Rick Ross’ car and bike show returns for its fourth year with new security plans

FAYETTE COUNTY, Ga. — The Rick Ross Car and Bike Show is revving up to roll back into town for its fourth year on Saturday, June 7. Organizers are promising tighter security and better traffic control.

Members of Ross’ security team, along with local law enforcement, laid out new plans Wednesday to address issues that have frustrated neighbors in past years—namely heavy traffic, illegal parking and littering near the rapper’s Fayetteville mansion.

With 6,000 to 8,000 people expected to attend, organizers are teaming up with the South Fulton Police Department and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, who will deploy nearly 150 police officers to monitor subdivisions and local businesses. More than 20 tow trucks will also be on standby to clear blocked driveways and neighborhood roads.

City of South Fulton Police Chief Keith Meadows described in years past how residents couldn’t even get into their own driveways. “We’re going to make sure that as we’re deploying resources, we’re eliminating that as a possibility,” he said during a Wednesday media briefing about the event.

The event, dubbed the “greatest automotive experience,” features a plethora of cars — from the classic to the souped-up — and musical performances. But the festival-like show has been a flash point in the northern Fayette County community, with traffic being a major pain point for residents in the area. 

Video from 11Alive’s SkyTracker over the estate showed the scope of the event: 

Earlier years of the festival caused hours-long traffic jams for nearby businesses and residents living in adjacent neighborhoods. And in 2023, the county and Ross appeared to be locked in a standoff over permitting for the event. The county ultimately approved one with certain conditions, including off-street parking (and proof of it), a cut-off for outdoor lighting and tents being approved by the fire marshal.

Ross and his team have since worked to curb the impact to the neighboring community by posting “no parking” signs and adding traffic control support by several off-duty officers from surrounding agencies.

Officials are urging drivers to avoid the Old National Highway corridor near the Ross’ Promise Land estate if possible. Traffic is expected to be heaviest between 7 to 11 a.m. and again from 4 to 11 p.m. on show day.