Neptune Festival proposed charges to view sand sculptures? (oceanfront, costs)

[LilyLady]

This fall, the Neptune Festival is going to start charging $3 to view the sand sculptures which will now be under a tent instead of just open air. The article says the tent will enable the sculptures to be viewed longer than 2-1/2 days and the tent will also be equipped with lights for night viewing.

FULL ARTICLE HERE

I'm just wondering if any of you that attend the festival every year will change your minds about attending this year?

[LilyLady]

Originally Posted by LilyLady

This fall, the Neptune Festival is going to start charging $3 to view the sand sculptures which will now be under a tent instead of just open air. The article says the tent will enable the sculptures to be viewed longer than 2-1/2 days and the tent will also be equipped with lights for night viewing.

FULL ARTICLE HERE

I'm just wondering if any of you that attend the festival every year will change your minds about attending this year?

I'm really not a cheapskate, especially over $3 - but there is one thing I wonder about - people in wheelchairs. My husband uses a wheelchair because he can't stand for very long. Last year we were able to view the sculptures from the boardwalk (albeit in between other people) but at least we could see enough to get some pictures every now and then. Now with the sculptures under a tent we won't even be able to do that!

Last year the wheelchair accessible bathroom had been placed at the bottom of some steps. We had to take him and the chair down to it. And now we have to get him and his chair down on the beach and into a tent to see the sculptures? And pay for it?

I think not.

[AnnaInMD]

Unbelievable. Pretty soon there will be gates on either end of the boardwalk .............

[It's Cin!]

Honestly, I probably wouldn't pay it. With all the other costs for my family of five to visit the beach (parking, drinks, snacks, etc.) adding in the cost to view the sand sculptures just wouldn't be in the budget.

[LilyLady]

Originally Posted by It's Cin!

Honestly, I probably wouldn't pay it. With all the other costs for my family of five to visit the beach (parking, drinks, snacks, etc.) adding in the cost to view the sand sculptures just wouldn't be in the budget.

You're right about that. The cost per person quickly adds to a family's budget. I understand there's going to be free admission for kids, but I'm not sure what ages will be classified as free.

Even so, it's still more money that a family would have to spend. And so many prices are already inflated just because it's the Neptune Festival! Last year the cost of a SMALL bottle of water on the Oceanfront was $3.00!!! I walked one block over, went to a 7-11 and bought a LARGE bottle of water for $1.29. Sad.... and that's just one example.

[PeppermintChapstick]

LilyLady, maybe I'm becoming cynical, but I can't say that I'm shocked at yet another example of greed.

But what makes me really angry is the lack of wheelchair access! How can they get away with this? The part about the wheelchair access bathroom being at the bottom of steps made my blood boil. Where are the laws? Shouldn't there be wheelchair access to the tent?

I was in wheelchair for a little over a month last summer after a car accident. Certainly changes one's perspective.

[LilyLady]

Originally Posted by PeppermintChapstick

LilyLady, maybe I'm becoming cynical, but I can't say that I'm shocked at yet another example of greed.

But what makes me really angry is the lack of wheelchair access! How can they get away with this? The part about the wheelchair access bathroom being at the bottom of steps made my blood boil. Where are the laws? Shouldn't there be wheelchair access to the tent?

I was in wheelchair for a little over a month last summer after a car accident. Certainly changes one's perspective.

Yes, it certainly can change one's perspective. I almost wish it was a prerequisite for event planners to have spent at least one month in a wheelchair. Then they would know what wheelchair accessible actually involves. The reason I say 'almost wish' is because in all honesty I wouldn't wish misfortune on anyone, but I surely do wish they had more insight into what a disabled person has to deal with... (but that's a topic for a different thread, I think).

I was dumbfounded when I saw where the wheelchair accessible portable restroom had been located! At one end of the "designated walkway " were four steps. At the other end of the viewing area was another set of stairs! My husband can walk short distances but stairs are absolutely out of the question for him. So he stayed in his chair; we remained on the boardwalk and viewed the sand sculptures from there.

[ChessieMom]

I've gone to see it every year. Much of the enjoyment is the fact that I am OUTSIDE in the sunshine, at the beach. I won't be there if they tent it and charge. How ridiculous.