LOUISVILLE, Ky. — One of Kentucky's biggest weekends of music is just days away. 

Now in its sixth year, Bourbon & Beyond is set for Sept. 19-22 at the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville. Headliners include Sting and Beck (Thursday, Sept. 19), Dave Matthews Band and Tedeschi Trucks Band (Friday, Sept. 20), Zach Bryan and Cody Jinks (Saturday, Sept. 21) and Tyler Childers and My Morning Jacket (Sunday, Sept. 22). Other names taking the stage include Matchbox Twenty, The National, Whiskey Myers, The Beach Boys, Melissa Etheridge, Maren Morris, Young the Giant and Black Pumas.

This year's edition includes five music stages, 100 artists and culinary programming from some of the nation's top chefs, in addition to several bourbon tastings and workshops. Whether you're headed for the music, bourbon or both, here are some essential things to know ahead of the four-day event:

Transportation

• Expo Center parking is within walking distance of the festival grounds. General parking will be available for daily sales for a $40 daily fee (cash or card accepted). Organizers said parking is not reserved and recommend arriving early to park on-site. Visit the festival's website to purchase advanced parking. 
• The designated rideshare drop-off and pickup is located at Gate 1 of the KEC.
• Fans coming from offsite parking lots or staying at nearby hotels on Phillips Lane, Crittenden Drive and Preston Highway can walk in any KEC entrance but should be cautious of vehicle traffic and follow signage, police and parking staff.
• The festival is offering self-serve bicycle parking across from the main festival entrance. Cyclists should bring their own bike lock, and fans arriving via bike can enter KEC at Gate 2, 4 or 6. Fans arriving via "On Demand" transportation can also park in this area and enter through the same gates. 

What to Bring

Organizers recommended bringing these items for an enjoyable experience:

• Cell phones and small portable chargers
• Sunscreen
• One factory-sealed bottle of water (maximum 20 ounces) or an empty plastic refillable water bottle
• Towels (30 inches by 58 inches maximum)
• Small, point-and-shoot digital cameras
• Hats, sunglasses and earplugs 

Organizers advised against bringing bags but said those with one need to follow the festival's bag policy. Fans can keep their belongings safe and their phones charged with the festival's mobile-charging lockers. With warm temperatures expected, spectators can also stay hydrated with free on-site water stations, courtesy of the Louisville Water Company. 

Wristbands

It is mandatory for fans to register their wristband online for entry. Fans can find their registration codes on the back of their wristbands. Bourbon & Beyond is a cashless event and will accept credit cards and wristband payments, in addition to Apple Pay and Google Pay. 

App/Set Times

Be sure to download the Bourbon & Beyond App for instant access to the festival map, set times, merchandise locations and more.

Official Afterparty

There are still tickets available for the official Bourbon & Beyond Afterparty, set for Saturday, Sept. 21 from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the Main Ballroom of Crowne Plaza, 830 Phillips Lane. Just steps away from the festival grounds, attendees can dance the night away with Louisville's DJ KDOGG while enjoying drinks and bites. Attendees must be 21 or older.

Mayorthon Bourbon & Beyond 5K 

Kentucky Exposition Center –  937 Phillips Lane, Louisville, Kentucky 

Saturday, Sept. 21, 6 a.m. arrival, 8 a.m. start time

The race will begin at 8 a.m. with music, light snacks and refreshments, with the course winding through the Kentucky Exposition Center grounds and Kentucky Kingdom. All participants will receive a commemorative Bourbon & Beyond 5K short-sleeve tri-blend race shirt and a custom finisher's medal. Packet pickup will be held Friday, Sept. 20, at Planet Fitness (4025 Poplar Level Road) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; participants can also pick up their packets on race day from 7 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.

Festival gates open daily at 11:30 a.m. Organizers said VIP and Mint VIP tickets are sold out, but single-day passes for Thursday, Friday and Sunday, along with four-day general-admission passes, are still available online or at the gate.

Visit the festival's website for a full list of FAQs and additional information.