Arts & Entertainment

What You Need to Know About This Weekend's Country Fest at Gillette Stadium

Traffic in Walpole and Foxborough will be affected this weekend during "CountryFest" to be held at Gillette Stadium .

The New England Country Music Festival at has become an annual event in Foxborough since its inception in 2004.

The show, referred to by many concertgoers as “Country Fest,” features some of the industry’s biggest stars on one stage and this weekend will be no different as Kenny Chesney returns to Foxborough for the seventh time as the festival’s headliner and he’s bringing some all-star friends with him.

Jake Owen, Grace Potter and Tim McGraw will join Chesney on stage this weekend (Friday and Saturday) for the ninth annual Country Musical Festival in front of sellout crowds of 50,000 to 55,000 people each night.

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“It’s the largest country music event in New England each year, and country music continues to gain in popularity,” said Gillette Stadium spokesperson Jeff Cournoyer.

The festival enjoyed initial success in 2004 and 2005 before exploding in 2006. In that year, the Gillette Stadium concert became the top-grossing country music show in history and "Country Fest" was born.

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The ticket demand over the years has increased steadily as country music continues to gain popularity throughout New England. As a result of the overwhelming interest, Gillette Stadium has added a second day to the festival. Each show is similar – featuring the same artists – and is meant to give more fans an opportunity to experience the festival.

In advance of the two-day festival, here are some things you need to know about Country Fest weekend and how it could impact you and your travel this weekend:

1. Parking

Stadium parking lots are scheduled to open to general parking at 1:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Foxborough Police and Gillette Stadium personnel ask fans not to arrive prior to lots opening at 1:30 p.m.

Other important information for those attending Friday or Saturday’s event:

  • All passengers in vehicles must have a ticket for entry into Gillette Stadium parking lots
  • Transportation of alcohol between parking lots will not be allowed
  • No tailgating will be allowed after 5:30 p.m.

Note that Gillette Stadium Lots are cash only. For more parking information, click here.

2. Sellout Crowds Mean Traffic Delays in Area

Two sellout crowds of 50,000 to 55,000 fans are expected in Foxborough on Friday and Saturday to see Kenny Chesney’s “Brothers of the Suns” Tour. Officials advise those travelling through the area to plan ahead and expect traffic delays similar to New England Patriots games, especially Friday night, where concert traffic will be added to the evening commute.

Click here to keep an eye on concert traffic with Patch’s live traffic feature.

3. The Dos and Don’ts at Gillette Stadium During Concerts

If you're headed to the concert this weekend, please note the following will not be allowed in Gillette Stadium parking lots:

  • Any vehicle towing a trailer (this includes fifth-wheel RV units).
  • Professional catering trucks and or services without prior written approval from Stadium Management.
  • Excessive tailgate setups that impede on customers parked around your vehicles, emergency access or deemed to be unsafe or inappropriate by Stadium Management.
  • Any type of swimming pool, portable pool, hot tubs, water filled pickup trucks, or the like.
  • Branded vehicles that Stadium Management determines to be advertizing to the general public.

For a list of prohibited and acceptable items at Gillette Stadium, click here.


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