LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Waterfront park is slowly transforming into a mix of music, bourbon and food, just as summer heat is back in time for Forecastle.
The festival runs Friday, July 12, through Sunday, July 14. Although, the set-up for the festival doesn't happen overnight.
The festival's organizers, this year, are extra focused on the heat, which will likely reach the nineties.
"We really try to encourage as much hydration as you possibly can which is why we put out the water stations," James Shinault, vice president of festival operations for AC Entertainment, said.
They are encouraging festival-goers to be smart and take care of themselves, but the festival is also taking new steps to help beat the heat.
"We have a huge shade structure that we're building over in the south great lawn near what we call the Bourbon Lodge," Shinault said. "It's this huge massive thing called the Sea Star, we're really excited about bringing in."
The festival encourages attendees to bring a refillable water bottle to fill up for free at their convenience at any of the festival's water stations. Bottle water will also be available for purchase at the food and beverage stations.
Shinault said crews began setting up the several stages Tuesday morning and will continue to set up over the next few days until gates open on Friday.
"We're getting all of the production in, all of the sound gear, all of the lights, video production, that sort of stuff," he said.
They are gearing up for a diverse range of artists to hit each stage all three days, including The Killers, The Avett Brothers, and Nelly.
"Everything from rock n' roll to hip hop to electronic music to dance music, so it's going to be a little something for everybody," he said.
Shinault said they expect about 20,000 people per day, and between 50-60,000 people throughout the weekend.
"We have people coming from all around. It's a lot of regional people coming mainly from Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, Georgia. But we do stretch all the way out as far as California. We have people coming here from overseas," Shinault said.
Gates open each day at 1 p.m. and music kicks off each day at 1:30 p.m.
"It's a lot of people having a really good time, experiencing the state of Kentucky, experiencing Louisville, and experiencing all of the unique things that we can bring here and an amazing lineup," Shinault said. "It's going to be a good weekend"
For more information on what you can and can't bring, the full lineup, and where to purchase tickets, visit the festival website at www.forecastlefest.com.
►Contact reporter Tyler Emery at temery@WHAS11.com. Follow her on Twitter (@TylerWHAS11) and Facebook.