Final preparations are underway for the second installment of the Mountain Home Music Festival.
While the concert is set in the dead of summer, heat was expected, but triple digit temperatures are a concern.
Water, misters and cooling stations will be readily available throughout concert grounds.
“We're anticipating, or hoping, for about 14,000 people! So to bring 14,000 people on to this property in this environment, it's going to be a lot of fun!” Jennifer Hynek with Idaho County Concerts said.
Last year, a large amount of dust circulating in the air caused some serious problems, but event organizers say they took measures this year to ensure improvements.
“As far as the dust goes, we have brought in composted granite down on the grounds around the venue; the land owner helped us with that,” Jennifer Hynek said. “We've put in a great deal of effort into growing different kinds of grasses on the property and then we put in sodium chloride. The sodium chloride is put down on the main roads and it will bind to the dirt so we don't have the dust issue.”
Organizers and law enforcement want to be sure the public leaves pets, campfire equipment, and all weapons at home.
The concert is held on private property, and the owners have requested no weapons on festival grounds.
“It is a weapons free zone,” Chief Deputy Mike Barclay with the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office said. “That means we support open carry, however, on this venue there are no weapons allowed.”
Barclay says anyone spotted with a firearm will be asked by law enforcement to leave the property.
Alcohol will be sold and allowed inside designated areas, but organizers request campers to keep in mind the family-friendly atmosphere they hope to have, and request alcohol be limited to beer gardens.
Traffic on the single-lane entrance road is expected to be congested, but county and city resources will help direct drivers during peak hours.
The first performers will take the stage at 1:00 p.m. Friday afternoon, but to make sure you’re front and center for the first few sets, organizers recommend arriving early.
