Home About Archives RSS Feed

Solid Ground Filling Up

Andy McKeever

Javier Higuera was one of the first to arrive at Noel Field for the Solid Sound Festival. Higuera drove from Arizona stopping in major cities on the way for a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Solid Ground expects to be filled to the brim.

According to Police Sgt. David Sacco, a founder of the local ROPES program, 250 tent slots and all 10 recreational vehicle spots have been sold and the campers have been trickling in all morning. Each tent can have up to four people.

"Check in started at 11 a.m. and they've been filtering in consistently since then," Sacco said Friday afternoon. The ROPES organization, lead by local emergency responders, is coordinating the camping area at the municipal park.

The site at Noel Field is expected to be full by 8 p.m. and the ROPES volunteers of more than 200 will be helping concertgoers and keeping order. The team has been shuttling people to the site by using golf carts; the threat of stormy weather does not seem to be a deterrent.

"In case of severe weather we're suggesting they head to their cars," Sacco said. "The Eagles Club also called and said that if we needed to have a mass exodus, they'll open up for us."

Some 5,000 concertgoers are coming to the area from all over the country and beyond. Sacco said there are two reservations from Canada and one from South Africa. ROPES Program coordinator John LeClair said he has seen people from across the country including Ohio, Wisconsin and California.

Well-prepared camper Javier Higuera was all set up by 1 p.m. after driving from Arizona to attend the festival. Higuera left his home on Saturday and has been stopping at major cities along the way.

ROPES set up vendors that expect to be open until 1 a.m. or even later depending on business.

"I've never been east of Denver before," Higuera said. "This is a trip of a lifetime."

Higuera is meeting up with a friend on Sunday and will be driving back – hitting even more cities along the way. Higuera said he does not have to be back to work until July 5, so he is enjoying the vacation.

The campers are flowing in with cases of beer and wine, grills, Frisbees and Wiffle ball bats.

Police are not expecting any problems. LeClair said that last year police had "zero" incidents and he expects the same this year. Medical staff and security will be on site throughout the festival, he said.

"This isn't a mosh pit," LeClair said. "They are all very nice."

Tags: Solid Ground, Noel Field      

Support Local News

We show up at hurricanes, budget meetings, high school games, accidents, fires and community events. We show up at celebrations and tragedies and everything in between. We show up so our readers can learn about pivotal events that affect their communities and their lives.

How important is local news to you? You can support independent, unbiased journalism and help iBerkshires grow for as a little as the cost of a cup of coffee a week.

News Headlines
Central Berkshire School Officials OK $35M Budget
Scoil Rince Bréifne Ó Ruairc Participated in North American Open Championships
Pittsfield Police Participating in US 20 Speed Enforcement Project
MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC
Dalton ADA Committee Explores Expanding
Milne Public Library Trustees Announce New Library Director
Clark Art Presents Free Thematic Tour on Music in Art
BCC, Mill Town Partner to Support Philanthropy Through 40 Under Forty
SVMC' Wellness Connection: March 15
Pittsfield Community Meeting On Rest of the River Project

WFUV is

broadcasting live

from Solid Sound


Follow along on Spotify

 

 

Solid Sound Festival curated by Wilco at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art runs Friday through Sunday, June 26-28.

We're keeping this blog to let you know who's here, where to go, what's happening, the best places to eat and other things of interest to both residents and concertgoers.

Important Links:

Solid Sound Festival

Mass MoCA

North Adams

BerkshireMenus

Blogs and Websites

North Adams Chamber of Commerce

Berkshire Visitors Bureau

Williamstown Chamber of Commerce

Where the heck are we?


View Larger Map



Categories:
Lineup (2)
Lodging (5)
Mass MoCA (13)
North Adams (10)
Restaurants (3)
Services (2)
Tidbits (5)
Wilco (9)
Archives:
Tags:
Wilco Noel Field Events Festival Tickets Causes Cultural Economy Solid Ground Music Festival Downtown Money Album Politics Benefit Radio Solid Sound Premiere
Popular Entries:
Wilco Finds Berkshires Home Away From Home
Like Wilco's Album & Get Solid Sound Discount
Solid Sound Solid Success
Solid Sound Filling Up 'Pop-Up' Campgrounds
Solid Ground Filling Up
Solid Sound Festival Skipping 2014, Will Return in 2015
'Solid Ground' Gets Greenlight
Solid Sound Opens Friday at Mass MoCA
Wilco Tickets Selling Quicker Than Last Year
Solid Sound Welcomes Newcomers & Festival Veterans
Recent Entries:
Solid Sound Welcomes Newcomers & Festival Veterans
Solid Sound Brings Heavy Traffic To The City
Solid Sound Filling Up 'Pop-Up' Campgrounds
Solid Sound Opens Friday at Mass MoCA
Solid Sound Festival Skipping 2014, Will Return in 2015
Solid Sound Success Leaves Impression
Stamping Contraption Brings Attention to Cause
Thousands Flock to North Adams for Solid Sound
Wilco Arrives at Mass MoCA
Area Residents Encouraged Downtown for Solid Sound Weekend