IS this usually the same day as the Balloon race? There were so many things going on yesterday. Dutchtown Better Block, Dogtown Musicfest, S Grand Fall Fest, UCBC Oktoberfest, Cardinals game. Such a positive thing.
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^ I didn't know about Dutchtown Better Block... did anyone make it? S. Grand Fall Fest was nice.... it will be interesting to see how the new Ritz Park works on the everyday level and it would have been insane if Rooster were already open.
Yes.Ebsy wrote:Slightly off topic, but the other festival that fled to Chesterfield, Bluesweek, had only 1/3 of the attendance it had when held in the City. If Taste of St. Louis goes similarly, do you guys think they will consider returning?
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According to the news attendance was good if not great and most of the vendors where happy. Could have just been propaganda but early signs seem to point to the move as successful. Whether we like it or not its new home may be Chesterfield for the forseeable future.
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Consider returning? they didn't want to leave in the first place, the city gave them the boot because of Summer Concerts LLCEbsy wrote:Slightly off topic, but the other festival that fled to Chesterfield, Bluesweek, had only 1/3 of the attendance it had when held in the City. If Taste of St. Louis goes similarly, do you guys think they will consider returning?
Can "Taste" go back downtown if they drop the music?dbInSouthCity wrote:Consider returning? they didn't want to leave in the first place, the city gave them the boot because of Summer Concerts LLCEbsy wrote:Slightly off topic, but the other festival that fled to Chesterfield, Bluesweek, had only 1/3 of the attendance it had when held in the City. If Taste of St. Louis goes similarly, do you guys think they will consider returning?
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^ Was Taste even considered competition under the bill? Seems like Forest Park could be a consideration as well.
If you guys recall -
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/blog ... l?page=all
Taste would have been exempt under the bill as they did not fall in the time period - Blues Week may have been in jeopardy, but it has not been a ticketed event, so it would have been allowed to stay.
They left of their own accord - and moving Taste may have been retaliatory
Bottom line - things like these events do not turn on a dime, preparations are done a year or more in advance - not 6 or 8 months beforehand - My guess is that moving them was considered before Summer Rocks was an issue - It just provided them a way out
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/blog ... l?page=all
Taste would have been exempt under the bill as they did not fall in the time period - Blues Week may have been in jeopardy, but it has not been a ticketed event, so it would have been allowed to stay.
They left of their own accord - and moving Taste may have been retaliatory
Bottom line - things like these events do not turn on a dime, preparations are done a year or more in advance - not 6 or 8 months beforehand - My guess is that moving them was considered before Summer Rocks was an issue - It just provided them a way out
We'll see what happens after the upper Muny lot gets renovated. It could be an ideal spot.roger wyoming II wrote:^ Was Taste even considered competition under the bill? Seems like Forest Park could be a consideration as well.
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/morn ... elift.html
...The project will include new trees and plantings, improved pedestrian and vehicular flow, water and power access and tent and pavilion anchors, benches and drinking fountains...
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I would rather see them downtown instead of Forest Park. I don't see FP as a great venue for festivals.
But if downtown isn't an option, I'll easily take FP over Chesterfield.downtown2007 wrote:I would rather see them downtown instead of Forest Park. I don't see FP as a great venue for festivals.
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I would rather see them downtown instead of Forest Park. I don't see FP as a great venue for festivals.
really...?Curious do you have a reasoning for that? Its certainly is the largest contiguous open space within the city limits. Is very central to the region considering the population imbalance to the Missouri side. And two Metrolink stops withing reasonable proximity. Fair St. Louis was there and was considered to be a incredible success by every account i heard. I mean Forest Park was basically designed for Festivals...
Is there a reason Closing Market function better than Forest Park...?
I get the need to spread the festivals around. Not every festival can be held in Forest Park. Fair StL in my mind would move back to the Arch in a few years. It'd be nice to see some love for Fairgrounds and Carondolet Parks as well. But for TOSTL I think it Forest Park makes a lot of sense. Especially if they could use the Muny for ticketed live performances like the did with the chesterfield amphitheatre. Downtown can't really offer anything like that.
Apparently they are commited to Chesterfield for 3 years though, so we may know whether the Rams are staying or going before we find out about TOSTLs future location.
I asked a friend via public on Facebook how the Taste of Chesterfield was. She asked me to delete the post as she was told they'd be watching for negative comments.
Via PM she said her business was down 50%.
Via PM she said her business was down 50%.
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So the TOSTL mafia is forcing news agencies and vendors to report positive outcomes for moving the festival? Not saying you are lying but it seems hard to wrap my head around.I asked a friend via public on Facebook how the Taste of Chesterfield was. She asked me to delete the post as she was told they'd be watching for negative comments.
Via PM she said her business was down 50%.
Most of the reporting has seemed pretty much 'Great and Powerful Oz' rather than 'Man Behind the Curtain' so I could believe there is propaganda in the reporting. Even the RFT had very little to say.
Still I don't trust this site completely either as many who post here were rooting for epic failure. As great a resource as this is, the slant toward city at the counties expense is pervasive.
