I'd rather tailgate

[WacosSon]

this was our first stagecoach, and while we had blast, we were sorely disappointed with the tent camping situation. Everything we heard was that security was lax, partying was plentiful and everyone was chill. while the people were great, security SUCKED! Supposedly they loosened up a little bit as the weekend went on, but when we arrived on friday, it was like a Nazi camp. None of our alcohol made it thru (cleverly hidden too!). They starting throwing stuff from our toiletry bags aware (like nail files) without even telling us, and they basically strip searched everyone. My wife was felt up by one of the guys looking for "hidden alcohol in her bra" (I couldn't make that crap up!). We setup our tent, then turned to the parking lot and tailgated the whole time.

We met about 20 other people in the parking lot that were doing the same thing cuz security was so rough. the only reason we went back into the camp ground was to pee or sleep. Next year we'll RV it because it just wasnt worth it. We had a blast in the parking lot, but it sucked that we had to stay out there than relax inside the camping area that we paid for.

If anyone from the planning committee reads this, know that you're going to turn people away if you continue to conduct the weekend like this. We understand that you had agreements with the field, the city, and insurance about alcohol and all that, but this is supposed to be a party, and if you treat it like we're filing into prison, people are gonna find other places to party. Even the cops driving by in the parking lot just said "put it in red cups" - they were looser than security.

All in all, we had a blast, but if this years security is any indication of how future years will be, we won't be found in the Forum camping area again.

[horsephotographer]

this was our first stagecoach, and while we had blast, we were sorely disappointed with the tent camping situation. Everything we heard was that security was lax, partying was plentiful and everyone was chill. while the people were great, security SUCKED! Supposedly they loosened up a little bit as the weekend went on, but when we arrived on friday, it was like a Nazi camp. None of our alcohol made it thru (cleverly hidden too!). They starting throwing stuff from our toiletry bags aware (like nail files) without even telling us, and they basically strip searched everyone. My wife was felt up by one of the guys looking for "hidden alcohol in her bra" (I couldn't make that crap up!).All in all, we had a blast, but if this years security is any indication of how future years will be, we won't be found in the Forum camping area again.

Well guess they read the boards.....lol
Everyone gives it away with there big mouths in here and then wonders how they catch on and stop the fun...:eek::eek:

Go figure...
Sorry to hear you had such a rough time.:(

[Cooter]

this was our first stagecoach, and while we had blast, we were sorely disappointed with the tent camping situation. Everything we heard was that security was lax, partying was plentiful and everyone was chill. while the people were great, security SUCKED! Supposedly they loosened up a little bit as the weekend went on, but when we arrived on friday, it was like a Nazi camp. None of our alcohol made it thru (cleverly hidden too!). They starting throwing stuff from our toiletry bags aware (like nail files) without even telling us, and they basically strip searched everyone. My wife was felt up by one of the guys looking for "hidden alcohol in her bra" (I couldn't make that crap up!). We setup our tent, then turned to the parking lot and tailgated the whole time.

We met about 20 other people in the parking lot that were doing the same thing cuz security was so rough. the only reason we went back into the camp ground was to pee or sleep. Next year we'll RV it because it just wasnt worth it. We had a blast in the parking lot, but it sucked that we had to stay out there than relax inside the camping area that we paid for.

If anyone from the planning committee reads this, know that you're going to turn people away if you continue to conduct the weekend like this. We understand that you had agreements with the field, the city, and insurance about alcohol and all that, but this is supposed to be a party, and if you treat it like we're filing into prison, people are gonna find other places to party. Even the cops driving by in the parking lot just said "put it in red cups" - they were looser than security.

All in all, we had a blast, but if this years security is any indication of how future years will be, we won't be found in the Forum camping area again.

it's all spelled out in the rules that are posted on the main site. they told you what they were and you were still disappointed? only one to blame is yourself then.

[nuttinbutcountry]

I totally agree with you. While the rules state you can't bring in alcohol, based on all the posts, it seemed like it wouldn't be that big a deal as long as you didn't make it obvious. We did manage to get ours in but really didn't have that much. Maybe I missed something but why is it allowed in the RV section but not the tent camping section? It seems very discriminatory. As you walk into that area there was a sign that said to keep your alcohol in your camp site. That totally doesn't seem fair. They even took the hammer and mallot we brought to pound in & pull the tent stakes. I didn't see anywhere that they were not allowed. We entered the festival through the RV entrance on Sunday and got TOTALLY searched. Had to completely empty our bags, open chairs, body search the whole works. This didn't happen to everyone - just depended what line you were in and which person you got checking you. The security was totally inconsistent. If they were consistent I wouldn't be as upset. Sorry - just had to vent! Other than the alcohol/security issue, the weekend was awesome. Already looking forward to next year (except going to try to do the RV thing so alcohol is not an issue!)

