Tim Short sponsoring tailgate event at The Arena prior to Hank Jr. concert

The 6,000 rowdy friends from far and wide will be packing The Arena in Corbin Saturday night as country icon Hank Williams, Jr. takes to the stage.

According to Ticketmaster.com, the concert is a complete sellout.

“We sold 3,000 tickets just in presale,” said Arena Director Kristi Balla noting the event was on the fastest to a sellout, outpacing Kane Brown.

While the concert will begin at 7:30 p.m., Balla said the party would start at 4 p.m.

“We are doing a Tim Short Tailgate from 4 to 6 p.m.,” Balla said explaining that County Wide will do a set in the parking lot while Shep’s Place will be selling food.

Balla cautioned that Kentucky Alcoholic Beverage Control laws do not permit individuals to bring alcohol onto the premises. Security will be in place to deal with anyone caught doing so.

“My ultimate goal is to have people come up early and enjoy the music of County Wide,” Balla said. “Then, they are already here and don’t have to worry about parking.”

The doors to The Arena will open at 6 p.m.

Balla said the restrictions on items that may be brought inside would be enforced.

Patrons are prohibited from bringing in:

• Bags and briefcases
• Backpacks
• Large women’s purses. Small clutch bags are allowed
• Video cameras or recording devices
• Laser pointers or noisemakers
• Weapons of any kind – including pocketknives
• Alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs or paraphernalia
• Selfie sticks
• Laptop computers or tablets
• Coolers
• Luggage of any kind
• Camera bags

In addition, Balla said that guests should be aware that metal detectors, hand-held wand screening and bag checks would be performed as they enter.

Balla said in addition to providing additional entertainment, the goal of the event is to spread out arrivals to the concert to improve traffic flow and fans’ access to The Arena.

Noting the issues that have arisen at previous events of this scale, most recently Kane Brown, Balla said shuttle buses from the lower parking lot would begin running at 5 p.m. The shuttle will take people around to the back of The Arena where they may enter through those doors.

The shuttles would also be available after the concert and will pick up outside the rear doors.

Balla said while beer will be available at the concert, changes are being made to where and how it is sold.

Fifteen beer stations will be set up around the concourse offering 16–ounce cans for purchase.

“It should speed up service,” Balla said noting it is similar to how venues in other cities work.

Balla will be doing Facebook Live videos in the coming days to better explain the changes.

More information is available on The Corbin Arena Facebook page.