The cavalcade for Sir Elton John’s concert began running through Wollongong on Tuesday with the finishing touches to be put on the stage on Friday and Saturday.
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Since Elton’s career began in 1969, he has played more than 4,000 concerts in over 80 countries – this Sunday will be his first in Wollongong.
Traffic management was put in place along Harbour Street to allow dozens of semi-trailers with production equipment to make their way to WIN Stadium.
Nine trailers were full of elaborate sound, lighting, video and backline equipment for the show.
Another 10 carried 120 tonne of steel used in the scaffold deck and stage roof.
Three trailers carried in an extra 8,500 seats to be setup across the field of play, bringing the chair total up to more than 20,000 and matching the number of tickets sold.
While another four semi-trailers brought 7,500 of flooring to cover the turf.
WIN Stadium venue manager Marc Swan said sports fans needn’t worry about the state of the ground following Elton John’s visit as the flooring is designed to protect the turf and keep it alive.
“WIN Stadium will then conduct a minor turf renovation over summer as would normally occur, in preparation for the Wigan v Hull match, and commencement of the Dragons NRL fixtures in 2018,” Mr Swan said.
Rain, hail or shine the Elton show will go on but thankfully the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast warm temperatures for this spring weekend.
Saturday is expected to be windy with a top of 30 degrees, Sunday is set to be slightly cooler with a mostly sunny 27.
Meantime, congratulations to our front-row ticket winners Belinda Rees of Wollongong and Sharlene Caldow of Berkeley. The pair won double passes each to enjoy the twilight open-air concert.