State police warn of heavy traffic during Woodstock anniversary

State Police are warning motorists to expect unusually long delays on state Route 17 and 17B in Sullivan County coinciding with the 50th anniversary celebration of the Woodstock Festival at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts starting Thursday Aug. 15 and lasting through Aug. 18

The celebration of the of the 1969 Woodstock festival, which was held on the property where Bethel Woods is located, features three day-long shows headlined by Beatles drummer Ringo Starr on Friday Aug. 16 and Woodstock veterans Carlos Santana and John Forgerty, respectively on Aug. 17 and 18.

Police said traffic is expected to be particularly heavy on state Route 17 west between the the New York State Thruway tolls in Harriman and exit 104 on to state Route-17b in Monticello.

Authorities said they expect peak traffic for westbound lanes is anticipated between the hours of 1 pm and 7 p.m. and eastbound between the hours of 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. each day of the celebration.

Police said Motorists are encouraged to make alternate travel plans and avoid unnecessary travel during these hours on all four days of this anniversary concert weekend.

Police said heavy traffic on state Route 17 at exit 104 westbound may necessitate detours being put into place and motorists should be aware of alternate routes and plan for the detours and heavy traffic.

Additionally people going to any of the weekend shows must have a Bethel Woods Center travel pass for their vehicle in addition to their concert tickets to attend each day’s performances and events.

The deadline for having the passes mailed out has passe and Bethel Woods officials are urging concert goers to pick up their travel passes at the center’s box office at 200 Hurd Road through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Those unable to pick up their travel passes on those dates can pick them up on the day of the event from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the center’s satellite checkpoint at 53 Pucky Huddle Road, Bethel located half a mile past the concert venue on 17b on the left side of the road.

Event/concert ticket holders should watch their e-mail for detailed information allowing seamless entry on each event day.

The center urges anyone who wishes to visit during Anniversary Weekend to purchase their tickets now as several events are at or near capacity for each of the event days.

Individuals without concert or event tickets during Anniversary Weekend must visit Bethel Woods on a different weekend as the Center will be at permitted capacity. Visitation, to Bethel Woods, including the Museum, monument, and grounds, will be available to ticketholders only.