When I was entering through the gate, I was stopped by a very large man who helped staff the event. He asked me if I was from The Hawk Eye newspaper. I told him no. When I gave him the answer, I was told not to take any photos on the grounds because cameras aren't allowed. He let me go into the area with my entire DSLR in hand.
About 20 minutes later, I noticed one of their staff members taking photos of a band stage right next to the gate entrance. He was wielding a DSLR with a long-lens attachment. It angered me of how even though cameras weren't allowed on the property, but staff members from BSD and The Hawk Eye were allowed special treatment to take such photographs and video.
I then began looking online to see what information I can pull up. To my surprise, there is much irony set forth for the events and that this 'oral' and 'written rule' was both manipulated and accepted into a new false ruling.
Cameras are allowed on the grounds:
I contacted The Hawk Eye and asked about the policy BSD had with not allowing photographs and videos to be taken.
To my surprise, the phone operator of the The Hawk Eye told me that for years she was taking photos inside of the area. She also said that they knew that she had a camera and that she was allowed to take photos. She explained to me that she has been doing this for years.
Shortly before I made the phone call, I came across to this particular piece on the website. The Hawk Eye was encouraging the public to submit photos from the Steamboat Days event, as well as other events. http://www.thehawkeye.com/ss/bsd/#viewer
Ironically, in the special section of The Hawk Eye newspaper, there was an indicated note suggesting that no recording or photography equipment is allowed at Steamboat Days.
I then contacted the Burlington Steamboat Days hot line and was put in touch with a young woman who works for the establishment. She told me that cameras are allowed on the grounds, except for cameras with interchangeable lenses. I proceeded to ask her why these types of cameras aren't allowed on the grounds. She replied that she doesn't know why, but is willing to contact the supervisor and get back to me with the answer.
UPDATE: I called back the next day and was put in touch with another person. Supposedly, there is some kind of a "contract agreement" that some concert performs sign for in order to prevent such cameras from being used. When asked which ones, she then says something different, which was that all of them signed it.
Proof of contact will be uploaded once the supervisor or a staff member gets back to me on the answer.
BSD attempts to stretch their power over property space:
Now that it is clear that the BSD does allow most cameras into the facility, I can now talk about the overgeneralized stress one photographer had with the BSD security and staff.
Photos and information by Iowapix. http://www.flickr.com/photos/iowapix/
A photographer was taking pictures of a concert last year that was being held inside the event area. He was outside of the area, taking photos from within a gap space. A security staff from the faculty was harassing the individual, telling him that he isn't allowed to take photographs. The problem was that the area the photographer was taking these photos were on a public road and sidewalk route. The security staff was told by someone to call the police if he wish to pursue this complaint further.
The photographer was then contacted from the Iowa ACLU and was told that:
It is unlikely that a concert promoter can enforce any private right in a public place. In the absence of a law enforcement action or arrest which did not happen , there is not much more that can be done.
He then received a letter from the City Manager before he retired.
However, the restrictions the manager was giving was not authorized to restrict access to the public of sidewalks and curbs. Photos are allowed at these specific areas. When the letter was sent out, the photographer had his lawyer involved, as well as the National Press Photographers Association.
Two nights ago, he received a similar harassment from one of the staff members, but this time asking if he had credentials. He replied that he is standing on a public sidewalk and don't need credentials or permissions.
Information in regards to property space being leased with the City of Burlington can be obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.
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