Summer Concerts at Edgefield: Family-Friendly?
Why surely we have our lower-cost/free summer concerts throughout town (check out summer, parks, fun, sun, 2008), some mamas & papas are looking to other concerts. Does anyone have experience bringing kids to a concert at the McMenamin's Edgefield? An urbanMama emailed:
There's a band I would love to see coming to play the Edgefield this summer. My daughter is 4.5, and I've taken her to outdoor concerts at the park and the zoo before, which were obviously family friendly. We've had a great time, and I'd love to take her to this all-ages show at the Edgefield with me. Before I invest almost $50 for a ticket for her though (Thanks Ticketmaster!), could any other urbanMamas advise as to the family friendliness of the Edgefield shows? I've never been to one before, obviously. Do other people take their kids along to these? Did they have fun?
YES! Obviously it is not as family friendly as the zoo. However, for a rock concert with a younger set patrons were very respectful of the families. We took our 9 month old to the 311 concert last year. All of the parents set up blankets toward the back of the venue. Kiddos could run/crawl around a bit while parents enjoyed the show. We brought the peltor ear protectors for our little guy. Have fun!
Posted by: Molly | July 13, 2008 at 06:41 PM
I took my daughter to see KD Lange last year at Edgefield. She was 8 months old. Everyone loved her, except this one guy who was out of his element, and having issues with everyone there. We have taken our daughter to concerts since she was tiny. We put her in the Ergo with the peltor ear protectors. You can get them at Sandersons Safety.
Posted by: lea | July 14, 2008 at 01:16 AM
Absolutely a great place to take kids. Aside from the price (eek!), I recommend the venue 100%.
Posted by: Sheryl | July 14, 2008 at 08:30 AM
I went to a Lyle Lovett concert there. The only problem I had with it was that (I think) you couldn't bring outside food/beverages in -- and the lines to get such items were really, really, ridiculously long. I prefer going to, say, the zoo, where you can pack in some items, like emergency cheerios and some apple juice.
Posted by: Sara | July 14, 2008 at 10:21 AM
I think it depends on the group. I saw Widespread Panic there and the crowd was super friendly but many folks were super altered. A baby/toddler wouldn't have noticed but an older child may have.
I think babies are way more portable in those situations. My daughter hated portable toilets as a wee one and would scream bloody murder anytime we got near one.
Posted by: ProtestMama | July 14, 2008 at 10:37 AM
The zoo will allow food still, but beginning this year they are not allowing beverages to be brought into the concert venue (they will allow empty beverage containers, however, and offer water stations where you can fill up for free). There may be an exception for sippy cups and/or baby bottles that contain liquid that I'm not aware of, since we're beyond that.
Posted by: Sheryl | July 15, 2008 at 08:25 AM
just saw Decemberists with my 6 yo. great show and a terrific venue for families. would love to bring out 3 yo to a show but cannot front that ca$h. i wish McM could be more lenient and let kids in with paid adults.
Posted by: six41 | July 21, 2009 at 11:03 AM