By KRISTEN WYATT
Staff Writer

When Widespread Panic comes home to Athens for a free concert April 18, organizers want to set a world record.

The Athens-based jam-rock band announced last month it will give a free concert on Washington Street in front of the 40 Watt Club to celebrate the release of a sixth album, "Light Fuse, Get Away," due in stores April 21.

Nirvana holds the record for the largest CD release party ever, with 20,000 fans, but attendance at Widespread Panic’s show may exceed that number by 5,000 to 10,000 people, said Athens Downtown Development Authority Director Art Jackson.

Local businesses and Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services are looking for ways to accommodate the crowd.

University commuter parking lots on River Road, the Athens Boys and Girls Club’s lot on Oconee Street and areas along the Oconee River are all being considered as camping sites for visiting fans.

Jackson said fans will not be allowed to spend the Friday night before the show on Washington Street. The concert’s tentative starting time is 7 p.m. Saturday, April 18.

The road will close to cars Friday at 3 p.m., but construction of a 40-by-40-foot stage and sound towers means the street will be off-limits to both foot and automobile traffic until 3 p.m. Saturday.

The block in front of the Morton Theatre will open to fans at 4 p.m., and the block in front of City Hall will open at 5 p.m., Jackson said.

All downtown parking lots will be open Friday night, though, and Jackson said the city will provide security all night for visitors who want to sleep in their cars.

Athens Brewing Company plans to help accommodate the crowd after the concert. The bar will be open all night Saturday, and for $15, fans can stay at the bar and get brunch in the morning.

"There aren’t many hotel rooms, and this is one little thing we can do to help people out," Nummer said. "We’ll stop serving at 2 a.m., of course, but people are welcome to bring a sleeping bag or just hang out all night. It’ll be cool."

Jackson said plans for the show are "going slowly, but well."

The concert itself may begin later than expected. Jackson said the city may move the concert time from 7 to 7:30 p.m. to accommodate an April 18 wedding at First United Methodist Church on Lumpkin Street. A final decision will not be made until April.

"We want this thing to be big – real big," Jackson said. "It’s a positive thing for Athens. UGA is the factor. We hope everyone comes out."

Widespread Panic is currently in New Zealand on its first world tour and could not be reached for comment.