[nabs-l] Questions About Navigating Festivals

Mon Jul 26 17:31:56 UTC 2010

Hi:

Yes, I'm thinking the fair would be much better.

I don't like having to go to these things alone...it's just that I
live in a very small town and don't have very many friends so often
don't have anyone to go with and I hate not getting out of the house.

The fair is very popular though so I'm thinking I can find a few
people to go with...it shouldn't be too bad.

I don't have a boyfriend so that's not an option.

And, I never throw up on rides...and I love roller coasters...the
faster, the better for me lol!

Kerri

On 7/26/10, Jewel S. <herekittykat2 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Yea...when I read your message about a biker festival, I figured it'd
> be pretty crazy. I would never go to a place like that alone. I'd go
> only if one of my biker friends were around and able to go too (no
> one's going to mess with a biker's girl). I am so not into going to
> these big festivals, though, but I know some are, that's why I didn't
> say anything.
>
> The fair is a much, much better idea. I would definitely suggest going
> with a friend. Fairs are so much more fun in a group, seriously. I've
> never had as much fun alone at a festival or fair as when I'm with a
> group. The more, the better! You can always split into smaller groups
> later. If you have a romantic interest, a fair is a wonderful place to
> go out on a date. He can show you how well he can do the games to get
> you a prize, and you can show him how "brave" you are on the wild
> rides. Just don't throw up all over the both of you in tthe middle of
> a ride that changes direction...no, it didn't happen to me, but I saw
> it happen once. A girl was riding with her boyfriend...this was a ride
> that switches directions very suddenly. She threw up just as the ride
> switched direction and the vomit slammed back into her face and her
> boyfriend's...ewww!!! So yea...that was gross. But fairs are lots of
> fun. Just watch out for the crowds!
>
> ~Jewel
>
> On 7/26/10, Kerri Kosten <kerrik2006 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 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
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> nabs-l:
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/serenacucco%40verizon.net
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> nabs-l:
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kerrik2006%40gmail.com
>>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nabs-l mailing list
>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nabs-l:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/herekittykat2%40gmail.com
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nabs-l:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kerrik2006%40gmail.com
>