Prairie Grove Prepares for Luke Bryan’s Farm Tour Concert

PRAIRIE GROVE, Ill. — The Village of Prairie Grove is gearing up for a major influx of attendees as country music star Luke Bryan is set to perform on Friday, Sept. 19. The small town, home to about 2,000 residents, expects up to 20,000 concertgoers to descend on the community.

Chief of Police Michael Goins said he will deploy 50 officers to manage traffic and ensure safety during the event. ‘We were optimistic we could handle it,’ he said, referencing both his and Village Administrator Michael Freese‘s extensive experience in public safety.

Local officials learned in January that Bryan was considering Prairie Grove for a stop on his tour. When the Berning Family Farm confirmed the show, Goins quickly reached out to another community that hosted the concert, Brooklyn, Wisconsin, to gather operations plans and implement necessary preparations.

With 7,000 vehicles expected, Goins shared that traffic will be directed primarily from the north and south. Those coming from the north will use Barreville Road to reach the northern parking lot, while vehicles from the south will enter from Route 31 to access the southern lot. Electronic signage will guide the traffic on Routes 176 and 31.

To manage potential medical emergencies, the village will provide 30 private paramedics, ambulances, and a field hospital staffed with doctors and nurses. Additionally, Goins is collaborating with the Nunda Rural Fire Protection District for any critical situations that arise.

McHenry Police Chief John Birk stated that his department will assist with a command center and electronic signs, advising drivers to seek alternative routes if necessary. Streets near the concert venue will be restricted to local residents.

After the concert, attendees leaving the north parking lot will be routed north on Barreville Road. This is to help avoid congestion on Route 31.

Goins indicated that technology will play a vital role in managing the event. ‘We have coordinated with Verizon and AT&T for additional cell tower resources,’ he noted, ensuring that concertgoers stay connected.

To keep everyone informed, the village posted detailed traffic and safety plans on its Facebook page. ‘We plan not just for when it goes smooth, but for when things go bad, and I think we have a good plan,’ Goins said.

As excitement builds in Prairie Grove for Bryan’s performance, Goins emphasized the collaborative effort by local law enforcement and government partners. ‘There has been a lot of work behind the scenes,’ he added.