[nabs-l] Questions About Navigating Festivals

Mon Jul 26 18:10:24 UTC 2010

Jewel, your friend's vomit story sounds very gross, but also something
she and her boyfriend will still remember in thirty years!  <Smile>

Arielle

On 7/26/10, Kerri Kosten <kerrik2006 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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-- 
Arielle Silverman
President, National Association of Blind Students
Phone:  602-502-2255
Email:
nabs.president at gmail.com
Website:
www.nabslink.org