[maduro_1]

Concur with you all. First year partying in tent camping was fun and red cups were the rule. This year the search was crazy! Even when going in from the RV gate, I walked right in on the first day. Second day everything in my backpack was dumped out... jean, shirt, boots, etc... the stacked together and told to clear the area... geez, I didn't even have anything. This is out of control.

[unclefeiny]

Concur with you all. First year partying in tent camping was fun and red cups were the rule. This year the search was crazy! Even when going in from the RV gate, I walked right in on the first day. Second day everything in my backpack was dumped out... jean, shirt, boots, etc... the stacked together and told to clear the area... geez, I didn't even have anything. This is out of control.

I went in and out through the RV entrance and it was definitely different between saturday and sunday. The first day I cleverly hid all my alcohol all throughout my body in numerous little bottles. I even offered to take my chair out of the bag and they didn't care. Sunday I figured it would be the same, so I hid a big bottle of whiskey in the chair bag and of course it got taken. I wasn't even allowed to take it back over to the camping area. Oh well, I guess that's what I get for trying to cheat. I still had a blast.

[WacosSon]

it's all spelled out in the rules that are posted on the main site. they told you what they were and you were still disappointed? only one to blame is yourself then.

wow...someone likes sniping posts and love negativity. As I mentioned, if you would have read rather than typed Cooter, I KNOW it spelled out, but written rule and understood rules are two different things. I never disagreed with the fact that they didn't allow alcohol, I even said I UNDERSTOOD WHY they didn't, I just brought up the fact that it's a deterrent for those who like to cut loose.

Speaking of cutting loose...I think you could use a little something yourself....

[Cooter]

not everyone needs alcohol to have a good time.

[WacosSon]

not everyone needs alcohol to have a good time.

You're right....some people get high on pessimism :D

[maduro_1]

not everyone needs alcohol to have a good time.

Humm... guess you weren't out in the tent camping parking lot... i think everyone needed alcohol.:D

[allisonchiyo]

This year sucked as far as the security(in forum camping - not the festival)- but the back entrance was totally lax - I had 4 bags in my hands and they just let me through - no searching. (not that I actually brought anything) The front entrance was the worst I've ever seen. They were very mean about taking things out of your pockets and I felt they were a bit discriminatory. They didn't search everyone the same - I guess if you looked guilty, then you were searched harder. The only reason why I didn't bring anything in was because I was scared of them :( I dont' like to get caught and risk not getting in anywhere. First year was absolutely fabulous. They really did let everyone part and have fun at their tents. By the way - they had new security this year, so it wouldn't be the same anyway. If they hire new security again next year there is no way to predict how it is going to be.

RVing it is super chill, but you can have alcohol in your camper (they can't search your camper) I think that's why you're able to do so. Just my thought at least...

[skinzfan20]

We had one hell of a first day tryin to get in. My fiancee' and I and another friend had to park at 52 and Madison in lot 4...for tent camping!!! So we had to lug 100 pounds of crap each from Lot 4 to tent area. Passing everyone who was tailgating and drinking and we're sweating out butts off. Luckily we found a couple of nice guys on a cart and gave em 20 to take us and our crap over there. We walked a good mile before we found them.

They took us up there and I saw them dumping everyone's cooler out so I asked the guys to take us another way. We had a 30 pack of beer and some liquor in the cooler. We took everything the back way and no one was there as far as security. So we set up camp opened the cooler, and proceded to have a great time. We got our wristbands as we were leaving to see the the Saturday show.

That was probably my biggest beef was having to park so far away from our camping area. I moved the car Sunday morning to lot 6b which was a lot closer.

[kmeloney5180]

We didn't have a problem getting the alcohol in at all. We were RVing it at El Dorado 1 and no one even bothered to look in our RV. We popped open bottles and broke out the red cups as soon as we arrived on Friday and everyone else was doing the same. People had beer pong and beer funnels set up and we're going at it all weekend long. The cops even came by several times with the horses and no one said a damn thing! Maybe they were being hard on the people in other areas, but our area was one big frat party...it was awesome!

