The three different arguments over parking spaces that I witnessed from the comforts of my front porch–about 5 blocks away from Carytown–were definitely worth it. As for the festival itself, I avoided it.
Got their around 1:00 – parked @ Ukrops. No problem. Spend $4.00 on 4 servings of Watermelon. thanks Shiners. Spent $4.00 for 2 Lemonaids from Ms. Marshalls. Spent 0.00 bucks on a lot of overpriced items from vendors. We listened to some great bands and watched one dry humored juggler. Overall — just as expected. So for an $8.00 day – not too bad..
I am all for this festival. Yes, lots of people…and their dogs and kids that I repeatedly trip over…interesting odors that some call “food.”…these things have potential to hamper the mood, but it always seems to be on a bright summer day and I run into people I haven’t seen in months.
Mostly though, it gives my friend’s and I a reason and a theme for fun progressive parties. Who doesn’t like Watermelon daqu’s or watermelon martinis…maybe even a watermella-rita? Even if you don’t care for the pink and green goodness, at least the color scheme for the backdrop is great to drink with whatever you prefer.
So what better way to celebrate a hot Lord’s day in August than a vast assortment of His people and beautiful fruitful creation…plus a smidge of vodka! Cheers to another grand festival!
PS Many thanks to Gatoraid for their watermelon flavor…no one ever checked my bottle.
This is tremendous boon to the community despite its occasional annoyances. One thing I suggest that, somehow, the Carytown folk work out is what they use in Seville and Madrid — rush matting shades. A mounting and rigging system could be affixed on the light posts or the buidlings. A series of these shades over the middle of the street, to provide comfort and not to obscure all the sun, would enhance the experience.
The other thing that gets overlooked in this is that hte merchants pay for the city to come and clean up the aftermath. The city does not provide suitable trash cans for that corridor. The merchants almost have to scratch and claw for any municipal concession.
There seems to almost resentment from higher authorities about Carytown, which is inexplicable to me. I think it comes from this issue of power. City Hall didn’t create Carytown, but the residents and business people have sustained its success, without any master plans.
I am tenderly and without vitriol swearing off the W. Fest in future years. Unless it is unseasonably cool. I realized this year that it is basically the same as the Easter Parade, only more uncomfortable, and then I remembered that every single year I never hit the 20 minute mark before I am too uncomfortable to stand it anymore. Love the idea, can’t deal with the heat produced by tons of people cooking on a treeless street in August.
Having lived near Carytown for a long while, I have never had to drive to the W. Fest when I’ve gone. However I notice a marked increase in people vying for parking in my neighborhood, as people closer to the event are displaced.
My question is – is there any shuttle service or park and ride system in place for the event? It seems like a great idea considering the difficulty in parking for both the residents and attendees of the event.
I also agree it is entirely too hot to be fun for very long.
Harry:
Walking in C-town this AM, never looked better. It is the one time of year that the pieces of trash I pick up on morning jaunts actually makes a dent, because it is virtually pristine from the weekend’s event cleanup, how I wish upon a star it got that level of attention all year ’round.
Libby:
I agree that shuttle service from UR stadium would be a definite improvement. I have been stumped for years as to why that does not happen.
The three different arguments over parking spaces that I witnessed from the comforts of my front porch–about 5 blocks away from Carytown–were definitely worth it. As for the festival itself, I avoided it.
Got their around 1:00 – parked @ Ukrops. No problem. Spend $4.00 on 4 servings of Watermelon. thanks Shiners. Spent $4.00 for 2 Lemonaids from Ms. Marshalls. Spent 0.00 bucks on a lot of overpriced items from vendors. We listened to some great bands and watched one dry humored juggler. Overall — just as expected. So for an $8.00 day – not too bad..
I am all for this festival. Yes, lots of people…and their dogs and kids that I repeatedly trip over…interesting odors that some call “food.”…these things have potential to hamper the mood, but it always seems to be on a bright summer day and I run into people I haven’t seen in months.
Mostly though, it gives my friend’s and I a reason and a theme for fun progressive parties. Who doesn’t like Watermelon daqu’s or watermelon martinis…maybe even a watermella-rita? Even if you don’t care for the pink and green goodness, at least the color scheme for the backdrop is great to drink with whatever you prefer.
So what better way to celebrate a hot Lord’s day in August than a vast assortment of His people and beautiful fruitful creation…plus a smidge of vodka! Cheers to another grand festival!
PS Many thanks to Gatoraid for their watermelon flavor…no one ever checked my bottle.
VIva Watermelon!
This is tremendous boon to the community despite its occasional annoyances. One thing I suggest that, somehow, the Carytown folk work out is what they use in Seville and Madrid — rush matting shades. A mounting and rigging system could be affixed on the light posts or the buidlings. A series of these shades over the middle of the street, to provide comfort and not to obscure all the sun, would enhance the experience.
The other thing that gets overlooked in this is that hte merchants pay for the city to come and clean up the aftermath. The city does not provide suitable trash cans for that corridor. The merchants almost have to scratch and claw for any municipal concession.
There seems to almost resentment from higher authorities about Carytown, which is inexplicable to me. I think it comes from this issue of power. City Hall didn’t create Carytown, but the residents and business people have sustained its success, without any master plans.
Sorry. First line above should read, “This is a tremendous” in first graph, and “the” at the end of the first line, second graph.
I am tenderly and without vitriol swearing off the W. Fest in future years. Unless it is unseasonably cool. I realized this year that it is basically the same as the Easter Parade, only more uncomfortable, and then I remembered that every single year I never hit the 20 minute mark before I am too uncomfortable to stand it anymore. Love the idea, can’t deal with the heat produced by tons of people cooking on a treeless street in August.
What she said.
Having lived near Carytown for a long while, I have never had to drive to the W. Fest when I’ve gone. However I notice a marked increase in people vying for parking in my neighborhood, as people closer to the event are displaced.
My question is – is there any shuttle service or park and ride system in place for the event? It seems like a great idea considering the difficulty in parking for both the residents and attendees of the event.
I also agree it is entirely too hot to be fun for very long.
Harry:
Walking in C-town this AM, never looked better. It is the one time of year that the pieces of trash I pick up on morning jaunts actually makes a dent, because it is virtually pristine from the weekend’s event cleanup, how I wish upon a star it got that level of attention all year ’round.
Libby:
I agree that shuttle service from UR stadium would be a definite improvement. I have been stumped for years as to why that does not happen.