Buggy Days: YAY or NAY

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in Opinion

Monday, September 21. 2009

Comments (35)

The weekend has drawn to a close. The streets are welcoming traffic again. The vendors have packed up and moved on. There is no more smell of fried delights in the air.

So do we chalk this annual festival as a success or perhaps something less than?

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#1 Anonymous on 09/21/09 at 08:05 AM

I like the fact that we celebrate something so dear to the city.. but I really think a little more constructive planning needs to be done with it. Vendors are just scattered all over with no rhyme or reason. There are too many vendors that sell the same thing and not enough that sell others. It's too spread out and really takes up too much room the way they lay it out every year. Maybe they should look at having it some where else and only shutting main street down for the parade. Having it in another location may allow for more vendors and food, lay out better, and add things for kids to do other than what is there.
But that is just my opinion and I am sure some one will not like it.

#2 Enoc Siuol on 09/21/09 at 08:24 AM

I went and enjoyed the parade, food, friends, pyrotechnics and many other venues the festival had to offer.

What would you do differently? Prohibit politicians from partaking or soliciting in the parade. Insure better continuity of the entries marching and riding in the parade.

What do you think was a huge success this year?
Even though it was the “muggly days” festival the overcast and the breeze kept the temps in an acceptable level. The precipitation was nothing an umbrella could not handle. It was a good year.

#3 Anonymous on 09/21/09 at 08:36 AM

The city needs to pay more attention to the businesses that are already in town and be more considerate to them during these festivals. These businesses are the ones that pay the bills year round. Every year they are forced to close because access to their stores are cut off. The city caters to the "foreigners" and neglects the locals. Whats the status of the Mr. Protecht's plant again?

#4 Anonymous on 09/21/09 at 09:03 AM

The committee did a great job once again! Thanks to all of you for your hard work in pulling off another Buggy Days!

#5 anonymous on 09/21/09 at 09:10 AM

Yeah a new location is a must. Barnesville was the Buggy Capital of the world-So we should move it to the Ga Dome. Like HS Football games. More food is a must also -Had as many vendors serving food as probably the Mall of America's food court. But more is better! Next year we should invite Six Flags to Bring us some Roller coasters. Need some Go carts too. Kids got even Pony Rides this year -they had close to everything that comes to any festival in the south so be more specific about what you are saying #1 anonymous, What new vendors would you have -What new location-andWhat new kids stuff.

#6 Anonymous on 09/21/09 at 09:24 AM

After more than 30 years the whole thing needs a rethink. What works, what doesn't? Can it be done in a way that is less inconvenient for those who do not want to participate? Are two festivals a year(BBQ and Blues Fesitival)one festival too many? The list of questions is endless.

#7 Anonymous on 09/21/09 at 09:42 AM

When we had a business uptown, Buggy Days was one of our best weekends! Use it as free advertising! We would have people in and out all day. Offer free water or some nice AC it gets people in our shop and they will come back! we also set up tables right outside and had people buying all day long! Buggy Days was always GREAT for business!!

I think the Chamber did a wonderful job this year!! Way to go Tim and Amanda!!

#8 Anonymous on 09/21/09 at 09:45 AM

in my opinion, Buggy Days was great this year just like every other year. It ia a Barnesville tradtion and it should not be moved anywhere. it is fine right downtown. The businesses that open up in town know that we have a festival every year 3rd weekend in Sept. so they make the choice of closing their doors during the festival, not the town. This year many businesses stayed open and did really good business because of Buggy Days. i think Buggy Days is just fine the way it is. This year was just a little off because of the weather. I wouldnt change anything.

#9 anonymous on 09/21/09 at 10:07 AM

How many businesses closed? 1 New one opened. Alot more did booming business. My guess is the economic impact of this weekend for the city and county = 5 to 10 Sat. for all the business in downtown. If the vendors sales are reported and taxed the few that are forced or decide to close will never = that economc impact. Sorry you chose to close. Might have had a chance to get some out of town money. On a regular sat. how many people or possible customers come down main street. Takes alot to= the amount at Buggydays doesn't it. McD was selling water for a $1. Give it away rest of year. Had to do it so they would not lose money or run out of cups-so many customes If I was a business I would find a way to tap into this...Not act like anyone but the ones that closed didn't make up the difference then some.

