First, the fireworks display was very entertaining this year. This was my second year living in Duluth and my first actually attending Fourth Fest festivities down at Bayfront Festival Park.
However, my experience was met with many ridiculous encounters.
I don't know if people are just content with the parking situation after all these years, but parking was insane. I know someone else might own this property or that property down near the festival grounds, but the city should have sunk some money into building multi-level parking garages or should have at least paved more roads in the area. The state is ripping up an interstate I had no problem driving on while a majority of city streets remain a problem.
A single parent of three, I had to park a good distance away, on grass -- and then walk past a legitimate parking lot with actual parking spaces that was barely being used. This lot appeared to be for vendors or event staff. I say have the vendors and staff park a distance away and let patrons park closer. At retail stores employees don't get to park at the entrance; they park in the back. Concerns about their safety are abated with a few lights or a shuttle bus.
After my kids and I trekked the distance and finally stepped into the rock quarry -- I mean, the Thomas Carnival -- there were a couple more situations. What was the deal with not cleaning up or paving the area for a carnival? It became quite annoying weaving my kid's stroller around rock after rock while bouncing around like in some off-road adventure. And what was with carnival employees smoking and looking like they just finished a 15-hour construction shift? How about some standards and personal respect for people paying for overpriced fun?
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Finally, whose idea was it to hire security for the entrance into Bayfront? Seriously, next year have me take off my shoes and belt and have a photo ID ready instead of patting me down to make sure I wasn't bringing in anything vendors weren't selling inside. I was told, "They don't want people sneaking in alcohol and have a bunch of drunks running around." The experience was mind-numbing even after the explanation. But I forged ahead until I walked in -- and alcohol was being sold.
That did it for me. I am not going inside the gates next year. Sure, there was a nice open grass area on which to sit, but there are at least several other places in the city where I can enjoy the fireworks and drink my own water.
I had a great time, as did my kids. But this event is an annual tradition -- and there are still a whole lot of things that need to be worked on, including smoking in public places.
Stephen Oertel lives in Duluth.
