Country Fest Disputes Suit

Officials for a country music festival in Brownsville, Ore., have disputed the claims of concertgoers who allege they were wrongly assaulted by security guards during a 2012 event.

Bruce Rider and Tiffany Bookhout filed suit against Bi-Mart Willamette Country Music Festival seeking more than $360,000 in damages from the festival and a local security services firm.

But festival president Anne Hankins said in a statement to the Register-Guard that the pair was intoxicated, disobeyed festival rules and harassed security during the show.

“The Bi-Mart Willamette Country Music Festival is a family event,” Hankins said. “We encourage people to have a good time, but to make good choices in that process. When patrons do not make good choices, we count on security and the Linn County deputies to step in with enforcement measures when necessary.”

Rider was arrested following the incident and was charged with harassment and assault in Linn County Circuit Court, the paper added. He was later acquitted of the charges.

Photo: Adam Grim

Mystic Amphitheater, Prior Lake, Minn.

The festival bill included Sugarland, Rodney Atkins, The Band Perry and more.