[nabs-l] Questions About Navigating Festivals

Mon Jul 26 16:11:45 UTC 2010

Hey Serena and All!

Thanks for the suggestions.

Just to give an update, I didn't end up going to the festival.

First of all, it was way to hot to be walking all around outside.

Also, there were like 30,000 bikers in town for it and not something
anyone blind or sighted should've gone to on their own.

Also, with all the bikers in town on the roads and not knowing how to
drive properly, it was very hard for cabs to take people to and from
the festival. In fact, one of the cab drivers I frequently take came
very close to getting into an accident because he was trapped in with
like six or eight bikers in front of him and a couple behind him. The
ones behind him kept coming up on him and gunning their engines then
falling back. When he could finally go, the bikers behind him passed
him and blocked his way causing him to swerve into another lane and
almost hit an oncoming car.

It was crazy here with all the bikers...it wasn't just a little
festival...it was huge and I'm sure there were several accidents
between the bikers and motorists!

Our county fair is coming up in about two weeks. For some reason, the
fair was stopped for a few years so I'm excited. The fair is being
held at the same location as Mountain Fest was, Milan Park. I looked
online at the schedule yesterday and it's gonna be pretty big too but
of course nothing like Mountain Fest and much more of a family
friendly thing. So, I'll definitely take your advice for that!

The fair doesn't open until the evening, around 5 PM so it shouldn't be too hot!

Anyway, thanks so much!

Kerri

On 7/25/10, Serena <serenacucco at verizon.net> wrote:
> Hi Kerrie,
>
> Asking for assistance at the festival is definitely fine and a wize idea.
> Calling ahead would probably work.  One thing to know: just cuz people are
> probably drinking doesn't mean they can't help you out.  Sure, being with a
> sober friend/person in charge is ideal, but someone who is drunk can help
> you, even if he/she has to give you sighted guide cuz he/she can't figure
> out left and right.  At my college, there was an annual campus party called
> Quad Jam.  I often went with friends, but once had to go alone.  Since I
> knew
> my campus well, I was able to travel alone, only getting assistance with
> food.  Luckily, an acquaintance of mine saw me and walked with me to the BQ
> and found someone to assist me.
>
> Good luck at your festival!
>
> Serena
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Kerri Kosten" <kerrik2006 at gmail.com>
> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, July 23, 2010 2:28 PM
> Subject: [nabs-l] Questions About Navigating Festivals
>
>
>> Hi All!
>>
>> I have a few questions about going to/navigating large, loud festivals
>> as a blind person.
>>
>> There is a festival going on here called Mountain Fest. It is a
>> festival for motor cyclists/bikers but it is also a regular festival
>> with live music, food, games, contests, socialization, and people. I
>> am not really into biking/motor cycling, but I really want to go for
>> the food, socialization, music, people, and just to get out of the
>> house. However, I as of yet can not find anyone to go with me. So, I
>> was wondering...what is the best way to do this as a blind person?
>>
>> The festival is at a huge park called Milan Park. From what I've read,
>> Milan Park has a huge huge hill which is very hard to walk up. The
>> food and live music are at the bottom of the hill and it will be very
>> crowded and there isn't much space to really sit anywhere. However,
>> after you get the food you want, you can take a shuttle bus up to the
>> top of the hill to a place called the Coal Bucket Saloon where they
>> have drinks (I'm assuming both alcahol and non-alcahol) and there is
>> more room to sit. So, unfortunately, as you can see this is not just a
>> little thing where you can just walk around everywhere...I guess you
>> have to get your food, then take the bus to the top of the hill.
>> However, from what I've been told the food is very good...they have
>> funnel cake, turkey legs, and this pork barbeque where you can get
>> three different types of barbeque sauce on it...and who knows what
>> else...that's just like two items of many.
>>
>> Also, I don't know if this is at the top or the bottom of the hill,
>> but they have a stage for the live music, several motor cycle shows,
>> tents where sponsors for the festival are set up, a kids corner, a
>> vendor mall (I'm assuming sort of like the exhibit hall) where they
>> will be selling motor cycle stuff, as well as Mountain Fest T-shirts
>> and merchandise. I don't know where all the food vendors are but I
>> know that there are several...all I know is the food is at the bottom
>> of the hill and the Coal Bucket Saloon which has places to sit is at
>> the top and you have to take a shuttle bus to get up to it.
>>
>> Should I just walk around and ask every person I hear for
>> assistance/to point me in the right direction?
>>
>> The festival does have a website with contact info and Milan Park has
>> a phone number...should I call ahead? If so, what should I tell them?
>> Is it possible/proper for someone to assist me to get food and tell me
>> what all the food vendors are and help me to the Coal Bucket Saloon to
>> a seat? Then, I figure if I want more food or to go back down to the
>> bottom of the hill I can figure it out or ask.
>>
>> I know there will be many people around...but I know many of them will
>> be drinking.
>>
>> It will also be very loud.
>>
>> Are people at festivals usually nice? What about bikers?
>>
>> If I can not find anybody to go with, should I just not go? I know not
>> going would be easier, but I have missed out on a couple of events
>> that have gone on here in the past couple of months because of just
>> not going.
>>
>> Is anyone on the list from Morgantown, W.VA or familiar with it,
>> Mountain Fest, or Milan Park?
>>
>> I'd really like to go to this...even just for a couple of hours.
>>
>>
>> Thanks for all info/help you can give!
>> Kerri
>>
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