County officials have made sure that signage is up and running, and are preparing with law enforcement to ensure that traffic diverts off of Prior Station Road for a weekend event just across the state line promising to bring thousands to the Indian Mountain ATV Park in Alabama.
Electronic signs went out on Wednesday for the event set to start today with travelers set to come from all corners for the Southern Bounty Series, which includes a concert and some of the biggest mud riders in the country coming to the area.
The Indian Mountain ATV Park is set to host the event through April 11 and are also hosting Tyler Booth for a concert, and are expected to hand out an $8,000 prize along with hosting offroad and food vendors.
The amount of traffic that would normally go down Prior Station Road on a weekend when the ATV park is open has increased over the past years since they opened, and with an event bringing in a large crowd the need to put some protections in place for local residents was a high priority for Commissioner Scotty Tillery.
He talked about the plans for the weekend during Tuesday’s County Commission meeting, with the goal of diverting traffic from Prior Station Road using a different route utilizing Highway 278, and County Roads in Alabama.
Tillery said law enforcement would also be stepping up their patrol of the area to help reduce traffic flow on the local roadway, not built for the traffic that has increased.
Drivers will need to take Highway 278 out past the state line, and then turn right on County Road 126 and follow it to turn right onto County Road 185, which will allow drivers to turn left at County Road 8. Tillery said it is an easier and safer way for visitors coming to Indian Mountain ATV park to get around.
He also expected that additional traffic will be seen at local restaurants and stores before the weekend is out as well in the Cedartown area.
Plans for the event this weekend include the World’s Largest Night Ride at 9 p.m. on Friday, the beginning of the Southern Bounty Series on Saturday at noon with a concert wrapping up the day at 8 p.m., and a final opportunity for riders to shop with vendors and take to the trails on Sunday before the park closes.
Of note, the forecast for the weekend is perfect for mudders with chances of showers starting this afternoon and continuing through Saturday night.
Thunderstorms are expected for the main event’s midday start on Saturday.
