Common Ground Concert Series

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Where should I park?   

Parking for Columbus Commons events is easy and convenient! The most convenient garage is the Columbus Commons Main Garage – two entrances to this garage are available at 55 E. Rich Street and 65 E. Main Street. If you park at the Main Garage, you’ll be closest to the park entrance. Parking rates will be $10 per vehicle, and cash and credit card will be accepted upon entering the garage. If you’re taking Uber or Lyft, the ideal drop-off zone address is 54 E. Rich Street, which will place you near the concert entrance. The Columbus Commons Underground Garage will not be available for general admission event parking.    

Where is the concert entrance?

The only general admission entrance is at the southern end of Columbus Commons at 55 E Rich Street. Please be prepared to have your digital or printed tickets scanned and bags searched. This entrance is handicap accessible.

How early can I arrive prior to gates opening?  

We know fans are excited about these shows and might want to arrive early to try and claim a space close to the stage; however, the park will be closed to the public starting at 2pm for the Martina McBride and Boyz II Men concerts. If you arrive before gates open, Columbus Commons security will ask patrons to exit the park. Security personnel will permit lines to begin forming on the sidewalk of E. Rich Street, so we kindly ask that you do not arrive at Columbus Commons any earlier than 2pm. Gates open at 5:30 pm.

What happens if it rains?   

You are permitted to bring a personal handheld umbrella. The concert will proceed rain or shine; though severe weather may delay or cancel the event. Columbus Commons personnel will be monitoring weather closely and will be ready to activate emergency weather procedures per the Columbus Commons emergency weather plan if necessary.    

In the event of a weather cancellation, if I have already paid for parking will my parking be reimbursed?

We are not able to reimburse parking.

What food and beverages options will be available?  

Columbus Commons’ two cafes, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams and Tortilla Street Food, will be open, along with six of our favorite food trucks. Check back on our website here for the full line-up a week before the concert. At the bars, you will be able to purchase a selection of Pepsi products, water, beer, wine and a specialty cocktail. Cash and card will be accepted.  Please note: no ATM will be onsite. Expect long lines at the food trucks and bars; feel welcome to bring in your own food and non-alcoholic beverages.

Martina McBride Food Trucks (July 9)

• Roadster
• Paddy Wagon
• Cheesy Truck
• Fork in Nigeria
• Two additional TBA

Boys II Men Food Trucks (August 25)

• Paddy Wagon
• 614 Fully Loaded
• Forking Pierogi
• Cheesy Truck
• Two additional TBA

Can I bring outside food/beverages into Columbus Commons?   

Yes, however coolers and outside alcoholic beverages are not permitted. Bars and multiple food vendors are on site for the concert. Bags are subject to inspection, and prohibited items will not be allowed in and are subject to removal once in the park. In addition to coolers, wagons are not permitted due to limited space for patrons.

Where do I sit?    

Seating space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. No chairs are provided, and guests are welcome to sit directly on our grass. Feel welcome to bring a blanket or chair to sit on and be prepared to sit close to your neighbors; we expect a full house! No chairs or blankets will be able to be placed before gates open. Gates open at 5:30 pm. Please note: tarps, coolers and wagons are not permitted.

I am in a wheelchair or have accessibility needs. Where can I sit?  

There will be a reserved area to the right/east side of the north lawn for patrons with accessibility needs. ASL interpretation services will be provided.

Can I bring my dog?  

Due to limited space, dogs other than service animals are not permitted for these concerts.   

Can I exit the park and re-enter after my ticket is scanned?  

We have a no re-entry policy.   

Will the carousel be running?   

Yes, visitors can enjoy a ride on the carousel for free until 9pm, weather permitting.   

Can I take photos and videos during the show?   

Yes, you can take photos and videos with your cell phone. Professional cameras are not permitted.

Is this concert family friendly?   

Yes, all ages are welcome, but please note - all patrons are required to have a ticket.  

What is not permitted in Columbus Commons for this concert?    

• Coolers   
• Wagons
• Outside alcoholic beverages   
• Smoking   
• Plastic tarps   
• Tents or canopies   
• Large golf umbrellas   
• Weapons of any kind   
• Animals, except for service animals   
• Disruptive behavior   
• Leaving and re-entering  

Will there be restrooms available?

There will be two permanent restrooms open, located behind the Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams scoop shop, in addition to 38 portable restrooms located on the east side of the park. Wheelchair accessible restroom facilities are also available on the East side of the park near the Town Street entrance.

TICKETS

What is the Common Ground Concert Series?    

