Start Jumping! Blacksburg community prepares for Metallica concert at Lane Stadium

BLACKSBURG, Va. (WDBJ) - Virginia Tech and Metallica fans are sleeping with one eye open and gripping their pillows tight in excitement.

May 7, no matter where you are in Blacksburg, you’ll be able to hear Metallica blasting through the speakers of Lane Stadium.

The concert is part of the band’s M72 World Tour, marking 25 years of the iconic song “Enter Sandman” playing as the Hokies take the field.

Blacksburg and the New River Valley community are preparing in different ways for the big day.

Nathan Sparks and Kyle Graham are with the New River Valley’s Rock Station, 105.3 The Bear. They’ve been busy with ticket giveaways, promoting and preparing for a two-hour tailgate show.

“I’ve had people from as far as New York or New Hampshire email me like, hey, you guys got any more tickets that you’re giving away? Sorry, you’re out of the radius, but maybe if you come out to one of our ticket stops, we can hook you up,” said Sparks.

Several local churches, schools, and museums are also preparing for the concert, selling space in their parking lots to fans.

Blacksburg United Methodist Preschool is selling parking spots for $30 each. The proceedings are supporting the preschool, along with the children and youth ministries of Blacksburg United Methodist Church.

“We are preparing a sign for every person, so everyone will have a personalized sign when they come in and check in with one of our parking attendants,” said Ginger Cope, the treasurer for BUMP.

Parking spots are also available at Harding Avenue Elementary for $15. All proceeds will go to the Parent Teacher Association to support the school.

“We’ve never presold for gamedays. This is a unique opportunity, it’s mid-week and the schools are getting out early. I think this is gonna be great for the community,” said Sarah Price, the PTA president.

Pantera and Suicidal Tendencies are the opening acts for next Wednesday’s show.

While there’s no doubting the excitement, one mystery remains, whether Metallica will play “Enter Sandman” first or save the best for last.

“They always made the jokes that when people were jumping to Enter Sandman, that they were registering on the Richter scale. I feel like with how many people are actually going to be at this concert, that’s legitimately going to happen,” said Graham.

For Virginia Tech campus parking impacts and information click here.

The concert starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 7.