Friday night brought in a slew of audience members, both young and old, for a multi-genre, multi-artist musical treat on the Union lawn.
ASUU hosted the 15th annual Redfest on Friday featuring Bryce Vine, Luna Lune, Andy Grammer and Karmin, an event which garnered 5,200 ticketholders, according to Laura Madsen, the ASUU campus events director and a junior in marketing and management.
However, not all in attendance were students.
“I love it, even at my age of 74 I think it’s great,” said Steve Brown, father of Alene Brown, a freshman in political science and humanities.
This was Alene Brown’s first time at Redfest.
“I think it’s awesome. I don’t know any of the artists, but so far they are amazing. Luna Lune was great,” Alene Brown said.
Bre Porrier, an undeclared freshman, plans on coming to more concerts on campus.
“I like that the U has these kinds of things for students to come and take advantage of,” Porrier said.
ASUU had 10 police officers from U Police, eight medical personnel as well as an ambulance on site and approximately 50 special events security personnel.
“We just want it to be safe every year. We want people to feel safe, we have first aid on hand and we have water on hand too, in case people feel dehydrated,” Madsen said. Redfest needs many volunteers and Madsen said ASUU hit its target of 150 volunteers needed for the event.
“This year we had a really good turnout, if we needed someone to help we’ve had someone here. People on different ASUU boards have pitched in and have been great. Student groups have really stepped up this year as well,” Madsen said.
At previous Redfests, police have focused on alcohol-related instances — both prevention and stopping those incidents after they happen — in addition to the general safety of the concert attendees.
“Our main goal is to try to slow down the alcohol trying to come into the concert, patrol the parking lots, and make sure everyone stays safe. I was here last year and there wasn’t really anything out of the normal, there will always be a few students that show up intoxicated but hopefully they aren’t intoxicated enough that they have to go the hospital, which happens frequently. We haven’t had any problems with weapons entering the concert,” said Sgt. Mike Richards, director of Special Operations with U Police.
Medical personnel at the concert said they are usually kept busy with alcohol related instances as well, but also deal with trauma injuries.
“We always try to watch out for alcohol intoxication. But we also get a lot of crush injuries near the stage. It’s gotten better in the last couple years, but we still generally get trauma injuries. We expect a handful of injuries,” said Paige Potter, an RN and an associate instructor for the EMT basic and advanced courses, prior to the start of the concert.
As of 9 p.m. police and medical staffs had not had to respond to any situations.