Stagecoach Country Music Festival Weekend Arrives: Food, Folks, Fun

INDIO, CA — Thousands of fans descended upon Indio Thursday for the three-day Stagecoach Country Music festival, which will be held Friday to Sunday at the Empire Polo Club, 81800 51st Ave.

The venue features a Ferris wheel, the Compton Cowboys, Guy Fieri's Stagecoach Smokehouse, and an Honkytonk Dance Hall. Artists play a variety of music, from country to rap to rock, all promising to knock your boots off.

On Stage, Friday's headliner, Eric Church; Saturday, come to see Miranda Lambert, and Sunday, to close out the festival, Morgan Wallen will take the headline spot.

Friday night's performers include Jelly Roll, Elle King, Dwight Yoakam, Carin Leon, and Paul Cauthen.

On Saturday, Miranda Lambert will headline the night.

Lambert will close the night after appearances by Post Malone, Leon Bridges, Ernest, and Charley Crockett.

On Saturday night, watch for a special appearance by Willie Nelson.

Sunday night's headliner, Morgan Wallen, will close out the weekend after other performers like Hardy, Bailey Zimmerman, The Beach Boys, Megan Moroney, and Clint Black.

Set times for each day are available at www.stagecoachfestival.com.

Festival attendees will have the opportunity to attend late-night performances on the Palomino stage, which will include Nickelback, Diplo and Wiz Khalifa, according to festival organizers.

As far as Stagecoach Country Music Festival food goes, look for Guy Fieri and guests at his barbecue.

"Guy and his guests will beshowcasing their pits and rigs, offering live demos throughout the weekend," a spokesperson for the event said. The barbecue experience includes a full bar, food and a shaded seating area. Fieri's guests will appear from 3 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Road closures will be in effect early Thursday to accommodate campers' arrival at the Stagecoach Country Music Festival.

According to a city statement, from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. Thursday, Avenue 52 will close between Monroe Street and Madison Street, and alternate routes are recommended on Dr. Carreon Boulevard, Highway 111, and Avenues 54, 49, and 48.

" Previously announced road closures continue to be in place. Avenue 50 between Monroe Street and Madison Avenue will be closed through Monday, May 6," city officials wrote. "The closure is necessary to protect the safety of workers, residents, and commuters."

City officials said significant traffic was expected on Avenue 48, Highway 111, Interstate 10, and Jefferson, Washington, and Monroe streets from Thursday to Sunday.

Road closures near the venue — on Avenue 49, Avenue 50, Hjorth Street, and Madison Street — were set to be in place from Friday to Monday.

Golf carts are not allowed on any of the affected streets near the festival.

According to city officials, delays on streets surrounding the festival site and on Interstate 10 would continue through Monday as 40,000 campers were expected to leave the area. Motorists were encouraged to take alternate routes if traveling near the affected areas.

An Uber location will be located on the southwest corner of Avenue 49 and Monroe Street, while friend, family, and taxi drop-off and pick-ups are expected to be on the northeast corner of Avenue 52 and Madison Street. More information can be found at www.indio.org.