Big Valley Jamboree changes irk some longtime fans

Asconcertgoers left the site of the25thannual Big Valley Jamboreein a long line of RVs, trucksand trailers on Monday, some were looking ahead to next year with a little hesitation.

Organizers plantoadd another 200 VIP seats up front, a walk-out platform jutting out from centre stage andtwo standing-room areas in front of the stage oneither side of the platform.

TrixstarProductions, which stages the Camrose festival, saidthe changes willallow artists to connect better with fans.

But the add-onswill also push back regular ticket holders.

"They are putting a mosh pit at the front of the stage, which will move everybody back about 15 [rows]," said Betty Chaba, who reserves seats for her family a year in advance.

"They're adding in more VIP seats, which moves us reserve people who have bought and supported them for 24 years farther back.It's not fair."

Trixstarspokesperson Mike Anderson said the standing-room pits will accommodate younger fans at the festival, which drew 24,000 people over the long weekend.

"The artists have been asking for that for a long time," he said."We knew we needed to make some changes to give a better fan experience."

On Saturday night, country star Keith Urban requested fansbe allowed to come up to the front of the stage to get closer to the band,a move the company permitted, even though it was against concert rules.

But those invited to stand in front ended upblockingthe view forpeople in the reserved-ticket rows.

The decision to add more VIP seats was fuelled by demands from fans, Anderson said.

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"The demand for it has been incredible," he said. "We just wanted to give what our audience has asked for."

Chabasaid she intendsto return in 2018.

"I love country music and I love spending time with my family," she said.

As for 2019, when pricesare expected to go up, she said she hasn't yet made up her mind.