Columbus Downtown Development Corporation and CAPA partner to present free nationally renowned artists to the community at Columbus Commons. Free Common Ground Concerts to date include Bruce Hornsby, Blues Traveler, Sheryl Crow, and The Beach Boys. Be sure to read all the frequently asked questions below and learn how to claim your tickets for unforgettable free music in the heart of Downtown Columbus!   

Do I need a ticket?    

FREE tickets are required. This is a free concert thanks to CDDC and CAPA. Tickets are limited in quantity to ensure a safe environment for patrons (max 2 tickets per person). We expect tickets to go quickly, so mark your calendars for each concert's ticket release date. See dates above. 

Do children need tickets?   

Tickets are required for everyone. This gives an accurate count of how many people are in the park so we can monitor attendance with health and safety officials.   

What is the free ticket-distribution process?   

A limited number of free tickets (8,000) will be released through the Cbus Arts Ticketing Platform managed by CAPA. They are available on a first come first-serve basis, and we expect tickets to go fast. The breakdown is as follows: 2,000 tickets available while supplies last for Columbus Commons and CAPA newsletter subscribers on June 13 at 10 a.m. for the Martina McBride concert and July 25 for the August 25 Boyz II Men concert. The following days, 6,000 tickets will be available to the public on June 14 at 10 a.m. for the Martina McBride concert and July 26 at 10 a.m. for the Boyz II Men concert.

Can you walk me through the ticket process?  

All tickets will be distributed through CAPA’s Cbusarts.com page. Here are step-by-step instructions for claiming tickets when they become available:  

1. Go to cbusarts.com and search Martina McBride or Boyz II Men.   
2. Add one or two tickets to your cart (tickets are required for all attendees, including children of all ages).  
3. Once tickets are in your cart, you will be added to a queue based on the order in which you added the tickets to your cart (it’s a first-come first-served process). DO NOT REFRESH YOUR SCREEN. Wait until the system lets you process your tickets.  
4. You will be prompted to create a CBUS Arts account. Be sure to remember this username and password so you can easily access your tickets on show day.  
5. If you were not able to claim your tickets, that means all tickets were claimed prior.  

What is a pre-queue, and how does the pre-queue work?

Before the tickets are released to the public, CBUSArts.com will have a pre-queue turned on. Visitors in the pre-queue see a countdown to the start of the sale or registration. Once the sale or registration starts, those early-comers in the pre-queue are randomized, and from that point on anyone else who joins the waiting room will be put at the back of the queue in a first-come, first-served order.

A pre-queue prevents website crashes from early demand and delivers online fairness.

How does the waiting room work?

Guests will be placed in a waiting room queue with an estimate number of how many customers are ahead of you in line. Keep your browser window open to keep your spot in line. Once it is your turn, you will gain access to the ticket link to save your seats.

Do you offer email notifications for customers in line?

Yes! Once in the waiting room, you can sign up to be notified via email when you’re close to getting into the ticket link. When it is your turn, you have a limited amount of time to access the site you want to visit.

Should I refresh my page to update my spot in line?

No. Refreshing your browser while you are waiting in the queue will not effect your position in line. The queue will continue to update to show your current status in line as well as any additional messages from the organizer in real time. When it is your turn, you will be automatically redirected to the website.

I signed up for the newsletter - does that guarantee my tickets?   

Signing up for the newsletter grants you early access to tickets, it does not guarantee tickets. Ticket quantities are limited, and we expect all tickets to be claimed quickly so be sure to mark your calendars for each ticket release date. Newsletter subscribers must sign up by June 12 to be included in the distribution of the early-access link for the Martina McBride concert and by July 24 for the Boyz II Men concert.

What if I don’t get a ticket? What can I do?  

Tickets are limited and may be claimed quickly.

Will tickets be available day-of?

We will not be able to accommodate day-of walk-ups due to crowd capacity.   

How do I find my tickets for the show day?  

If you were able to claim tickets, you will receive your tickets attached as a PDF in a separate e-mail from tickets@capa.com, generally within 24 hours after you have claimed your tickets. Please check your spam and/or junk folder if they are not delivered within 24 hours. You can also take a screenshot of your tickets or print them out to be scanned day-of-show. There is no will-call option for these shows. Need assistance? Please call the CAPA Box office at 614-469-0939.   

Will CBUS Arts, Columbus Commons or CAPA honor tickets reserved through third-party resellers, ticket brokers, or other outside entities?  

Tickets purchased from another source may be counterfeit, and we cannot guarantee you will have a seat upon arrival.  

For all questions related to the concert, look at the FAQs below or email info@columbuscommons.org.

For all questions regarding tickets, reach out to the CBUSArts Ticket Center by emailing tickets@CBUSArts.com.