The New American Music Union festival takes place at the SouthSide Works in the massive parking lot behind McCormick and Schmick’s.

American Eagle, working with Live Nation on the production, is confident that it will be sufficient capacity to hold the sellout crowd of 10,000.

“We are transforming it hopefully into a really fun and celebratory music venue,” says Kathy Savitt, chief marketing officer for American Eagle.

The college band contest is free, and it will take place in the square outside the Cheesecake Factory.

There are three available parking garages off 28th Street between Carson Street and Tunnel Boulevard. Handicap parking is available in each of these three lots. Cost to park will be $5. Tailgating will not be allowed in any lot.

Because parking will be at a premium, the organizers strongly recommend sharing rides, using the free satellite parking and shuttle option, taking public transportation, or riding a bike.

By shuttle:

The designated satellite parking lots are at Mellon Arena off Centre Avenue. Parking and shuttle service are free.

By bus:

Bus routes that will bring you to the SouthSide Works area:

• From Oakland or the Waterfront area, take the 59U

• From Downtown or the Station Square area, take the 51A

• Other PAT bus routes that make stops near the festival area include the 51C, 51G and 51B.

Visit www.portauthority.org.

By bike:

American Eagle has teamed with Bike Pittsburgh to offer a free bike valet service on the festival grounds, which are off the South Side Bike Trail running along the Monongahela River. It is also close to the Eliza Furnace Trail on the north side of the Monongahela River. For more information, visit bike-pgh.org.