Phish's next big festival will be August 2-3, 2003, in Limestone. From official news:

"It" will be held at the former Loring Air Force Base (now the Loring Commerce Centre) in Limestone, site of Phish's Great Went and Lemonwheel festivals. "It" will feature three sets of Phish each day, along with numerous attractions and art installations created by talented teams of artists and performers. Significant improvements to the site over previous festivals will be made, but these improvements will result in a reduced capacity. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets early. Tickets go on sale in real-time (not a lottery) this Thursday, March 27 at 12 noon via Phish Tickets-by-Mail (http://phishtickets.rlc.net) and Ticketmaster (including phone numbers 207.775.3331, 617.931.2000, 413.733.2500, 212.307.7171, 802.862.5300, 518.476.1000, 401.331.2211, and 757.671.8100). Tickets are $137.50 plus service and shipping fees. There is a limit of 6 tickets per person.

The image to the left was altered (by Brian Sherman) from the DVD cover of Stephen King's sci-fi/horror thriller "It", which shares several characteristics with Phish's (posted by Chad, aka Sgt. Floyd Pepper, to rmp):

• Both take place in Maine.
• Both feature a group of old friends returning to Maine.
• Both of the said groups were made up of dorks.
• Both have balloons that float.
• Both have strange hallucinations (for some).
• Both have smelly sewage systems.

For previous festivals, see Clifford Ball, Great Went, and Lemonwheel. See also, area maps. See also, What does Loring think of Phish fans

Note also, the unusual ad placement (pictured at left, from circa 7/21/03), next to an article about mounted police at IT, which features both the word "fish" and a hat not terribly unlike those worn by the mounties.

In re the IT DVD (available from Dry Goods), there's at least one "easter egg" on disc one: Move down to the "Interviews" menu item and then hit the left arrow on your remote, an arrow pointing downward will appear. Hit the select/enter button on your remote and you get a different surround mix of "Waves" with a totally different set of visuals.

Special thanks to Syd Schwartz (10/15/04).

"That's how our whole career has been - stupid ideas that work."
- Page in Rolling Stone, 3/6/03, p. 42