What does your friend have to lose from giving an honest public accounting, and how could the organizers expect to keep a lid on it?
Since you doubted I asked her. She said nobody told them to edit, but the rumor among the vendors was to keep the complaints offline.STLEnginerd wrote:So the TOSTL mafia is forcing news agencies and vendors to report positive outcomes for moving the festival? Not saying you are lying but it seems hard to wrap my head around.
Not getting invited back or being given a crappy booth spot.STLEnginerd wrote:What does your friend have to lose from giving an honest public accounting, and how could the organizers expect to keep a lid on it?
She also said:
-load/unload also took a lot longer due to distances.
-they were on grass/straw. If it had been wet it would have been miserable.
-at least cell coverage was much better.
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I remember the Gateway Mall Conservancy was close to announcing a permanent amphitheater/stage area shortly after the Citygarden opening.... not sure quite what happened. Anyway, I think it would be good to take a renewed look at whether that would be a good move as I think it would facilitate the ease of putting on functions. I could be wrong, but downtown seems to lack some of the programming of similar-sized cities.
For downtown events around Soldier's Memorial, I would like to see a few super-events a year that would require some pretty significant street closures, but I'd really be happy to see a regular calendar of unique but manageable events that would bring diverse audiences throughout the year but not necessarily require substantial street closures, (which if they occur regularly on weekends can be a pain for the residents and businesses.) That's why I think Forest Park is a great back-up for the good-sized festivals. And perhaps a permanent but flexible stage/event area on the mall to handle a range of modest events. I suppose the Keiner Plaza was to serve that function to a degree, but the space doesn't quite work and I believe is going to say farewell soon.
For downtown events around Soldier's Memorial, I would like to see a few super-events a year that would require some pretty significant street closures, but I'd really be happy to see a regular calendar of unique but manageable events that would bring diverse audiences throughout the year but not necessarily require substantial street closures, (which if they occur regularly on weekends can be a pain for the residents and businesses.) That's why I think Forest Park is a great back-up for the good-sized festivals. And perhaps a permanent but flexible stage/event area on the mall to handle a range of modest events. I suppose the Keiner Plaza was to serve that function to a degree, but the space doesn't quite work and I believe is going to say farewell soon.
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STLEnginerd wrote:I would rather see them downtown instead of Forest Park. I don't see FP as a great venue for festivals.
really...?Curious do you have a reasoning for that? Its certainly is the largest contiguous open space within the city limits. Is very central to the region considering the population imbalance to the Missouri side. And two Metrolink stops withing reasonable proximity. Fair St. Louis was there and was considered to be a incredible success by every account i heard. I mean Forest Park was basically designed for Festivals...
Is there a reason Closing Market function better than Forest Park...?
I don't feel the festivals in Forest Park are well connected with the surrounding neighborhoods. Many times they are in the middle of the park and take forever to walk to the nearest water hole, restaurant, or metro stop. See the Brewfest.
That's not the case with them at Soldiers Memorial. Better connected and you feel as if you are in the middle if the city.
But if downtown is not an option: where do we go? What would you prefer if Forest Park isn't a good option? I'm not challenging: I'm just asking.downtown2007 wrote:STLEnginerd wrote:I would rather see them downtown instead of Forest Park. I don't see FP as a great venue for festivals.
Curious do you have a reasoning for that? Its certainly is the largest contiguous open space within the city limits. Is very central to the region considering the population imbalance to the Missouri side. And two Metrolink stops withing reasonable proximity. Fair St. Louis was there and was considered to be a incredible success by every account i heard. I mean Forest Park was basically designed for Festivals...
Is there a reason Closing Market function better than Forest Park...?
I don't feel the festivals in Forest Park are well connected with the surrounding neighborhoods. Many times they are in the middle of the park and take forever to walk to the nearest water hole, restaurant, or metro stop. See the Brewfest.
That's not the case with them at Soldiers Memorial. Better connected and you feel as if you are in the middle if the city.
The Post says that the Highland Games are moving from Forest Park to Chesterfield.
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The news report last night stated that they needed to move because of animal regulations and space concerns in Forest Park. The parks department frowned on sheep herding.
Bye.
Truthfully, I never heard of them, although it sounds like it's a fun event for those who participate. This is another lame move. Perhaps they have good reasons, but Forest Park is huge, so space isn't a particularly good one.
The animal regulations one feels more valid. That's an issue I won't even begin to dive into, haha.
But, the organization is headquartered in Town & Country, so I'm sure they don't feel too much pain doing this.
Truthfully, I never heard of them, although it sounds like it's a fun event for those who participate. This is another lame move. Perhaps they have good reasons, but Forest Park is huge, so space isn't a particularly good one.
The animal regulations one feels more valid. That's an issue I won't even begin to dive into, haha.
But, the organization is headquartered in Town & Country, so I'm sure they don't feel too much pain doing this.
Was it them or another "games" event that tore the hell out of the park when they removed equipment the day after heavy rains?
Accidentally found out they are having a 1st Annual Taste of the City at the Lumiere Casino/Four Seasons today in the landing parking lots. I hope it's a success. I think the original taste is still in Chesterfield again this year.