Country Stampede

The Country Stampede has been a summer event in Kansas for almost 20 years now. They have 4 days of top country music artists come in to perform each afternoon and evening. In 2013, the headliners were Little Big Town, Jason Aldean, Trace Adkins and Miranda Lambert. Over 160,000 people show up for the event.
And, It’s hot. If it rains, it gets muddy and stinky. But still, people come in droves. They camp there and they stay in the hotels in Manhattan, and they drive in from all over the US. This is the «biggest party on the plains».
This was my first year to attend the Stampede. The staff and vendors were all wonderful. The Performers were all top notch, and even the people attending were fun to talk to. Lots of bare skin — as the temps were in the 90’s and no shade — although as the sun set, it became comfortable and a beautiful evening to be out. Oh yeah, and it’s LOUD. No joke — wear ear protection!
At first pass, the tickets seem a bit steep, but after attending the event, I get it. There are all kinds of various packages you can purchase, but a basic 1-​day event ticket is about $ 80. That’s to see 4 — 5 different artists perform! Concert tickets generally run $ 80 a piece! Definitely a bargain. Plus, the 94.5 Country radio station in Topeka was practically handing them out this year — for a month before the event they gave them away on air, at remotes, and with online contests. Sure, you had to win them, but there were SO many opportunities to get your hands on some free tickets.
Lastly, there are a bunch of freebie-​giveaways from the vendors. (Rockstar was giving away free, full size beverages, for example.) There was also a bunch of expensive stuff to purchase. Tickets to use at the vendors were $ 5 for 8 tickets. 0.63 cents each. Prices were typical of a festival and so were the offerings. Corn Dogs to Ice Cream, Funnel Cakes and BBQ. Nothing healthy whatsoever — so don’t go looking for it. ;)
So, if you go, WEAR SUNBLOCK, take earplugs, and eat before you go. ;)

While the musicians who perform are quite talented, the way this event is run leaves a lot to be desired. Typical for any large spectator event, coolers of beer or other beverages are prohibited, perhaps in the interests of safety but more likely so the vendors can scalp prices. But when going in with my family on a hot summer day, the reasonable man approach prevailed and a thermos of ice (opened to prove it was just that) was permitted. That is, until later, when no container of any kind that didn’t say «Country Stampede» on it was permitted through the gate. The hired help, and two layers of supervisors, said it didn’t matter that it was OK before — as the sun was beating down — you’d have to find the one vendor out in the maze that actually sold cups of ice to stay cool. What is the world coming to ??? The gate people even admitted the waffle on the rules, and the timing could not have been worse. Never again.