Nonticket holders blamed for ruckus at music festival

76 held, some for underage drinking

It's billed as the largest concert series in New England, and police say the fifth annual New England Country Music Festival at Foxborough's Gillette Stadium was also a draw for underage drinking and booze-fueled brawls Saturday, with much of the pandemonium unleashed by party seekers who did not have tickets to the concert.

State Police detained 76 people - some facing minor-in-possession charges - in parking lots at and around Gillette Stadium during a daylong series of concerts by some of country music's biggest stars, including headliner Kenny Chesney, Hall of Famer Sammy Hager, and Grammy winners Keith Urban and LeAnn Rimes.

More than 50,000 people - a sellout crowd - filled the stands at the home of the New England Patriots, but many more staked out tailgating spots in surrounding parking lots.

A 19-year-old woman and her 20-year-old friend died and a third friend, age 20, was seriously injured when their car crashed into a tree on Route 1 south in Wrentham about 7 p.m. yesterday. The women had come from the stadium, but they did not have tickets to the concert, a relative of one of the victims said.

About an hour later, Edward Guerrini, 67, of Foxborough, was arrested and charged with operating under the influence, impeded operation, and marked-lanes violation when he drove into cones marking the scene of the earlier fatal crash. He was released on $40 bail, according to State Police.

Other arrests stemming from the festivities were for minor violations, including open container, minor-in-possession, disorderly conduct, assault, and trespassing, said State Police spokesman Eric Benson.

Anyone entering stadium-owned parking lots was required to have a ticket, Benson said, and those found partying without tickets were cited for trespassing. He said all arrested had been released by yesterday afternoon.

"There were quite a few fights in the parking lots, alcohol violations, and disorderly persons," Benson said.

Captain David Healy of the Foxborough Fire Department said paramedics were also busy at the concert, responding to heat-related calls in the afternoon and numerous minor injuries, some caused by fights, in the evening.

"It's basically an all-day thing. They start early and try to stay in there as long as they can," Healy said. "We gear up for it. Once the gates open to the stadium and the fans come in, it's usually a short time thereafter that the calls start picking up."

Three fans who attended the concert said they noticed plenty of tailgaters in the parking lots and a heavy police presence inside the stadium. But they described the scene among the ticketed concertgoers inside as tame for an outdoor concert. They suggested that the scene inside the arena was calmer than that reported by police outside.

"I've been to other concerts, and it's one of the concerts that is the least rowdy," said 27-year-old Bonnie Santos of Georgetown.

A Gillette Stadium spokesperson did not immediately return a call seeking comment.