The bag searching was fine. Everytime we walked in they just looked in the bag and said good luck. They did not thumb through everything in it. Yes they looked, but it was just that a look. Venue chages, yes could be done but there are only a few places in the state that can handle that many people. As far as hotels increases rates, yes they did and will continue. Hotel rate for teh hotel we were at $69 in July this last weekend $89 and had to get 2 nights or no stay. A month from now rate at $74...hmmm. Yes there was a tax increase. We recieved a letter in January and then another in March and the cost was different. I called andthe manager said that Topeka had a tax increase that why it was more than 6 weeks prior.