30,000 expected to attend Sticks Festival

The stage — complete with lights, sound and video screens — is set for the first Sticks Country Music Festival at Parker Hill on Friday.

The two-day event will feature 15 country music artists, including Trace Adkins, Sara Evans, Gretchen Wilson, Diamond Rio, Shenandoah and Rodney Atkins. Local artists will provide entertainment between sets on both days.

Atkins, who will be performing 8:30 p.m. Friday, will be fresh from a trip to Disney World with his family. He wanted to make sure he was part of the inaugural concert event.

“Shows like this are such a great time — folks are camping, hanging out — it’s going to be fun,” Atkins said recently by e-mail. “I was honored that they asked me to be a part of the first year.”

Event producer David Adams said he is expecting 30,000 to attend.

Alabama State Troopers will be on hand to help direct traffic. The southwest end of Lee Road 86 will be closed during the event, Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said.

Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputies will be at the event site, Jones said. The Alabama Beverage Control Board Enforcement Division will also be there to enforce drinking-age laws, he said.

“We want people to be safe and enjoy the concert,” Jones said.