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Carole Mikita reporting "Film Takes Place" is the theme for this year's Sundance Film Festival. What's taking place two days before opening night is a scramble as Park City gets ready to host tens of thousands of visitors.
Some Park City businesses and residents are ready; others are racing to get there. Never mind the snow, it's Sundance Film Festival time, and already visitors are part of the Main Street scene.
"I think there's enough celebrity-soaked stuff to go around. I'm big on the films. I've been following the film festival since '89," said San Francisco resident Bill Lorand.
While workers clear the streets and cart off the remains of heavy snowfall, there is a reminder that only festival vehicles can park here for the 10-day festival, and lots will fill up quickly. "A lot of traffic congestion during Sundance, so we want to strongly encourage people to take advantage of our world-class public transportation, which is absolutely free," Park City Police Capt. Phil Kirk said.
Even business owners and employees have to take the shuttle buses. Some don't even bother. They leave town and rent their buildings to festival sponsors. "We basically start the process over the summer. So, we did site visits as early as July, which we do every year. Then we come to town, we secure the spaces, and then we go through design," explained Tim Hurley, of VOX Entertainment.
The Terzian Galleries hope to attract a crowd, but it varies from year to year. "You don't know if you'll get a lot of traffic or if you won't, and then you don't know who will come in, if it's art buyers or art lovers," manager Emily Chaney said.
Some are not sure how business will be during the Sundance Film Festival. Others, like the owners of Red Banjo Pizza, know it will be a success. "I will not be sleeping much next week, and we will do great business," owner David Ireland said.
If you still don't have tickets, you have options. The festival has two box offices: The Gateway Center in Park City and Trolley Square in Salt Lake City. You can also pick up a film guide at one of those ticket offices.
The festival opens with a "Premiere Thursday" in Park City on Jan. 17 and runs through Jan. 27.
