COLUMBIA -- More than 125,000 people are expected to gather in downtown Columbia this Friday and Saturday for some great music and food.

Organizers are preparing for the third annual Roots and Blues and Barbeque festival.

This is the first time that you will need to buy a ticket for the event.

A single day ticket costs $10. A weekend pass goes for $15. Children 12 and under are free. Festival organizers said charging admission will not keep people away from this popular event. The festival will have a lot of music and food, but very little parking. A free shuttle is available from the University of Missouri reactor parking lot to the event. Organizers are also urging people to leave their cars at home and ride their bikes to the festival where they can take advantage of a free bicycle and stroller valet parking service at Shakespeare’s Pizza on Ninth Street.

“You don’t have to lock up your bike," PedNet Coalition spokesperson Janet Godon said. "We’ll watch all of your stuff, especially if you are bringing a stroller and you have some goodies to maybe nibble on for your kids, or your coats or whatever. We’ll watch all of that and you don’t have to take it with you.”

More than 125,000 people attended last year’s festival.  Organizers are expecting a bigger crowd this year.

“It’s really important to remember that you need to buy a ticket if you want to get into the roots ‘n blues village," Festival organizer Tara Hart said. "If you do not wish to purchase a ticket, then you can come and enjoy the bar-be-que village for free.”

Artists will play on three stages at Peace Park, Flat Branch Park and the intersection of Seventh and Locust Streets.

Columbia police say they are ready for the large crowds because of past experience. Event organizers have been working with the Columbia police department for the past several weeks to prepare for large crowds. Alcohol will be allowed within the ticketed area of the festival.

“We’re going to have a lot of officers," Columbia police sergeant Lloyd Simons said. "I’m going to have officers on foot, on bicycles and even on horses, downtown at the event.  I’ll have plenty of staff. Obviously, if somebody sees something out of the ordinary, to certainly call 911. They will get that information to us and we can send officers immediately to wherever that issue is.”

This year’s festival has a solid line-up of musicians including blues legend Booker T.

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