#10 Muggy Days on 09/21/09 at 10:49 AM

Numbers were definitely lacking this year, but that was probably due to the rain. I think Buggy Days should stay downtown, but that it could use a fresh look. It would be great to see more vendors with unique items. It would also be great to see more craftsman-style work being performed but I know that takes more interest from the craftsmen, and not anything that the organizers did wrong. I noticed that they didnt have the bands playing this year, probably because many people didnt go out of their way to get to Ritz Park last year to listen. It would be great if they had a spot to play, like in FNB parking lot, so that people could get their food, relax in the shade, and listen to some entertaining music, even if it is just local bands playing cover songs. Anyway, thanks to the organizers for all their hard work in bring another Buggy Days to Barnesville!

#11 Anonymous on 09/21/09 at 11:34 AM

the numbers of people attending have been steady falling over the past 9 years. You can clearly see that just by being up there all day. Used to, you could hang it up if you thought you could just walk in a straight line where you needed to go. Having a stroller up there was the biggest headache ever. You would have to turn sideways and wiggle your way through people just to get where you were going. This hasnt been the case the past years and its just getting worse. I dont think i bumped in to the first person all weekend. plenty of room to move around. See if you can pull up pics of downtown 10 years ago and look at pics from last year and see the difference.

#12 Sandra Bray on 09/21/09 at 11:45 AM

We had a great time as always! There are good suggestions...the music is a great idea...but over all, Barnesville once again put on a pretty face and rose to the occasion! We love Buggy Days and BBQ & Blues, proof is that both festivals are successful and supported!
Kudos to all involved in planning and staging!
Great job!

#13 Anonymous on 09/21/09 at 12:14 PM

All I know is it would take about 20 people to get a full set of teeth...there were some moon crickets out there this weekend.

#14 redbone on 09/21/09 at 12:19 PM

The city sanitation workers should be the honorees that ride in the buggies and floats next year. Without their hard work we would drown in our own trash. I worked a food booth and watched people throw trash on the ground, get up from tables and leave their trash when a trash can was right in front of them. Thank you for all that you do, I appreciate each of you.

#15 Anonymous on 09/21/09 at 01:13 PM

Buggy Days is the same thing every year. I know that most people really enjoy it, but it has gotten old to me. I just assume stay home or go to another festival for different scenery.

#16 slm on 09/21/09 at 02:18 PM

Love Buggy Days. It is great the way it is for the most part. The kiddie park had some pretty hateful workers this year who were just downright mean to some kids, but it seemed Ms. Phillips was handling it with aplomb. But everything else was great. Good fun, good food, I did see some new crafts. Buggy Days is a Barnesville tradition and just fine the way it is....(maybe we should bring back the greased pole?!!lol)

#17 look for the good on 09/21/09 at 02:47 PM

If its old 2 you then don't go.

#18 MINICoop on 09/21/09 at 03:17 PM

I think more security at night would be in order. My wife and I went to check out the new pizza joint, and all of the local thugs were running around yelling obscenities and talking on cell phones...If I were a vendor, I would be camping out right in my booth...no telling who will walk away with your merchandise.

#19 me says on 09/21/09 at 03:53 PM

a parking garage would be a good addition and it would generate revenue too. barnesville should be a parking free area every day. i vote a parking garage with a trolly.

#20 Anonymous on 09/21/09 at 05:41 PM

My family and I went into a business we'd never ventured into and spent more in there than we did out in the craft fair.

#21 Anonymous on 09/21/09 at 05:47 PM

The ten dollar armband is a rip-off. I'm glad I didn't have 4 or 5 kids - they'd have been sad not to get to do the few piddling things that were offered. The kids' area should be much more affordable, and an armband should be optional.

