Suggested Improvements for 2014

Looks like no one has any complaints . . . so I'll have a go at my own question.

I love this festival - I think they got a lot of stuff right. With that in mind, here are my suggestions:

- I would like to see more vendors, specifically food vendors, in the campground. Last year there were not many food options, particularly late at night. A small strip of food options in each major campground would be great. I think it would be awesome if Tent Only and the Car Camping areas each got their own little "Main Street" with vendors, showers, etc. Shit, even if they just threw a dollar grilled cheese stand (or 24-hour Spicy Pie) around the Triangle Stage, I'd be happy.

- As I mentioned in a different thread. I think the Triangle stage should be relocated to somewhere more obvious/quickly accessible for all patrons, regardless of where they are camped. The surprise latenight shows are one of the more unique highlights of the festival. Having unannounced shows in the middle of the night, in the actual campgrounds, is an incredibly awesome thing. I'd like to see them expand on it by tweaking the stage a bit and placing it somewhere that would already be on the way back to camp for most patrons. This way they can keep the shows a surprise and allow everyone to kind of stumble into them.

- This isn't an improvement, but I'd just like to mention that I hope they bring back the folks from Kleen Kanteen. That was, without question, the best festival water I've ever had. I can honestly say that I used less plastic (and lugged around less weight!) throughout the weekend because of the quality and availability of their water. Great move last year.

maps have actually been requested several times. each time it is suggested, mr frey has responded that the idea behind not handing out maps is to cut back on waste. i could believe that. i could also believe he'd like to save on the cost of printing out 30,000 color maps. i can't blame him for either reason, tbh.

I think a big arrow on the main paths that point to the stage, back to the campgrounds and to the Triangle stage would help. I was really drunk and easily confused and distracted.

These are good suggestions.

I didn't think about it at the time, but if memory serves me, Sue is right - they encouraged bike usage, but I don't remember much in the way of legit bike racks.

And I'm not sure if I expect a trolley this year or not; although, that is one of my bigger gripes from last year. We were told there would be a "free" trolley that shuttled people from the campgrounds to the venue. Needless to say, such a magical trolley did not exist.
I can live without it, but I'd like to know if it is an idea that they're still kicking around or if they abandoned it for logistical/financial reasons. Something tells me that insuring such a trolley would be expensive.

Parking obviously. And that includes a better plan, better coordination with local and state authorities, larger staff, better trained staff and a better back up plan when none of it works.

One of my chief complaints was the rv water situation. I wouldn't have minded paying for a water fill but I did mind the $100 surcharge they wanted to charge us to move to the front of the line. They seem to have eliminated this problem by not offering that service this year. A wagon to haul 5 gal water cans is the solution. Better access to water in the campgrounds is a must.

Beer prices were the most of any festival I have been to. $8 was just a challenge to me to try and sneak in as many as possible. Even $6 would have been so much more palatable.

I understand the lack of a printed map/schedule. It makes green sense. But to rely solely on a dodgey app for that info was frustrating. I like the big "You are here" maps idea from sue.

More shade in the main venue. A couple big shade tents in the back corners could have enabled me to see more music by letting me get to the stage earlier.

But really, there's not a lot I would actually change. Other than the parking thing.

no offense, but why in the world would you be chilling in a tent watching tv while insanity happens just next door?

Good article on improvements in vending

m.newsadvance.com/news/local/more-local-food-beer-potentially-on-tap-for-lockn/article_ed065c72-bdf4-11e3-b76f-0017a43b2370.html?mode=jqm

Exactly!!!

I thought beer prices was pretty much in line with any other fest/concert. Wouldn't be too hateful if the had $10 24oz Bud/Miller cans. Worfrat, do you remember what waters were in '99. I think it was $8 for a 20oz bottle, but $6 might start a riot too.

At least there was free water at Lockn'. Which I highly approve of. They wouldn't fill my SS pint glass (that is stainless steel not nazi ss) from Klean Kanteen and said it was against state law. Nonsense. They do it at Festy which is in Nelson Co as well. That is the ONLY way to get a draft is in your ss (still stainless steel) pint glass. Not a single plastic cup used for the whole fest. That is a ton, actually several tons, of garbage not created.

And no, latter day Woodstocks did not happen for us.

Well coming in the night prior last year I was surprised the lack of signage. We missed the entrance.

As long as they have I Love Spicy Pie Pizza........I'll be fine.