Lost Highway Festival

Lost Highway Festival
May 30, 2015

What do you get when you combine a massive crowd of country music fans
with Harley-Davidson bikers, old-school punk rockers, alcohol, camping and
an abundance of law enforcement? The debut of the “Lost Highway
Festival,” and a whole lot of drama-free fun, that’s what!

Over twenty thousand music and motorcycle fans “jammed” San Bernardino’s
San Manuel Amphitheater and surrounds with three stages of music, Harley-
Davidson booths, bikes and demonstrations for largest motorcycle show and
concert in Southern California. Add to that a display of attendee
diversity heretofore unseen at any other festival I’ve attended, and it
made for a very entertaining experience!

The Eli Young Band, Chris Janson, and Toby Keith were the names driving
the biggest crowds to the main stage, while Social Distortion, Reverend
Horton Heat, Lucero and The Brave Ones brought the punk rockers,
psychobilly and biker crowds to additional stages located a short walk
away from the country madness.

Vendors Village, adjacent to the Quaid Harley-Davidson Stage area,
featured a world class Harley show with both old and new bikes from top
builders around the country, as well as a plethora of vendor booths
stocked with riding gear, parts and accessories, custom leathersmiths,
hats, clothing, jewelry and much more.

A 2015 Harley-Davidson FXDB Dyna Street Bob was gifted to one lucky
attendee, who entered the giveaway simply by logging on to the free WIFI
service available at the event. Contestants strutted their stuff for the
first annual “Miss Lost Highway” model contest. Eight custom bike painters
showcased their skills with an incredible “helmet art” show, while a team
from UNKNOWN Industries wowed the crowds with demos showcasing their
freestyle Harley trick riding skills. (What these riders can do with huge
Harley’s is astonishing!)

Campgrounds, located just across the street from the venue, offered
everything from tent and RV camping, to an impressive VIP camping
experience for those with the means.

Like the camping, Lost Highway provided admission for most any budget.
From GA and reserved tickets starting at just under $30.00, to backstage
VIP packages that ranged from $199.00-$699.00 each, there was something
for everybody. The backstage VIP facilities offered a shade-filled,
crowd-free environment. Despite a mass of over twenty thousand fans,
nothing ever felt crowded. No long lines for anything, because twenty
thousand bodies are a drop in the bucket at the San Manuel Amphitheater!
Venue capacity comes in at 65,000 (10,000 seats, 54,100 spaces on the
lawn) making it the largest outdoor venue in the United States. Plenty of
room for Lost Highway growth. Judging by its apparent success, countless
smiling faces and lack of serious (if any) incidents, I think future
installments of the Lost Highway Festival will need it!

– Greg Pittelli