Busy Saturday Night for Peoria Civic Center
By: Andrew Barra WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: January 13, 2013
PEORIA - It was an extremely busy night Saturday night for the Peoria Civic Center.
Three very different events brought out thousands of people and kept workers on their toes.
However, this isn't new to them, especially this time of year.
"This is our busy season, where the rubber meets the road," said Assistant Marketing Director Megan Pedigo.
The Civic Center is dealing with three major events at once- the Derby Dames roller derby doubleheader - the OSF Angel Ball that happens only once every five years - and country music stars Zak Brown Band.
"(I am) very excited," said country music fan Connie Cox. "I have a cold, but I'm still excited."
:"We love their music," added Don and Judy Reinboldt "We're invited by some friends to come down, and that is what we're doing."
The Civic Center plans to bring in twelve thousand people Saturday night. In order to make sure things run smoothly, they have a week long process in place.
"We really start working on Monday," said Pedigo "Tuesday, we started setting up everything, operationally, but it usually is a week long process."
One big question - parking. What do they do to make sure that people can find spots?
"Both of our parking lots are open and fully staffed," said Pedigo. "Also, City Link is working with us. They're doing a parking ride."
And with the lots filling up fast, how were people dealing with parking? Not too bad, if they got in early enough....
"Parking was easy," said Cox. "We went to the parking deck right across the street. Piece of cake. First level."
"We had prepaid parking," added the Reinboldt's. "It was a breeze."
The Civic Center tries to make sure the night is as routine as possible - so it runs smoothly for them, and patrons.
"When we go home at night, as long as everyone was here and entertained, we go home and sleep well," said Pedigo.
The Civic Center says they expected nine thousand for the concert, two thousand for the ball, and a thousand for roller derby.
Three very different events brought out thousands of people and kept workers on their toes.
However, this isn't new to them, especially this time of year.
"This is our busy season, where the rubber meets the road," said Assistant Marketing Director Megan Pedigo.
The Civic Center is dealing with three major events at once- the Derby Dames roller derby doubleheader - the OSF Angel Ball that happens only once every five years - and country music stars Zak Brown Band.
"(I am) very excited," said country music fan Connie Cox. "I have a cold, but I'm still excited."
:"We love their music," added Don and Judy Reinboldt "We're invited by some friends to come down, and that is what we're doing."
The Civic Center plans to bring in twelve thousand people Saturday night. In order to make sure things run smoothly, they have a week long process in place.
"We really start working on Monday," said Pedigo "Tuesday, we started setting up everything, operationally, but it usually is a week long process."
One big question - parking. What do they do to make sure that people can find spots?
"Both of our parking lots are open and fully staffed," said Pedigo. "Also, City Link is working with us. They're doing a parking ride."
And with the lots filling up fast, how were people dealing with parking? Not too bad, if they got in early enough....
"Parking was easy," said Cox. "We went to the parking deck right across the street. Piece of cake. First level."
"We had prepaid parking," added the Reinboldt's. "It was a breeze."
The Civic Center tries to make sure the night is as routine as possible - so it runs smoothly for them, and patrons.
"When we go home at night, as long as everyone was here and entertained, we go home and sleep well," said Pedigo.
The Civic Center says they expected nine thousand for the concert, two thousand for the ball, and a thousand for roller derby.
