cannabisnews.com: Phish Fans Welcome The Millennium Phish Fans Welcome The Millennium Posted by FoM on January 01, 2000 at 12:14:05 PT In The Spirit of the 1960s Source: Naples Daily News For the more than 80,000 people from all over the world gathered in the middle of nowhere, midnight was just one moment of a five-day odyssey that ushered in the year 2000. Phish fans came together in the field of the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation in a communal send-off to the century that included Ferris wheels, fireworks, a sea of campers and a lot of happy faces. For the some 75,000 spectators Friday it seemed like the 1960s with some modern twists. Young women with flowers in their hair danced barefoot in the mud. The smell of marijuana was everywhere. People talked of peace, love and happiness. And the automatic teller machines broke down and cellular phones would not work. "When I listen to the music, I feel like I have a direct path to the band," Steve Santini said. The 22-year-old mason from Rochester, N.Y., travels the country following Phish, attending 21 of the band's concerts in 1999. "The (guitar) riffs fill my body," he said. "I'm just so thankful to be right here. There is no where I would rather be for New Year's Eve." The New Year's countdown at the concert began at 11:30 p.m. With the band on break, a giant clock was unveiled on stage. A man dressed as Father Time appeared and began pedaling a stationary bike, as a loud "tick-tock" sounded. At 11:45 p.m., the band was brought back to the stage area on an airboat. The members then drove through the crowd in a hot dog-shaped car, tossing leis and confetti to their fans. They took the stage at 11:59 p.m. and the New Year was greeted by a lavish fireworks display. Earlier in the evening, about 100 fans gathered in a densely wooded area for a communal percussion jam. Bongos, congas, djembes and tambourines filled the air with their sound and the crowd that gathered moved to the dense, changing rhythms. "This is the spirit of the band that kind of resonates within everyone here," said Josephine Nadler, 21, of Harrisburg, Pa. "Everyone gets along. It's a very positive way to live and a very peaceful way to party." Fans contributed small items to a time capsule scheduled to be opened in the year 4020 and took part in several different interactive art installations near a 400-foot boardwalk. Concert officials and reservation police reported few problems Friday. The concert began Thursday night, causing huge traffic jams on the Interstate 75 section known as Alligator Alley, and ends at dawn Saturday. One employee suffered minor injuries when he was beaten by a group that stole his golf cart. About 1,200 people were treated for mostly minor problems, such as asthma, cuts, blisters and dehydration. Twelve people were treated and released for drug overdoses, said Rob Ticknor, the manager of the concert's first aid station. The four-man band from Vermont has replaced The Grateful Dead - which disbanded after the death of leader Jerry Garcia - as the band modern-day hippies follow around the country. Fans paid $175 each to hear Phish perform five sets. "It's amazing how the music joins people together," said Jodi Carrington, 18, from Westfield, Mass. One of the biggest complaints fans had was the price of drugs. Marijuana was the drug of choice, but ecstasy, crack cocaine and other illegal intoxicants were also being used. People were also drinking beer and other alcoholic beverages. "People are so lost in their souls - drugs just help them escape more," said Peter Quilici, 21, from Mammoth Lakes, Calif. Spectators were also lining up for Celtic and pagan jewelry and to get tattoos and other body art. One 20-year-old New Jersey woman, who called herself Fox, walked the concert grounds naked except for the paint that covered her body. But not all was happiness. Twenty-year-old Greg Sevigny from Westford, Vt., had been hired to guard an ATM. He said that when the machine and the phones stopped working "the atmosphere started getting desperate." "People are getting tired. They can't get to the bathrooms. There are no phones. People are starting to snap at me," Sevigny said. Naples Daily News staff writer Jeff Clemens contributed to this report.Published: January 1, 2000Copyright © 2000 Naples Daily News. END SNIP --> Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #1 posted by Big John on January 03, 2000 at 23:36:42 PT: The review of the Phish show Thank you for letting us know how things went 12/01/00. I wish I could of went. Next time could you please list the set list so I can get more of a feel for that night. Thank You. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: