Here’s what to know for Made in America 2018

Jay-Z’s wildly popular Made in America festival is returning to The Parkway this weekend, bringing thousands of revelers and—naturally—traffic disruptions.

The festival, now in its sixth year, starts at 1 p.m. Saturday until midnight, and continues Sunday until 11:30 p.m. The massive festival, which saw 50,000 people in attendance in 2015, features a lineup of a-list artists this year, including Post Malone, Nicki Minaj, Diplo, Kendrick Lamar, and Meek Mill among others.

A total of 60 musicians will perform this weekend, and ticket sales will benefit the ACLU of Pennsylvania, and the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and South New Jersey.

Founded and hosted by Jay-Z since 2012, the festival was the subject of some controversy earlier this summer, after BillyPenn reported that it would be moving off The Parkway and possibly out of the city entirely. In response to the news, Jay-Z penned an open letter to the city on Philly.com, decrying the decision. Representatives from the rapper’s entertainment company, Roc Nation, met with members of Mayor Jim Kenney’s office following the news, and later released statements saying the festival would remain on the parkway for “years to come.”

Preparations for the festival have already begun. Here’s what you need to know for this weekend:

Which roads will be closed?

As with any major event—especially on a place that’s as heavily trafficked as The Parkway—Made in America will have a big effect on transportation. According to the city, workers have already started shutting down some lanes around the Parkway, with more to come as the week progresses.

By Friday morning, expect to see the entire Parkway shut down, from 20th to Eakins Oval, and behind the art museum. Perpendicular streets will also be closed for several blocks on either side of the Parkway, including 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and 24th Streets.

Spring Garden Street, between 20th and the Parkway will be closed, as will the Garden Street Tunnel and Spring Garden Street bridge.

The roads that run alongside the Philadelphia Art Museum and end of the Parkway will be closed, too, including Kelly Drive, Martin Luther King Drive, Pennsylvania Avenue, and Park Towne Place. Finally, the I-676 off-ramp will be closed.

The roads will be open again by 5 a.m., September 4.

It’s a good idea to avoid the area if you’re driving, but for those who need specific road closure details, check out the Office of Special Events website.

What about parking?

The city has set up no parking zones all around the Parkway, starting with the south side of Pennsylvania Avenue from 22nd to Fairmount.

Both Winter Street and Park Towne Place will be entirely shut down to parking, too. Also, 20th, 21st, and 22nd streets will be closed for parking on either side of the Parkway.

Winter Street from 20th to 22nd,

How will the festival affect SEPTA?

There’s good and bad news for SEPTA riders. The good news: The Broad Street Line and the Market-Frankford Line will run on normal schedules this weekend (albeit, they’ll likely be busy). Also, line night Regional Rail service will be available Saturday and Sunday to accommodate festival goers. Check out the schedule here.

The bad news, is several bus lines will be detoured because of the festival, including the 7, 32, 33, 38, 43, and 48 lines, starting at 10 a.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday.

What are you allowed to bring to the festival?

There’s a good deal of security at the festival, and they recommend not bringing bags or backpacks, although it’s not prohibited.

Empty water bottles or factory-sealed bottles, blankets, towels, small cameras, and small umbrellas are all okay.

But don’t bring in outside food or drink, masks, weapons, drones, pets, chairs, glass containers, coolers, lasers or scooters.

What else will be closed or open?

In what may come as a surprise, many of the cultural institutions on and around the Parkway will stay open during the festival. The art museum will stay open and you can get in via the west entrance. Also, the museum has accessible parking in their parking garage at Art Museum Drive.

Don’t expect to take a photo with Rocky, though. That statue will be closed from the public through the weekend.

Who to contact with questions or issues?

If you have a medical issue during the festival, there are EMS tents set up by the main entrance at 21st and 22nd streets, as well as the north and south sides of 23rd Street on the Parkway. A final EMS tent will be set up near the Rocky Statue at the end of the Parkway.

If you have questions about the festival, a hotline is set up from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. throughout this week, and during festival hours on Saturday and Sunday. Reach it by calling (917-732-7501).

Anyone with SEPTA questions can reach out to their hotline, which has extended hours this weekend from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Reach them at 215-580-7800.

• Philly Made in America festival will stay on the Parkway [Curbed Philly]