Know Before You Go: Tips To A Gorge-Ous Summer

The Gorge Amphitheatre's summer concert season has finally arrived. Tomorrow, the dulcet strains of the Dave Matthews Band will echo from the surrounding cliffs, to the delight of fans lucky enough to get tickets.

But are you ready? Do you know everything there is to know about Gorging yourself? If not, don't fret. As usual, we have you covered with our complete guide for Gorge survival. Just read this, and you're guaranteed to make it through the evening with nary a burn, a delay or an unpleasant moment. Take heed, concertgoers!

Where it is: The lovely amphitheater resides in George, Grant County, smack dab in the middle of our fair state. You'll want to hop on Interstate 90 and head east until you reach exit 143; it's the one that's marked for the Gorge Amphitheatre. From there, you'll follow the signs for about three miles to the concert site. Get your stuff in order the night before, because the trip takes about three hours, and you'll want to allow extra time for the inevitable traffic pileup in the final miles of your voyage. Or, leave the driving to the professionals and purchase a Mind and Matter Adventure Club "Go Gorge" package, which includes round-trip fare, concert tickets and complimentary beverages. Call 206-324-6743 for details.

What to bring: It's a long trip, and chances are, by the time you reach your destination, you'll be feeling a little peckish. Be sure to pack a brown-bag picnic. The amphitheater also has a few

snack booths on site, with Subway, barbecue and Chinese among the many options, but the food tends to be pricier than usual.

It also pays to remember that you'll be cavorting around in the middle of the desert. Sunscreen is a must unless you'd like to chance an unexpected visit from Monsieur Melanoma. Hats and sunglasses are also a good thing, the former being especially important to ward off sunstroke. Though a halter top might be a comfortable option in the midst of summer, don't forget a sweater or a jacket; when the sun goes down, it can get a little nippy. Bring a few bottles of water, but don't open them until you get inside the amphitheater. Liquor laws prohibit bringing unsealed plastic containers into the park. Lawn lubbers should pack a beach towel or a low-back chair, but leave the high-legged lawn furniture at home. Above all, make sure you have everything you need before you go into the amphitheater. Re-entry is not an option.

What not to bring: Alcohol in cans or bottles, coolers, recording devices, professional cameras or video equipment. You'll be sent back to your car and lose your place in line. For more information, call the Gorge Information Hotline at 206-464-2000, ext. 7469.

Camping: Gorge pilgrims planning to rough it are in for a treat this year. According to Ticketmaster, the campground's been expanded from 55 acres to 100. Camping here doesn't exactly mean foraging for berries: The campsite has a general store, espresso stand, hot showers, restrooms, a basketball court and a volleyball court. All this, and a nice overview of the Gorge, for $20 per vehicle per night. You can buy passes on site, but it's better to purchase camping passes ahead of time so you can bypass the long line of would-be campers and get a good spot. Call Ticketmaster for details at 206-628-0888.

Alcohol isn't sold on the campground, but you can bring it there, provided it doesn't leave the grounds. Also, you may want to request a spot in the campground's quiet area if you need your rest. That section of the camp designates a quiet time that campers must adhere to. The rest of the campground residents tend to party until the wee hours of the morning. Finally, if you think you might have difficulty making it from the campground to the amphitheater, inform security so you can get door-to-door delivery via golf cart.

Remember, you only have a few months to Gorge yourself on concert fun. Make the most of it.

Got a question for the Backstage Pass? Call Melanie McFarland at 206-464-2256. E-mail: mmcfarland@seattletimes.com