Safety, fun top priorities at BayFest

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The day before BayFest everyone in Mobile was getting pumped up. Preps continued in Downtown Mobile for the largest music festival in the state.

Barricades now block several streets in preparation for the thousands of music fans. Conception Street and Dauphin will be the site of one of the main gates and Cpl. Chris Levy said a challenge for police.

"One of the biggest areas we run into problems is obviously for all the entrance gates. They’re very busy, very crowded, security is very tight to make sure you’re not bringing anything in, anything that’s forbidden so, we just encourage people to be patient, be clam, you'll eventually get in there and be able to have a good time,” said Levy.

What are all the fans rushing for? The bands of course. Getting everything ready for the acts to take the stage was the top priority on Thursday.

BayFest Executive Director Shana Jordan said the Coke Stage is already up.

"Tonight, we start building the other stages. So of course we have 9 stages with over 125 acts so our crews have a lot to do overnight getting ready for tomorrow,” said Jordan.

Benjamin Thompson knows firsthand the work that goes into getting these stages up.

"There’s a lot that goes into this that you might not think about," said Thompson.

Thompson was working on the Miller Stage. He said the number one priority is safety.

Tragedy last year at the Indiana State Fair showed just how important that is.

Five people were killed when an outdoor stage collapsed.

Thompson said they are making sure that won’t happen at BayFest.

"Everything has been properly done and checked twice. Everyone has so much zeal for their job and is highly trained," said Thompson.

They aren't just concerned for the concert goers and the bands. They also worry about the crews building the stages.

"Everyone is safety cautious. You have to look out for the next person as well as your own safety,” said Thompson.

And they are working on a tight deadline.

"Some of the main and last streets to close will close at 5:15 so well get everybody out finish setting up for the gates to open at 6:30,” said Jordan.

If you are planning to make the trip down, this is what you need to know.

Here are some no’s for BayFest: