Eddie...
I was at the inaugural OX-East Mudfest at Taylor ranch. Truly a mess.
We followed that up in 2016 with OX-West at Mormon Lake (a supposedly, mostly dry lakebed) that turned in a 10" deep Mudfest after snow and rain.
OX West organizers finally moved OX-West up to the fair grounds at Flagstaff. Now lousy weather will not be so much a factor.
It is inexplicable why the Hansen's, with all the issues at Taylor Ranch in Fletcher, NC, would move the event from Biltmore to this venue. Yes, the Biltmore event was very expensive because Biltmore tacked on a fee for admission to the grounds. This turned away a lot of folks; me included since we've been to Biltmore for the Christmas exhibit several times.
OX-East is now too large to stick it in a small valley on a farmer's field. I've ridden my motorcycle past that location numerous times. When I saw the Hansen's were moving to this location I thought this would be worse then Taylor Ranch if it rained anytime before or during the event. Further, I wondered where in the heck the day attendees were going to park! Read some of the posts on Facebook by day ticket holders. Transportation to the site for day ticket holders was an abomination. Many stated they were going to challenge the charges. One chap wrote he waited 4.5 hours for a ride to the venue!!!! I would have given up LOOOOONG before that and headed to Asheville for some fun.
The Hansen's have a great idea going with OX. But, seriously, they need to reevaluate their entire OX-East operation, especially site selection. Biltmore, while a nice venue, wasn't the answer because of the very expensive entry fee to get onto the Biltmore grounds which were added to the already expensive OX fees. The Hansen's need to bring the eastern site up to the Western venue standards.
OX is an event for seeing all the new overland gear and ideas out there from vendors. We shouldn't have to camp out in a farmer's muddy field to go to a huge event such as this.
BMW Motorcycle Owners Association annual rally recognized these issues decades ago. BMW MOA now selects its annual venue capable of handling tens of thousands of motorcycles of all types at an accessible venue.
All of my comments are meant to be constructive in nature.
I hope Jonathan reads my post in that regard.
We would enjoy attending OX East again in the future, but, it must be at a suitable venue.