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A long discussion followed on Facebook regarding the plans
outlined. That thread of comments is reprinted here
anonymously to protect the original commentor:
--------------------------------------- I think
the hotel stays will be lost..... sounds like more day trips to
lincoln than ppl actually coming for a whole jam packed weekend with
fun for everyone..... parents prob won't bring their kids to town
for a wine/ art event...... just not sure how this will all play out
as a positive.
Yesterday at 10:17am · Like · 4
Think this is a huge mistake........
Yesterday at 10:20am · Like · 3
[name withheld] -- did you see this?!
Yesterday at 10:22am · Like
Not a good idea at all.
Yesterday at 10:22am · Like · 2
I agree
Yesterday at 10:23am · Like · 1
It wasn't broke......Why try to change it?
Yesterday at 10:25am · Edited · Like · 9
Eek! Why would they make this change? I think there will be a steep
decline in attendees for both events.
Yesterday at 10:25am · Like · 5
Will people come 4 times or will they pick their 1 or 2 favorites?
Yesterday at 10:26am · Like · 2
This is my favorite weekend of the summer because of everything
going on....I won't come to two out of the 4 things and I'm local.
people from out of town sure aren't going to come back 4 times.,,,,
Yesterday at 10:27am · Like · 6
Not so sure about this. I love having it all in one it makes for a
fun weekend.
Yesterday at 10:27am · Like · 1
I just read [name withheld]. What additional things are they
bringing to the airport?
We love having the art part of the festival. Lincoln is a nice town
but there's not much to do. The art part of the festival was the
only reason to go to the downtown area.
I know that we won't be coming back to Lincoln for the other three
events.
Very disappointing!
Yesterday at 10:29am · Edited · Like · 3
I don't like this idea at all. I come down from the Chicago area
every year for the Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival AND The Art
Fair. I would rather spend my money at these events than on renting
a hotel room for two or more weekends. Ugh.
Yesterday at 10:29am · Like · 2
Big mistake.... people can't take time off and people save money and
time for this weekend....August is busy for alot of families....this
is a big event for alot of people.....only this weekend plz!!
Yesterday at 10:31am · Like · 1
Horrible idea
Yesterday at 10:32am · Like · 1
If it isn't broken wrong change it. People will not come to four
different things. It sounds like they have to much time on there
hands at the chamber.
Yesterday at 10:33am · Like
Wow, this is unfortunate. It is the synergy of all events happening
together that causes such success.
Yesterday at 10:37am · Like · 2
Maybe instead of separating all the events they should be thinking
about adding similar events through out the year. Keep the art and
balloon fest as it is and add events (smaller scale events) that
local people can enjoy. Locals will spend their money here if there
are opportunities to do so.
Yesterday at 10:37am · Like · 9
Fair week is almost here and I'm wondering if it's going to
disappoint me like last year. Now to hear their changing balloon
festival weekend. Not to sure about this.
Yesterday at 10:40am · Like
I dont like it. We enjoy everything at once. It makes for a fun
weekend
Yesterday at 10:44am · Like
Not happy. I agree that my out of town guests will probably not come at
all now. They come for everything the Balloonfest has to offer.
Maybe move BBC and wine tasting, but gotta leave the Art, Flea
Market and Antique Autos.
Yesterday at 10:46am · Like · 1
I agree, I am not sure separating them will draw crowds as the
combined weekend does. I wish them the best but I'm a little
skeptical. Right now there is a little something for everyone and we
have a lot of out of town guests come to dabble in a little of all
of it over the course of a weekend. I know they would not make the
trip for a single event. Hoping for the best.
Yesterday at 10:46am · Like · 1
I'm all for changing it up, but why don't they find things to add
throughout the year rather than moving things around?!
Yesterday at 10:51am · Like · 3
Why mess with something that is wonderful. U messed with the date of
the Christmas parade and that turned out to be bad. Leave the
balloon fest alone. If anything add events to the Christmas parade.
Make it bigger and better. The parade is getting pretty sad.
Yesterday at 10:53am · Like · 1
I don't like this idea!
Yesterday at 10:55am · Like
I understand adding events. Tearing apart current events as a means
to add something in other months is not a good solution. Adding a
weekend street Fest would be a better idea.
Yesterday at 10:56am · Like · 3
We come to Lincoln specifically for the events of the entire Balloon
festival/Art Fair weekend...we block it out every summer...It's hard
to get to town multiple weekends (and we live fairly close!) I hate
to see things spread out over too many dates.
Yesterday at 10:59am · Like · 4
Horrible idea, I don't think events like the wine tent, car show and
BBQ contest can pull enough out of town visitors. They are not
"stand alone events", but a nice compliment to the entire festival.
The demise of the Railsplitter should be a good example. Maybe
instead of breaking up a wonderful event, they should expand
festivities around Independence Day.
Yesterday at 11:01am · Like · 3
[Name withheld] said exactly what I was thinking!
Yesterday at 11:02am · Like · 1
I think its a good idea. It will allow the existing events to grow
and offer new things. Don't we get tired of the same thing every
single year?
Yesterday at 11:05am · Like · 1
I love it the way it is. Works great. People love it. Come from all
over. I understand obtaining volunteers is an issue, but ay ay ay.
I'll leave it at that.
