Festival campers cause problems

SANDPOINT - The Festival at Sandpoint has generated more enthusiasm than ever this year - so much so, in fact, that it's actually causing a few problems.

Zealous festival-goers eager to secure the best spot possible have begun camping overnight in Lakeview Park. Festival manager Dyno Wahl even saw some individuals with a fully-inflated twin-size mattress.

"I just thought to myself, 'Wow, these guys are dedicated," she said.

However, the approach has prompted complaints from neighbors, including reports of alcohol consumption, loud noise, littering and fighting. Furthermore, camping in a city park and drinking alcohol in public spaces are both illegal. According to Mayor Marsha Ogilvie, the Sandpoint Police Department intends to enforce the city ordinances if people return for another night's stay.

"The festival is a valued asset to our community," Ogilvie said. "However, we need to be mindful of our neighbors who have supported it all these years so we can continue this great relationship."

In addition to the ordinance prohibiting camping in a public park, the city also restricts loud noises between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. While it's common for festival-goers to arrive at Memorial Field as early as 5:30 a.m. to ensure early entry, any individuals pursuing that option must be mindful of the noise they create to keep from disturbing the neighbors.

Part of the cause for the early-morning ruckus is the system designed for those willing to go through some effort to get a great spot during the show.

The festival allows people to line up in the morning and wait for numbers to be distributed.

Usually, festival staff hand out up to 300 of these numbers depending on the expected popularity of the show.

As long as a concert-goer has a number in hand and arrives an hour before the gates open to confirm their spot, they will get early pickings for the choicest real estate during the show.

Typically, staff hand out the first numbers at 8:30 a.m., leading some individuals to line up much earlier in an effort to get the top spots.

Some people found camping to be the ultimate solution to the number-grabbing competition. They set up residence as early as last Thursday during the Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Johnny Clegg concert to score the earliest access to the Alison Krauss and Union Station show.

Fans unhappy with their approach took to the festival's Facebook page to discuss the matter.

"Unaccompanied minors showing up 30 hours before a show, being loud and obnoxious, littering and then selling their numbers doesn't seem very Sandpoint-like," posted Susan Hendricks Bourn.

According to Wahl, there isn't anything the festival itself can do about the situation, because they have no enforcement over Lakeview Park. However, she added that those considering camping for a number should probably think again.

"We're flattered that people want to get an early start for a good seat, but this just creates problems for everyone," she said.