Friends since middle school, Demi Spanier, 30, and Katlin Homner, 30, both of Chesterton, were dressed up and ready at the Dune Park Station by 2 p.m. Friday to head to Soldier Field to see Taylor Swift.
“This is our seventh Taylor Swift concert,” said Homner, who spent 7 hours on her laptop waiting for tickets the day they went on sale.
“We’ve been her fans for over 15 years now,” said Spanier. Swift has been songwriting professionally since 2005.
Taylor Swift’s fans, also known as “Swifties,” lined up early to get into Soldier Field as her Eras Tour takes her to Chicago for three concerts this weekend.
Swift’s fans in Porter County did not disappoint, as hundreds were expected to board the South Shore trains into Chicago Friday afternoon. The South Shore even added extra trains for the weekend to accommodate fans.
Last fall, Live Nation and Ticketmaster took a hit from thousands of Taylor Swift fans after websites crashed when the tickets went on sale. Fans also balked at the long wait times and varying ticket prices.
Following the ticket debacle, Swift herself spoke out on her Instagram page, stating, “There are a multitude of reasons why people had such a hard time trying to get tickets and I’m trying to figure out how this situation can be improved moving forward,” said Swift, adding “I’m extremely protective of my fans.”
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Valparaiso High School graduate Maeve Kaye was riding in to the city by car with three friends for the concert.
“This is my first Taylor Swift concert ever,” said Kaye. “I am so excited because she has been my idol my whole life.”
“I love Taylor Swift because she sends the most empowering messages to young women especially, and has helped me grow into myself as I have gotten older,” said Kaye. “Listening to her music has helped me through difficult times.”
Tickets to the concert as of Friday afternoon were selling online upward of $1,000.00.
“I have zero regrets about spending money on the tickets, because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I may never get again,” said Kaye. “I have dreamed my whole life about getting to see her.”
Deena Lawley-Dixon is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
