I don't know about the US, but I've attended festivals in Europe and things seem to be much different.

Firstly, they seem to have a much more secure financial backing from major companies (Dranouter festival is sponsored by the premier radio station in Belgium) and this shows.

Secondly, they are much more geared towards the assorted age groups, but the assorted age groups are welcomed in EVERY location, regardless of how disruptive they can be. The concert tents (Dranouter is so big it needs LCD screens half way down) don't have many seats (people sit on the ground) so it's much more relaxed and no-one gets wound up if the people in front get up and leave part way through.

The festivals aren't "dry" but they do have a greater (and cheaper) range of soft drink/juice stalls. The beer tents are clean, bright and well attended by bar staff. Some of them also serve food and there is usually more than one on site.

One regret would be that there didn't seem to be any 'fringe' events, no singarounds or sessions, but as there was usually so much else going on over the whole site, that wasn't really a problem.

However, the craft stalls, as far as I could see, sold the same multicoloured tutt and ethnic monstrosities as every festival I've ever been to in the UK. Several of them were in fact, the same stalls!

LTS