Let's jump!

In Mansfield, Massachusetts is the amphitheater, Great Woods. The size of Great Woods is nearly half (or a bit longer) the size of a football field. There are three main areas: 1) The stage that is capable of holding two rock bands, simultaneously. 2) The seating area that stretches back about sixty rows. 3) A large open field that is separated  from the seating section by a 4’ chain-link fence. There is a towering cement roof top above the stage and seats that serve as shelter from rain. Two tall wood fences surround the concert area like moats to keep out concert crashers.

If you come here for a show I recommend you watch it from the grassy field. There is little to no security and plenty of open space to dance drink and roam. It is open to the sky, and at night one can see the clusters of stars. During the show, a breeze cools you down compared to the crowded elbow to elbow seating area. Even if one finds the distance is too great to see the contorting faces or plucking fingers of the musicians, still the music is crisp and clear and no one is blocking your view.

There is just one problem with attending a concert at Great Woods. “Ticket prices are just way too expensive,” says Slabs, a dedicated Great Woods jumper. Prices range anywhere from twelve to thirty dollars. He is right. I am a fulltime college student/ part time worker who rarely has extra money for concerts. I will often end up bumming money from friends; then later try and remember how much I owe and to whom I owe the money. Or I scrounge around my house for hours looking for change. The whole process is tiring, complicated and cumbersome. I have found an easy solution to mine and your Great Woods problem: Don’t pay.

I have devised a method for the following people: those who do not have time to buy a ticket; those who simply have no cash and that includes for sold out shows where scalpers are getting 300.00 a ticket; and finally, for those who just don’t have anything better to do on a Friday summer night.

First of all, make the effort. Great Woods is on the Mansfield-Norton line. Use a road map if you must but it is easy to find. Once there park your vehicle way in the back. Don’t worry about all the parking lot security— parking fees are included on your ticket (wink wink) and they always assume everyone has tickets.

I would strongly advise you to get there an hour before showtime to feel the place out, have a drink or two and just enjoy the vibrant crowd. You will need help hopping the fence so don’t go alone. Hang out with your buddies and pals, drink a few beers, laugh and have fun. Be the moment. If you have not hopped before I would advise you drink liquor— whiskey and Coke, maybe vodka and OJ. It helps take off the edge more so than beer. Heck if you don’t drink that's okay too, just have fun and relax and let’s hop that fence.

Let us take a stroll toward that ominous looking fence. It’s probably starting to get dark out and that only helps our cause. Always keep a casual eye on Security— they are the ones wearing blue security jackets, brandishing long flashlights and radios. Try and do a mental calculation as to their positions near or around the fence. They will often take a strong position along the fence like castle guardians. It’s probably Sunset, maybe 8:00 o’clock and the warm up act should be on stage by now. It is time to get to work.

Casually mix in with the crowd as it moves toward the ticket gate. Then gradually steer off the path toward the forest near the perimeter fence, as if you were just taking a piss or looking for a lost article of clothing. If security confronts you, remain calm. If they demand to see your ticket or stub just say you threw it away. Let them escort you back to your car, yell at you to get lost and wait for them to move on. Now retrace your steps but this time pay attention.

By the forest you will see a narrow path about a hundred feet from the fence. Let's follow the path, quietly. It’s best to have a flashlight on your first run but its okay if you don’t. There are hidden streams, rocks and tree roots and in some parts, clusters of fallen trees and thorn bushes. Cuff the flashlight and keep it low. A little light goes a long way in the dark. It’s about a five to eight minute hike.

The trail ends at a dirt road that circles the concert area. Security buggies or golf carts use this road and patrol it at five minute intervals. They usually travel in groups of threes. I recommend waiting for a patrol to come, pass by and then as he/she turns the corner, run across the road, about twenty feet into the brush to the perimeter fence. It is solid wood and about twelve feet high. There is no footing anywhere on the face so unless you are ten feet tall; you will have to use the buddy system. Hoist your friend up until they can reach the top and pull their bodies up and over. There are studs on the back of the fence that you can stand on. They will stand on the stud, reach down and pull you up.

You are almost there.

Now comes the climb up the steep overgrown grassy hill. Stay low to the ground. Generally when one stands above the tall grass they are easy targets for security down below. It’s about a five minute climb or ten minute crawl depending on your style. I would recommend keeping one eye on the road in case a patrol stops to survey the hill with bright searchlight in which case, hit the ground all together, just remain part of the hillside and don’t move until they leave. The buggies come equipped with powerful searchlights and security is in constant communication by radio with other guards and police. Don’t let the idea of police scare you: they are only there to safeguard the peace from asshole drunks and rabble rousers. This is the juncture where the stupid ones get busted. It is here where kids get reckless, ignoring the lights and running mad like crazed escape convicts, sensing the end of the tunnel. It is also where security comes out of nowhere and gang tackles them; many times I’ve seen teens tumbling down the hill like dice.

Okay no lights, let’s go.

At the top is another wood fence but this one is only about eight feet high. There is also footing at its cross-section so you use this to get yourself up. Cautiously lift your head above the fence and scan the area for random security. Most of the guards are posted down below along the front of the first fence. Generally you won’t find any here and its dark and packed with people but you can’t be too careful. Okay, one last look and over you go. Mix into the crowd, meet your friends and enjoy the show. 

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I wrote this paper in 1989 or 1990 in my first year creative writing class at Umass Boston. The assignment was to write about how to do something. Of course its supposed to be tongue and cheek. My professor liked it so much she said that she might try hopping the fence herself. Since this paper Great Woods security towards fence jumpers has transformed immensely. Back then it was a rather simple thing. It had just opened in June 1986 and it was easily exposed to fence jumping. Over the years they would increase security, lengthen and add fences, landscape much of the nearby forest to increase security visibility, introduce chain-link fences and barbed wire, poison ivy and my all-time favorite, manure. One year they laid down shit along the remote areas of the fence where people would dig holes and slide under and if you were lucky you missed it and if not, you got in all right but you smelled like horse manure the whole night.