Hillbilly Days kicks off this week and the Office of Residence Life and the Division of Student Affairs' primary goal is to keep all members of the UPIKE Community safe so they can have an enjoyable experience during the festival. Below are several changes to keep our UPIKE Community safe!
As everyone is aware, we are gearing up for Hillbilly Days 2023. The carnival will start on
Wednesday, April 19 and the official Hillbilly Days festival kicks off on Thursday, April 20 and runs through Saturday, April 22.
Hillbilly Days is one of Kentucky's most popular festivals, featuring hundreds of food vendors, a carnival, and three stages of live music that offer a variety of genres. Enjoy clogging, square dancing, goofy hillbilly outfits, a parade, and many other unique attractions. For details on this year's Hillbilly Days offerings, visit HillbillyDays.com.
The main goal is for all members of the campus community to have a safe and enjoyable experience during the festival. Outlined below are several changes to help keep our campus community safe during the festival.
• HPE AND COAL BUILDINGS: HPEB and Coal will have the entrances and interior doors with electronic access locked throughout the festival. KYCOM and KYCO students, faculty, and staff have 24-hour access to those buildings. This is a reminder not to prop doors or let others in the building as you enter or exit.
• RECORD MEMORIAL: All foot traffic to and from upper campus should flow through Record Memorial or the 99. Record elevators will be locked off (First, Second, and Sixth Floor access only) at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 20 and Friday, April 21 and remain locked off through Sunday, April 23. Extra patrols will be made throughout the building during the festival.
• NON-UPIKE GUEST RESTRICTED FROM ALL RESIDENCE HALLS: In efforts to help keep our campus community and residential students safe, non-UPIKE guests have been suspended from visiting the residence halls. This does not apply to current/registered UPIKE students. This restriction will take place on Wednesday, April 19 at 5:00 p.m. and end Sunday, April 23 at 5:00 p.m.
• PARKING PERMITS: If you have not obtained a UPIKE parking permit- please do so ASAP! Parking Permit requests are electronic for your convenience. Please use the following
link https://apps.upike.edu/permits. Please read and be aware of the Parking
Regulations
• HPE PARKING LOT: Beginning Wednesday, April 19 at 9:00 a.m. the HPEB parking lot will be closed and reserved to accommodate vendor parking. The lot will reopen Sunday, April 23 at 5:00 p.m. Any vehicles not moved by 9:00 a.m. are subject to being towed at the owner's expense. Please note: The five reserved spots for the Dr. Jerald F. Combs Eye Clinic will remain open for patient care parking until Wednesday, April 19 at 4:30p.m.
• VISITORS PARKING LOT: Beginning Wednesday, April 19 at 5:00 p.m., several spots in the Visitor's parking lot will be closed and reserved for staff members responding to student needs. The Visitor Lot will reopen Sunday, April 24 at 9:00 a.m. Student Affairs will have a tent near the rock for any student needs. The handicap spots will be available on first come basis for valid issued handicap permits/tags.
• UPIKE ID: Due to the high volume of foot traffic across campus and in efforts to help keep the campus community safe, Public Safety Officers may ask for your UPIKE ID. Make sure you always have your UPIKE ID with you.
• PARKING GARAGE: Anyone utilizing the parking garage is encouraged to use extra caution, the parking garage is usually full during the Hillbilly Days event and will continue through the weekend. The concerts being held at the expo will most certainly make parking spaces a premium also. Be aware that theft and vandalism may occur. Public Safety encourages you to remove all valuables from your vehicles and make sure all doors are locked when parking anywhere in the city.
• COLLEGE SQUARE: As in years past, people attending the festival will try to park in the College Square parking lot. Due to the high volume of service calls, Public Safety will not be able to continually monitor that parking area. However, we will make as many rounds in the area as possible and will be ticketing vehicles that do not have valid parking permits. Any College Square resident student who has not yet obtained a parking permit will need to do so by Wednesday, April 19 at 10:00 a.m. Public Safety officers will not be available to issue permits after that time and you may receive a ticket for parking in that area without a permit.
• ALL OTHER AREAS: Be aware when Hambley Boulevard is shut down on Wednesday, April 19 at 5:00 p.m. Kentucky Avenue becomes the main thoroughfare for the city. There will be increased traffic, and most will not obey the 15-mph speed limit. Use caution when traveling in or near the area. Also, with the influx of people into the area, be aware that cell service may be intermittent. The number of cell phones in use may prevent you from making or receiving calls or texts.
• OTHER SAFETY PRECAUTION: The Hillbilly Days festival and accompanying concerts are meant to be fun but, be aware that some guests of the festival use this time to prey upon other visitors. Using common sense and being aware can mitigate the risks. Do not travel alone to and from the festival, but if you must, let someone know where you'll be going and when you'll be back. Keep an eye on your valuables and do not carry large amounts of cash. Be mindful of your drinks, if you are not in possession of your drink (even for a moment) throw it away. If you are suspicious of any situation, get away immediately. Trust your instincts. And as always, Public Safety is available 24/7. Please report any suspicious activity immediately. For assistance call 606-477-0262.
