The musical acts scheduled to perform were doing sound checks before this weekend's big show scheduled to begin Saturday, and Rapper Jay-Z was on hand to make sure things were running on schedule.
"Everything is on schedule," said Jim Sutcliffe. "We've been working so hard over the last couple weeks, and we are putting on a show. Everyone is ready." The two-day "Made in America Music Festival is the first show on the Parkway to require paid admission. The site has been enclosed by two lines of 8 foot high fencing covered in woven material to prevent non-paying guests from seeing in. Hundreds of security guards and Philadelphia Police officers will be on hand. "It's a new event for us. We've never experienced a Parkway lockdown as it is. It's going to be a learning process for us as well," said Deputy Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel. There will be 30 acts on 3 stages from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. each day with Jay-Z headlining on Saturday and Pearl Jam on Sunday. Security will be tight and guards will be at the gates to prevent anyone without a ticket from getting in.Concert-goers can bring a blanket, a small umbrella - even factory-sealed water, but once inside, they must stay for the duration of that day's performances.
Ticketholders are encouraged to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, identification, cash and a debit card. It will be a long day and organizers want attendees to be comfortable and stay safe.
"I've lived in Pennsylvania for 56 years and this is the first time I've ever come down to Philadelphia and see this. It's very overwhelming," said Karen Kemmerer.
"It's so cool to have such a big festival in the middle of the city," said Ashley Kemmerer. "It's a really awesome location to see everything put up here right in front of the Art Museum." Filmmaker Ron Howard will be directing a movie about the show. "Philadelphia is definitely a character in this movie, a vital character," said Ron Howard. "You know, it's made in America, and here is the epicenter, and that's not lost on Jay-Z." The filmmaker has 7 different film crews working on the film, each with story producers helping him on this project. The film will be released at a future date.
