Coachella Festival Changes Not A Hit For Some
There were several changes to the Coachella Music and Arts Festival this year, and some people didn’t like them.
It’s the first year that security volunteers manned the lines, and they moved very slow. Another complaint was that the cell phone service was almost non-existent. However, probably the biggest change was the elimination of the single-day passes. Everyone had to spend a lot more money this year and buy three-day passes. Some fans said it was hard to afford and now local businesses are paying for it.
The annual event is typically huge for the valley economy, but this time around it was different.
“The kids don’t seem to be coming out,” said Larry Sloan, owner of Sloans Restaurant.
It was the first year of the three-day pass, so fans shelled out hundreds of dollars to get here.
“It was hard to buy the three-day passes because it’s more expensive,” said Kathleen Maguire.
At the festival, fans are made up for the ticket splurge by living frugally, sleeping and eating on a budget.
“It’s expensive, so I brought food with me,” said Maguire.
The thriftiness is costing local businesses.
“We should have been packed, but it’s empty,” said Sloan.
Sloan said he looks forward to this weekend all year.
“Usually, we have an hour and a half wait,” said Sloan.
This weekend sales were down 30 to 40 percent compared to last year at this time. Sloan thinks the chaotic lines and parking were the reason.
“It’s taking them an hour and a half to get in and an hour and a half to get out, there is a lot of congestion,” said Sloan.
Sloan said fans want to avoid any extra hassle so they stay put once they get inside the festival and he’s right.
“We’re staying here,” said Kaitlyn Wesley.
Although money was tight, business was down and lines were long, fans were still fans.
“It was epic,” said Dylan Boackstone.
Local business owners are now looking forward to Stagecoach next weekend. That’s typically their final busy weekend before the long, slow summer months.
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