A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Lakefront Live Prep
Lakefront Live might kick off in May, but the prep and planning actually starts as soon as the previous year’s series wraps. Here’s just a glimpse into the work that CA’s Open Space team puts in to help ensure that 60 nights of free entertainment runs smoothly!
✅ Ordering inventory
As early as fall, CA’s crew is making their list and checking it twice! This means ordering essentials like chairs, tablecloths, trashcans, sandbags, volunteer swag, stage and audio supplies, marketing materials and more.
✅ Coordinating with community partners
We couldn’t pull off this series without the help of our amazing community partners. During the winter, our friends at the Columbia Festival of the Arts are already working to find talented artists who represent diverse cultures for our headine performances. CA’s team also starts coordinating permits and license agreements in January, and meetings ramp up to a weekly basis with other partners and vendors as the series gets closer.
✅ The mural’s big debut
Did you know the Lakefront Live mural is actually an adhesive? It may look like a painting, but this flawless finish is the result of collaboration between multiple teams.
CA’s Marketing team creates the design, and then our Open Space crew keeps a close eye on the weather to determine the perfect conditions for its debut. Once a date is set, the fountain is turned off and the surface is power-washed and scrubbed to allow for a smooth application. Then, Open Space works closely with our trusted partners to get the mural up by early May!
✅ So. many. banners.
From the lawn to the lamp poles, there are colorful banners everywhere you look at the Lakefront! Once again, this is thanks to collaboration between CA’s Marketing team and Open Space.
✅ Stage + speaker set up
In early May, the CA crew clears and cleans the Lakefront area to make room for the stage and tent. As you can see, it’s a group effort! This year, we also installed new wireless speakers and upgraded to a bigger screen for movie nights to enhance the overall experience at Lakefront Live.
✅ Open space maintenance
The Open Space team mows the grass at the Lakefront on a weekly basis to make sure it’s in great shape for the crowd.
✅ Day-of support
Hours before each performance begins, you’ll find the CA crew at the Lakefront making sure that everything is ready to rock. Whether it’s coordinating with vendors, assisting with tech or lending a hand to guests, their constant presence and attention to detail is a huge part of making magic happen at Lakefront Live.
✅ Post-event breakdown
Once the music is done and the crowds disperse, CA’s team steps in to break down tents, tables, chairs, trash and recycling.
“Our goal is to make sure that the next day, it looked like nothing ever happened at the Lakefront! We are honored to contribute to the experience of this amazing community series.” -Rene Ordonez, CA Special Projects Foreman
We hope to see you there! Visit LakefrontLive.org for the full schedule.