It's every man for himself for Friday's jamboree

Diagram shows traffic patterns that will be in effect during home football games at the new stadium. Gaffney High officials are making plans to alleviate concerns about parking at the new football stadium.

GHS Principal Marlene Davis announced Tuesday that additional parking spaces will be available at the Cherokee County Recreation Complex with shuttle buses available to transport fans to and from the stadium.

"We don't want there to be any problems," Davis said. "Parking was a concern of a lot of people. We hope this can ease things up a bit."

The school will not use buses to transport fans to the stadium for Friday's jamboree.

However, shuttles will be available for the season opener vs. Dorman on Aug. 29 and during other home games.

The only reserved parking passes that will be honored for the jamboree are the ones for the red reserved lot. Jamboree tickets are $6 each. Gates will open at 5:45 p.m. All seats are open on a firstcome, first-served basis.

"The jamboree is every man for himself," Davis said. "We'll just see how things go Friday."

School officials made the move to avoid potential problems during rivalry games against Dorman, Spartanburg and Byrnes.

School District Superintendent Dr. Bill James estimates the total cost to pay drivers and operate the shuttles per game at about $200.

"It was a plan we needed for games like Byrnes, which brings a lot of fans with them on the road," James said.

Buses will arrive in 15 to 20 minute increments to pick up fans from Lowry Love Field.

Also chipping in to help ease the school's parking squeeze is D.W. Stacy Trucking Co. owner Danny Stacy.

Stacy is allowing fans to park in spaces at Hyatt Place, and the field between the plaza and his trucking company. He estimates the property could hold at least 300 vehicles.

"I thought parking could become an issue," Stacy said. "Hopefully this will help out."

The local businessman said he will be using his own lot when parking to attend Gaffney home games this year.

"I definitely know where I will be parking," Stacy said.

James said Stacy's decision made things easier. "It will help tremendously," James said.