‘Mooning of the Amtrak’ is set for Saturday

Mugs Away is not organizing the mooning on Saturday, but employees at the saloon are expecting some crowds. In the afternoon, the bar will feature live music.

In 2008, the Mooning was characterized by large crowds and heavy drinking. After residents and business owners complained of total nudity, sex acts and public drinking, about 50 police officers from four departments used riot gear, shot guns and a helicopter to clear out the crowd.

In 2008, people camped in their cars for the Mooning, and the event was widely publicized over social media. In 2009, the city paid a public relations firm about $17,500 to help dissuade mooners as part of its plan to rein in the event.

In 2008, police closed down the Mooning in the afternoon after partying turned into public urination, defecation and sex acts. The crowd of about 10,000 left without incident. The following April, the City Council tightened up its ordinances to help prevent future problems.

In 2008, police intervened after seeing attendees drinking, urinating and defecating in public. At the time, then-Chief of Police Services Linda Solorza said people in the crowd also called police fearing for those who were intoxicated and couldn't care for themselves.

For many years, the Mooning was known for drawing a diverse crowd including veterans, grandmothers, bikers and more.

City and Orange County Sheriff's Department officials have said the mooning tradition may continue - so long as illegal activity such as drinking in public does not.

In 2007, thousands of peope, RVs and cars packed Camino Capistrano for the annual Mooning. Since then, the city has instituted parking restrictions to keep roadways clear as well as increasing law enforcement presence.

The Kilt Lifting International Team poses during the 28th annual Mooning in 2007. The event drew thousands of people for years, though smaller crowds are expected this year.

In 2011, the mooning of the Amtrak continued for the 32nd year outside Mugs Away Saloon on Camino Capistrano in Laguna Niguel.

In 2008, law enforcement costs were estimated at between $15,000 and $20,000 as Sheriff's deputies and police officers used riot gear and helicopters to clear out the raucous crowd of almost 10,000.

In 2009, Laguna Niguel spent $29,000 to provide extra police presence during the annual mooning. No arrests were made, and 37 deputies worked during the event. In recent years, smaller crowds and a smaller police presence have been the norm.

Police ticket a man at the Mooning in 2011 on suspicion of carrying an open container. Law enforcenment and the city have cracked down on the event, which in the past swelled to almost 10,000 people. Police received complaints of public intoxication, sex acts and urination, and in 2008, officers shut down the partying.

Though the event centers around Mugs Away Saloon on Camino Capistrano, the bar does not organize the mooning. Traditionally, it takes place the second Saturday in July and has earned headlines nationally.

In recent years, the city has also turned to parking restrictions to control crowds at the Mooning. In the past, some attendees traveled to Camino Capistrano in tour buses and RVs, blocking access for emergency vehicles.

For the Mooning's 30th anniversary in 2009, some people got creative. That year, dozens of officers on foot, horseback, motorcycles, bikes and patrol vehicles were on hand to respond to any problems as well as enforce new ordinances prohibiting urinating, defecating and drinking in public. The Orange County Sheriff's Department reported a mellow crowd without any incidents.

In 2010, the event drew about 400 people. For more than 30 years, people of all ages have come together to moon passing trains on the second Saturday in July on Camino Capistrano in Laguna Niguel.

The event last year didn't draw the large, rowdy crowds of previous years, but attendees still enthusiastically bared their bottoms. Local legend has it that the tradition began when a patron from Mugs Away Saloon offered on his birthday to buy beers for anyone who mooned the passing train.