"Drunk Fest," er, Jazz Fest Invades Sioux Falls--Bring Bail Money
I’m not a jazz fan. I’m even less of a heat fan.
So I don’t attend the annual Jazz Fest in Sioux Falls each summer. I also try to avoid the traffic mess near the venue, Yankton Trail Park.
I think it is great that such a cultural event is held here. Seriously. There are some great artists who attend. And most people behave themselves.
But apparently the event has a dark side you don’t read about in the Argus Leader.
For local law enforcement, it’s like an extended St. Patrick’s Day.
A friend of mine is a correctional officer at the Minnehaha County Jail. He said this weekend and Monday—thanks to Jazz Fest—will be one of the busiest weekends of the year at the jail, with 70-80 new “guests” spending some time in the local bastille for everything from DUI, public exposure, public drunkenness, and warrant checks.
I know the jazz folks think they’re a little smarter than the rest of us. True, perhaps. They’re apparently just not any better behaved.
Have fun—responsibly—while at Jazz Fest. If you can’t, bring bail money.
Technorati Tags: Jazz Fest, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, jail, jazz, music
Todd Epp
6 Comments
View Printer Friendly Version
Email Article to Friend
Reader Comments (6)
So help me with you linking here...the first is the blue Jazz Fest link...which takes me to Kansas...the next is the blue Argus Leader link...which again takes me to Kansas...and the last is to SD Politics...which doesn't give me much perspective on your post.
We're not in Kansas anymore Toto.
So at least your pop ups aren't pornagraphic anymore...but they still suck. Love your posts and insights...but I'm afraid to hit your site anymore because of the pop-up. Which might explain you popularity on KELOLAND's political blog site.
Todd, you are one of the most important voices in the blogosphere in SD...lose the pop ups and invite people in to hear the voice without the fear of being digitally "arrested"
Thanks
Links:
Sorry for the bad links. Scribefire changed their software and I didn't notice that the links went to the wrong pages. SDP often blogs about jazz. Thanks for the catch. Corrections have been made.
Todd
Pop-ups:
I think I'm rid of the porn but the other pop-ups are annoying. Still looking into changing providers. Thanks for the kind words.
Todd
I have always felt that Jazzfest amounts to one extremely large bar.
Come on, Epp.
#1 - Jazzfest is jazz in name only. It's put on by the Jazz and Blues Society, and while their concert series is predominantly jazz-based, Jazzfest is all blues and rock.
#2 - It's not the jazz (or blues) fans that make things so rough for the local police - it's the typical dudes and chicks that show up at any event and make hell with the alcohol.
#3 - Regardless of both, when it's not 105 degrees, Jazzfest is a pretty neat excuse to have a few beers, sit in a lawn chair and watch people. And, you can see an outdoor hip hop show if you show up Friday night at the second stage.
That's all. Old man.