[Nfbwv-talk] Mountain Fest/Navigating Festivals

Fri Jul 23 19:45:18 UTC 2010

Greetings:

Managing independently in new or business related social activities was an on-going topic of conversation I enjoyed with Dr. Betsy Zaborowski, the first director of the Jernigan Institute. Betsy was also a friend and we often compared notes.

First, you asked if it was OK to ask for help. It is always OK to do so. At the end of the day, I ask myself "Are you in charge of the situation, or is the situation in charge of you?" In the NFB we believe that we are in charge of both our blindness and our lives. This does not mean that we don't ever ask for help, nor does it imply that we think we magically know everything about the visual world around us. Rather it means that we have the techniques to figure it out as we need. 

Since you don't know anyone in particular, I would use the ask a question, and then move along method, unless you partner up with a new friend.

To begin, I would approach someone and say something like "Howdy, this is my first time here, are you familiar with the setup around here?" Not necessarily a blindness question. If the person is equally unfamiliar with things, and if the quick vibe is good you may want to inquire if he/she would want to discover the next step together. You mentioned the web site, having some detailed information to share may help make you a useful companion to someone who lacks the info but is interested in checking things out together. 

If the first person you ask has no interest, I would conclude by asking something like "Guess we're both in the same boat, do you see anyone who looks like they work for the festival?"

Then move along and try it again. Once you find the first food booth, you might want to ask what the next booth or 2 are. If you know the name or kind of foods you are especially interested in I would ask what booths the people can see in a specific direction, and if they know where the one you are interested is. A tip I have found useful, if the person is willing to provide help, but is a bit freaqued out, if you ask about directions, and you point in a specific direction, they can sometimes relate to that. Example, "is the place with the turkey legs that direction?" when you are pointing left.

You know you will want to use the shuttle to the top of the hill. I would locate that before purchasing bags or boxes of food. I find traveling with hands full of drinks and bags to be uncomfortable when I am unfamiliar with the area. I sometimes even take a small bag which I can carry over my shoulder or on my arm in order to keep my hands free. The reusable shopping bags that I have a bunch of them from conferences work well, if you loose it you're not out any money. I also prefer to purchase drinks in closed bottles rather than cups with or without lids, if I am going to have to walk a distance, or manage in crowded and unfamiliar places.

Above all, have a great time. You don't have to follow any schedule other than the one you select, and you don't have to be in any particular part of the festival grounds unless you decide that is where you want to go.

In Federationism,

Brad 

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwv-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwv-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kerri Kosten
Sent: 2010-07-23 15:09
To: NFB of West Virginia Discussion List; anjelinac26
Subject: [Nfbwv-talk] Mountain Fest/Navigating Festivals

Hi All!

I have a few questions about going to/navigating large, loud festivals as a blind person.

I don't know if many of you know or have heard of this, but there is a festival going on in Morgantown 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 from what I've been told 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 such as Ribfest, the Gold-Blue wVU Spring game, and other things I'm forgetting at the moment because of just not going.

Is anyone on the list familiar with 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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