06-20-2008, 10:48 AM
THE INTELLIGENCER- Big Music Fest has too many rules: concert-goer.
But site manager says regulations will ensure safety
BY W. BRICE MCVICAR,
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.intelligencer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1079443">http://www.intelligencer.ca/ArticleDisp ... ?e=1079443</a><!-- m -->
Dale King is concerned Saturday's Big Music Fest may become a big music fiasco.
The South John Street resident is one of the 15,000 people expected to converge on Zwicks Park for the music concert featuring Sarah Harmer, the Sam Roberts Band and The Tragically Hip. In recent days, concert-goers have expressed concerns over some of the regulations which they will be under once inside the park.
King said he first learned of the regulations through a letter to the editor in The Intelligencer. Rules such as not being allowed to re-enter the park if you leave during the concert and not being allowed to take in water are "ridiculous," he said.
"I don't understand what their concerns are," King said referring to the organizers. "When they say about leaving and not being able to come back I don't see where that would be a security concern. I could see it being annoying for them having to check and recheck tickets but most places let you come and go."
David Joyce, site manager for the Big Music Fest, said it is a security concern to have people coming and going from the site. Not permitting them re-entry means the park is better controlled, he said.
"We're concerned about people going back to their car and having alcohol or taking some illegal drugs," Joyce said. "Once they're in we have security and police to watch them but we can't afford to have them go back to their car or wherever and be drinking or smoking up."
That means King and his wife won't be able to follow their original plan and meander in and out of the concert throughout the day. Rather, he said, they will now likely stay away for the majority of the concert and attend later in the evening.
King argued organizers should have ensured the rules and regulations were made public so concertgoers understood what they could and could not do before purchasing tickets.
Joyce pointed out the majority of those rules and regulations were, in fact, posted on the event's website. He admitted there have been some late additions to those rules but many were posted when tickets went on sale.
Additionally, The Tragically Hip website had the rules and regulations, he said.
"We got everything out there as best we could get it out there," he said.
Both Kelsey's and Ticketmaster -- who sold tickets to the concert -- were also aware of the rules, though Joyce said he is unaware whether they provided the information to ticket buyers.
Complaints from the public have been trickling in, Joyce said, but they are to be expected with such a large event.
"We have had some but the reality is it just goes with a show of this magnitude," he said. "It's protocol for shows of this size."
But site manager says regulations will ensure safety
BY W. BRICE MCVICAR,
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.intelligencer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1079443">http://www.intelligencer.ca/ArticleDisp ... ?e=1079443</a><!-- m -->
Dale King is concerned Saturday's Big Music Fest may become a big music fiasco.
The South John Street resident is one of the 15,000 people expected to converge on Zwicks Park for the music concert featuring Sarah Harmer, the Sam Roberts Band and The Tragically Hip. In recent days, concert-goers have expressed concerns over some of the regulations which they will be under once inside the park.
King said he first learned of the regulations through a letter to the editor in The Intelligencer. Rules such as not being allowed to re-enter the park if you leave during the concert and not being allowed to take in water are "ridiculous," he said.
"I don't understand what their concerns are," King said referring to the organizers. "When they say about leaving and not being able to come back I don't see where that would be a security concern. I could see it being annoying for them having to check and recheck tickets but most places let you come and go."
David Joyce, site manager for the Big Music Fest, said it is a security concern to have people coming and going from the site. Not permitting them re-entry means the park is better controlled, he said.
"We're concerned about people going back to their car and having alcohol or taking some illegal drugs," Joyce said. "Once they're in we have security and police to watch them but we can't afford to have them go back to their car or wherever and be drinking or smoking up."
That means King and his wife won't be able to follow their original plan and meander in and out of the concert throughout the day. Rather, he said, they will now likely stay away for the majority of the concert and attend later in the evening.
King argued organizers should have ensured the rules and regulations were made public so concertgoers understood what they could and could not do before purchasing tickets.
Joyce pointed out the majority of those rules and regulations were, in fact, posted on the event's website. He admitted there have been some late additions to those rules but many were posted when tickets went on sale.
Additionally, The Tragically Hip website had the rules and regulations, he said.
"We got everything out there as best we could get it out there," he said.
Both Kelsey's and Ticketmaster -- who sold tickets to the concert -- were also aware of the rules, though Joyce said he is unaware whether they provided the information to ticket buyers.
Complaints from the public have been trickling in, Joyce said, but they are to be expected with such a large event.
"We have had some but the reality is it just goes with a show of this magnitude," he said. "It's protocol for shows of this size."
