Wicked Weed Funkatorium Invitational 2017

Not saying it's not worth it, but damn those prices escalated quickly! Was this how much it was last year? I thought VIP tickets were $100 last year.

Edit: At least there's a good amount of stuff included with the VIP ticket.

 

ViP tickets are now $250.00 with extra different benefits. See their Facebook page for details.

 

Last year GA tickets were $80. Two years ago VIP tickets were $100 (I assume GA tickets were still $80). Three years ago GA tickets were $80. I thought prices had escalated quickly as well, but looking back at what I've paid so far, I'd say the VIP tickets have escalated quickly (I don't remember how much VIP tickets were last year but it was enough to make me question it) but that the GA tickets really haven't. They've steadily added breweries and this is the first year GA tickets have increased.

 

They were $113 with taxes and BPT fees last year.

 

So yeah, seems VIP have really sky-rocketed, even that I'm not even considering it. But adding a 4th hour (as it seems they have) and food (though that was there for the first Funk Asheville festival as well) for an extra $20 for GA doesn't seem crazy.

Definitely seems they've gone the route of really differentiating VIP as opposed to it just being getting in an hour early. It'll be interesting to see whether all the truly rare beers are only in the VIP section.

 

Also, this is a fund raiser for an important charity that does a fantastic job locally assisting folks in need. Some of this isn't just about the beer. Yes, there is a balancing act between a beer event and fund raiser, but I'm thinking the ViP tickets have more to do with fund raising. I wonder if this qualifies for deduction on taxes status (Heh, this would be a first!)... Will get to the bottom of this...

 

It sounds similar to Jwake fest/huna style VIP packages. Touring the facilities is a plus, and you can guarantee the most sought after beers from the big names will be VIP tent/area only.

 

Unfortunately going to have to pass on this one based on the price alone.

This was a bit easier to swallow cost wise when it was for Pints for Prostates for $80 VIP tickets.

 

VIP is obviously much more expensive, but GA tickets are only $20 more than last year but include food and more breweries. Not a bad deal imo.

 

Can anyone confirm that both vip and ga enter the fest at the same time? You would think VIP would have early admission but I dont see anything indicating early admission this year.

 

Based on the way I'm reading it, everyone enters at the same time. The difference is that the VIP tickets have a separate VIP section they can enter that has 'Walt's Picks', which I assume are a number of the rarest beers (though who knows).

 

Local tickets for Buncombe County residents, different than last year, which was Asheville residents, are still $80.00.

 

That's a good question... Will try to find out tonight, but no way it was thousands or even a thousand.... More like 400 (but this is a total guess), will ask tonight.

 

That's close to right but the locals tickets were actually VIP tickets last year.

 

Yeah the VIP group was massive even though though lots of people acted like tickets sold out instantly. Lots said they never even saw the link go live and then it was sold out.

 

The VIP tickets did sell out instantly, just locals got first dibs, then what was remaining went public. I think last year it was in the area of ~100 VIP tickets that were left for the general public click over.

I wasn't able to snag any, and it probably the biggest reason I skipped out last year. For the price, its hardly worth it without VIP. But now with it so expensive... well probably will save for the Shelton Fest instead.

 

It's a bad weekend for me this year. Debating on doing Shelton. Def doing J wake fest.