The stage is nearly set to put the new Mosaic Stadium to the test. Bryan Adams, Johnny Reid and Our Lady Peace will be in the Queen City on Saturday night.

In an effort to simplify parking and traffic, Elphinstone Street will be closed between Dewdney Avenue and Saskatchewan Drive from 2:00 p.m. until midnight. Parking is only available with a permit.

“There will be congestion, no question,” Mayor Michael Fougere said. “We believe we have a plan that will work.”

The city’s plan includes encouraging people to use public transit. There are free shuttle buses from Southland Mall, Northgate Mall, Victoria Square Mall and Northview Crossing, along with shuttle stops downtown. Bus rides are also free for anyone with a concert ticket.

Mosaic is also testing out a free bicycle valet service at the event.

“We can store (the bikes) in a secured area with one of our volunteers for the duration of the event,” said Regina Exhibition Association Limited president and CEO Mark Allan.

Security screening points with metal detectors will be set up at entrances into the stadium and there will be about 100 security staff on hand.

“People should all have fun. We don’t ever want it to be a security event,” said Rod Buckingham, security manager for the Roughriders. “We want it to be an entertainment event. But, if someone is ruining your good time, then we just need to be prepared to deal with that.”

Once inside, it’s all about the music and the food. Regina Rocks will feature dishes from local vendors, including Rock Creek Tap & Grill, Beer Brothers Gastropub, Coney Island Poutine Café, Western Pizza, Wok Box and Sweet Ambrosia Bakeshoppe.

“We’ve all grown up in this community, we’ve all seen football games, we’ve all been a part of that game day experience,” said Beer Brothers managing partner Darren Carter. “To actually be part of the game day experience now is pretty cool.”

The full lineup of food and drinks isn’t available just yet, since some of the stadium is still under construction.

“We have most of the work done,” Allan said. “But, some of the contracts are still in the final stages.”

Tickets are still available for the first concert at Mosaic Stadium.

Here’s what concert goers need to know before the event:

  • Parking will be by permit only
  • Concert goers are encouraged to use public transit, taxis, park offsite, walk or bike
  • Free shuttle services are available from malls and downtown locations
  • Gates open at 4 p.m. Our Lady Peace starts at 6 p.m., Johnny Reid at 7:30 p.m. and Bryan Adams at 9 p.m.
  • There will be additional entertainment throughout the night before the event and between the main stage acts
  • There is a no re-entry policy for the entire event
  • Concessions open at 4 p.m. All concessions will sell beer and non-alcoholic beverages and separate bar-only concessions will have beer and liquor
  • Beer supply will be based on the number of kegs available. Some concessions will also have beer in cans
  • Cash is preferred and there are ATMs available throughout the stadium
  • Guests should expect searches at entry points
  • Alcohol, outside food, illegal substances, obstructive items and objects deemed unsafe by security aren’t allowed in the concert