Yeah, it was a zoo and I didn't see anything like that going on. I ended up buying some things people couldn't use off craigslist. So I got a weeklong band for myself for 60, parking weekly for 15 and a single day for a friend for 30. Not exactly cheap, but for the three days I will end up going total I saved 15 on parking, about 60 on my access and 17 on my friend's. If I was paying full price I would have most likely only gone Wednesday and Saturday because those are the night shows and fireworks. I think it worked out ok.
On a side note does anyone have strategies for letting go when stuff costs more than it has any right to but it's something you really want to do and are going to do anyways? The stress of the cost kinda hampered my enjoyment of the events some.