Carolina Country Music Festival fans confused by wristbands

As the Carolina Country Music Festival kicked off its second day with headliners like Jake Owen and Keith Urban, many fans were spending their time waiting in line.

“The lines are aggressively long here,” said Nicole Ross. “They’re doing the best they can, but it just sucks. I had to stand in line to get in, to get money on your card, to get your ID checked, and now...”

“And now to get a beer,” said Ross’ friend Lynn Parson.

Part of the problem is that the event is “cashless,” and food and drink inside the festival grounds can only be purchased with the wristbands that allow people in the venue. Credit must be added to the wristbands prior to festival hours. Otherwise, fans will have to stand in line and purchase credit at the festival grounds.

“Literally it’s been an hour, and just now we’re getting to the bars,” said Ross. “The wristbands are just not needed. Just use a card. It’s easier.”

Parson said she didn’t know that attendees had to add credit to their wristbands.

“I thought you could just use your card,” she said. “I’m sure for them it’s easier, but it’s not for us.”

Delaware native Kelly Kamalski said she had been waiting in lines for 15 minutes to add credit to her wristband.

“I tried to do it online today but they won’t let you while the festival is running,” she said. “You have to wait until the festival hours are over.”

Kamalski said she would rather use a credit or debit card if she could.

“I don’t know how much I trust this thing,” she said, gesturing at her wristband. “But I have to do what I have to do to get beer, I guess.”

Alexa Frisch of New York said this was her first time coming to the festival. She knew she was supposed add credit to her card before she arrived, but said she forgot.

“I understand why they’re going cashless, but I definitely think they should make it so you can just put money on your wristband from your app,” she said.

John Barfield of Charleston said he loves the wristbands, even though he waited until after festival hours to add credit and had to stand in line.

“You can come up here, put cash on it at the house, on the phone, don’t need to worry about bringing a card, or losing your wallet,” he said. “It’s a good deal. It’s still better than carrying around a bunch of cash.”

This story was originally published June 10, 2016 at 9:15 PM with the headline "Carolina Country Music Festival fans confused by wristbands."