Saturday, April 21st, radio station WJRR (101.1FM) hosted its 25th annual Earthday Birthday at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, and I was in attendance.
As with years past, there were two levels of tickets: General Admission and VIP. General admission included entry into the festival while VIP (which I purchased) got you into the VIP area with $15 worth of food/drink tickets, lunch and dinner, free soda and water, a limited-edition t-shirt, a collectible cup and a lanyard with the laminated VIP pass. Everything was inside a clear backpack, as security was tight at the festival.
The VIP area was set to the right of the stage and contained two areas of tables and chairs underneath tents. Each had fans to keep the VIP members cool. There were also two buffet lines, hosted this year by Hard Rock Café, for lunch and dinner. A mobile bar and two kiosks selling alcohol and giving away water and sodas were set up in the area, as well.
One thing I enjoyed is WJRR also set up an elevated ‘living room’ to interview bands and allow the VIP members to get autographs and take pictures.
VIP members could access the entire festival grounds as well as the VIP area. This year there were food trucks in addition to the regular fair type food booths. The Art Walk was always a great bet to meet local artists, crafters, vendors and non-profits.
Mel Bad Girls’ Club sold set lists on a lanyard, and had an area with a dunking booth to collect money for their charities.
There were also helicopter rides and camels to ride, as well as a BMX trick demonstration and wrestling matches.
This year’s musical line-up on the Lipton Stage (2nd) was Dead Girls Academy, Powerman 5000, Fozzy, 10 years and Starset.
On the Bud Light Stage (Main) was Nirvanna, Red, Non-Point, All That Remains, Bush, 3 Days Grace, Seether and Shinedown.
The National Anthem was sung by Meka from Meka Nism, a local Metal band.
This year was one of the best I have attended, having been the last 8 years, and the festival is still one of the premiere music festivals in the Orlando area.
Were you at Earthday Birthday 2018? Let me know what you thought in the comments!
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- Out and About: Alice in Chains Rocks the Hard Rock Live - October 29, 2018
- Out and About: Poca’s Rock the Sauce Offered Up a Day of Great Food and Music - May 17, 2018
- Out and About: The VIP Experience at WJRR’s Earthday Birthday 2018 - May 7, 2018