By: Tanner Shotwell
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – Row festivities have Washington County security on high alert in preparation for the event.
Row is an annual concert weekend hosted by the fraternities at the University of Arkansas. Several fraternities group up to come together with enough money to host artists of their choice to perform for the university.
This event is expected to draw a peak attendance of 3,000 people. The event is starting tonight but will continue with the performers throughout Friday and Saturday starting at 6 p.m. Friday’s event will host Juicy J, followed by Swae Lee on Saturday.
With so many people expected to attend, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office has been planning for weeks in preparation for the thousands of students attending. Throughout this week the production team for the concert has been lining fences around the stage at the fairgrounds while also allotting room for vendors and food trucks.
Washington County Lieutenant, Leon Fiscard says he has been planning for weeks with constant communication between all branches of law enforcement in Washington County.
“I’ve had a bunch of meetings so I’ve established egress and degress for emergency vehicles. In the event that I have to get them in. Both concerts we’ll already have central EMS on the scene for any medical issues that may arise. we’ve designated certain areas for medical teams.”
Washington County has received help from the production team for the security and safety of people attending. The production team has hired forty individual security guards that will act as the front line for any problems that may arise.
Alcoholic beverages will be prominent at the event with several vendors being brought in by the production team. With many attendees possibly drinking, the university buses will be going nonstop throughout the entire event taking students to and from the Washington County Fairgrounds. There will be seven total buses en route throughout the night.
For people looking to drive, there is designated parking on the left when you pull into the property. It’s a twelve-minute drive from Razorback Stadium listed on the map.
The Sheriff’s Department will be present Friday and Saturday while the security team hired by production will be there Thursday through Saturday.
Frisard says that there will be twelve Washington County personnel on Friday and Saturday strategically placed throughout the venue bringing the security total to 52 not including the medical teams on standby.
He also says that he wants attendees to feel safe and comfortable at the event, and emphasizes the fact that all members of the security staff are easily approachable if needed.
Those looking to attend must have a wristband provided by the involved fraternities.