It's that time of the year in Sacramento where leather boots meet splattered puddles, and riffs reverberate against the chatter of nostalgic fans. According to ABC10, the 13th annual Aftershock festival has begun at Discovery Park, drawing thousands of rock, punk, and metal enthusiasts, unbothered by traffic snarls and wet conditions. With the likes of Deftones and Blink-182 gracing multiple stages, the spotlights this year shine on performances that whisk attendees down memory lane.
Meanwhile, parking has turned into a make-shift economy boost for some creative locals. Dodging traffic control, one festivalgoer, arriving so drenched from the relentless downpour, recounted to KCRA 3 finding refuge in the enterprising arms of the García family, who turned their lawn into a lucrative parking lot. "I take vacation from work because I'm going to make so much more money doing this than I do with that," Lidia García told KCRA 3, renting out spots to 26 cars at a time like clockwork.
Fans diving into this immersive experience are clear that Aftershock is more than a concert series. Melissa Bekoff, embracing the festival's multigenerational appeal, shared with ABC10, "Just to be able to share with my daughter and take her to an event like this is a big deal for me as a mom." The festival has seemingly become a bridge for families, connecting through the power chords of bands that once headlined their parents' mixtapes.
Traffic, one of the constant annoyances tied to any large gathering, had festivalgoers strategizing their arrivals. Justin Illges, who trekked from the Santa Cruz mountains, described to ABC10 the chaotic commute saying, "Traffic is always bad. Coming in (Highway) 50 was a nightmare. We came up off of (Highway) 99 and trying to deviate. So, we just came through downtown. But you got to expect some delays." Nevertheless, the hiccups didn't dampen the spirit of the muddy moshers ready to roll in the festival's first-ever rain.
Despite the setbacks, the festival's gusto doesn't seem to be waning. Rideshare options, shuttle service at Cal Expo, and Sac RT have offered alternatives for those looking to skirt the parking pandemonium. And for the Garcías and other residents, the influx of festivalgoers continues to promise a profitable weekend. In fact, for the local entrepreneurs renting out their yards, this event builds economic opportunity and chance encounters with fellow music aficionados—illustrating that the show, like their entrepreneurial spirits, must indeed go on.
