Down to the Wire on the "Electric"

The City of Huntington Beach has filed a lawsuit and is taking the Wet Electric Rave'event owner'and the California State Parks to court to try to stop a wild beach party with bikinis, booze, and probably lots of drugs (that's what raves are known for.) The event isn't just sharing the beach and following the guidelines of the California State Parks special events specifications in which no alcohol may be sold, they are roping off the beach, selling tickets, selling booze, and building water slides and pools on the sand.

What a great location and profit-maker from the perspective of the event planner!

What a great profit-maker from the perspective of the California State Parks! If this goes off without a hitch it could be a model for other California State Parks & Beaches (over 275) to help pay for salaries, operations, etc.

What a headache, from the perspective of Huntington Beach residents and city officials who let their own party get out of hand recently at the US Open of Surfing & Beach Games! 'An estimated one million people clogged streets, services and spent money that for some merchants such as restaurants, became their biggest profit maker of the year! 'Sadly, the event ended in a riot, and the City of Huntington Beach was stuck with a bill to clean up the mess.

Who's right and who's wrong in this Beach Rave scenario' Both sides of the dispute reached an impasse when Wet Electric Rave event refused to stop its plans and the State of California Parks Dep't. refused to back down or bow to the city in which its state lands' geographical boundaries are located. Typically in arguments between the City and State, the State of California has the upper hand.

Will the show go on' Will this go down in history as the first ever rave the State of California has sanctioned' Will Huntington Beach maintain its reputation for wild parties on the beach'

With only 3 days between the court date and show time in this high profile clash between local and state government, if you plan to buy tickets the Wet Electric Rave, keep up to date to make sure it's on before going. In the rare instance that it could be cancelled, the crowd who didn't find out could create another unexpected snafu. 'When CBS news interviewed one girl on the streets of HB as to her plans to attend she said, "Sure it's a danger. Any event like this, you never know what happens. But I'm going!"

Note: Clashes between local and state governments are common. This past week Siskiyou County, California symbolically voted to secede from California and form a new state called Jefferson.