PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — About 40,000 people are expected to attend this weekend’s Roots Picnic at Belmont Plateau in Fairmount Park.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Where is it?
The Roots Picnic on May 30 and 31 takes place at Belmont Plateau, 1800 Belmont Mansion Drive.
Ticketholders can enter the Montgomery Entrance near the intersection of Belmont Avenue and Montgomery Avenue, or the Chamounix Entrance near the intersection of Belmont Avenue and Belmont Mansion Drive. (VIP ticketholders should go through the Chamounix Entrance.)
Last year's festival at the Mann Center was a rough one for attendees, marred by rain, show delays and long lines. Organizers said they listened to fan feedback, so they moved the festival to Belmont Plateau.
Lineup
Jay-Z will headline the first night, and Erykah Badu will headline the second. The festival features performances by dozens of other artists across three stages.
READ MORE: Roots Picnic is heading to London this summer
Getting there
Belmont Plateau is accessible by SEPTA, car, rideshare or bike.
SEPTA bus riders can take Route 38 to Belmont Plateau. SEPTA said it is providing additional service during and after the event.
Attendees arriving by ride-shares like Uber and Lyft should be dropped off and picked up at Wynnefield Avenue and North Georges Hill Drive.
Parking on the grass is free, but space is limited.
Concert-goers are advised to arrive early, as traffic conditions vary for all performances throughout the day.
Road closures and parking restrictions
The following is closed now until approximately 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3:
- Belmont Mansion Drive, between Chamounix Drive and Montgomery Drive
The following streets will be closed from 9 p.m. on Friday, May 29, until approximately 5 a.m. on Monday, June 1:
- Montgomery Drive, between Martin Luther King Drive and Belmont Avenue
- Ramps from eastbound and westbound I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) to Montgomery Drive (Exit 341)
Chamounix Drive, between Ford Road and Belmont Avenue, will be closed to vehicular traffic on Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31.
Martin Luther King Drive will be closed to vehicular traffic and closed for recreational use on Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31.
Crystal Morris, president of the Wynnefield Residents Association, said residents in the immediate area should park in their driveways — or across their driveways to ensure they can get out — but leave street parking open to guests. With the influx of people, she said it’s best to get it done now.
“If you know that you need medication, you don’t have any eggs, whatever your need is, go ahead and take care of those things now, because … it’s going to be really challenging for you [on Saturday and Sunday, and it doesn’t have to be that way,” she said.
Public safety
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said there will be numerous police and security officers at the site.
“We ask those who are attending: If you see something, say something,” he said. “Grab a security guard, grab one of the employees, say something to anyone that you see out here.”
Get weather, transit and event updates from the city by texting ReadyPhila to 888-777.
For more information, visit therootspicnic.com.
