The Gorge Amphitheatre: Concert Safety

Playing it safe while having fun

Each summer season The Gorge Amphitheatre presents close to 25 concerts. And each show invites a different crowd of people. This diversity adds to the uncertainty felt by the Starplex Crowd Management Service crew and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office of what may come next. However, after years of experience and with each passing performance, it becomes a little easier to predict.
CMS patrols all exit points on the venue and campground site. Those apprehended by CMS are then referred to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office for arrest.

TICKET SCALPING

Washington has no statewide ordinance against ticket scalping. Ticket-scalping regulations change from locality to locality. The Gorge Amphitheatre follows regulations set by Grant County. Concerning ticket scalping, Grant County has no specific regulation.
However, Dazell said that before selling any product in the county a business license must be obtained. This directly applies to ticket scalping.
Dazell said ticket scalping over the years hasn’t been a big problem at the Gorge Amphitheatre.
“We don’t run into the professional scalpers very much,” Dazell said. “It’s usually just the small guys.”
A mandatory court appearance is required for violators. Depending on the presiding judge, the convicted may receive up to a year in jail. However, Dazell said this ruling is rare.

CAMPGROUND SAFETY

Campground safety regards everything from keeping yourself out of danger to securing your valuables. Within the last year, violence unfortunately has been a little more of a concern at the Gorge Amphitheatre. The venue experienced its first homicide in the summer of 2002 during the KUBE Festival. Bill Parsons, general manager of the Gorge Amphitheatre, considers this act of violence as an isolated incident and said that it is not typical of the campground experience.
Dazell said to contact the closest authority immediately if you feel your safety is in jeopardy. CMS confiscates all weapons at the front gate and anything that could be used as a weapon. Dazell said that weapons most commonly found are knives and bats.
As far as securing your valuables, Dazell said these items should be locked away in your car and out of sight. And if a member of your party decides he or she doesn’t want to attend the concert, Dazell suggests leaving them behind to guard possessions.
As of May 21, the one-year ban on alcohol on campground premises was lifted by Grant County officials. Parsons is not concerned that the change of policy will increase campground violence.
“If campers are not handling themselves properly, then they’ll be asked to leave, “ Parsons said. “We’re not going to allow some party to affect people who are trying to have a good time.”

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Like a herd of cattle, music fans leave the amphitheatre and walk back to their vehicles. Some may head back to the campground for party, rest and relaxation. Still many others have a night of stopping and going ahead of them, crawling ponderously like turtles out of the grassy-field parking lot hoping to soon reach the freeway and eventually home.
A good idea is to plan ahead for this long wait. Pack a cooler full of sandwiches and drinks. Have a tailgate party. This way you can wait out the traffic congestion.
When you do reach the light at the end of the tunnel, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office will be there to guide you out. For those heading east, travelers should take Baseline. For those heading west, travelers should take Silica Road.