The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival will impose new security measures at Golden Gate Park this year in direct response to the kind of mass shootings that have taken place at events like the Gilroy Garlic Festival this summer.
There will be a fence around the perimeter of the festival for the first time in its 19 year history.
Visitors must travel through one of four entry points to reach the festival.
The gates, which will not include metal detectors, won't open until 9 a.m. Previously, festival goers have shown up far earlier to get a prime spot.
"It was important to prioritize safety over convenience," said Sheri Sternberg, executive producer of the event, which is scheduled for October 4-6. "Obviously, there's a lot going on in the world these days. We want to make sure that everyone who comes to our event is safe."
Attendees will not be allowed to bring coolers with them for the weekend of music either. Similarly, they may only bring clear bags and backpacks so security can easily see what items they're carrying.
"That's going to be a bit of s struggle for people," Sternberg acknowledged. "This has been a bit of a picnic."
She encouraged attendees who like to bring food and drink to check out some of the clear, insulated bags that are available.
She compared the safety policies to rules that are in effect at sport stadiums.
"It's not going to be as shocking as everyone fears," she told KCBS Radio.
There will be an expanded number of food stands as well.