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Welcome to the Lockn' Forum - The home of the original Lockn' Music Festival family!
Sorry if this veered off/topic but I'm excited to be going back this year -- our first Lockn is full of blissful memories, as well as Things I Wished I'd Known Ahead Please note: This forum is in no way officially associated with Lockn' Festival or its promoters.
Recent Posts
Post by moon on Mar 2, 2016 8:45:38 GMT -5
Ooohhhh...looks like Woot still has it!
tools.woot.com/offers/schumacher-instant-portable-power-source?ref=tg_cnt_wp_7_1
Post by moon on Feb 29, 2016 15:00:23 GMT -5
Post by moon on Feb 24, 2016 10:19:49 GMT -5
Post by moon on Feb 23, 2016 13:20:03 GMT -5
Post by moon on Feb 23, 2016 13:17:31 GMT -5
Too bad for your friend- I am the opposite way. I work ten hour shifts at a desk (engineering) so my pain comes from sitting so much. I'm working on getting a standing desk option. My pain started in my early 30's as well and my diagnosis was devastating (two weeks after my wedding). I had blamed earlier signals of my disease on general abuse of my body or pulled muscles, etc in my twenties. Who knew a tiny tingling in your toe meant you had a herniated disc?
Post by moon on Feb 22, 2016 15:10:05 GMT -5
Moondi -
I'll recap what I know from my fairly extensive research on this topic. I am also a first time attendee at Lockn' this year, and my ADA situation is very similar to yours, in that I have orthopedic issues from clubfoot and associated surgeries. I have synthetic achilles tendons and am arthritic. While I am otherwise healthy, and can do a certain amount of walking, I have real issues at large fests and it can turn out to be a very painful experience.
I tend to comb through in ultimate detail regarding any fest I attend, because logistics and layout really matter to me whether or not it's something I can physically handle. In the past, I have bought into VIP tickets at certain fests, but at $2200 a couple for tix and camp pass, that's more than my budget can handle. I wonder if I can get lucky and potentially find 'lumni tix that someone can't use, but until then I am invested in the idea that ADA is the only way I can afford to do this fest.
Here's what my research has found, in relation to your questions:
- Where is the handicap accessible camping normally located? Are the sites still the standard size?
They are SUPPOSED to be, but that hasn't necessarily played out in practice. Reports from last year indicated that the sites were much smaller than the 450 sq. ft. they were supposed to be, because they had more people show up for ADA than they had allocated space for. I assume that's what reserved ADA campsites are sold for, but I have read that some ADA people showed without ADA reserved passes in the past? The ADA site was on the left (west) side of the track near the GA entrances (although that could still actually be a 5-10 minute walk from some locations, as it runs a good portion of the length of that side of the track).
- How is handicapped viewing? Is this located to the side, front, or back of the stage? Are chairs provided and can I bring my husband (who wants to watch a show alone!)
Here's a video from last years' fest. Freeze it at 44 seconds:
Now look at the video, and notice the two platforms just behind, and to each side of the soundboard. These are the VIP platforms. Just beyond the VIP platform on the right, you will see a larger white tent. I was told that this was the ADA area from last year. Not sure about chairs or companions, but I am interested in answers too. This video reinforces why I wish I could go VIP....but I am probably going to need to make the most of what's offered at GA price.
- Do they have handicapped/ADA transportation available? I know there is a paid "taxi" service that I won't mind using if need be; some ADA transportation I have experienced has had me waiting an hour plus.
I have read and been told here that there is an ADA taxi that leaves from ADA "HQ" in the ADA camp that takes us to the ADA viewing spot, and then back to camp. Can't vouch for how long it takes, but I assume if we go into the shop earlier we would probably wait less time for service. Another issue for me is getting to the late nights.....I know I am going to want to see JRAD - hope it's not all the way back at the Woods stage.....
- Are there larger restroom facilities to accommodate handicapped festival goers?
I don't know about larger, but I have read here that ADA camp has them, as well as some inside (don't know about location, though).
- I know I need to bring my placard and other identification, but do they make your wear a handicapped wristband or anything like that to access the services? Unfortunately my disability is "invisible" and I appear young and healthy, so I get nasty looks all of the time when I use a handicapped stall or ask for assistance.
I don't know on this one - I assume they do have an ADA band (most fests I have gone to had them). Curious on this as well.
I also wonder if there are showers in the ADA campground. Last year's site stated "Yes, we have accessible showers", but it did not state if those were in shower world, a helluva long way from ADA camp. If that's where the accessible showers are, it's going to be a real project to take showers (and another reason I'll be pining for VIP)...
Hopefully this helps, and will be a further stepping stone for additional conversation on this topic.
I'm pretty excited for the woods stage- it look awesome all lit up (if that's the one). I'm hoping UM plays that stage.
That platform seems a little far back for my taste, I like to be in the thick of the energy. I will probably just bring a tapestry and sit on the ground if I need a break. You got ADA camping as well? I'm wondering if it's a pretty large spot. My husband likes to be around other cool people and shakedown when we go to shows. He's a bit nervous we will be away from everyone else and not have such a good time.
Post by moon on Feb 22, 2016 15:03:54 GMT -5
The ADA area is supposed to be fairly flat, but yeah...it's not always close. It sure wasn't when we were there. It was closer both last year and 2013, if I'm not mistaken.
They did have ADA-specific cart rides that were no charge, but I think that may have been just due to how far away it was. They mostly went off without a hitch, but there was an evacuation for a storm (that turned out to be nothing, but whaddya gonna do?) and that put the clusterflugen on it mightily. I wound up hobbling it back to camp. It was gonna be waaaaaaaaaay quicker than getting a ride. Also, they more or less abandoned us after the main stages shut down.
