This was my first time attending but I was volunteering through Meetup for the Burn Foundation working the beer tents. Parking wasn't hard to find since I arrived early (11:10am) & was easily directed towards the front gate. Would have been nice to have signs on Spring Mountain advertising the event. The line to get inside was long but lucky me I didn't have to wait in it due to working the event. It would have been nice to of had some signs up in the park making people aware of which way to go for food, bathrooms, stage, etc. Or maybe a map? You pretty much had to just walk around to find things. I also think it would be easier & less confusing if the park had a ticket booth for people to buy their tickets for booze & food vs @ the stands. Things may had moved along quicker when at these tents with people only having to deal with tickets vs cash. Also they should have signs up @ booze & food tents that state Cash Only and advertise on the website for this. ( I don't believe this was on there) Though there were ATM's it would of saved some people the ATM fee's who don't carry cash.
I found customers a little confused when coming up to the beer tent. They bought tickets at one table then went to the table next to it to hand their ticket in for a drink & get carded. One customer had made a valid point. "Why am I being sold a ticket without getting carded if you know I'm going to be buying a drink." Good point!! A lot of people were headed to the tables where the volunteers were handing out drinks wanting to get one but hadn't bought their tickets yet to have to be told to go to the table next to them first. Very unorganized & then the fact that they had to go to another tent for wine or hard liquor.
I unfort. didn't get to eat too much food because I was having fun passing out beer having a blast & our tent was busy. I did get some chinese food that wasn't bad, found it a little expensive $10 (mine was free) for the combo plate. Included rice, noodles, chicken & a small egg roll. The egg roll was the best!! My friend had gotten some mini bundt cakes to share that were delicious!! But Anything but Bundt is a favorite of mine. Their cake are always so fresh tasting & moist. When I walked by there the line was long. That's a great sign of how delicious their products are.
My friend also shared some pretzel bites with melted dipping cheese, I think he said they were from Hard Rock cafe? They were pretty good but I bet they are even better if I was able to eat them when they were warm. My friend was able to walk around & check out the food stands & said there were a few that had food for $4-$5...what a great deal esp. for one who wants to try several items esp. from places they may not have eaten at.
As the day went on the place got so crowded. Unfort. you couldn't hear the music from the beer tent I was working @ (near the food) & had to go near the stage to hear them. I think its awesome they let you bring in selected chairs to sit on and/or a blanket since there really isn't much seating in the park.
Another one of my friend's went & did the VIP section for $100 that included parking but she had said they ended up running out of food (around 6pm). I know I would have been a little upset to have spent that amt. of $$$ on VIP to end up not being able to eat when I wanted to. These tickets are bought prior to the event so you would have thought they could have planned that better.
It's definitely an event worth checking out when its back next year. If your not a big fan of huge crowds I'd recommend going early afternoon & getting out of there before it gets too busy, more so early evening.
Bring plenty of cash, an appetite, blanket or chair if you plan on relaxing & sit back & enjoy the music & the AWESOME people watching.
I probalby will be back next year volunteering again!!