Jun
30
Less or more?
I managed to spend just a short time at this year’s Heritage Festival, but the two members of my family who logged long hours there were surprised to fnd the crowds sparser than in previous years.
Several rides has no lines at all on Friday. One kid got a bonus ride on the Tilt-a-Whirl because there weren’t enough willing riders to fill the seats.
All I could think was: Why couldn’t it have been like that when I was waiting in the 90-degree heat for you to make the rounds of the Dragon Wagon, Flying Airplanes and Merry-Go-Round 10 years ago?
Did my kids just get lucky or did those $45 discount ticket sheets scare everyone with good sense away?
I will always love Heritage Fest and will continue to pump a considerable amount of discretionary income into it, but I’ve got to agree with Meat that some aspects of the festival have lost their luster.
My favorite foods were congealed, air-temperature versions of their formerly tasty selves (yes, I gravitate to the same chow every year). And the crowd, as in recent years past, seems made up of fewer neighbors and more out-of-towners.
The bands have always been a highlight, but the rides have been sparser due to the CBD’s minimal open real estate. Not that I’m complaining. If there’s no Mega-Drop to tempt my kids, that’s okay by me.
The assistant rector of our church once observed that even the best programs are subject to the life cycle: They flourish for a while, they fall off and they are reborn in a new and different way.
Given the changes to the Central Business District and the pressures of the recession, maybe it’s inevitable that Heritage Fest also will change. I’m old enough to see that as opportunity and hope the powers that be do, too.
A recent neighborhood fest I attened in an upscale west suburban town was made up of only the business in that town – no carny booth food, a small selection of rides and bands, and attened by most everyone in town. Perhaps we need less big show if we want more neighborly appeal?
I agree and disagree, Kelly. Can’t argue with the revenue from out of towners that HF brings in. However, why not do a late August “Final Fling” along the lines of what you describe above??
Maybe a Harvest themed event – hay rides, pumpkin painting and apple cider….
We only did ride preview night and we saw a lot of familiar faces. The crowds were much lower than in years past. I think the 9.3% unemployment had something to do with the different atmosphere this year. Our family spent $150 on wrist bands and slushies alone. Lots of families cannot spare it this year.
I thought Gatto’s had a good $4 Italian Sausage sandwich. And the $3 fondue bowl was really good from The Melting Pot.
Also, there was discussion last year (on this blog) of a premium food area. You pay a small fee to get in. And then pay for some better food. The additional cost would offset the local restaurants costs. It’s a huge undertaking for the restaurants. No water is an issue sometimes.
Kelly DGM, are you speaking of the Clarnedon Hills Daisy Days? If so, that is a REALLY, REALLY small event compared to DG’s event. Bigger is always better, I know.
I miss Chucks Meat Market steak sandwiches, it was about the only thing I ever really liked. Seems like the number of vendors has really diminished compared to ten or so years ago.
No not Daisy Days – but I bet a similar event. I miss Chuck’s booth too! We are a large community but I agree with EJ that it felt more like out of towners than neighbors this year and I feel the scale has a lot to do with it. Scale it back, add more quality food and booths and less cheesy carnival fare and rides. I also noticed The Taste this year was very scaled back and on the food side the quality seemed to lack when compared to previous years.
how about food booths only from local places in DG, Westmont, Glen Elyn, etc. and less carny rides and carny’s in general. Make it more of a “taste of Downers Grove” . I also miss chuchs meas burt the next best closest thing is Jim’s quality meats in Darien. Same type of Place as Chucks was and Chuck’s son workes there too. On Cass Ave
Here’s something that I thought was amusing. The DG Township Democrat booth was next to the Libertarian Party booth. So, you could discuss both ends of the political spectrum within a few feet.
I agree..sometimes less is more. I too would better appreciate more local flavor. However not all local merchants have the necessary equipment to participate. On another note: instead of us offering our thoughts and criticisms here. I encourage you to attend the next Heritage Festival Meeting and volunteer to help make it better.
It is easy to say…It is harder to DO!
Happy 4th to all! – God Bless America
The kids that attend Heritage fest (and there are lots of them) enjoy the rides. We have to scope it out during set- up to see what rides are going to be there. It is very fun for them also, not just an event for adults.
Everyone has been writing on here the past year in relation to the horrible economy but then wonder why the crowds at an overpriced festival are lower than recent years….. hmmmm.
Less money, fewer vendors.
Less money, fewer consumers.
Carnies are always a source of entertainment but $4 to ride a freaking tilt-a-wirl? Come on now…..
It is a once – a – year event.
Yes, the bands have always been a highlight but that seems to have been cut back quite a bit. (And I sort of understand that; many festivals have cut back on entertainment budgets the past year due to economic reasons) But music is what brings me (and my $) back repeatedly and this year I hardly attended the fest because this part was somewhat lacking. Less is not more when it comes to number and variety of music choices. Local/nationally known/rock/blues/country/polka/folk whatever. More live music, period!
Quite frankly, the village should sell the rights to the beer garden to a promoter. I realize that alot of the money raised by the beer garden goes to good causes, but the village should look at the beer garden as a profit center for HF. A responsible promoter would hire proper security (no disrespect to Martin Tully checking my ID, but is he Basset trained?). A good promoter would hire a band that would attract a large crowd through their own promotions. They know what makes economic sense versus a group of citizens (no disrespect to those wonderful volunteers). Just a thought, but I have had experience in what people want for their entertainment $. I would hate to see HF be eliminated due to budget cuts in the name of essential services.
That’s a good idea, worth trying at least once or twice to see what happens. It certainly simplifies that part of HF, and guarantees a profit. How hard would it be to put it out to bid and see if there’s any takers?
Tully might be disappointed, but I think he’ll survive…