X-Fest: Parents Love Girlicious

Mike and Paula McDowell of Modesto were the first ones in line at the X-Fest entrance on 10th Street. The couple, who've attended the past three X-Fest concerts, arrived at 3:30 p.m., hoping they'd arrive early enough to get good spots to see the girl group Girlicious.

They said they look forward to the festival all year.

"It's the one day we get to do something for ourselves," Paula said. They have seven children, so nights out alone together are rare.

When the gates opened just after 5 p.m., the two went straight to the Car Audio Outlaws Stage, where Girlicious was set to play. And their early bird plan worked. They got prime spots front and center.

Hannibal Yadegar, owner of Barkin' Dog Grill on 11th Street, was one of many downtown eateries within the X-Fest zone that was open Saturday, calling the event a "good thing" for business.

"I can't say anything bad about it. We look forward to it," Yadegar said. "Our business triples during X-Fest, so we planned accordingly."

Part of that plan was to stock up on the most popular item sold during X-Fest: beer. And lots of it.

"I've worked for half of these already," said Modesto's Jennifer Trayer, a seven-year X-Fest veteran. She was referring to the 10 strands of colorful Mardi Gras beads that dangled around her neck as she waited for the gates to open. The beads go to women who show off certain body parts.

The color didn't stop there, though.

Trayer and two of her friends were sporting yellow glitter eye shadow.

"This is the best lineup in all the years I've attended," she said.

Mother and daughter Lori and Noelle Housma of Modesto decided to get in some bonding time by attending X-Fest together.

"We've lived in Modesto for 10 years and this is our first time at X-Fest," Lori, 47, said as she and Noelle, 24, sat in a shaded spot near the H Street entrance, waiting for the gates to open.

The Housmas were most excited to see Canadian pop-punk band Simple Plan.

"God, we've been fans for five years," Lori said.

They said for one of their favorite bands to play a gig in Modesto was a dream come true.

-- Donna Birch