We do our best to encourage folks who find items to turn them into the Maplewoodstock “HQ” (aka, the Merch Tent to the left of the stage). And, we do our best to reunite folks with their lost items within reasonable efforts.
And, the brutal truth is that the vast majority of lost items are lost forever. Items are not turned in; they are of moderate value; they are gathered up by others; they are trampled underfoot and thrown in the garbage when the hill is cleared each night. And, after 2-3 weeks post-festival, the few cheap items remaining are just tossed or possibly dropped in a local donation box.
Our recommendations? If you have something valuable to you (monetarily or sentimentally):
- Write your name and cell phone # on the item to hope to increase the chance someone (us or a fellow attendee) might contact you;
- Take a photo of the item (a generic description of “I lost my prescription glasses” is less helpful than “attached is a photo of me in my tortoise shell, cat’s eyes, Warby Parker glasses,” and;
- Email us here or follow up to any Facebook posting about Lost and Found items on our social media channels.
IF we find an item we think of particular value (e.g., car fob, wallet, Air Jordans), we will do our best to hang onto them and reconnect them with their owners. Maybe post it here; more likely on our Facebook Page. AND, please understand that this is a 1% value proposition; if you lost something in the dark of Sunday night, it is likely trampled underfoot, swept up as garbage, and gone forever.
Lastly — but most importantly — if you have lost or found a child, please call 911, look for a Township Police officer (several of whom will be on festival site throughout the weekend), and report this to Maplewoodstock HQ (aka “Merch Tent” to the left of the stage).
