Things to know about the Cosmic Tripster Party. (AKA: We go to Cosmic Tripster IV)

The first thing to know is that there will be lines.  So many lines.  We stood in line for more than an hour to get in and then we stood in line for food and for ice cream and for drinks and for more drinks.  We also stood in line to get all the special Cosmic Tripster IV stamps and stood in line multiple times for the bathroom.  There are a lot of people.  You will stand in line.

Standing in line is entertaining.  The more I drank, the chattier I got.  Among other things, I learned all about the first Cosmic Tripster party while standing in line.  We ran across one of the McMenamin brothers while standing in line.  There is ample people watching to do when you are standing in line.

If you are a person who likes to “do” things know that these were the kind of things to do at this particular Cosmic Tripster Party:  eat food, drink various beverages.  Go on the special passport hunt of the day.  (Said passport hunt doesn’t get you any prizes.)  Stand in line for a photo booth photo on Edgefield’s stage. Drunk text your friends.  Visit the backstage at Edgefield. Play ping pong backstage.  Play some of the lawn games that were strewn about the lawn.  Listen to the free concert.   People watch.  It’s a pretty chill party.

If you want to get be there from the very first moment, plan to arrive early to stand in line.  We arrived at the start time and stood in line for an hour to get in, so plan your arrival time accordingly.

If you will drink (and I heartily recommend it) don’t forget to bring cash to tip the bartenders.  I only had one dollar and was not very successful at tipping.  Sorry bartenders.  If I attend another Cosmic Tripster Party I will be more prepared.

And now, the photos!

The line, second leg.  At this point we could hear that cheering was happening, but not see what was going on and we wondered about all the cheering.

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Part of the line went through the golf course, which made for some low-level excitement.  Would anyone be hit?  No one was while were were standing in line.IMG_5522

It turns out the cheering was for us!  The Cosmic Tripsters!  After we were checked off our list and got our wristband and sticker, we were gauntlet high-fived by McMeanamins staff.  Which I was feeling awkward about, but was kind of fun.IMG_5523

Our first order of business was food.  There were appetizers being passed as we waited in line.  I was quite happy to have a hot dog.  It was 3:00 and I was HUNGRY!IMG_5524

We sat on the Edgefield Lawn to eat.  The party was just getting started, but you can see the line for the photo booth on the Edgefield Stage had already started.IMG_5525

Standing in line to enter the raffle and for commemorative posters.  Despite Matt checking early and often, none of us won a raffle prize.  Boo!IMG_5526

Matt standing in line for ice cream.  You can see his sticker.IMG_5527

I wore my Cosmic Tripster t-shirt.  And so did everyone else.IMG_5529

Eating the ice cream. Mine came in a cup, not a cone.  I rolled with it.IMG_5530

Backstage at Edgefield.  (This may have been my favorite part, other than people watching.  And all the drinking.)IMG_5531

Burt samples the big bowl of M&Ms.  No brown ones. IMG_5532

Hanging out in one of the pre-show trailers.  Also, behind this door is a bathroom that you didn’t have to wait in line for.  IMG_5533

Though the space was fairly spartan in its furnishings, I was surprised at how much original artwork was on the walls.IMG_5534

The view from the couch.  We hung out on that couch for a while.IMG_5535

Laurie and Matt play ping pong backstage while I stand in line for a drink.IMG_5537

We did not opt for a photo booth photo, but Laurie did go stand on stage.IMG_5539

Burt getting Brian McMenamin’s autograph.IMG_5540

On the hunt for stamps!  Hops growing at Edgefield.IMG_5547

Grapes growing at Edgefield.IMG_5548

Cosmic Tripster shirts abounded.IMG_5549

The Jerry Garica statue was in full bloom and we all posed.2016-06-12

The port-a-potties were very fancy, but getting out of them was difficult if you had imbibed.  I was befuddled and had to slowly puzzle together the multiple steps.  Other drunk people just pounded on the door, yelling they were trapped.IMG_5553

Laurie has found both water and beer!IMG_5555

The two of us were very good at imbibing.  As neither one of us is known for our imbibing, we had a great time.IMG_5558

More people watching.  (Notice the cornucopia of beverages before them.)IMG_5559

The program.IMG_5560 IMG_5561 IMG_5562

Our special stamps.  (I have no memory of getting the backstage one.)IMG_5564

My sticker and a peek into my bag.  IMG_5567

The guy in the tie-dyed shirt was the man who put my bracelet on me.  Noticing he had no name tag I inquired as to its whereabouts.  He is the head of security at the Crystal Ballroom.  Thus, he has much experience checking up on the overly drunk woman you can’t see in this photo. Eventually the ambulance came and took her away.  I marveled that there are people in this world who don’t mind dealing with drunk people as their job. Thanks Ken!IMG_5569

Happy Tripsters.  Part of the fun of being drunk with this crowd is that we were on the younger side of the population.  There were no frat boys present.  It felt like a good place to be drunk.IMG_5571

When the party ended we needed something to soak up all that alcohol.  Burt and Laurie hadn’t redeemed their SE Portland page prize of free fries or tots.  So we drove to the Barley Mill Pub and ordered more food.  On the way to the bathroom I found this piece of artwork and chuckled.IMG_5573

I wasn’t sure what to expect from my Cosmic Tripster Party and I wasn’t entirely sure I would have fun.  But it was a great time.  Thanks McMenamins!

5 thoughts on “Things to know about the Cosmic Tripster Party. (AKA: We go to Cosmic Tripster IV)”

  1. This seems like a great event to go to with friends! Like, I feel if Dan and I went just us, it wouldn’t be as enjoyable, but if there was a group, we’d have a blast. I’m so glad you had a great time. How was the concert?

    Really loved the photo of the hops. Also, the high-five gauntlet looks fun, although I feel like my arm would get tired if I was one of the staff members doing it. Hopefully they rotated.

    1. I think it would have been less fun as a couple then as a foursome. The concert was very low-key, so much so that I wasn’t aware it had started for some time.

      I believe there was a rotation for the employees of the high-five gauntlet. We did wonder if this was an event to be got through for the staff.

  2. I went last year and I’m going this year. I RSVP’ed but haven’t gotten my info. like the time it starts and what the line-up of what is happening and where. I’d really like to know that ahead of time if possible.

  3. I Can’t Wait For My Wife And I To Finish Our Passports And Join In The Fun. Edgefield Is Our Favorite! We Are Staying There For Our 2nd Wedding Anniversary This August!!

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