Despite ongoing renovations to the Missouri State Capitol, organizers expect Jefferson City High School's annual Capitol Caroling concert to go off without a hitch.
The 81st annual concert will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday night inside the Capitol Rotunda. With work on an almost $30 million renovation to the Capitol now in its eighth month, the parking plan for the concert will be changed.
The Capitol dome will be blocked by scaffolding until early 2020, but the interior of the building is not being renovated. JCPS Communications Director Ryan Burns said the concert itself will not change in any way.
"Honestly, it doesn't change much about the Rotunda once we get into the building," Burns said.
Getting participants and attendees into the Rotunda will be a different matter.
The renovations temporarily closed the south side of the circle drive surrounding the Capitol. Construction equipment and signage also moved or closed other parking spaces around the Capitol.
Parking guidelines on the JCPS website said vehicles can stop in coned-off areas near the south circle drive to drop off and pick up equipment, but they need to be moved.
"Vehicles or trailers will need to be moved immediately after loading or unloading," the guidelines said. "Each time the area is used, the cones will need to be replaced."
The north part of the circle drive remains open during the renovation, and handicapped parking is available there. People unable to walk from handicapped spaces on the north side circle drive can be dropped off at a handicapped entrance on the east side and take an elevator in the Capitol basement to the main level.
School buses will be loaded and unloaded on the west side of the Capitol.
Public parking is available at St. Peter's Catholic Church at 216 Broadway after 5:30 p.m. Parking is also available on Main Street, West High Street, Capitol Avenue and in parking lots owned by the state of Missouri off of Main Street.
Burns said there is a limited number of parking spots around the circle drive, but there is plenty of parking in nearby lots and adjacent streets.
All guests entering the Capitol will need to enter through the building's south doors. Every person entering the Capitol will be screened by Capitol Police at a security checkpoint at the south doors.
In all, 330 students will participate in the concert. JCHS choirs will sing a wide variety of Christmas music accompanied by a symphonic band and orchestra.
Some selections will be more contemporary and modern, like "We Need A little Christmas" from the musical "Mame," "Somewhere in my Memories" from the film "Home Alone" and Faith Hill's Christmas hit "Where are you Christmas."
Other selections will include classic Christmas hymns like "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," "O Holy Night" and "Silent Night."
The event is open to the public, and seating is first come, first serve.