The Lockn’ess Monster
Twenty-five thousand rabid music fans descended upon Oak Ridge Farm in Arrington, VA, when Lockn’, a force of nature and annual music festival, arrived in a wash of rain, floods and tornadoes, the Daily Progress reported.
Photography by Gary Mahoney
Lockn’ arrived on Thursday, September 10. Even Lockn’ proved ill-prepared to handle Lockn’, prompting a postponement of festivities until the next day. Three days of festivities promptly followed.
“We got there around 5:30 Friday morning and set up camp,” said Lockn’ veteran and local nurse Gary Mahoney. “Everything got put off until Friday because of the weather on Thursday.” Mahoney went on to add that concert goers endured torrential downpours of glow sticks and hula hoops along with twelve hours a day of constant noise due to the twin stages of the main venue which allowed for no downtime in between sets.
Mahoney also said that despite their dire circumstances, attendees reacted well to acts like Bob Weir, a former member of the Grateful Dead; Robert Plant, former member of Led Zeppelin; and festival-circuit mainstays such as Widespread Panic and The String Cheese Incident.
“I was never really into the Grateful Dead that much, but I really enjoyed the Widespread Panic sets. They played on Saturday and Sunday nights. I also really appreciated the chance to see Robert Plant, because I’ll probably never have that chance again,” said Mahoney.
After taking a moment to pause and reflect, Mahoney changed the subject.
“There was a sign up at the venue entrance warning people that they were being recorded,” he revealed.
Mahoney also pointed out the presence of a surveillance drone flying over the concert venue, though he never presented any connection between the sign and the drone as an alternate theory.
“The sign at the venue entrance said that the purpose of recording was for promotional purposes,” Mahoney stated but then went on to add that he noticed less public officials on the ground than in previous years, implying that perhaps the drone somehow influenced a safer environment overall.
“There were less medical emergencies on the ground than in the past, and less arrests and other apparent activity by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control,” Mahoney added.
On the subject of alcohol, Mahoney mentioned the presence of several vendors selling local micro brews. His focus shifted to the festival’s effect on local business as a whole. Mahoney provided a photograph and pointed out a giant tent dubbed “local” with vendors ranging from Sticks Kebob Shop to The Pie Guy.
Lockn’ 2015 stormed upon Arrington. A festival of love, common interest, music and safe fun emerged afterwards along with a boost to the local economy, good vibes and fond memories.
