OTW event barricades: Setting the stage for bigger and safer concerts and festivals

When planning a large event, such as a concert or festival, it’s easy for details to get lost in the chaos. While proper amounts of toilet paper, sufficient beverage stations, and VIP badges are things that shouldn’t be missed, those are often easier to fix last-minute than, say, the lack of a well-thought-out safety plan. When safety planning or equipment is left for last, it’s easy to panic and just use whatever is available or on hand, but that doesn’t always mean it’s the best choice. When safety measures (like event barricades) are thought out well in advance, it makes the entire event better for everyone involved, from organizers to vendors to attendees.  

What is RockStock?

RockStock was born out of a love of classic music and the desire to share that with the community. Organizers, sponsors, and vendors “transform minor league stadiums into immersive music venues, celebrating the golden age of rock through world-class production, tribute performances, and a powerful sense of community” (RockStock, 2025). As co-founder Scott Kerr said, “We had this idea to go ahead and bring some of the best classic rock tribute bands into Salt Lake City and roll out Rockstock”, and bring them they have! With tribute bands (bands that strive to replicate an original band’s songs, stage presence, vocals, musicality, and even costumes) touring the western United States, RockStock brings nostalgia and a rockin’ good time back for everyone who attends. Tour locations include Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Boise, and more!

So, how does an event like RockStock show just how big a difference safety barricades can make?   

A concert or festival takes detailed, intense planning that can cover months’ worth of time. When it comes to the day of the event, however, it’s essential for each element to go smoothly and quickly to make the best use of time and space. As Scott Kerr, co-founder of RockStock, said, “Any event, whether it’s a festival, a concert that needs crowd control, it’s so crucial that we can go ahead and have it identifiable [right away]”. For safety measures, using event barricades that are easily visible, even from a distance, ensures that guests can find their way without difficulty. When the barricades are simple and fast to set up, like the OTW Billboard Barricade, it’s even better! Kerr mentioned how quickly the barricades were able to be set up, saying, “We offloaded nearly 200 barricades, and in no time we had them loaded on a flatbed golf cart 20 high. We had a team of five and were about finished putting up all our crowd control in about 2 hours’ time. If we [had] used the metal old-fashioned barricade, we’d barely be a quarter of the way done [by then]!”  

To ensure a smooth event, Rockstock organizers took safety planning seriously and were prepared well in advance with a customized order of Billboard Barricades and custom sponsor signs. On the day of the event, OTW delivered 208 yellow Billboard Barricades and 120 signs. We sponsored the event with a complimentary barricade rental and delivery, and we picked them up again once the event had ended. However, RockStock kept the custom sponsor signs for years to come! As Kerr said, “Here at Rockstock, we decided to use the bright yellow that ties in with our brand. What’s nice about OTW safety [barricades] is the choice of colors. If I’m putting on a marathon and I want to have our start area in a certain color, I can. Awesome feature that OTW offers”. 

With their cool touch surface – even in the hot sun – and their sturdy, durable profile, OTW Safety event barricades make it easy to create safe spaces for every guest that walks into an event. With barricades like OTW Billboard Barricades, organizers no longer have to worry about things like hot metal barricades burning guests or makeshift barriers falling down – OTW event barricades are durable, reliable, and make an event look and feel incredibly safe.      

How did RockStock use OTW Safety event barricades to make their event safer?

Festivals and concerts can sometimes get a bit wild and free, and with good reason! The music is rocking, the vibes are sublime, and everybody is there to have a good time – but in order for everyone to enjoy the event to the fullest, it’s best to have safety precautions in place before guests arrive. 

At RockStock, this meant separating the stage from spectators to increase security for artists, surrounding the entire seating area to ensure guests stayed where they should, and creating clear entrance portals with barricades for ease of access. Additionally, secure boxes were created for tented locations, such as the sound booth. Crisp black and white signage showcased RockStock logos, as well as those of their sponsors (like OTW Safety!), while directional verbiage pointed guests in the right direction. As a bonus, all of the sponsors highlighted on the barricade signs will likely show up in lots of content as people share their fun photos of the event, and they will gain an event greater return-on-investment for their brand.       

As Scott Kerr, co-founder and co-owner of RockStock, said, “I would recommend OTW safety fencing to use for crowd control, no matter what event you’re putting on. Whether it’s a festival, a concert, a marathon, or a triathlon, give it a shot. You’ll love it. You’ll never want to go back to that old-fashioned bike barricade”.

Ready to see OTW Billboard Barricades in action at RockStock? 

Check out our video below and see how event barricades can help make large events like concerts and festivals safer!