#22 Anonymous on 09/21/09 at 05:52 PM

"I just assume to stay home"...take an English class online while you are staying home or get out and volunteer to do something instead of complaining!

#23 Anonymous on 09/21/09 at 06:02 PM

there was free parking with free shuttle ride from gordon college.thank you for that oppurtunity.

#24 Anonymous on 09/21/09 at 08:07 PM

The parade was great Give it up for the Band of Gold, Griffin High band was the bomb our band was ok too.

#25 Gene on 09/21/09 at 08:23 PM

Loved the buggys and wagons ..that is a lot more than last year.. all but one animal was healthy... the donkey pulling the buggy was overloaded and my kids cried when it almost fell down to it knees.. it could hardly keep up with the others in the parade..The owners and buggy riders of that donkey should have known better that to put a starving animal in the parade..Someone needs to screen the health of the animals.. Glad the Buggys were in front as that is the idea of buggys days horse drawn buggies. Otherwise our family will be back next year for another good time

#26 Julie Ann Knott on 09/21/09 at 09:06 PM

I didn't get to see or hear the LC Band, but
I have to agree with you about the Griffin band. I was on the Dolly Goodpuppy float in front of them and the two girls that were carrying the banner never missed a step and kept smiling the whole time. Great Job! (They were about the only thing I could see!) But I had a great time!

#27 MINICoop on 09/21/09 at 09:08 PM

I remember seeing that...I thought it looked like it was struggling a bit.

#28 Julie Ann Knott on 09/21/09 at 09:50 PM

I saw the buggy with the donkey too, it was sad.

I realize this is Buggy Days and it's about the buggies. But in the defense of the antique cars... It is very hard to drive some of the old 8 cyl engines, (the 4 banger A models are used to these speeds anyway) if you are having to follow the horses or you are pushed back farther in the parade. A lot of the antique cars over heat sitting in the parade route. I think this is why there is not a large antique/vintage car participation. There were several T-Birds pulled off on side of Spencer Street having trouble with their cars Saturday. I don't know if it could be a timing issue. Maybe let all the buggies, bands, floats, etc., in first up to a certain point and then start the cars where there is a larger gap to keep them moving? Just a thought....

#29 Anonymous on 09/21/09 at 11:26 PM

I thought the pooper scooper crew did a great job

#30 Anonymous on 09/22/09 at 04:50 AM

who ever owned the donkey should have been reported to an agency. The donkey didnt get like that from the ride there nor should have been under that kind of stress. We need a name. They should have info @ the chamber of commerce right or has KR done away with all that ever so smoothly.

#31 Anonymous on 09/22/09 at 07:02 AM

What is a moon cricket?

#32 Anonymous on 09/22/09 at 08:45 AM

I have 2 kids who both were solidly entertained for more than 5 hours Sunday at the kids park. They threw a fit when I fianlly drug tham away from it. Where else can you take kids to do something they love doind for $10 each all day? The movies? NOT! Six Flags? NOT! The zoo? NOT! The kids park was huge value, and the kids could stay all day and do whatever they wanted as amny times as hey wanted. Way to go Buggy Days planners! Thanks for thinking about the little kids.

#33 Anonymous on 09/22/09 at 10:08 PM

I just couldn't believe the way the school bands in the parade dressed and danced. What ever happened to respect and pride?
I couldn't get over it, the CHILDREN out there in the street, might as well have been pole dancing.
Funny, just a few years ago they stopped Troy Turner from doing his gypsy dance with the diamond in his belly, yet they allow this trash.

#34 Anonymous on 09/24/09 at 08:00 AM

Why don't you suggest to the Chamber that they go back to the way it used to be - where you were charged $5 for each jumpy thing or $7.50 for the rock climbing wall - would you like that again? The last time I checked, that was way more than $10 a kid to play on everything. What an idiot.

#35 Anonymous on 09/24/09 at 09:32 PM

Yea people complain about spending 10.00 for a child to have fun but yet buy 2 packs of cigarettes.... I agree you can not take a child anywhere to have that much fun for 10.00!! Keep up the good work and enjoy Buggy Days!!!

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