AG CENTER CONSIDERS STAGING A SECOND 'RAVE'

TULARE, Calif. - International Agri-Center officials will consider whether
to cancel a contract for a "rave" expected to draw 50,000 young people in
September.

A rave two weeks ago drew nearly 25,000 young people to the nonprofit
center. A handful were arrested and several suffered drug overdoses. Tulare
city officials have expressed concern about the all-night parties and the
crowds they attract.

"We were fortunate to have 20,000 kids out there and not have more
problems," Tulare City Council Member Linda Crase said. "There was drug use.
You're opening yourself up to things that are not good for a city. We're
pressing our luck."

The City Council has no control over what the Agri-Center does, Crase said,
but City Council members and police need to know about it so they can plan
for it and get used to the idea.

A rave typically targets young people and features multiple stages with
entertainment and loud, high-energy music. The all-night events have a
reputation as gathering places for youths to get high on illegal drugs, such
as ecstasy.

At the rave two weeks ago, youths mostly from Southern California paid $25
in advance and $35 at the door to party at the Agri-Center. Tulare police
arrested three attendees ages 15 to 22 on suspicion of possession of illegal
drugs for sale, including marijuana, ecstasy and LSD. Another nine, ages 14
to 23, suffering from drug overdoses, were taken to hospitals in Tulare and
Visalia. No one died. All were treated and released.

The promoter has a contract with the Agri-Center for another one in
September, to which 50,000 could come. The Agri-Center board of directors
will discuss Thursday whether to cancel the September contract. The show
grounds normally are used for farm equipment and dairy shows.

"We're going to weigh how the event developed and turned out," said Gary
Shulz, executive director of the Agri-Center. "We want to weigh the impact
on the community. We want to be a good corporate citizen."

But the promoter sees raves as safe and low-key events.

"I honestly think it went really well," said promoter Pasquale Rottela, 25,
of Santa Monica. "I call it festival, not a rave. Raves are for 17-year-old
kids holding a party at a warehouse. Ours is a festival of camping, music
and entertainment. I absolutely love the venue."

The Tulare rave brought revenue to the Agri-Center of $1 a person and a
percentage of food sales, but money isn't the key issue for the board of
directors, Shulz said.

The center can cancel the contract for legitimate public safety reasons,
although not because of loud music. The promoter made it clear that the
event would have lots of loud music, he said.