This weekend, FairWell Festival is back at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond, Oregon! As festival-goers prepare for this exciting event, Lancaster Mobley is working behind the scenes to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all attendees. Melissa Webb, heading up our Central Oregon office in Bend, led the project. Here’s how our comprehensive Traffic Control Plan (TCP) is set to enhance the FairWell Festival experience.
Event Overview
The FairWell Festival, held at the sprawling Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, will feature multiple bands each day, along with a variety of food and drink options. Running from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily, the festival is expected to attract a large crowd, with headliner acts closing each night, including Billy Strings, Caamp, and Kacey Musgraves.
Access and Parking
Our TCP outlines strategic access points to the fairgrounds, including Mt Hood Drive, Mt Jefferson Drive, SW 19th Street, and SW Elkhorn Avenue. To manage the influx of vehicles, we’ve designated parking areas east of the fairgrounds, with premium spots reserved for artists and vendors. For those who want to stay close to the action, we’ve expanded RV and tent camping spaces.
Learning from the Past
Reflecting on the challenges the festival faced during the 2023 festival, we identified key areas for improvement:
- Congestion: Traffic jams and delays in clearing parking lots.
- Illegal Parking: Vehicles parked along roadways, causing additional congestion.
- Pedestrian Safety: High foot traffic on poorly lit roads without sidewalks.
Our 2024 Goals
- Encouraging Off-Site Parking: We’ve introduced a shuttle service from Redmond and Bend, making it easier for attendees to park off-site and ride directly to the venue.
- Promoting On-Site Camping: With additional RV and tent camping spaces, patrons can stay on-site, reducing the number of vehicles exiting the fairgrounds each night.
- Clearly Marked “No Parking” Areas: To prevent illegal parking, we’ve designated and will enforce no parking zones along key roadways.
- Clear Egress Plan: An organized traffic flow strategy will help clear the parking lots efficiently at the end of each day.
Shuttle Services
The shuttle service aims to reduce on-site parking demand by providing convenient, affordable transport from designated locations in Redmond and Bend. With frequent and high-capacity shuttles, we ensure a quick and comfortable journey to and from the festival.
Pedestrian and Rideshare Safety
Designated pedestrian crossings and improved lighting will enhance safety for those walking to and from the event. Additionally, rideshare services like Lyft and Uber will have a dedicated drop-off and pick-up area, ensuring smooth ingress and egress.
Enforcing No Parking Zones
We’ve collaborated with local law enforcement to enforce no parking areas, ensuring that traffic flows smoothly and safely throughout the festival.
See you there!
