backbacon Posted June 21, 2002 Report Share Posted June 21, 2002 Bonnaroo festival stirs up traffic jam GEORGE WALKER IV / STAFF Interstate 24 effectively became a parking lot yesterday near an exit for Manchester, a small town that will be the site this weekend of Bonnaroo, a three-day outdoor music festival that begins tonight. By LEON ALLIGOOD Staff Writer What's the ballyhoo about Bonnaroo, the three-day outdoor music festival that begins tonight near Manchester, Tenn.? Well, yesterday it was less about mind-bending music and more about headache-pounding traffic. Interstate 24 at times effectively became a parking lot as tens of thousands of music-hungry fans closed in on Bonnaroo central, a 500-acre farm a few miles from the freeway. Authorities in Coffee County reported it took several hours for festival-goers to depart the interstate from a line of cars that stretched for miles both east and west. ''It is a mess. When you've got that many people going to the same place and there's only one little country road, there's going to be backups and delays.'' Authorities said the traffic situation is expected to be about the same today as the balance of the festival-goers arrive. Despite the stress and the heat, everybody was cool, said Amy Jones, an administrative assistant for the Manchester Police Department. ''These kids are all behaving themselves — haven't heard word of any trouble at all,'' said Jones, who said the traffic was beginning to back up when she took her daughter to day care early in the morning, even though the Bonnaroo campground did not open till noon. ''This is a big thing for a town the size of Manchester. I mean, we have about 8,000 people, and about 10 times that many are coming here at the same time,'' Jones said. -------- KK: wish I was stuck in that right now though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doulouhoo Posted June 21, 2002 Report Share Posted June 21, 2002 I wish I was there too. Kinda reminds me of Alligator Ally in The Everglades for the New Years Show 2000. ( not the actual highway)We partied for 8 hours almost in our cars just waiting to get in.The traffic was crazy but all fun:D I want to be there again. I'd do it in a heart beat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubleB Posted June 21, 2002 Report Share Posted June 21, 2002 I have never been so jealous of people stuck in traffic... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booche Posted June 21, 2002 Report Share Posted June 21, 2002 Well everyone, this is what you have to look forward to as age creeps up on you. Too much of a hassle for me, give me the smaller venues ANY time. I gave up on the big festivals after Oswego, but I wanted to wait until after Cyrpess to for that (I didnt have the cash back then). I just cant justify how it could be worth it (for me). Sure, there has NEVER been this many bands in one place that I would want to see, but festivals are more like a 'greatest hits' package, than a KILLER album.........(that is just an analogy). I will get the tapes though and I am hoping that everyone there is enlightened by fantastic music. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booche Posted June 21, 2002 Report Share Posted June 21, 2002 From JamBands.com (a nicer read, I hope everyone has a great time with little to no hassles) MANCHESTER, TN - Everyone knew to expect it, but it didn’t make the waiting any easier. Traffic was backed up for several miles in both directions on I-24 in Tennessee yesterday as fans began arriving to the much-anticipated Bonnaroo music festival. “It took us about 9 hours to go the last 40 miles,” says Andy Baskin, who drove here from Chicago. “It sucked, but everyone was feeling festive along the highway and we were all in the same boat. I’m just psyched we’re finally here. This place is incredible and everyone is so friendly.” Once inside the festival grounds, many fans flocked to “Centeroo,” a town square of sorts that features arts and crafts, eclectic food stands, massage parlors and an enormous arcade tent, complete with a rocking 80s jukebox. There is also an outdoor movie theater, which showed Grateful Dead concert videos, Widespread Panic’s “The Earth Will Swallow You” and Led Zeppelin’s epic “The Song Remains the Same.” Thus far, the vibe is overwhelmingly positive. Music begins later this afternoon. Stay tuned... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradm Posted June 21, 2002 Report Share Posted June 21, 2002 Wouldn't it be neat if festivals like this (or suitably equipped cadres of attendees & friends) could put on "satellite" festivals: you have the main grounds with masses of people, but broadcast/link other grounds with at least audio if not audio/video? (This thought was kicked off by Booche's comment about getting the tapes of the festival. I was thinking you could put on a "taped" version of the festival a couple of weeks later by getting a bunch of friends in a field with a big PA blaring the tapes of the festival.) Aloha, Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouche Posted June 21, 2002 Report Share Posted June 21, 2002 Then there are the rumours.... http://terrapin.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=17481 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booche Posted June 21, 2002 Report Share Posted June 21, 2002 HAHAHAHAHAHA that 'rumour' is exactly worded the same way on 2 other message boards....... let the Urban Legends begin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewie Posted June 21, 2002 Report Share Posted June 21, 2002 why did i wait to decide i'd go the day tickets sold out??? f*ck!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backbacon Posted June 21, 2002 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2002 Chewie, I don't think tix are sold out yet for 'Gosium' in London tonight. Up for a little road trip? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottieking Posted June 21, 2002 Report Share Posted June 21, 2002 Backbacon, bring it on. I'm going to slip up there myself tonight and I live about2 blocks away (if you need a place to crash) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backbacon Posted June 21, 2002 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2002 Right on Scottie, I'll see you there. Heading to Pt. Stanley for a bit to see this other band. Will be at R & C by 11. I'll bring that Palo Alto show for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewie Posted June 21, 2002 Report Share Posted June 21, 2002 hey k... i'd love to go for a roadie but i've got my son tonight. so do we have a fourth for next weekend? u me and tim. btw, i got tix for the pine knob show. still waiting on the wsp tix though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puddles Posted June 22, 2002 Report Share Posted June 22, 2002 "Baby wont you carry meeeeeeeeee..." Yep its Florida gator-country all over,my buddy just e-mailed me from his laptop and says for sure that 50% of the people will miss the first 4-5 acts. + Cops in TN. are the SH*TS!!,I remember at Mus Island for WSP they checked EVERYCAR....yep...still wanna be there... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backbacon Posted June 23, 2002 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2002 Chewie, Nope, no fourth. I think we should keep it that way. TC said we could take his car. With just three of us we will have more room for our gear. I reckon we'll need it. Carrgo was wondering if he could get a ticket for the Pine Knob show. He won't be going to Deer Creek but would like to go to Pine Knob. He wanted me to ask you since I would be talking to you. g' day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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