Well, this might explain the new layout...

I am aware vaguely of some of the top-end aspects of this production. The promoters of course keep a positive vibe. And let's all hope it stays positive. With any young festival, there have to be adjustments driven by economics. Not everyone will be happy with any change. As always, we don't know the whole picture.

Keep the faith.

Interesting. I've also heard that Peach Festival is expecting to be significantly smaller this year. Maybe it's a sign that the month of August can't support two such similar festivals. Easy solution: MOVE LOCKN' BACK TO SEPTEMBER!!!!

A couple things

1) @kennypowers that really is a legit question. But as it turns out TOO $ runs this place just because he loves it. No perks from team Lockn' involved. Besides, the perks would be a keychain from L3 or something. He just happens to be hopelessly optimistic and chooses to focus on the positive in life and not just here.

2) criticalbill it would be a contest to see who got booted first.

3) The letter does reek of butthurt but also a guy explaining to his constituents (employees) why there won't be any bonus money this year that they have grown to be accustomed to. thelizard I don't read it quite as harshly as "Hey, we make a lot of money from injuries and illnesses at Lockn. We need more sick and injured people so we can have a better vacation and a bigger Christmas budget!"
Remember, these are firefighters and EMS staff. They ain't killing it financially and bonus stuff like this really does mean the difference between vacay/no vacay. 

4) criticalbill "This is rural Virginia, if they don't get paid by providing services, they'll get their money by harassing patrons. " is a very real concern. It happens and I think the term is shooting fish in a barrel.

5) TOO $ I really do appreciate all that you do for this little community. I might be bored into being productive if not for this outlet.

I'd like to hear the other side. Overall, I would want as much revenue going to the locals, although UVA isn't far. If there is a wide cost difference, the promoters can't be faulted for going with the less expensive. And although he didn't mean it this way, one could be concerned about his saying the event provides lots of practice dummies for the inexperienced staff!

To add to this LOCKN is still using the track, just not for the show field so there is likely not any great reductions in cost in that respect. Inside the previous show field area is day parking this year. VIP car camping will be at the south end inside of the track and VIP RV camping will be on the track at the south end.

However, the use of the track/infield is lower impact (therefore lower cost) than setting up the stages, backstage, vendors and sound/lights on that land.

Like a few of you, I see this as the Chief EMS telling his crew about the effects of downsizing and not taking any blame for it (nor should he). I also fear repercussions other local Nelson services might take. I'm not sure less people in less space will make that much of a difference from before other than the logistics, which should be greatly improved and gives me even less reason to consider getting there on Wed.

I was under the impression that Oak Ridge was designed with Lockin being just one of many yearly events and we're starting to see that. I think the promoters will do just fine financially over the long term though how Lockn transforms will certainly be interesting. 

Finally, I think TOO does a great job of providing facts and then adding his opinion. I find this forum to be the only unbiased source of information/facts combined with the witty banter of the mildly insane.

This doesn't sound like great news but as others have said, consider the source. Maybe its a foregone conclusion that this year will be smaller but a hard cap at 15k doesn't make sense. Especially if losses are the issue. It does though seem like the relationship with the local community is souring, what are the chances of a different location in the future?

Enjoy everything about this forum and would also like to extend my gratitude to TOO for everything he does.

Two things:

1. I care way more about the lineup than the cap size. (Once I get my tickets and as alumni, that should never be an issue)

2. I can't thank TOO enough for all he does to herd the cats here.

Still just dribbling out those map pieces, I see...

Sometimes it's just too easy.