| Subject: Watkins Glen 38th Anniversary 7/28/11 |
Author:
Jon "Skid" Roe
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Date Posted: 15:21:28 07/27/11 Wed
I found this site a few months back and I just keep returning to it to relive that fabulous weekend in July 1973. The 38th anniversary is this week so I hope some new festival goers find this site and tell their stories. Here's what I can remember of my concert experience:
I grew up in Canisteo NY, just south west of the Glen and had been there many times. I was living in Amherst MA in '73, heard about the concert and decided to attend with a couple female friends of mine. I first contacted some buddies back home to try to hook up with them at the concert. Most of my memories are very fuzzy at this point and I so wish I had taken notes and photos, but alas, I did not. Me and the girls arrived at the Glen in plenty of time and had no problems getting in and setting up camp. I absolutely remember Drug Sellers' Row, with cars and vans on both sides of the road openly selling everything imaginable. I really think I did hook up with my home town friends, but I can't imagine how with no cell phones. I'm still waiting for confirmation from them. I'm very clear about this next part. At some point on Friday, I decided to see if I could make it to the stage. I'm sure I thought I would be back to the campsite soon after. Somehow I made it through the mass of humanity and found myself at the foot of the stage sometime later that same day. I knew immediately that if I went back to the campsite, I would never be able to return. I settled in for the night with my back leaning against the front of the stage (or the fence if there was one) It was chilly and I was not prepared to spend the night. Either I found or someone gave me an American flag and I used it for a blanket and I must have slept at some point. In the morning, I woke to find the crowd even bigger and more dense. I somehow managed to head out into the crowd and ended up just to one side of the sound booth and there I stayed for the entire concert. And there my memories just fade away. I don't know how I pee'd, how I drank or ate, how I survived, but I did. It must have been the largesse of all the people around me. The whole reason I attended was to see the Allman Brothers, so I know I stayed until the end. After it was over, I managed to find my way back to the campsite and the girls I came in with were still there. I can't remember when we left to go back to MA, but I know we left together because I know I did not hitch hike home. I completely lost track of those girls after a while so I can't reminisce with them. I'm still waiting to hear from a couple home town friends to see what they remember. Although my memories are dim, I know it was the most amazing weekend of my early life. I hope with the anniversary coming up, more people will find this site and share their stories.
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