The Night We Saw Springsteen for 20 Bucks

HERSHEY, Pa. — I first saw Bruce Springsteen in the summer of 1985 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.

I was with my then-girlfriend Danielle Pedeleborde, Bruce was on the “Born in the USA” tour and I remember some drunk chick behind me spilling a beer all over me.

We had a great time anyway.

Fast forward nearly a quarter century, 24 years to be exact, and I saw Springsteen for probably  the 12th or 15th time last night at Hershey Park.

This time I was with my wife, Jen, and my two kids, Grace and James, on a beautiful warm spring night. My how time flies.

We were driving through Pennsylvania to meet some friends and decided to stop at Hershey Park to see Bruce. After paying $10 for parking, we debated buying two more tix at $99 each.

Instead, some kind soul gave us one free ticket and we then bought another from a scalper for just $20.

Kids over 2 are supposed to buy a ticket, but the kind (elderly) gentlemen at the gate let us walk in with Grace, 4, on my shoulders and Jen carrying 1-year-old James.

So we got into Bruce for a grand total of 20 bucks. Can’t beat that with a tire iron.

We stood in the back of the standing room section with Grace on my shoulders, and we all enjoyed ourselves singing and dancing.

A couple people approached us and said they thought it was cool that we brought our kids to the show.

Eventually Gracie got tired out and we hit the road knowing we’d gotten a great deal and enjoyed a fabulous night.

May 15 / Hersheypark Stadium / Hershey, PA
Notes: to come

Setlist:
Badlands
Spirit in the Night
Outlaw Pete
Radio Nowhere
Out in the Street
Twist and Shout
Working on a Dream
Seeds
Johnny 99
The Ghost of Tom Joad
Raise Your Hand
Give the Girl a Kiss
Trapped
Waitin’ on a Sunny Day
The Promised Land
Backstreets
Kingdom of Days
Lonesome Day
The Rising
Born to Run
* * *
Hard Times
Thunder Road
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out
Land of Hope and Dreams
American Land
Rosalita
Bobby Jean