We didn't actually utilize the viewing platform, although we stayed near there because it was the cart drop off/pick up.
There were wheelchair-accessible portos, in addition to ADA having its own row of portos. You had to actually be in a wheelchair to access 'em, too. This was one place where there actually was staff - driving the carts of course, but also handing out the key to the hc portos, and at east half-assedly shooing away thr able-bodied who would try to use 'em. There was also an hc porto behind the viewing ramp, but sometimes they let me in and other times they said wheelchair only.
Yes, there is a wristband. Or there was then.
Hope this helps.
Post by moon on Feb 22, 2016 15:01:00 GMT -5
Glad you'll have a companion, as did I; while I ended up spared a surprise glute/hip flare-up, I DID find the terrain a challenge in places such as where we set up our tent. Red clay and untrimmed wild-grass made it kind of chunky for walking to/ from our campsite to the stages. I wasn't prepared for that!
Have you researched the Lockn site for example to get an understanding how vast it is. Even though only a part of the Oak Ridge Estate is used for the venue, this estate is close to 5000 acres** acc to wiki. It was built originally to accommodate a racetrack and I definitely felt that vastness when I first approached the setup.
**Examples to compare that with include, say, another music/multi-day fest such as PeachFest (venue = 70 acres in a rural-ish setting), or a raceway such as Richmond International (~1000 acres) or Colonial Downs horse racetrack (merely 600 acres but it feels bigger).
My point is although I'd been camping before I'd never camped several days/nights at a music festival until this one, and the terrain I mentioned did throw me off although I consider myself adaptive apart from my hip pain.
The other point of reassurance I may offer you is that people we met & became acquainted with face-to-face proved to be overwhelmingly friendly and when possible, immensely helpful. This being The First Year, a lot of us in the same boat as far as "What/ WHere/ Which way to...?" I wish I could assure you that ADA amenities will be as forthcomingly reliable as Lockn' organizers offer but you're probably already aware sometimes circumstances arise that encumber everyone - -as with last year's storm! But the nicest of strangers we encountered made up for occasional rude (mostly just drunk & disorderly) peeps.
If you hadn't indicated you'd already purchased tix I'd want to ask: Is Lockn the first ever grand-scale music fest you've chosen over others for a reason? I live in Virginia and that was my main draw in 2013 and why I'll be back again, but I aim to be roughing' it based on stuff I've read in various discussions like this board and conversations w/ friends who've been every year now... Even the best-intentioned organizing outfit may be helpless at times over some elements out of their control. I think Lockn’s in-charges are still on a learning curve w/ how to accommodate in the beautiful vast setting they’ve adapted for music fans (and for Festy supposedly, next time) but give them time and someone should guide you to the appropriate dialogue with them where you get info in better detail!
I don't need all of the so called "pampering" that comes with being ADA, but it is nice to know I have something to fall back on in case I find myself inflamed after the 13 hour car ride from Wisco and walking around. We have ADA car camping purchased. My husband suggested some ADA viewing can be pretty sweet at festivals.
And to answer your question my what drew me to Lock'n was 1- The acts, my husband is a Phish phan, we're both Ween fans, and we love, love, love Keller and WSP (fingers crossed they'll appear). I lived in VA when I was younger and always tell people I "grew up" there even though we moved back to Wisco when I was 6. I've been to a zillion shows and smaller day-fests but this will be my first experience with a large scale camping festival (hubs has been to many). When we see Phish at Alpine in WI we stay at a friend's parent's horse farm that is like an invite-only mini festival. Hundreds of people camp on their property for a small fee and get bussed to and from the show, and during the day bands play and there are foods trucks and swimming, so I'm used to a camping/show experience.
Post by moon on Feb 22, 2016 13:15:09 GMT -5
Some of the services such as the "taxi" don't pan out as well as they are advertised; others may have used them.
While they generally are not very restrictive, or good at enforcing their rules, there was some discussion about the ADA viewing and tightening up access due to abuse or crowding. Good question about a non-ADA person accompanying an ADA person.
There is lots of room with level solid ground to set up chairs back from the stages, especially in the daytime; night is crowded and dark and chairs set up close in get swarmed at night. It seems safe to me to leave chairs that you set up during the day for trips to vending, etc.
Is the ADA viewing normally a choice spot, if you know? I almost never use it, but if it will provide me a nice view and a place to sit if needed I may use it. I'm not sure about space-saving at these larger festivals, like if your spot is respected and won't be moved. I haven't encountered it yet, but the larger crowds sometimes brings the arseholes.
Post by moon on Feb 22, 2016 13:09:25 GMT -5
I'm an Army brat who lived in Newport News for a while, and we go to the DC area all the time so VA is very special to me. Plus I frakking LOVE LOVE LOVE a lot of these acts. I can already tell its going to be fantastic.
Post by moon on Feb 22, 2016 11:56:02 GMT -5
My question is for everyone who has attended and has either experienced the camping or services that Lock'n provides to the handicapped. I only ask because I have sometimes attended shows and festivals where the services were crap and I was better off avoiding using them altogether (sometime due to long waits and uninformed festival staff), or because they put the accessible camping/services in ridiculous locations just because they needed it to fit somewhere to be in compliance with the ADA (platform in the way back of venue). In those cases I just suck it up and deal with the pain or discomfort in order to experience the show. Because of my condition, I need to over-prepare for every possible condition so I don't cause a flare-up and end up in the ER. Some of the questions I have are:
***Note: I have read everything on this forum that was searchable related to the keywords ADA, disability, and handicapped access already. I have already Googled and e-mailed Lock'n but have not gotten a response back; it's been a week. Thank you so much for your consideration!