at the football venue are not a common occurrence at the stadium is projected 70,000 people to flock to the stadium within a 24 hour timeframe.
In addition to the two concerts, the Buffalo Bills are gearing up for the first preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, the 13th of August, making this week one of the busiest weeks for Orchard Park in the stadium's recent history.
"I don't think we've ever had back-to-back concerts. We may have years and years ago. We're all excited about it. We really are. It's going to be interesting," said Mark Ebeling, Owner of Danny's South Restaurant on Abbott Road.
"This is the first time since we've owned O'Neill's where that has happened," said Peggy Cerrone, Owner of O'Neill's Stadium Inn Bar and Grille.
"I mean, we love that they're bringing events back to the stadium. It's great for us, but we were caught a little off guard when they came out with those schedules back-to-back."
Restaurants are getting ready for the big events this week, which is nothing new, as Bills fans pack the restaurants and bars every home game, but concerts this week could bring in a whole new crowd of people.
"We're gonna take it as it comes to us. It's going to be very, very busy and we will roll with it. We got a good staff on hand and they've been with us for years. So they're all pretty much used to this craziness. We do kind of minimize the menu a little bit to help us get through the rush because otherwise we're slammed with everything," says Ebeling.
Most bar owners and restaurants are making sure they have everything stocked and staffed, with distributors on standby if they run out of supplies.
"We're doing a lot of preparation in the kitchen. Making sure our orders will be in. It's gonna be a busy three out of four days," said Eugene, Manager of Big Tree Inn.
"I'm probably over-preparing, but the problem with the restaurant business is you can't always figure it out. There's so much room for error. If the first concert isn't as busy as I think it's going to be, I still have product for the next day. If it's busier, I can still get products brought in, so I have my distributors on standby," Cerrone said.
Cerrone says she usually brings in a DJ to get the party started for pre-concert events. Across the road at Prohibition 2020, you can see employees prepping a stage for music.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
WEDNESDAY for Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Poison, and Joan Jett
Abbott Road in front of the stadium closes at 1 p.m. ET and will remain closed until the concert ends. Stadium lots open at 2 p.m. ET.
THURSDAY for Metallica
Abbott Road in front of the stadium closes at 3 p.m. ET. Stadium lots open at 4 p.m. ET.