I read this article in USA Today last week and approached a few of my clients.  The response has been received well and most of these events will embrace the idea.  For additional ideas and to successfully implement this idea give us a call, one of our events came up with a very clever idea. 

Pay in multiple stages.

Layaway plans, recently resurrected by Sears and other retail chains, will be available to consumers who buy tickets to several 2009 festivals, including the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. It returns April 17-19 in Indio, Calif.
After the indie-rock fest lineup is unveiled this week, fans will have two options besides money up front when buying a $269 three-day pass: pay half down and the rest April 1, or pay 10% followed by equal installments on March 1 and April 1 without interest or additional fees. The plans are sold only online and aren't available for $99 single-day admission.

Layaway systems already are in place for the Stagecoach Country Music Festival, Country Thunder USA and the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, which offered an installment service last year.
The struggling economy prompted the expansion, "though we probably should have been doing this all along," says Paul Tollett, Coachella founder and president of concert promoter Goldenvoice. "It's great for people who want to go but don't have all the money at once. When we did it for Stagecoach, 24% of people picked layaway, which is eye-opening. So we're doing it for all our festivals."

Fans can expect layaway choices at the All Points West Music & Arts Festival in Jersey City, Rothbury Festival in Michigan and the Mile High Music Festival in Commerce City, Colo.

The system, which entails higher processing costs, is best suited for large general-admission festivals, not reserved-seating arena shows with smaller staffs, Tollett says.

Though there is a risk for fans (having their order canceled and losing their deposits if they default on payment), layaway boosts the allure of festivals, says Ray Waddell, Billboard's touring editor.
"For the big festivals, the cost-per-band is a bargain," he says. "And the overall experience offers a lot of value. Still, producers would be crazy not to react to what is bound to be a more price-sensitive market this year."

Spreading a hefty cost over a period of weeks or months naturally appeals to buyers on tight budgets, Waddell says. "Just ask QVC."

Printed originally in USA Today January 26th 2009

 

Moondance Jammin Country is based in Walker, MN and is in its third year.  Jammin Country is in Minnesota's north country and is absolutely stunning with its pine trees, lakes and blue skies combining to make the fest attendees visit a memorable one.

2009 lineup includes, Montgomery Gentry, Jason Aldean, Little Big Town, Phi Vassar, Rodney Atkins, Jason Michael Carroll, Collin Raye, Restless Heart, Thirty Two Below, Shooter Jennings and the Mother Truckers with a few additional acts to be added.

As of this publication advance tickets are ahead of last year's pace.

A big addition to this year's event is private sky boxes have been added to the stage enabling fans to go to a "second floor" box and view all of the action stage side. VIP attendees have the ability to view on "first floor" level as they rotate throughout the evening.

The event, which has a large VIP section stage left, continues to be the largest Country festival that has no VIP directly in front of the stage allowing all of the attendees to "get up close and personal" with some of their favorite Country artists.