HFStival, May 2000 by Gosia

From MemoryArchive

Who: augosia06
What: HFStival
When: May 2000
Where: FedEx Field Landover, MD

The HFStival was one of the most unique experiences of my life. It is sponsered by a radio station in Baltimore, Maryland and held annually in the month of May. It showcases up and coming talent as well as having rock bands that are at the pinnancle of their careers.

The 2000 edition of the festival was held at stadium, and there were tents and stages set up around the stadium that were for sponsers to advertise as well a smaller stage for local bands as well as bands that were getting buzz on the music scene. That year I remember Jimmy's Chicken Shack and Good Charlotte representing for local Maryland bands. It was very overwhelming by the tent area because there were people who were representing political movements, social movements, companies as well as vendors. There were people everywhere and there were people ranging in age from early teens (like myself) to late 50s, all there to listen to some great music.

I remember going into the stadium to listen to the Bloodhound Gang, Filter, Third Eye Blind, Blue Man Group, Vertical Horizon and Stone Temple Pilots who were all bands that were extremely popular. But the best part was that you could sit anywhere in the stadium, I would move from being in the pit, to sitting in the nose bleed section, to sitting in the stadium which was covered.

I remember that it was exceptionally hot and as the day wore on, the sun was just beating down on us. We walked around the tents when the main stage did not have an act we wanted to watch. There were interesting groups there for example, Planned Parenthood was there handing out condoms and for me it was the first time that I saw condoms being handed out. There were also people doing drugs and walking around who were clearly not coherent. It was a great experience to have so much musical talent in a one area, and just constantly having a great performance on stage. There was just so much stimulus that it was overwhelming to try to soak everything in. As a teenager, it was a great experience because it exposed me to the whole culture of rock and roll.

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