LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A massive crowd filled the Highland Festival Grounds on Thursday for the first day of Louder Than Life — and maybe the only dry day of the four-day festival.
The remnants of Hurricane Helene are headed north, and rain and high winds are forecast for Louisville. Jody Meiman, executive director of Louisville Metro EMS, said it's all hands on deck for his team.
"It's a beautiful day to day, but, obviously, we've got some weather coming in the next couple of days," Meiman said Thursday. "So as we always say — to either the people who live here in Jefferson County or our visitors — prepare now.”
More than 190,000 people are expected to attend Louder Than Life over the next four days a week after Bourbon & Beyond drew a record crowd to Louisville. The two festivals are expected to bring an economic impact of more than $33 million to Louisville.
Mötley Crüe, Korn, Slipknot and Slayer will headline the festival. And Breaking Benjamin, Anthrax, Staind, Evanescence, Disturbed, Judas Priest and Dropkick Murphys join a lengthy list of acts that includes Louisville's Tantric.
Last year, the rock music festival attracted thousands to Louisville from all 50 states and 22 countries to see Green Day, Foo Fighters, Tool, Pantera, Avenged Sevenfold and Weezer, bringing in a record 180,000 people for the festival.
Meiman said it will be a busy weekend for first responders.
"We are here to support the festival, concert and producer and anything that they may need," he said. "We've got over 30 emergency medical technicians and paramedics along with University of Louisville medical staff. We've also got about 15 emergency management staff on site too to be able to assist in case something happens."
Any weather announcements will be made on video boards, social media and the music festival's app.
Unlike Bourbon & Beyond, Louder Than Life attendees will be able to scan out and back in in order to go back to their cars and change to dry clothes, wipe off, etc.
"Any decision that we make is obviously with our fans safety in mind," said Chamie McCurry with Danny Wimmer Presents. "Our fan safety is the most important thing to us, so every decision that we make is with them in mind.”
However, vehicles must stay in the parking lot. Once a vehicle leaves, re-entry will only be allowed with another payment.
"I think it's awesome," John Williams, who is visiting from California, said of the re-entry policy. "I think to be able to get in and out of a concert venue, particularly to get out of the elements, it's a safety thing."
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