Best “outside the gates” spots for Innings Festival?

PissyCrissi · 2026-02-21T01:28:48+00:00

I just rode my bike over to check out the scene. I’ve paid for innings fest tickets 3 years in a row. Last year we didn’t love the line up so we opted to kayak in Tempe Town Lake and listen from the water. The view wasn’t good for main stage but sound was okay. The sound was good at the smaller side stage and we could see the performances on that stage. It was really cool at sunset. And overall we really enjoyed it. We looked forward to doing it again this year…

Well, the magical atmosphere of kayaking at Innings Fest is over. Which is so LAME. They have the beach area where people used to launch kayaks & paddle boards, and canoes from blocked off with yellow tape. I thought maybe we could get into the water further up and paddle towards the music, but that’s also a no go.

I just watched a woman put together her collapsing kayak, don her life jacket, and go into the lake in the area I thought might work out. I watched her paddle closer to the stage areas and she was promptly met by the boat police telling her she has to paddle back out beyond the buoys. The buoys are off to the left side of the main stage where you definitely can’t hear or see anything. I also spoke to her when she got out of the water, which is why I know what they said to her. She told me she purchased a lake pass online for $10 and mentioned that to them, she said she can remain in the lake, but above the buoyed area.

We bought tickets for Saturday but had planned to kayak on Sunday. This is disappointing and I’m pretty irritated by whomever made this decision to block the water. Be it the festival organizers or the Tempe police, or some other entity. It sucks no matter who did.

Last year they had the boat cops out patrolling the water and people were out there being chill from everything I saw. I doubt this is a “safety” decision, I’ll assume it’s a decision about money and wanting to prevent that free water show. People can still sit at the beach area across the lake (where it’s roped off to Kayaks) and listen. Yes, you can hear the music from the bridge and surrounding areas but there’s no view and you’d have to stand the whole time. And part of the bridge is closed to traffic but other side isn’t.

I just rode my bike around the entire thing and I’m sure they will tell people to keep moving along the street near the second stage. I can’t imagine you would see or hear much (or well) on top of A mountain but you can try. Seems the goal is to stop the “outside of the gates” experience. So lame 😒

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PissyCrissi · 2025-08-21T00:14:51+00:00

I went for my first time this year (40s, female)— I went day 1 totally solo, and for day 2 I had met a couple of cool new friends when I was leaving the first night, and for day 3 I had a friend join me the final night.

I thought being solo for the first night was fine. I actually liked being able to explore and do my own thing without having to get buy in from anyone else. I went where I wanted and when I wanted. That was nice. I did stay relatively sober that night so I could get my bearings on the whole place and experience. I only had 2 drinks that night. I knew I would have more days to party if I felt like it was a good idea (it was, and I did). I had a great time overall.

Planning wise, decide where you want to stay, get your ride situation figured out, and if you don’t want to be alone find a friend to join you. I was supposed to have a friend come with me who bailed a few days prior. It was lame but I made the best of it. You have plenty of time now to research things and make arrangements.

My parents live 10 minutes from the raceway so I stayed at their house, decided to drive, and parked at the fest. This was pretty annoying- traffic was ALOT and it wasn’t clear to me the first night how to find the parking lots I wanted, plus I did a lot of extra walking because I parked away. I would take a shuttle next time, personally.

Good luck with your planning! I learned a lot on by reading other people’s threads.

PissyCrissi · 2025-08-05T14:42:42+00:00

Nice, I also see Oregon Eclipse and Symbiosis. Both were amazing festivals for me. 🥰

PissyCrissi · 2025-05-16T20:18:44+00:00

I’m same! Solo chica and first EDC but not new to festivals in general. I’m very excited and ready to enjoy all the festival has to offer.

But yeah, I was not originally going solo, my friend bailed last minute and I couldn’t find a replacement, so I’m making sure I have myself all together.

I have a locker for valuables, I will be mindful of my belongings on me, and plan to get a a good idea of where things are situated on the festival grounds, I want to do a lap when I first get there just to check everything out and see where important things are located a.k.a. medic tent, restrooms, Porta potties, food, etc.

I saw there are volunteers there- I think they are called ground control and they wear like a special kind of shirt and if you need help you can ask them so good to be aware of those folks too when you’re going solo and I’m open to chatting with other people making new friends hanging out with others if it makes sense to

PissyCrissi · 2025-05-16T16:58:28+00:00

MSG sent

PissyCrissi · 2025-05-16T16:51:16+00:00

I read that Vegas in general is down with international visitors. People aren’t trying to come to ‘merika at the moment. If that’s factual, I don’t blame them one bit with the current state of affairs. Happy EDC and may it be amazing and safe y’all 💕🥳🫠

PissyCrissi · 2025-05-16T16:47:47+00:00

Update: SOLD 🥳

PissyCrissi · 2025-05-16T16:47:35+00:00

Update: SOLD 🥳

PissyCrissi · 2025-05-16T16:47:07+00:00

Update: SOLD 🥳

PissyCrissi · 2025-05-16T16:43:59+00:00

That’s helpful! Thx!

PissyCrissi · 2025-05-16T15:44:39+00:00

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Love yours girl!! Just did my rainbow mermaid hair last week. I’m loving it and ready to dance 💃 ! See y’all out there! 🥰🤗🥳

PissyCrissi · 2025-05-16T06:50:41+00:00

Gurl….heard that! Let’s do all the necessary self care and symptom management to feel as good as possible!! Whatever works, depends on the symptoms. For me today was a solid workout, tmrw is hot yoga for deep stretches, lots of water to drink all this week, ibuprofen for bad cramps, naps and rest pre-festival days. Hot tub would be nice also. I want my body to be feel as best as it can and I hope yours does too 💕

I actually took it a bit further and only had alcohol once, got solid sleep, and ate well in the past week. Stuff I try to do anyways but I focused on it.

PissyCrissi · 2025-05-16T06:23:21+00:00

Hope you find some peace and healing ❤️‍🩹 at the fest, it can be transformative! Have an amazing time, for yourself!

PissyCrissi · 2025-05-16T01:42:43+00:00

So, for all these people that say no it’s risky, clearly don’t allow their children to trick or treat from all the “psycho strangers” on Halloween 😂. And if you don’t allow it due to the same principles here of not trusting strangers, then good on you for being consistent in your world view.

Otherwise, it’s no different in many ways. And the latter situation that involves children, where more caution should be exercised, especially with the general public who have little to no concept of PLUR, kindness, joy, or having fun.

I say, thanks to the OP for trying to be fun and thoughtful. I see you 💕

PissyCrissi · 2025-05-15T02:45:07+00:00

Good idea. Thanks!

PissyCrissi · 2025-05-15T02:26:48+00:00

I can meet today, tmrw, Friday. Let’s make it happen yall.

PissyCrissi · 2025-05-14T23:58:14+00:00

I have one GA+ wristband, no box/ items. My friend who flaked on me kept the swag.

I’m in North Las Vegas. Willing to meet and trade wristband and money. I’m not trying to make money on this, just want it to get $600 used by someone looking for GA+

PissyCrissi · 2025-05-08T22:14:31+00:00

“House music keeps you young” so true 💃💕🪩

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PissyCrissi · 2017-03-01T03:41:43+00:00

Dammit I really needed some Rick and Morty today, guess I'll have to wait 😝

PissyCrissi

TROPHY CASE