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Hello in Indy,
I'm a longtime Keystone state ParrotHead now living in the Buckeye state, so I've done all my JB tailgating in Pittsburgh and Cleveland. The schedule of our group may prevent us from going to our favorite venue this summer (Star Lake) so we're considering a trek to Indianapolis. One question for you Hoosiers - is tailgating restricted at Verizon Music Center(other than anything illegal or immoral)? We've stopped going to Blossom in Cleveland area because they prohibit open containers, leading to a way too subdued, "party at your own risk" atmosphere. Should we expect any problems in Indy?

Thanks!

GreatHeart82 wrote:Hello in Indy,
I'm a longtime Keystone state ParrotHead now living in the Buckeye state, so I've done all my JB tailgating in Pittsburgh and Cleveland. The schedule of our group may prevent us from going to our favorite venue this summer (Star Lake) so we're considering a trek to Indianapolis. One question for you Hoosiers - is tailgating restricted at Verizon Music Center(other than anything illegal or immoral)? We've stopped going to Blossom in Cleveland area because they prohibit open containers, leading to a way too subdued, "party at your own risk" atmosphere. Should we expect any problems in Indy?

Thanks!

As far as tailgating in the lots tailgating is somewhat restricted. I think they open the gates around 4:00pm. They will allow you to drink but no bottles, no grills. There are some people who tailgate at the Sleepy Bear campground across the street although it is nothing spectacular. PM me is you need more info or directions.

We tailgated with moderation last few years. Most folks go inside the venue and party with the second stage band. There was a smoking tent with a bar last year....the bar served some great mixed drinks. The frozen drinks are week but the mixed drinks are pretty good at the stands. The experience was calm but fun. If you are used to Star Lake you may want to reconsider your option this year and go to either Alpine or Cincy; both are around the same time.

As far as Indy's pavilion seats go, there is a pretty good view from all seats. Same for much for much of the lawn. Something I can't say for Cincy.

Have a great time.


Oh one more thing about Indy it has friggin poured rain on us the past 4 times we went.....I'm talkin downpours.

...that's all if Jimmy doesn't take the summer off as he's rumored to be doing this year. Last year we took advantage of the "Cheesburger In Paradise" deal where it included a night's stay at a hotel and bus to/from the show. We've been hearing reports of the police patrolling heavily after the Buffet shows at Verizon in Indy. The overnight deal is a little but pricy, but still cheaper than a DUI!!

OK... so maybe I need to lay off the Beam and Diet Pepsi on Monday nights..... NAH!! A little more "browsing" on BN yielded me the info for the 8/8 Verizon date.... YESSSSS!! ... not to mention I spelled Buffett wrong. Perhaps the police should catch more people after going to the Buffet for overindulging....

My wife and I went to the Indy concert last year. we drove from Milwaukee, WI. Boy, I must say that was the QUIETEST parking lot we have ever seen! People were sitting in their cars, drinking. Not much interaction between groups, not a lot of raucous, belligerent partying going on!

We thought that it was just our side of the lot, so we circled the parking lot. It turns out, the other side was even MORE quiet! The only interesting thing going on was a cop that was offering $1 to barricade the porta-john when someone was inside! LOL

BUT. . .the concert was awesome! Best seats we ever had!

I think last year the lot opened earlier than 4pm, but I can't be certain cause our group didn't get there until around 6. We were parked behind the lawn across from the Sleepy Bear campground and I can't say there was much going on there except a huge line at the Port-o-John. I've been going to Indy for the better part of the last 12 years and I've NEVER had a problem with security except the one time we tried to start up a grill, no open flames allowed. We ALWAYS drink corona from bottles and I've stood right by a mounted officer on horseback with one and he didn't say anything. Hell I usually walk up to the gate with one in my hand. However, if you're looking for Cinnci style 'gating, you're not going to find it at Indy. Both the CIP's here have tailgating that started at 11am last year, but I don't know what it was like. I've never noticed any aggressive policing after the shows, but it's not like we're running around with torches and machetes either. The party at Cinnci is definitely crazier, but after a particularly bad experience on their lawn, I definitely prefer Indy.

I have never posted before, but I thought I should for this.Indy is the only show I get to go to every year and we have never had a problem. We always show up with a trunk full of jello shots and corona And everyone has a great time. Just smile at the cops and don't cause trouble and they won't cause trouble for you!!!!

Welcome OneParticularGirl, I agree with your post 100%. I've never witnessed any agressive policing up here, so long as you're not acting the fool, you'll be fine. Also, I confirmed with someone who has a little clearer memory of last year's show, that the gates at Verizon opened at 1pm last year. Whether that will happen again is anyone's guess but here's hoping.

