Gorge gets going

First show of the season was all-day affair

COLUMBIA BASIN — The Gorge Amphitheatre launched into full swing Saturday with the Sasquatch! Music Festival which featured 26 acts on three stages at the outdoor venue.

Nearly 17,000 turned out for main stage acts which included Arcade Fire, Wilco, Kanye West, Modest Mouse and headliners the Pixies.

The first concert of the year brought the first opportunity for concert goers, organizers and law enforcement to test out new alcohol rules at the Gorge. This year, beer and wine sales are allowed outside of the traditional beer garden until sunset. Those imbibing donned plastic bracelets and the venue was patrolled by beverage enforcement officers who supervised that those drinking were of age to do so and had not been overserved. After dark, drinkers were asked to remain in the food court area.

The new rules allowed for a show with "very few problems," according to Bill Parsons, vice president and general manager for the House of Blues which manages the Gorge Amphitheatre. Parsons would not give sales figures for alcoholic beverages sold during the show, but called the new system "a big success."

In addition to crowd control and beverage enforcement officers hired by the House of Blues, six Grant County Sheriff's Department reserve officers and one liaison officer assisted at the Gorge, a figure Parsons described as appropriate for the size of the crowd.

"It was a test because it was a long day, it was very hot," said Parsons.

The next show at the Gorge will be June 25 when '70s pop/rock duo Loggins & Messina take the stage.

Nearly 30 dates are planned at the Gorge this summer, with some recent schedule changes. The Zooma Tour, which was to come to the Gorge July 31, has been canceled. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers with the Black Crowes have added a second date, and will now play the Gorge both September 2 and 3.

For more information, visit www.hob.com.