ATLANTIC CITY — Mother Nature was the headlining act for the first day of the Vans Warped Tour, but she let the beach and the music take center stage Sunday.
After lightning and severe weather forced a brief evacuation of the Atlantic City beach Saturday, concertgoers were treated to an ideal summer day for round two of the 25th anniversary of the punk rock festival.
"We almost had second-thoughts about coming back today," said Shannon Plinkett, 25, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. "But, honestly, it wasn't that bad (Saturday). We grabbed some pizza and beers (during the evacuation) and came right back in."
Nearly 30,000 people attended the festival each day, many soaking up memories for the last time as this year's version of Warped Tour has been reported to be the last.
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"I've been to a bunch of Warped shows," said Chris Hayes, 37, of Orange County, New York. "Hearing this would be the last year and that (the Atlantic City) show was the only East Coast dates, I had to be here."
Hayes, who admitted it was his first time in Atlantic City, said the beach and Boardwalk were a "perfect" venue to end Warped Tour's run.
"The rain (stunk yesterday), but, really, this is an awesome way to see a show," he said.
The only drawback for several concertgoers was the inability to leave the venue and re-enter. Food and beverage options, as well as a respite from the sun, sand and music, were scarce.
Richie Sacco and Tara Ferguson, both 31 from Newark, Delaware, said they would have preferred the option to spend their money at the businesses on the Boardwalk rather than the limited selection inside the venue.
"I feel bad for them," Sacco said of the vendors on the Boardwalk. "All these people are here and they're not getting a bump from it? Doesn't seem right."
Ferguson said there seemed to be more options Sunday compared to the day before. But, she still wasn't happy about paying $16 for an adult beverage.
After crowdsurfing her way from the mosh pit to the front of the stage, Shannon cole, 19, of Detroit, said she was full of adrenaline after security escorted her out of the stage area of one of the Warped Tour side stages.
“It gives you such a rush... Crowd surfing is the best!” she said.
Cole said she was more energized on the second day of the Warped Tour, with more bands she wanted to see playing, including hardcore groups Sleeping with Sirens, Neck Deep and evening headliner Blink-182.
“Yesterday I was able to chill and enjoy the beach. Today I’ve been in the pit,” said Cole, who will be making the trek back to Michigan with her friend on Monday.
Mattie Rie of Old Tappan, Bergen County, enjoyed a walk on the beach Sunday afternoon.
“A lot of the bands we want to see aren’t playing until, like, 4 p.m., so we’re just hanging out,” she said.
Saturday’s severe weather helped knock out a lot of the sweltering heat and humidity that had attendees seeking shelter under The Playground Pier and in scant areas of shade.
Saturday’s concert delay allowed thousands of concertgoers to leave the beach. But on Sunday, general admission ticketholders were not allowed to re-enter.
Mattie and friend Meghan McVerney of Westwood, Bergen County, used the hour-and-a-half delay on Saturday to return to their rented Airbnb house just a few blocks away to cool off before returning to the mosh pit for hard rock headliners A Day To Remember.
“It’s so much better today,” said McVerney, commenting how the crowd seemed more relaxed and aware of the concert’s layout and events.
“Though everyone has been really friendly and nice,” she said.
