Bele Chere

[ShipOfFools42]

Originally Posted by Jellobiafra

And while it was still early in the day, I noticed no one who was misbehaving

That's the thing, people don't really get out of hand until night time. That's when everyone is really hammered and making lots of noise and being rowdy. I have no problem with tourists overall, in fact the town rather depends on them due to lack of other industry, but drunk, noisy tourists with no respect for others are annoying in any town, not just Asheville.

Originally Posted by inave

But after some of the comments about tourists, perhaps we need to rethink. My question is, unless one never strays from home, isn't one a tourist at some point in one's life?

I wouldn't worry about it. As jello said, you won't notice any hostility when you're actually here. A lot of the time internet forums tend to be full of people with negative things to say. Just be a normal, respectful person like you would anywhere; you won't have any problems.

[Catbirds]

Originally Posted by inave

Wow, I got on this board to say how much my husband and I enjoyed our first trip ever to Asheville last weekend and how nice folks were and that we bought season tickets to Biltmore so we definitely plan to be back. But after some of the comments about tourists, perhaps we need to rethink. My question is, unless one never strays from home, isn't one a tourist at some point in one's life? I live in a tourist area and find it a nice compliment that so many people want to spend their time and money in my town. This thread aside, however, everyone we encountered, from hotel clerks to waitstaff were very nice and friendly.

Being from Blowing Rock and having such a brutal winter, we missed our tourists. Like it or not, we depend on tourism. Tourism feeds a lot of the families up here. We definitely need other industries to give locals better paying jobs. If you don't work for the University or the medical jobs up here, it can be very difficult to make a decent living. Instead of hurting the feelings of folks that visit our tourist towns and spend their hard earned money, write your Senators and remind them that N.C. has a western part of the state that could use some much needed good paying jobs. We seem to be forgotten when the state is luring companies here. It is as if Raleigh forgets us unless the government officials come up here to cool off. As a matter of fact, I wrote both Senators last week to remind them that we have been ignored and not everyone wants service industry jobs.

Getting back to the original subject, my brother has lived in Asheville for forty years and usually goes to Belle Chere for a day, if not the whole three days. I think maybe the town should think about charging if it is costing the town money. Merlefest charges and still plenty of people go. It might hold the crowd down some. I think Restaurants and Hotels had to have made some money. Personally I had a great time but I tend to have fun wherever I go.

[inave]

Actually, we were quite surprised when we heard that Bele Chere was free. None of the places we have lived have anything like that without charging admission, which is why I grew up in New Orleans and have never been to JazzFest! Catbirds, we have something in common. I enjoy life no matter where I go or what it brings and look for the fun in everything.

[RaleighLass]

Folks, we've had a lot of issues with people going totally off topic on this thread. While I understand that easy to do, you must abide by the terms of service and keep to the topic of the thread or I will have to delete your post.

Also, please, disagree with comments is OK, but no personal attacks!