Les Schwab Amphitheater Bans Blankets

The Les Schwab Amphitheater in Bend, Ore., announced it will implement new security measures and safety polices in 2018, including a ban on mats and blankets.

– Les Schwab Amphitheater

“In step with venues across the nation, the new guidelines will help ensure visitor safety and overall satisfaction,” venue officials said in a statement. “These moves build on past implementations of safety practices at the amphitheater, streamlining and better defining new, permanent policies for all events.”

The announcement arrives as venues reassess their safety measures after last month’s mass shooting in Las Vegas.

In addition to ensuring safety, the new security measures are designed to speed up entry.

Marney Smith, the amphitheater’s director, told Pollstar that blankets and mats were banned because they take too much time to search and divert security’s attention from more important concerns.

Things like low profile chairs are still allowed, however.

The implementations also include security checkpoints at each entrance, metal detectors and bag inspections.Smith told Pollstar that metal detectors and wands have already been in use at the venue.

“Each one of our new policies was carefully considered,” Smith said in a statement. “Our primary goals are to ensure that every guest at our venue has a safe and wonderful experience.”    

The 8,000-capacity venue, which is booked by Monqui Presents, hosted acts including The Avett Brothers, Paul Simon and Modest Mouse this summer. Ian Anderson already has a date booked at the venue for June 8, 2018.