The 30th annual 'mooning' of the Amtrak trains in Laguna Niguel

July 17, 2009

LAGUNA NIGUEL, CALIFORNIA - The 30th annual 'mooning' of the trains might be the beginning of the end for the unique tradition. Last year's event drew crowds of up to 10,000 people which caused massive problems, prohibiting police to monitor the event and get to people who were in need and eventually lead to the police shutting the event down. However, the police were more than prepared this year. They showed up in force, often out numbering participants, riding in cars, motorcycles, on segways, and on horseback. Electric signs were posted warning visitors that all laws were going to be enforced fully. Parking was no longer aloud along the train tracks, where many cars, motorcycles, and motor-homes have parked in the years past. The people who actually did show up were more interested in protesting the excessive police presence than mooning the passing trains. The 29-year-old event is said to have started when a regular at the nearby Mugs Away Saloon offered to buy a beer for any of his buddies who would run out to the tracks and moon the nest passing train, thus starting the tradition. (July 11)

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