It really was a great time this weekend. The local Damascus volunteers had done a great job preparing for the event. The weather was really pretty good. The rain on Saturday night only slightly dampened the enthusiasm. The police did a great job with thier official duties. The stinky masses behaved themselves very well... I could and should continue about the positive things and overall it really was a great Trail Days... so why the BUT?
Several years ago there was great discussion here about a fee being charged for the first time. I felt then that it was only common sense that those camping at the "NEW" tent city should help pay for the costs associated with camping there. The city of Damascus promised improvements to the grounds and bathhouse paid for with some of the proceeds. Now several years later these things are the same as they were that first year and the fee has been doubled.
I was surprised to see that friends/family and hikers staying in the towns B&B's, at The Place or drivng into Damascus for just the day had to pay to just walk into the campground for any reason.
Many even had to pay the 5$ to come in to see the Gear reps. The vendors tried to have this stopped but I personally saw many people told that EVERY PERSON walking into the campground must pay the 5$. Many of these people walked away. Without cell phone service friends/family could not even notify those inside the campground.
If they were driving they also had to pay the 15$ parking fee. One officer told me that he was told that the bonfire was an event that people had to pay to attend? HUH???? Each night I was also told at the gate by officers that the Campground was SOLD OUT... not just the very limited parking but to walk ins as well. I had family turned away personally!
I feel that this unfairly places the financial burden of paying for Trail Days expenses directly on the people staying in the campground or visiting there... There is NO parking fee's anywhere else in town for any other events. There is no "ADDMISSION FEE" for any other public events that I am aware of... but sitting beside a fire for a couple of hours costs 5$. or coming to see your friends and family... or seeing the gear reps...
I also wonder why the officers are also the ones that are responsible for greeting campground guests and vistors and selling the addmission passes? I have never thought of this before but I have not ever seen this at any other kind of festival anywhere. I felt bad that these officers were asked repeatedly questions that they did not know the answers to. Most of them are not from Damascus or even familiar with the layout of the town. Thier directions for parking alternatives sometimes led to tickets. They were frustrated and tired of hearing the same questions.
I am just wondering if this had any one elses attention or if I am just PMS'ing?