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

One of the highest grossing and most popular country music shows around returns to Foxborough as Kenny Chesney brings the No Shoes Nation Tour to Gillette Stadium as part of the New England Country Festival.

Whether you are going to the show or want to figure out when to avoid Route 1, we have everything you need to know about this weekend’s Country Fest.

Parking Lot Information

On both days the parking lots will open exactly at 2 p.m. No cars will be allowed access to the lots in Foxboro before 2 p.m. and no exceptions will be made. Due to this, those driving to the show are asked to not arrive until the lots open.

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

• All passengers in vehicles must have a ticket for entry into the Gillette Stadium parking lots.
• Transportation of alcohol between parking lots will not be allowed.
• Parking at the stadium is $40 for cars and motorcycles and $120 for limos, RVs, and busses.

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 advertising to the general public

Parking Ban is in Effect

After last year's traffic woes that saw cars backed up all the way into East Walpole, officials are hoping to do a better job managing the congestion this year. To help fight gridlock, residents in South Walpole received a letter reminding them that parking cars on their lawn is against the town by-laws. Public safety officials will be in the area to enforce the parking ban and keep traffic moving.

Watch Out For Traffic

With over 100,000 people are expected to attend the two shows over the weekend and event traffic overlapping with the Friday evening commute, Gillette Stadium is asking commuters to be aware of heavy traffic on Route 1 between 95 and 495 on Friday afternoon/early evening.

After last year's traffic woes that saw cars backed up all the way into East Walpole, officials are hoping to better manage the congestion this year. To help fight gridlock, residents in South Walpole received a letter reminding them that parking cars on their lawn is against the town bylaws. Public safety officials will be in the area to enforce the parking ban and keep traffic moving.

The Dos and Don’ts at Gillette Stadium

No one wants to be "that fan" that doesn't know the stadium's security protocol. Be prepared for this weekend by reviewing the dos and don’ts at Gillette Stadium as well as other useful information about the facility:

• Ticket Policies
• Patron Screening
• Prohibited Items
• Acceptable Items
• Banner Policy
• Smoking Policy
• Medical Supplies or Dietary Considerations
• Fan Code of Conduct
• Security Assistance During an Event
• Lost & Found
• Letters of Disinvite

Did You Know …

• While Chesney has made the New England Country Music Festival the largest concert series in New England, he did not headline the first Country Fest in 2004. That honor goes to singer and Patriot Place bar owner Toby Keith.
• This year will mark Chesney’s eighth Country Fest, which included consecutive appearances from 2005-2009.
• Once again, County Fest will be the final stop for Chesney’s summer tour. Gillette Stadium is often Chesney’s last stop on his summer tours because it is one of his favorite venues.

A Break For Chesney

Recently, Chesney announced that he will not tour in 2014, leaving next year's Country Fest without it’s traditional headlining act. The break will be only the second time since 2001 the country star has taken the summer off. The last time Chesney was not at Country Fest was 2010 when Brad Paisley took over headlining duties.

After this weekend, Chesney will have performed at Gillette Stadium 11 times at eight Country Fests since 2005.

Have something to add or have a question not addressed here? Tell us in the comments section!