WOODSTOCK '99 PUTS PEACE ABOVE LOVE, UNDERSTANDING

ROME -- Control is the word for Woodstock '99 organizers hoping to avoid
the surreptitious influx of drugs and alcohol and to regulate the chaos of
crowd-surfing, moshing throngs.

Elaborate security measures are devised, including a Peace Patrol and a
Peace Wall The 30th anniversary of the historic gathering of "peace, love
and understanding'' is expected to lure 250,000 to 300,000 former hippies
and children of flower children to the decommissioned Griffiss Air Force Base.

Despite some still unresolved permit problems, organizers have devised
detailed plans for a mass of humanity that would transform Rome into the
state's third-largest city July 23-25.

There will be at least 1,250 on-site, unarmed security guards -- a
so-called Peace Patrol -- buttressed by 500 off-site state troopers. A
strict list of do's and don'ts has been compiled. There will be between
12,000 to 15,000 staffers. And entering the concert will be akin to
boarding a plane.

"It's not to create an obsessive atmosphere,'' said Ilene Marder, regional
press director for Woodstock '99, "but control is the word. We want
everyone to enjoy this.''

Everyone with a $150 ticket, that is.

The sans-ticket set made short work of the chain-link fence at the 25th
anniversary mudfest in Saugerties. The so-called Peace Wall surrounding the
Griffiss Business and Technology Park will be 12 feet high and made of
steel-reinforced plywood. The world's longest continuous mural will cover
the wall to showcase both nationally renowned and local artists.

"Woodstock has a history of people not having to pay,'' said Ken Donohue,
director of security. "That's not going to happen this time.''

Donohue said space is available for up to 200 arrests, and that judges and
assistant district attorneys will be on hand to expedite justice. "Don't
break the rules. We don't want to get into the law enforcement mode of
security,'' he said. "We'd like to help people.''

Responding to reports that the concert was in jeopardy because of unpaid
fines resulting from permits not being turned into Oneida County offices,
County Executive Ralph Eannace said the focus is on settling the difficulties.

"Although the exact amount of the fines is still not known,'' Eannace said.
"The goal is not fines, but a safe event.''

Dave Pendergast, spokesman for the county executive, said that organizers
have been extremely cooperative and are coming into compliance with the
items on the permit list every day. He predicted that the show will
definitely go on.

Marder acknowledged some problems in securing the permits but said the
issue was blown out of proportion. "We have to dot the final i's and cross
the final t's,'' she said.

In addition to the nearly 50 bands -- including the Dave Matthews Band,
Metallica, Willie Nelson and the Tragically Hip -- festival-goers will be
inundated with a cornucopia of food, an X-games-like action lounge, an
after-hours rave and more than 200 vendors. And in case the cash runs low,
an on-site ATM will be available for the vast array of aural, visual and
physical enticements.

Since the ticket includes access to so much -- including shower facilities
and 2,500 portable toilets -- Marder is urging everyone to go minimalist.

"If you have something that would be embarrassing for us to find, leave it
in your car,'' Marder said. As concert-goers pass through the 200
turnstiles, they will be subjected to metal detection wands, and their
belongings will be searched for drugs, alcohol, weapons and other
contraband, Marder said.

Other verboten include any camp stoves, video cameras, umbrellas, animals
(except Seeing Eye dogs) glass or metal containers.

"One thing that makes a crowd unhappy is if a band walks off the stage,''
Marder said. "There's very little that will cause that, but a bottle flying
at them will.''

Should the rains come, organizers suggest rain slickers. And everyone
should bring a tent, sleeping bag and pillows and blankets, because
sleeping in a car is also a no-no. There will also be about 2,000 medical
staff and 10 medical stations.

Unlike at the Saugerties concert, beer will be available to the 21-and-over
set. Those looking to imbibe will be restricted to three beer gardens
spread throughout the village.

"Bring a driver's license,'' Marder said. Not only will everyone be carded,
there will be a two-drink maximum per trip inside the tent, and consumption
will be confined to the gardens.

With up to 80,000 automobiles expected, parking and traffic have been a
concern for organizers, community leaders and law enforcement agencies. The
2-mile runway along the north end of the site can accommodate up to 60,000
cars, Marder said. Parking facilities and access to the 250-acre,
semiwooded campground will be available beginning at noon July 22. The
festival gates open at noon the next day. Off-site parking will be
available with a free shuttle providing transportation to the gates.