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Hi Ed,

What happened? We were just at the festival today, amongst 3000 others, and we felt short-changed. As bay area local who frequented Shoreline Ampitheatre for sold-out concerts, this event was a catastrophe. Organization wise, it was chaotic. To summarize:

1. The wait to get in (even for ticket holders) was 60+ minutes, snaking from the dusty parking lot. It was apparent at the gate that slow entrance was attributed to wristband-slapping process to each ticket holders.

2. Once in, there's another 40+ minutes wait to put deposit on wristband at ironically called "Fast Pass Stand". No one understand how the "hi tech" wristband works - one advised activation, others said not necessary. An agent at fast pass informed refund can be done at information booth, yet info both denied authority.

3. Then there's another 90+ minutes wait in line to order your food of choice. Since your first plate of food is included with ticket price, the choice was pretty obvious as there are only 2 vendors with a $12 price tag. We arrived at 12:20, and didn't have a single bite until 3:30. All the while, no music, drinks or announcement. Just standing in line.

4. Ofcourse, with all new technology and wired systems, there's a glitch. By the time you get to order your food, the scanning device failed. Your purchase can not go thru. Rendering waits you bear, deposits you made, stupid wristband start-up technology, major screw ups, all fruitless effort on an otherwise nice Saturday. This happens to most everyone I talked to. A lot of pissed ticket holders.

I've been to Shoreline multiple times, and I've never experienced worst. Surely the venue & employees was not the issue. Was it Live Nation got too greedy, over-selling tickets? Silly wristband technology company that doesn't work, lobbied by lowest bidder? Event organizers dropped the ball, not anticipating the outcome?

Whatever the reasons, I think all these could have been avoided by simply thinking it through. If you're going to make a rule that all first purchase will be free, you bet mass are going to swarm highest priced vendors. This was not anticipated as lines spiraled uncontrollaby at these vendors, creating little "riot" amongst by standers, ppl waiting in line and those trying to cut it. I suggest getting rid of the silly wristband rule, just good old cash.

Can I get my money back? Oh yes, there's also a line for that. It started few zip codes back and 2 days long.

I live in SF bay area and you bet I will attend - I hope this is just the beginning of what would be an annual. Kudos to Ed for doing the homework coordinating the vendors. It's a collection of American's finest all in one place. My only concern is that due to transport, space limitation or other restrictions, people will not taste the true original as they are intended to be. Please, please, do your best to avoid this.

If I can make a suggestion, I see one misrepresented from Nawlins'. Although Cajun & Creole foundations are french-based, they are truly America's. The spices, the ingredients, the culture and heritage - eversince I left Texas, I can't find good cajun food anywhere. Not to mention to re-promote New Orleans! Beignets from Cafe du Monde comes to mind... Jambalayas, Etouffee, Pupusas, Tchoupitoulas, and of course Gumbos. Shoreline Ampitheathre is a huge open space and albeit in Summer, it's often cool and windy. So can't go wrong with spicy, hearty type. Good luck Ed and SE!