[IheartMillerLite]

In prior years the security pretty much turned a blind eye to the alcohol. Just had to keep it in red cups and everything was fine. This year was out of control!! The no alcohol or "weapons" rule just forced us to party in the parking lot. Lots of partying out there all day long!! I still had a great time!

[Raquellita]

I heard stories

[KittyLeigh]

Yes, they have to say 'no alcohol allowed' - no, not EVERYONE needs to have alcohol to have a good time - but it's one of those things that just happens.

Security was insane - but everyone managed to find ways to get it into the tent area. The majority of time was spent in the parking lot. If they think there are going to be issues with people because they are drunk - then just patrol the area and make sure bad things are happening and people aren't getting out of control! People drinking in the parking lot are still going to be drunk when they come into the campground - so why not let us relax in our own area (and maybe in some shade?). I soooooo wouldn't care if cops were walking or driving by every 20 minutes.

I hope they get enough complaints to be a little more laid back next year... It's already been said - but yes, people are going to be less and less interested in camping if security is going to be that tight again.

STILLLLL - overall had a great weekend. :)

[Wendy]

I said this in reply to another post and i'll say it here too... people got creative, there was plenty of alcohol in there. If only I had known about the side entrance. I heard that was the way to go too. Tent camping was a BLAST!

Anyone with a "line-in" to the organizers, PLEASE, just say no glass, give out 21-over wrist bands (or whatever), let us bring in canned beer. I had plenty of beer in there and I *still* bought a lot of amazing bloody marys from Jose (and even beer).

The weekend was over the top! I had my mind blown at how much fun it was.

Now if only they can figure out how to make this work for next year (it's not that hard)...

[Tattoedsailor]

this was our first stagecoach, and while we had blast, we were sorely disappointed with the tent camping situation. Everything we heard was that security was lax, partying was plentiful and everyone was chill. while the people were great, security SUCKED! Supposedly they loosened up a little bit as the weekend went on, but when we arrived on friday, it was like a Nazi camp. None of our alcohol made it thru (cleverly hidden too!). They starting throwing stuff from our toiletry bags aware (like nail files) without even telling us, and they basically strip searched everyone. My wife was felt up by one of the guys looking for "hidden alcohol in her bra" (I couldn't make that crap up!). We setup our tent, then turned to the parking lot and tailgated the whole time.

We met about 20 other people in the parking lot that were doing the same thing cuz security was so rough. the only reason we went back into the camp ground was to pee or sleep. Next year we'll RV it because it just wasnt worth it. We had a blast in the parking lot, but it sucked that we had to stay out there than relax inside the camping area that we paid for.

If anyone from the planning committee reads this, know that you're going to turn people away if you continue to conduct the weekend like this. We understand that you had agreements with the field, the city, and insurance about alcohol and all that, but this is supposed to be a party, and if you treat it like we're filing into prison, people are gonna find other places to party. Even the cops driving by in the parking lot just said "put it in red cups" - they were looser than security.

All in all, we had a blast, but if this years security is any indication of how future years will be, we won't be found in the Forum camping area again.

;) I agree Waco. The security was more concerned about the beer coming through than keeping port-a-john stocked with sh$t paper. It was like living in refugee camp. They should have just let us pitch our tents next to cars. Atleast that way we could have drank. I started getting really worried about how hot it was going to get. I had 30 pack in back seat of my car. Didn't want my beer to explode:eek:!

[gaypalmsprings]

not everyone needs alcohol to have a good time.

I'll drink to that!

[caligirlUCR]

I was totally disappointed with the alcohol/security situation . . . i managed to gt some of mine in but some o fit gotten taken away as well . . . . what was crazy to me was how lax the security at the venue was compared to the camp grounds!! I expected the opposite . . .

[Cooter]

;) I agree Waco. The security was more concerned about the beer coming through than keeping port-a-john stocked with sh$t paper. It was like living in refugee camp. They should have just let us pitch our tents next to cars. Atleast that way we could have drank. I started getting really worried about how hot it was going to get. I had 30 pack in back seat of my car. Didn't want my beer to explode:eek:!

you think security is in charge of stocking the porto-potties? ok.

[Tattoedsailor]

you think security is in charge of stocking the porto-potties? ok.

Ok? It certainly hell could have been more effective then what they were doing. Every time I asked one of them is someone going to come over a restock the port-a-Johns with TP i got the typical response, "uh I don't know".