Workers busy to complete World Meeting of Families stage

CENTER CITY (WPVI) -- In the final week leading up to the Festival of Families, event planners said hundreds of workers are working around the clock.

"Right now it's really about building the nuts and bolts, putting the construction pieces in place," said ESM Productions president Scott Mirkin. "We meet twice a day to check on progress and to make sure we are where we should be."

According to Mirkin, things are right on schedule.

Mirkin said the arch covering the papal stage in front of the Art Museum is 100 feet wide and 85 feet deep.

Currently under construction, the stage will serve two purposes next weekend: as a festival stage on Saturday night and then it will be converted to an altar for Sunday Mass the following day.

An area in front of Eakins Oval will be filled with 8,000 seats, which are expected to arrive Thursday.

In addition, Mirkin said he hopes the stage is ready for lights, camera and sound checks on Thursday as well.

"It's a big musical performance," said Mirkin. "It's much like a variety show so there are lots of stage moves to rehearse, and lots of audio and sound and lighting to make sure we have that right."

In the meantime, local union workers are keeping busy building press risers, running cables and installing dozens of giant screens for one of their biggest jobs yet.

"Once we hit ground, the energy level was there. It's increasing as we get closer to the show," said Michael Barnes of IATSE Local #8. "You'll see the workers themselves are just very excited about being involved in an event like this."