After years of planning, the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival's 50th anniversary is almost here. But, there remins some information to know before heading up to Bethel for the festivities.

In wake of recent mass shootings in Dayton and El Paso, and with 100,000 people expected to visit the area, Sullivan County Undersheriff Eric Chaboty says safety is the top priority.

"I can't get into the specific details but I can tell you the preparations are extensive and involve monitoring the crowds, monitoring social media, and a lot of other things," Chaboty said.

From Thursday to Sunday, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, and the immediate area around it, can only be accessed by those who have a ticket holder travel pass to cut down on traffic in the area.  

"It's been very much so all hands on deck. You know, it's activating all of our spaces, activating all of our exhibits, really bringing it all together for the 50th anniversary celebration," said Emily Casey, director of marketing, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.

Even though the Woodstock 50 concert was canceled, folks who were present in 1969 say the spirit of the anniversary weekend is very much alive and they're ready to relive that once in a lifetime experience. 

Richard Sabol watched his idols perform at the iconic music festival as a teen.

"That event at a young age, for me, said wow what an openness of freedom. The 1969 at Woodstock changed me as a human being and the direction I then went afterwards," Sabol said.

50 years later, Sabol is performing in the same town hoping to inspire others. For a full schedule of events throughout the county this weekend, you can visit here.