Are You Clever?

[jenvan]

So, this is funny, and I think I am kind-of clever, but I thought I'd check and see if any of you had some good ideas...preferably not involving body cavities !! For father's day my family is going to an outdoor concert series...and they search all bags, blankets etc and no food or drinks are allowed. You can bring chairs, blankets, purses etc. of course though. Maybe I would be okay, but I want to be prepared b/c I've had some sticklers in the past and the 'food allergy' excuse doesn't always work... We will be there for the afternoon/evening too...so I definitely need some foodage Ideas? I'm thinking--can I disguse a sandwich and roll it up in my chair?

[penguin]

I've been known to wear big flared jeans and strap water bottles to them...

I'd go the cargo pant's route for food

Or if you have a big purse with a liner in it, open up the liner and hide things at the bottom under the liner. Sneaky sneaky...

[CarlaB]

Well, you could always pretend you're pregnant and stuff it under your shirt! You could probably bring in enough food for everyone that way.

I'd just tell them you have celiac disease. They'll be more afraid of the disease word than the allergy word. I said that going into Busch Gardens and the guy looking at my purse stuffed with food said, "No problem." I know it's debatable whether we're covered by ADA, but whoever is checking your stuff won't know any better than we do if you're covered. Just say you can bring in food by law just like a blind person can bring in their dog when a sign says "no animals." Chances are they won't want to argue with someone who sounds informed.

[jerseyangel]

Jen--How about getting a doctor's note? I don't see how they can deny you food when you are on a medically necessary diet.

[Ursa Major]

Under a hat? Do you have a jacket that has a pocket in the back for self-storage.....that might work. In your camera case (camera poised to snap pictures, not in the case, pretend you're picture-crazy). Inside your sun umbrella (the kind that snaps onto a chair). Inside a normal umbrella, if it looks like rain.

[Guest nini]

I would call the venue ahead of time, and tell them you have Celiac DISEASE... yep, throw the disease word around A LOT... and tell them you absolutely HAVE to be able to bring in your own food because you cannot trust any outside sources to be able to provide a safe meal for you. If they give you any trouble at all, then you go the sneaky route, but I would try the honest route first and get them on your side. Ask if they require a Dr.s note if they are being difficult about it... Tell them it's way more serious than an allergy and you should be allowed to enjoy food and beverages like every other paying guest.

[Girl Ninja]

I'd probably go with calling the venue, saying disease alot, and offering to bring a doctor's note. If not, pack a diaper bag and tell them your friend is changing the baby before she brings it in and you're just trying to help her carry everything.

This is a great question. I have some concerts later this year. Please let us know how it works out for you.

[MySuicidalTurtle]

The planners of this event will know that some rules have to be broken. They might ask you to bring a doctors note with you. If they give you any grief when you call don't forget to mention how Celiac Disease qualifies as a disability and about the laws associated with this sort of thing. There is no reason you should have to be unhealthy while being there and they should be good about it! I have only contacted one "no food allowed" concert event and they were more than helpful with allowing me to bring in food.

[tarnalberry]

I have, in the past, gone to two Lilith Fair concerts. (Oh, I was disappointed when they stopped those.) All day event, in the middle of July, in Pasadena... In 90-100 degree weather... out in the open. You bring sun block. And you curse the people selling bottled water for $5 a bottle. And you bring a big box of kleenex (because you're *cough* 'getting over a cold', where you've opened up the bottom, taken out half the kleenex, put two of the smaller bottles in, and closed/glued it back up. :-P

Also, I'll just let a bar or two hide under the crap in my purse, put one in my pocket here and there, and so on. Scatter!

[Guest BERNESES]

I'd call the venue too and tell them. if you have to get nasty, tell them they are violating your rights under ADA. that should scare them But only if they get nasty. I have found you catch a lot more flies with honey than vinegar. I acctually had a waitress tell me once that she dreaded dealing with gluten intolerant customers because they were so rude to her. She said she appreciated my explaining it nicely instead of defensively. I got a great meal- no reaction- and she got a great tip.

If that doesn't work, but a REALLY BIG BRA!!!!!!!!

