WILKES-BARRE — How do you plan for a huge free concert in the heart of the county seat of Luzerne County?
That’s been the job of Wilkes-Barre’s Special Events Coordinator Mike Slusser and others responsible for planning and showcasing the America250PA concert in Kirby Park on Saturday featuring Lady A and En Vogue.
“I don’t know if we can really tell you how many people are going to show up. When you are talking about a free concert, maybe you got your tickets in April and now you have a graduation party to go to, and you didn’t pay for the ticket, so it’s not holding you back in any way,” Slusser said earlier this week while Wilkes-Barre Department of Public Works crews started to put up perimeter fencing.
The perimeter fencing is so massive that the city is preparing as if tens of thousands of people could fit inside.
Wilkes-Barre Department of Public Works crews put up fencing along the bottom of the levee in Kirby Park ahead of Saturday’s America250PA concert featuring Lady A and En Vogue. (BOB KALINOWSKI / STAFF PHOTO)
Concert organizers haven’t said how many people requested tickets or how many people they expect to show up.
But they stress anyone who wants to attend needs a mobile ticket to enter.
Wilkes-Barre police Chief Mike Boyle said the city, surrounding communities like Kingston, along with state and federal partners, have a game plan to keep the event safe and fun for all.
“This is us working with our law enforcement brothers and sisters, working with our federal, state and local entities. We have developed a comprehensive action plan in relation to keeping attendees safe to enjoy the program and their visit to the City of Wilkes-Barre,” Boyle said. “ We know it’s going to be a sizable crowd. We don’t know the exact number.”
Wilkes-Barre police Chief Michael Boyle speaks during a press conference held by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in front of Wilkes-Barre police headquarters Friday, May 29, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)