Nobody was denied water at MCBF. They just weren't allowed to bring their own containers into the "licensed area" where we had HEAPS of water and tree-killin' paper cups to put it in (boo hoo).

The only reason we didn't allow outside containers was that bicyclists are notoriously cheap and crafty and even when you're selling 21 oz. of Pyramid IPA for $2, they'll still try to sneak in Hamms in a Dr. Pepper bottle. Normally, I don't care what you're drinking your booze out of or where you got it, but when the PPB and the OLCC are up on your nuts, it's best to keep them happy so that we can get naked and crash our bicycles into each other in peace.

Notoriously cheap, eh? Frankness, Carl. Frankness is a virtue.

"Last year we had lots of complaints because we weren't allowed to have children in the performance area," says Megan Sinnott. "So this year we wanted to comply with OLCC regulations so that people could bring their children inside...and there was plenty of water inside."

As one of the volunteers, I paraded myself around the park the entire day enjoying the FREE, COLD water provided by MCBF volunteers. Though I brought my MCBF water bottle from two years ago, I used the CHEAP bottle provided. I think Carl has done well to explain the situation. The OLCC didn't say NO OUTSIDE WATER BOTTLES! MCBF did. We wanted to ensure *no* alcohol was snuck past us. We provided a place for people to keep their outside containers if they wanted to save the contents, but asked EVERYONE--even people with "water bottles" to pour out their contents and retire their containers while in the "drinking" area. I even took the time to personally bring people replacement water (not my job). Wasting resources (plastic. water.) is sad, but having to police our friends is even sadder. This year's policy was an attempt at making lines very clear for OLCC *and* MCBF patrons so that MCBF could allow children in the action area and continue the fun next year. Thank you for your understanding.

Since when did bike culture become the man, Meghan?

Next year we'll be taking cues from the Olympic folks down in Eugene.

http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2008/06/hot_topic_at_olympic_trials_do.html

We'll also be banning gels.