The new Ford Amphitheater, an 8,000-seat venue at Polaris Pointe, opened its doors to nearly 5,500 invited shareholders, Colorado Springs leaders, project contractors and other private guests for a “soft” launch Tuesday evening.

The evening came only three days ahead of the amphitheater’s grand opening Friday night, with pop band OneRepublic taking the stage for its first of three shows over the weekend.

Some in the community feared that completion of the venue — located at the 200-acre mixed-use development southeast of Interstate 25 and North Gate Boulevard on the Colorado Springs’ far north side — would not be done in time, as construction seemed to be underway up to the last minute. However, the venue’s opening appeared to come off with few hiccups.

School of Rock kicked off the program, and the Colorado Springs Philharmonic took the stage right on time, seeming to hint things were going well behind the scenes. A light show accompanied the performing of the national anthem.

After some brief remarks by several speakers, including amphitheater founder J.W. Roth and Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade, a ribbon-cutting followed.

“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate each and every one of you, from my family, my wife, my kids, the venue staff and all the construction folks,” Roth told the crowd. “It’s not just another venue — it’s not just another shed. To me, it’s a place where memories will be made.”

The event appeared to be very relaxed. Attendees roamed about, chatting with friends and family and taking advantage of the backdrop that inspired the previous name “Sunset Amphitheater” with lots of photos. Despite cloudy skies and a touch of rain, the mountains were visible and a great accent to the evening, with some comparing the views to those at Red Rocks Amphitheatre outside Denver.

For those planning to attend this weekend’s grand opening, there are some things to keep in mind:

1. Take note of your entry gate.

Parking fills up quick, so it may be in your best interest to arrive even earlier than planned to secure a parking spot near your entry gate. While parking was free for the large number of guests invited to Tuesday’s launch, that will not be the case for the rest of the events scheduled over the next few months. For those who land a spot farther away, be prepared to walk around Spectrum Loop to get where you need to go, which could prove to be a long walk.

Check out The Gazette’s previous reporting for more information about parking and directions amid all the construction in the surrounding area.

2. Ask questions.

With a large number of security personnel directing traffic and answering questions on the ground, no one can get that lost. For those who have never been to the area of town, no need to stress, as there are plenty of personnel walking around, happy to answer any questions concertgoers may have.

Traffic coming into Spectrum Loop seemed stress-free, with again, plenty of security and hired police officers giving directions to drivers.

3. Arriving early is key.

Be prepared to arrive early, with enough time to get safely parked and admitted into the venue. Arriving too early is no issue, either, as food and drink are open to all concertgoers.

Gates will open at 6 p.m. for typical amphitheater concerts, which can run until 10:30 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, according to previous Gazette reporting.

4. Concessions are ready for business.

With some doubt circulating in recent weeks about interior construction being done on time, it appears from inside the stadium that all amenities are open. This includes concessions, drink tents and bathrooms. Venue staff members were seen cleaning the restrooms throughout the duration of the show.

Cocktails are available on tap, according to the venue, and cups are reusable. Some options for elevated food includes Korean cheesesteaks, mac and cheese pork bowls and pork chile burritos.

However, roughly two hours into the program Tuesday night, the kitchen ran out of several food items.

Within the suites, the fireplaces were up and running, giving off some warmth as the evening cooled. Several guests were overheard chatting about the draw of the firepits when choosing between suite seating and general admission.

5. Cellphone service may be spotty.

While service seemed to work just fine upon entrance to the venue, several guests later could be heard complaining of the lack of service from within the grounds.

Sold-out crowds are expected for this weekend’s shows. On Friday, rock band Magic Giant will go on at 7:30 p.m. as the opening act before OneRepublic.