I hope this blog has answered some questions and been of help to you. Rockfest 2009 is tomorrow and we can’t wait! Believe it or not, this is the 17th Rockfest! On behalf of the staff, we can’t thank you enough for your support of the show. You alone have made Rockfest the biggest one-day music festival in America. We sincerely hope you have a fantastic time! Here are a few final thoughts:

--- Please send your Rockfest pictures to pics@989therock.com. We want to share your pics with the rest of audience.
--- This is an outdoor festival. You get the sunshine, trees, fireworks show, and freedom of movement all day. You don’t get the amenities of The Sprint Center. Ladies, it’s port-o-potties. Deal with it.
--- Thanks to the bands for embracing our goal of keeping Rockfest affordable. The bands were willing to play for less than their usual fee because they wanted to support a great festival and make sure working people can afford it. It’s great to work with such cool artists.
--- Any merchandise being sold outside of the fence is bootleg. They are attempting to rip off the station and you. Those bootleg shirts are printed on such cheap shirts they fall apart after one wash. Screw the bootleg shirt guys.
--- Rockfest shirts will be sold on the web site starting next week. If you don’t get one at the show, get it on-line.
--- Have a designated driver! Seriously, if you were a cop on duty Saturday night, where would you be? Don’t get a D.U.I. or even worse, hurt someone in an accident. Use a designated driver, get a cab, walk, sleep under a tree, just don’t get behind the wheel drunk. It’s not worth it.
--- Go easy on the security staff. They are just regular guys trying to do their jobs.
--- Finally, pace yourself to make it through the whole day. Sunscreen and lots of water, after all, the water is free all day!

Have a great time and thank you so much for the support!

Lots of questions about why we don’t allow backpacks. The safety of the audience is the top priority at Rockfest. We would need to search every backpack to make sure nothing dangerous passes through the gate. If our security team had to search 50,000 backpacks, it would take ALL DAY to get everyone into the show. I know most of you would like to bring a blanket, sun screen, camera, etc. Carry your blanket and throw your other items into a plastic grocery bag. We can check the bag and shake the blanket quickly. That allows you to bring in your items while keeping the line moving quickly. We appreciate the understanding.

If you don’t come to Rockfest early, parking can be a challenge. To help yourself and the entire event, please carpool! Find your designated driver, then load the rest of that car! Although many businesses surrounding Liberty Memorial sell parking, let me suggest some of the largest parking areas:

--- The South East lawn of Liberty Memorial will offer up-close parking. Spaces can be accessed at Pershing & Main and 29th and Main.
--- Penn Valley Park parking can be accessed at 30th and Broadway, W 27th street and Penn Street, and 31st street and Penn.
--- Union Station parking can be accessed at Pershing and Broadway.
--- Blue Cross parking can be accessed at Grand Blvd. and OK. Street.
--- Two Pershing Square parking can be accessed at Main & Two Pershing Road.
--- Crown Center has several parking garages at Grand and 29th Street.

There are many other places near Liberty Memorial to park, these are the largest lots. Each business charges a different amount for their parking, most spaces go for $10-$20. You can find free parking if you’ll willing to look around and walk a few extra blocks to the show. The best way to alleviate the parking problem is to carpool and come early. Remember, have that designated driver!

For handicapped parking instructions, please see the venue page of this site.

Here’s a very short blog with advice from those of us that work Rockfest every year. You need two elements to make it through the entire day: water and sunscreen. I know it sounds simple, but if you don’t wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water, you will fade fast. A layer or two of sunscreen will get you through the day. Water is the real key. Keep hydrated. You can bring in a sealed bottle of water, up to 24 ounces. Once you empty the bottle, keep filling it all day. We have over 100 free water fountains that run all day. Find them on the street between the two stages. Take advantage of them. The formula Johnny promotes works well; for every two beers, drink at least one water. Believe me, it will make the difference in making it to the end of the show or not. Water and sunscreen – Rockfest essentials!

A word of warning, it can be difficult to make cell phone calls at Rockfest. Why? When you make a call, your phone signal seeks your service providers nearest tower. With 50,000 people in one spot, certain provider towers are overwhelmed. What does that mean to you - busy signals. Your phone will work, but don’t be surprised if it takes several attempts to make a call. That being said, decide with your friends where you’ll meet if you get separated at the show. Pick a spot, the free water station, the autograph booth, or the merchandise tent. It doesn’t matter where you meet, just have a plan going into the show in case you have trouble with your phone.

We’re getting many questions about Rockfest VIP passes. We do not sell them and we do not give them away on the air. Before I explain, let me thank our long-time beer sponsor, Miller Lite. Miller Lite has been the only beer to sponsor Rockfest since we moved the show back to Liberty Memorial in 2004. We can’t thank Miller Lite enough for their support of The Rock, live music, and good times! Part of their deal for Rockfest is a Miller Lite VIP tent. We’ll be on the streets with Miller Lite in the month of May giving away VIP passes at locations all over the city. That is the only way to get passes to the Miller Lite VIP tent. We’ll let you know on the air and on the “tickets” section of this site where you can win a VIP pass.

Now that you know how the VIP passes work, let me warn you NOT TO BUY VIP PASSES ON-LINE. Last year, MANY listeners bought fake VIP passes on-line. After spending a few hundred bucks, they were turned away at the door. Don’t let that happen to you! If you win passes to the Miller Lite VIP tent, great! If not, hang in the crowd and party with the rest of us. Don’t allow yourself to get ripped off by the many fraudulent Rockfest VIP offers on-line.