LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Hip hop fans will visit the Waterfront Park in downtown Louisville this weekend to enjoy some of their favorite artists.

More than 40,000 people are expected to be at the Great Lawn on Saturday and Sunday for the first-ever Gazebo Festival. Jack Harlow, Sza, Rich Homie Quan, Omar Apollo and Vince Staples headline the performances.

Ace Pro is one of more than a dozen artists getting ready to perform at the music festival.

"Going out there and giving as much energy as I can and to receive any back would be amazing," Ace Pro said.

On Wednesday morning, around 100 crew members were constructing the five-story stage and second garden stage on the other end of the lawn.

Forecastle music festival had been a summer staple at Waterfront Park, but it's return remains up in the air.

"Waterfront Park has a long history of local, independent events, Waterfront Wednesday, Forecastle, Thunder Over Louisville, all of these incredible events," said Holly Weyler, a Gazebo Festival spokesperson. "We are excited to bring that into its next evolution."

While Gazebo Fest will be a smaller crowd than Forecastle, it will still include VIP areas and dozens of vendors. Tickets for the music festival start at $155 per day.

Louisville Tourism officials said typically the long Memorial Day weekend can be tough regarding city events. Forecast didn't happen last year on Memorial Day weekend, and the city could feel it.

"Last year we had about 64% occupancy for the weekend," said Stacy Yates with Louisville Tourism. "When we've had events like Forecastle that can get up to 78%, PGA was 90%."

Unlike Forecastle, which was put on by promoter Live Nation, Gazebo Festival is a majority homegrown. Local production teams, crews and many local artists including Harlow and Ace Pro, make up the experience.

"There are so many talented musicians in Louisville and we have selected a great crop of artists that really fit the genre and fit the theme of Gazebo Fest," Weyler said.

Louisville Metro Police released road closures for Saturday and Sunday as well for the two-day event.

Witherspoon Street from Preston Street to Brook Street will be closed starting 8 a.m. on Saturday until Monday at 2 a.m.

For tickets and details, click here.

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