Central Albertans will be able to listen to live music at a five-day drive-in festival.
More than 20 bands will perform during the Mayhem Music Gathering, which starts Friday at Westerner Park.
“We’ve got rock and roll, we’ve got country, we’ve got a reggae act … there’s something for everyone,” said Ted Brooks, CEO of Loco Amigos.
After losing his younger brother to suicide, and also losing one of his sons to a “tragedy” shortly afterwards, Brooks decided to redesign an old bus and travel to music festivals and other events to spread positivity.
Through this, Loco Amigos was born.
There will be two shows a day during the festival; the first from noon to 5 p.m. and the second from 7 p.m. to midnight. In addition to the drive-in tickets, there will be 200 seats on the grass in the outdoor amphitheatre section.
The well-being of festival attendees is of the utmost importance, said Brooks.
“We’re trying to set the benchmark in safety and controlling crowds for these kinds of venues,” said Brooks.
“When you pull into the gates of the Westerner, you get handed a safety bag. In that bag, you have disposable gloves for everyone in the vehicle.
“You have disposable masks, you have a two-page pamphlet that explains the guidelines and the rules of our event.”
Attendees will be sorted into different quadrants, which will each have a muster point with washrooms, hands-free sanitizer pump stations, a food truck and a vendor tent.
“When you’re watching the event on the five big screens live … there’s a number that will change every half hour, coinciding with the aisle you’re in.
“When your aisle is called, you have a half hour to exit your vehicle or get up from the grass at the amphitheatre, make your way to the muster point and return to your area,” Brooks said.
If there’s an emergency, attendees can text a hot line and a security guard will come to offer assistance. A medical tent will be on site as well.
“If this goes well, we’re planning on being back. We’re thinking of doing this twice a year, in the spring and in the fall, at the Westerner. We like the location and the facilities.”
For more information, or to buy tickets for the Mayhem Music Gathering, visit locoamigosinc.com.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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