[Smunkeemom]

short of bringing a bag with a liner that you can hide food in, you would best be served bringing things in any pockets you can muster (cargo pants are a must for this)

I have been known to fuse a pocket into the inside of my shirt and hide larabars there. (yeah I am pathetic, but my kids had to eat and the zoo is a "no outside food" place and they took my gluten free goodies away once

you can get fusing and material at the fabric store, you iron on the seams, and when you are done you can pull it off. works fine. (although I felt like I was a drug mule or something)

[mommida]

I suggest the scatter technique too, at least they will only get some of the stash. (Less bulky too.)

I would choose your purse carefully, lots of pockets, fake bottom, and other stash spots. If they want to get picky and search pockets, always open the feminine hygeine stash first, blush profusely, and they usually stop there.

L.

[wonkabar]

I would definately try calling the venue first and seeing where you get with that. However, if that doesn't work...do you have any friends with kids?? I'd borrow a diaper bag, some baby clothes, diapers and a wipes container. You can easily stash all sorts of stuff in the diaper bag...fold the clothes around food, empty out the wipes container and put stuff in there, you could easily put stuff in the diapers and so on. Have a good time!

[clover]

Buy a large box of tampons or pads, take out half, use the other half to cover the food. I guarantee they wont even touch it. Anything that implies an embarassing bodily function usually helps mask an offending item. While people should be over the whole menstruation thing-- they aren't.

[jenvan]

Ya'll have some great ideas ! I have e-mailed the organizers, so we'll see what they have to say. I love some of these ideas--kleenex box, reverse pocket, fake bottom purse, pregnant belly (that one crossed my mind too!), under a hat, feminine stuff

Tiffany---I loved the Lilith Fair's too--I went to everyone. Good times...

OH-Just got an e-mail from the assistant director. He says: "Yes you may bring a small amount of food for you only. Print out this email and bring it with you and show it at the gate."

Sounds a bit serious for my taste, but still a good response. Anywho, I'm a special food VIP now

I may still incorporate some of these techniques suggested here though...I mean, what is a small amount of food anyway? I can really put it away ya know Ya'll are great thinkers!! Thanks friends

[Matilda]

..

[lorka150]

whenever i don't want to pay duty, i stash things in my bra.

small boobs are good for something!

[kevsmom]

A couple of Stretch Island Fruit Leather bars are thin enough to stick in your wallet. They are a nice pick-me-up snack.

Have Fun.

[NicoleAJ]

I'm glad they've allowed you to bring in a small amount of food, but if you want a bigger amount of food, one of my tricks has been to get the type of windbreaker that folds into a large pouch. You take the windbreaker out of its pouch, fill that huge pocket with food and then tie it around your waist. They'll never touch your rear end to see if it's really that big or just stashed with food--just remember not to sit down on it when you get in.

[plantime]

Oh, I just love all of these ideas!

[jenvan]

Yeah, my family and I are laughing about "a small amount" of food... What does that mean?? We'll see on Sunday!

[watkinson]

Hi Jenvan,

My daughter recently went to 6 flags. They as well have a strict "no outside food or drink" policy. She brought a ton of gluten-free food with a note from her doctor and her restaurant card with her. She had no problem getting throught the gate at all!

But somthing I have done before is....I put a candy bar in my sock...I brought some trail mix in a plastic baggy and put it in the zippered cosmetics part of my purse....I or my husband have worn cargo style shorts and stuck some things in the pockets.

Hope you get something through, good luck, Wendy

[Daxin]

It's nice to read that someone is finally wising up and letting you bring in some food. ANd I have to agree that the term "small amount" cn be rather subjective.

Let's hope now that when you print that email and bring it with you, that the people who sent that email remember to tell the security staff and ticket takers you are coming.

Let us know how it went.

Hope you have a great time.

[chrissy]

body cavities----drug mule......LOL!!LOL!!

[Guest Norah022]

I'm heading to a concert at our football stadium in Massachusetts and I contacted security and got a letter stating that I have dietary restrictions and need to bring in my own food.

All I have to do is present the letter to security at the gate....the letter is signed by the VP of security