Entertainment News

INDIO, Calif. Thousands of music fans are expected to jam Coachella Valley freeways and streets while braving mid-90s heat for the 2008 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, a three-day rock concert that begins on Friday.

Fans are expected to fill Coachella Valley hotels for the festival, whose lineup includes Prince, The Raconteurs, The Verve, Kraftwerk, Love and Rockets and Duffy.

According to Pollstar, the concert industry trade publication, reported that 62,212 tickets were sold for the 2007 festival, which equated to an attendance of 180,000 over three days. Festival founder Paul Tollett told The Desert Sun that he expects about the same number this year.

Prince headlines the festival Saturday night on the Coachella Stage and former Pink Floyd band member Roger Waters closes the event Sunday night with a performance of "Dark Side of the Moon."

Many hotels across the valley are sold out.

"We've got nothing left Friday and Saturday," Monty Kadakia, manager of the Super 8 Motel on Highway 111, told City News Service.

The 19-room Palm Shadow Inn along Highway 111 just past Jefferson Street was also sold out today and Saturday.

"They're all concert-goers," according to the front desk agent, who said she did not expect any cancellations. "This is always our biggest weekend and most people booked their rooms several months ago. We've been very fortunate they've never given us any trouble."

Indio police spokesman Ben Guitron said residents should take extra time when driving and avoid such streets as Jefferson Street, the main artery to the polo field, and Monroe Street, which is the exit from the field.

According to Guitron, delays are expected between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the following streets and highway:

-- Jefferson Street, southbound, from Indio Boulevard to Avenue 52;
-- Monroe Street, southbound, from Interstate 10 to Avenue 52; and
-- Highway 111 at Jefferson Street and Monroe Street.

Guitron also advises residents to "avoid eastbound I-10 at Jefferson and I-10 at Monroe exits if you can." Possible alternative routes for travel north and south in Indio include Madison, Jackson and Calhoun streets along with Golf Center Parkway.

While traveling eastbound Indio, Guitron suggested using Fred Waring Drive and Miles Avenue east of the wash as well as Avenue 48.

"If you live south of Avenue 52 at Monroe, go south to Airport Boulevard before going eastbound or westbound," he said.

Road closures will include:

-- Avenue 50 westbound from Madison to Jefferson streets;
-- Avenue 52 eastbound from Madison to Monroe streets; and
-- Monroe Street will be converted to southbound traffic only from Avenue 52 to 48.

Though police expect heavy traffic during the festival, congestion should be better this year compared to last year, when Monroe Street was under construction, Guitron said.

"It shouldn't be as congested as in years past," Guitron said.

Authorities are adding extra security during the festival, but no major problems re expected, Guitron said.

"If it's anything like last year, we don't anticipate any significant issues," Guitron said. "We've learned a lot since the early days when Pearl Jam first played. We contract officers from all over the valley, including Palm Springs and Cathedral City, the sheriff's department, and the CHP."

There have been some arrests every year, but primarily for public intoxication, Guitron said.

Guitron also advises festival attendees to wear proper clothing because of the projected heat.

The Riverside County Fire Department will have extra paramedics and first aid booths around the polo field grounds, said Capt. Fernando Herrera. In prior years, heat-related illnesses have been a problem at the festival.

"Stay hydrated at all times and try not to drink too much alcohol," Herrera cautioned festival-goers, saying they should wear hats and try to stay in the shade.

(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)