EarthFest Takes Stage

WBOS' EarthFest played host to upwards of 100,000 people yesterday – with nearly 7,000 of them waiting in line not for music, but to turn in their losing scratch tickets. The Herald reports on a bad experience had by one man trying to redeem 60,000 losing instant win tickets, while the Globe reports a win for recycling on the day as The Lottery reclaimed 50 tons of paper. For every 25 losing tickets returned a $1 scratch ticket was issued.

It wasn't all about the recycling and the scratch tickets. Plenty of music was to be had. The Alternate Routes, Brandi Carlisle (who is certainly not Belinda Carlisle), The Fray, James Blunt, and Los Lonely Boys played the main stage at the Hatch Shell. Indulging on "free samples" of many different food stuffs – including Odwalla Juices – the crowd endured the ominous weather, which included a short downpour and clouds that looked ready to release rain until Blunt took the stage and the sun came out. The front rows were jam packed with the under 20 set, lots of girls awaiting a glimpse of Colorado-based The Fray (who's lead singer donned a Red Sox 'home red' jersey for half of the set) and Brit Balladier James Blunt.

The Esplanade began to clear out a bit after Blunt had finished his set and before Los Lonely Boys took the stage, apparently the 15 year old girls weren't as into Los Lonely Boys as those who had come before them. The afternoon presented pop rock, there's no denying that. The performers didn't speak to what one might assume as the target was demographic for WBOS, but the turnout was excellent. American Idol's Ayla Brown, Ms. Massachusetts, and other something-not-A-list celebrities made appearances at EarthFest. Photos of the event are making their way up to Flickr – a number of them are already in the Exploit Boston photo pool, but we're sure too see more when the BBQ and beer induced comas begin to wear off and people return to their computers.