Yesterday at 11:05am · Like · 8
They have a hard time getting enough volunteers for ONE weekend.
What makes them think they will get enough FOUR times?
Yesterday at 11:09am · Like · 8
[to top of second column] |
Moving the bbq contest away from balloon fest seems like a
bad idea less crowd for both. From what I heard complaint was
that hotels were to full businesses to busy had to turn people
away. My take if that's your problem your doing pretty good...
24 hrs · Like · 3 apparently
people don't get tired of the same thing look at all the comments.
The other three events are not stand alone events...do you really
want to come and just sit and watch someone cook bbq? If they want
to add some things to those events how on earth will they get the
volunteers to do that if they can't get enough for one weekend?? Art
fair vendors take in the balloon activities and balloon pilots and
crews and fans take in the art fair activities. The other three
activities are fillers and get business from the art and balloon
fest. This is going to ruin the whole thing and unfortunately I do
not see this event continuing after next year. Also, I work for the
probation department and have numerous clients who would love to
volunteer to get their court ordered hours completed and yet are
turned away every year because of their back ground. These are not
hardened criminals rather those that have DUI's, traffic offenses,
etc. They can pick up trash, direct traffic, refill toilet paper
just as good as the next person. Beggers can't be choosers..
23 hrs · Like · 11
Bbq contest brought alot of life and traffic back into a dwindling
event big mistake separating the two.
23 hrs · Like · 2
I didn't post this to bash or anything along those lines. We all
know I love Lincoln. I just wanted to get community input. I
personally love the event the way that it is, and would love to see
it around for as long as possible. If this change really is
happening, I hope that people still support it. I just love that
huge weekend and the unbelievably huge crowds that I see loving on
our community!
23 hrs · Like · 6
The article states, I quote, "Conversations began in September of
last year among organizers of the Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival and
a few leaders in the community. The conversation soon expanded to
include many others". Apparently "NO ONE" who is commenting here,
was included in any of those conversations which must have taken
place in the cleaning closet of the old Gem Lunch building.
23 hrs · Like · 11
Leave it like it is and bring back Heritage Days around the 4th of
July. It was growing when it stopped.
23 hrs · Like · 6
Boo. Remember the first year when you had Foghat? Make an event
downtown with a "good"band and block some streets off. Don't think
you an get people to come here that much.
23 hrs · Like · 4
Well.... I think everyone on here has said the right thing.
Absolutely horrible idea!!!!!!!! Our town has nothing else to
support separating these events. Adding more events throughout the
year is a great idea, buy leave the balloon fest alone. Lincoln and
Logan county gas already ruined the fair by forcing people to spend
more money then its worth. It's not even enjoyable to go anymore.
Keep the balloon fest the way it is. Low cost family fun. " it
doesn't even matter what we the people say anyway the chamber will
do what they want!!!!!!!"
23 hrs · Like
Sounds like some good ideas in motion!
22 hrs · Like · 1
perhaps it's the "organizers" that can't handle it all at once.
22 hrs · Like
Unfortunately. The rail splitter festival needs beefed up. I don't
even go there anymore
21 hrs · Like
I agree that I will still support all the activities, when I can, if this
is the way it's headed. My concern is anyone who enjoys coming from
farther than 60 minutes away may not want to drive that round trip
for less activities....especially if ballooners dwindle because they
have less to do as well. Will the Artisan's who display/sell still
come another weekend if the big draw of the balloons are not there??
A lot of risk going in this direction.....
20 hrs · Like · 1
Not a good move
18 hrs · Like · 1
I can understand wanting to add to the railsplitting festival and
the up in smoke day. I just don't think they have to take away from
the balloon festival to accomplish that.
17 hrs · Like · 3
Don't fix what's not broke. Mistake
16 hrs · Like · 4
Couldn't agree more, [name withheld]Doris! It's a TERRIBLE
idea to split things up. People won't travel back for less to do.
12 hrs · Like · 1
After attending the balloon event for 25 years, I've found the
problem is with the staff. 2013 your director went out of her way
not to speak to me. I attend many top balloon festivals throughout
the country and feel the your event is on "auto-pilot." Because of
the attitude this is a dying event. I've made a couscous decision
NOT to attend this years event.
3 hrs · Like
I believe the Chamber should read all these comments. General rule
of thumb: For every 1 complaint, 100 others feel the same way. It's
not too late, Listen to what the people are saying. You haven't
considered that people have jobs. They can't take all these extra
days off. You haven't considered the economy. The cost for travel
and lodging would not be feasible. Why take away a great weekend end
that people can plan for, and amaze them with the wonderful events
for a great little vacation. Whoever decided this needs to call an
emergency meeting and put it back together. You are going to hurt
our local business because if travelers can't enjoy and fun filled
weekend, they won't come at all. Come on Chamber, WE, the people of
Lincoln, need to have a say in this. Listen and learn.
47 mins · Like · 1
-------------------------------- As
it can plainly be read, the tone of these 49 comments seems to be
negative about the plans for the 2015 Art and Balloon Fest.
Many of the comments offer good insight or good advice regarding
what might be done instead.
Perhaps the planners and organizeers can answer these comments
and provide rationale for the proposed changes. LDN has decided to
reprint these Facebook comments because this festival belongs to the
community and, as one commentor remarked, we wish those in charge
would be able to read these comments.
[LDN] |