PartofthePhlock wrote:We tailgated with moderation last few years. Most folks go inside the venue and party with the second stage band. There was a smoking tent with a bar last year....the bar served some great mixed drinks. The frozen drinks are week but the mixed drinks are pretty good at the stands. The experience was calm but fun. If you are used to Star Lake you may want to reconsider your option this year and go to either Alpine or Cincy; both are around the same time.

As far as Indy's pavilion seats go, there is a pretty good view from all seats. Same for much for much of the lawn. Something I can't say for Cincy.

Have a great time.


Oh one more thing about Indy it has friggin poured rain on us the past 4 times we went.....I'm talkin downpours.

Just angels getting rid of rented margaritas and Coronas from their own tailgate prior to the show dear..

RinglingRingling wrote:

PartofthePhlock wrote:We tailgated with moderation last few years. Most folks go inside the venue and party with the second stage band. There was a smoking tent with a bar last year....the bar served some great mixed drinks. The frozen drinks are week but the mixed drinks are pretty good at the stands. The experience was calm but fun. If you are used to Star Lake you may want to reconsider your option this year and go to either Alpine or Cincy; both are around the same time.

As far as Indy's pavilion seats go, there is a pretty good view from all seats. Same for much for much of the lawn. Something I can't say for Cincy.

Have a great time.


Oh one more thing about Indy it has friggin poured rain on us the past 4 times we went.....I'm talkin downpours.

Just angels getting rid of rented margaritas and Coronas from their own tailgate prior to the show dear..

hope those were tears of joy!!!!

I haven't been to Indy and I'm so excited! 2 days before my birthday!!!!!!!!!! Besides it actually beingon my birthday, can't get much better than that!

PartofthePhlock wrote:

RinglingRingling wrote:

PartofthePhlock wrote:We tailgated with moderation last few years. Most folks go inside the venue and party with the second stage band. There was a smoking tent with a bar last year....the bar served some great mixed drinks. The frozen drinks are week but the mixed drinks are pretty good at the stands. The experience was calm but fun. If you are used to Star Lake you may want to reconsider your option this year and go to either Alpine or Cincy; both are around the same time.

As far as Indy's pavilion seats go, there is a pretty good view from all seats. Same for much for much of the lawn. Something I can't say for Cincy.

Have a great time.


Oh one more thing about Indy it has friggin poured rain on us the past 4 times we went.....I'm talkin downpours.

Just angels getting rid of rented margaritas and Coronas from their own tailgate prior to the show dear..

hope those were tears of joy!!!!

If that thought gets you thru the night dear...

How is Deer Creek - I mean Verizon Wireless Ampitheater (sorry, I'm a transplanted Hoosier and it will always be Deer Creek to me! Is it a larger or smaller venue? Any bad pavillion seats? Thanks for any info any of you might have. We will be going to Indy, provided the ticket gods shine on us!

Well, I think capacity is about 27,000, although I'm not 100% on that. I've sat in the pavilion a few times for other shows, never for Buffett. All in all I thought the sight lines were pretty good, although if you're on extreme stage left or right you get a pretty weird angle, and if you're towards the outside edge you are still exposed to the elements. But that's true of all ampitheaters. I prefer the lawn, although you should get there early for the best spots. Preferably near the walk paths and clear of the support poles for the pavilion. Here's the link to their home page...
http://www.verizonwirelessmusiccenter.com/main.html
they don't have much on there though. See my above posts for info on tailgating

GreatHeart82 wrote:Hello in Indy,
I'm a longtime Keystone state ParrotHead now living in the Buckeye state, so I've done all my JB tailgating in Pittsburgh and Cleveland. The schedule of our group may prevent us from going to our favorite venue this summer (Star Lake) so we're considering a trek to Indianapolis. One question for you Hoosiers - is tailgating restricted at Verizon Music Center(other than anything illegal or immoral)? We've stopped going to Blossom in Cleveland area because they prohibit open containers, leading to a way too subdued, "party at your own risk" atmosphere. Should we expect any problems in Indy?

Thanks!

It's a whole lot closer to Blossom than Star Lake (although the last time I went to Blossom the party was pretty good), although they do have more port a pots than Blossom. They've loosened up in the last couple of years, but if your schedule permits, you'll have a much better time, tailgate-wise at least, in Cinci.

I've been to CiP before 3 shows, all at the Southside location (Northside wasn't open yet). Frankly, every time I went, it was dead, or just boring. We spent most of the last time (2004) in the hotel hanging out since the drinks were free there, the music was the same or better, and there weren't new people to make friends with down there anyway. That will probably be very different at the new location, since it is actually somewhat close, and definitely on the way to, the venue.

As far as seating, the Indy lawn's good. I've had really bad experiences, as have friends, with the acoustics at Buffett shows if you're on either of the outside sections in the pavilion- we couldn't understand a word he was saying. You can hear sounds, and tell he's talking, but unless you've been to or listened to the other shows, you'll have no idea.