Aloft Festival in Simpsonville Will Ban Backpacks, Bags

Local law enforcement and officials with Aloft said the festival that begins later this month will ban backpacks and bags.

The decision comes in the wake of the recent Boston Marathon bombings. The Boston bombers carried their homemade pressure-cooker bombs in backpacks before setting them down near the finish line and detonating them remotely.

The festival, formerly known as Freedom Weekend Aloft, is expected to draw tens of thousands of attendees at Simpsonville's Heritage Park from May 24-27. 

Simpsonville Police Chief Steve Moore said the event has screened bags and attendees in the past, but this year no one will be granted admittance if they try to get in with a bag, Moore told WSPA.

"Security is all we've thought about for the past two weeks ... ever since those bombs went off in Boston," Moore told the station. 

The chief added that the event will have cops on bikes patrolling the rambling, wide-open park. He also has asked for help from the SC Law Enforcement Division, which will lend a mobile command center. Moore also said his department will devote extra officers and is considering asking other departments in the area for assistance.

"While we regret any inconvenience that may happen as the result of the backpack ban, Aloft supports the efforts of law enforcement to keep our attendees secure," Aloft executive director Cindy Nelson said. "Safety is the most important thing."

"If visitors need to access any items from their cars, we'll make it convenient for them to enter and exit the festival with our armbanding system and our free shuttles," Nelson added.