St. Petersburg, Florida -- Thousands of music fans are coming to Vinoy Park on Friday for a daylong concert of 100 bands as part of the 2014 Vans Warped Tour, and it is sure to affect traffic in downtown.
Organizers say that concertgoers may bring in a small camera, a sealed bottle of water, and a homemade snack. They also advise that people should leave firearms, knives, weapons, coolers, pets recording devices and umbrellas at home.
Doors open at 11 a.m. and the program runs until 9 p.m.
Motorists should expect heavier than normal traffic, especially on Interstate 375 at the Interstate 275 interchange. Visiting drivers coming from the south can avoid interstate delays by using Fourth Street N. or Interstate 175, and exiting at Third or Second streets during peak concert hours.
Drivers are reminded that there is longterm parking, including accessible spaces, available in the SunDial garage, 117 Second St. N; the South Core garage, 100 First Ave. S; or the Beach Drive and Pelican parking lots, located on the Pier Approach, for an all-day rate of $5.
Parking will be restricted on both sides of Fifth Avenue NE from Bayshore Drive NE into the park; on both sides of Bayshore Drive from Fifth to Seventh avenues NE; and on the east side of North Shore Drive NE from Seventh to 15th avenues NE during the concert.
Fans, visitors and owners of vehicles displaying Residential Parking permits should obey posted signage and find alternate parking to avoid citations or possible vehicle relocation.
Access to the Vinoy Hotel and Vinoy Place Condos will be available via a line of cones. Temporary road closures will also be in place around the venue.
