FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 17, 2000, 2:30 p.m. Record Numbers Anticipated to Attend Liquidation; Parking Plan Announced BARNES PLACE, ATLANTA, GA--With less that two days until Barnes Place's Liquidation Blowout Event (Saturday, August 19, 8:05 p.m.), all elements are coming together. "Our meetings with the lighting consultants have gone extremely well. We're looking forward to trying some new things," said Director of Ambiance and Entertainment Timothy State. "Web Van is scheduled to arrive on Saturday morning," added Director of Catering and Guest Relations Anthony Dornacher, "and we've just put the finishing details on a new parking plan." The Co-Directors of Barnes Place are anticipating record-breaking crowds for Saturday's event with almost 80 people indicating they will attend. "The RSVPs are still coming in strong," said Dornacher, pointing out there is still time to register your RSVP. The last time Barnes Place saw a crowd of this size was back in '97 when 85+ people were present for the Fifth Annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony, "Y'all Hear Southern Belles". Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara lit the holiday lights, launching the Atlanta area into the holiday season. Liquidation could set new attendance records for Barnes Place. Not only in total attendance, but there could be a record number of first-time visitors to Barnes Place. "Our only concern at this point is that the Atlanta area Smog Alert has upgraded from the Orange Zone to the Red Zone," said Dornacher. "We're encouraging guests to carpool, combine errands, fuel up after sundown, dine in and-take Marta." Barnes Place is within walking distance of the Arts Center Marta Station. Officials are also advising people avoid outdoor physical activity between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., when the smog is at its thickest. As a result, the Porch at Flamingo Grove and the front lawn will be closed to exercise and other physical activity for the first 55 minutes of the event. "Unless they downgrade the Smog Alert to the Orange Zone, we just don't want to take any chances," said State. Because Barnes Place is anticipating a larger-than-average crowd, officials have developed a parking plan to help handle the increased traffic. "We just hope everyone will remain calm," said State. Officials at Barnes Place are asking their guests to use one of three parking lots: the Holton Kidney Dialysis Lot, Bitchman Law Firm Lot, and the Camera Repair Lot. While street parking is legal on Barnes Street, many of Barnes Place's neighbors do not have off-street parking and are forced to park on the street. "Besides, street parking is just not visually attractive," added State. As always, Barnes Place encourages all guests to designate a driver, and to drink in moderation. --END--