Carefree Truth
                      Issue #731, March 17, 2019


Gary Neiss suggested an alternative for Layout #1, with the Kids' Zone remaining open.  Like last year, there would be an admission booth selling wristbands, which would be required for access to the attractions.  This would not only save money by removing the need there for fencing and a gate, but would maintain the natural organic flow of visitors to the businesses, which experienced an increase in business due to the critical mass of families during last year's Pumpkin Festival.  Fencing off that area would present a "Berlin Wall".

Mr. Neiss also noted that the peak time for the Kids' Zone was on the weekends.  In his opinion, the Kids' Zone should not be there during the week, leaving the street open to traffic for the restaurants and businesses.  The peaks after dinner during the week tended to be generated by those coming to see the displays in the Gardens.  He also noted that the security worked well last year to keep the traffic flow vs. pedestrians moving on Easy Street.


Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer agreed with Mr. Neiss about not fencing the Kids' Zone, saying that concerns over the impact on the businesses of 10 days of fencing had been expressed.  She asked if there would be a different admission fee on the weekdays if the Kids' Zone were absent.  Mr. Neiss said yes.  Ms. Kroyer pointed out that the 2 midweek YMCA Carving Nights are popular with families and asked if the food trucks and the Beer Garden would be there for those nights.  Mr. Neiss replied that supporting elements could be considered for Carving Nights or concerts, depending on the event program.


Mayor Les Peterson said he agreed. He also wanted to work in concert with the merchants that would be affected by the parking lot closures adjacent to the Gardens.  Corrado pointed out the cars can't turn around.  Councilman Gene Orrico said, "It's a problem".



Councilman Vince D'Aliesio pointed out that the Pumpkin Festival is a signature event for the town.  He felt that closing it off with fencing would be akin to closing off the town and would put a strain on the merchants.  A lot of foot traffic is helpful.  It wouldn't necessarily be less congested if fenced.



Mr. D'Aliesio's other concern was charging admission.  He felt it was unfair.  He has 3 kids at home.  It could be expensive for families just to walk through the exhibits, and he thought it could limit desired participation in the event.  The added traffic is a strain but Carefree welcomes people.  He suggested raising the prices of wristbands, Beer Garden libations, vendor fees, and taking over more concessions to recover costs, but he didn't want to punish those who come from great distances around the Valley by charging admission.  He also questioned if the $90,000-$167,000 extra it would cost for fencing, etc. would definitely be recouped.  He agreed that cost recovery was important, but that the Town was not in business to make money.


Mr. Orrico agreed with Mr. D'Aliesio.  But he said the problem is that the Town has lost hundreds of thousands of dollars since starting this event, plus ancillary costs such as work done by the Public Works Department, and wear and tear on the Town's equipment.  He understood the desire to recoup costs, but it is unfair to families, and he knew that it would cut down attendance greatly.  He noted that the costs are really escalating.


Mayor Peterson noted that most events in the Valley, particularly the better ones, do charge admission.  Places such as the Heard Museum and the electric light show during the holiday season all charge.  If Carefree doesn't charge, we run the risk of loosing our main attraction.  Los Angeles or the Phoenix Botanical Gardens may offer a significantly better deal.  They tried to "run at the wall with a lot of different aspects" and couldn't see any other way than charging.  Different pricing structures for families, and limited fencing to help the businesses would be considered.



Mr. Orrico said that a good part of the town was vacant when the Pumpkin Festival began.  Last year, Spanish Village was mostly vacant.  This year, Keeler's Steak House is there.  He was planning to meet with their manager to hear how they did with the fencing up for the Thunderbird Artists show, as opposed to the weekend before that show.  He saw people parked a mile down Tom Darlington.  He wouldn't walk all that way to go to dinner there.  He talked to a couple of businesses whose revenues went down drastically that weekend.



They still hadn't discussed the Post Office.  Mr. Orrico heard a lot of negative comments about Thunderbird from residents who are used to driving a certain way to get their mail and didn't want to change their accustomed route.  He noted that the Ostrich Festival outgrew the original footprint and was moved to the other side of town.  Carefree has no "other side of town".  The Pumpkin Festival could be moved to the airport, but it would lose the charm of the vignettes in the Gardens.


Mayor Peterson reported that John and Betsy, Gary, and he and Mary went to Keelers that Friday for the Grand Opening of the upper deck at 4:30 PM.  They couldn't get up there; it was standing room only.  At least on Friday, it appeared to be packed.  (Lyn's note: Herbert and I ate there later that week and we asked the question.  We were told they had a record weekend, serving over 400 diners on Saturday night.)


Beth Renfro interjected with a clarification on ticketing vs. charging admission.  Ticketing is a more expensive enterprise, necessitating involving an ancillary business, as well as ticket fees and charges that would be passed on to the patrons.  Admission is not the traditional Box Office where people go online to buy tickets.  Tickets get patrons into an event, but they are then charged for various amenities within the event.  Admissions keep the price down for attendees.


Vice Mayor John Crane noted that there were about 100,000 attendees at the Pumpkin Festival last year.  It has gone up year after year.  This year, there could very well be 120,000+ attendees.  That is unmanageable in terms of parking, and almost unmanageable in terms of attendance.  One way to mitigate that is to charge.  That also provides a way to recoup expenses, which admittedly are large.  This plan also gives the Town a way to hand over the event and get out of the event business.  Ideally, over time, events should be handled by merchants, artists, and promoters like Thunderbird Artists.



He thought Mr. Neiss' suggestions were good.  They reduced costs and made the area more accessible.  If it had not been done already, the Vice Mayor said that the merchants and landlords most impacted should be contacted for their input.  He would like to see Carefree residents admitted for free, as happens at the Thunderbird shows.  He found Mr. Orrico's concerns about the Post Office valid.  The Hampton Inn will be under construction at the time of the Festival, so there will be a lot of pressure on the parking.  Some security should be stationed there to control parking.



Vice Mayor Crane felt a model was needed that allowed and encouraged people to leave the fenced area of the Gardens and walk along Easy Street, as they did last year.  He suggested that some aspects of the Festival be incorporated along Easy Street, such as mice in the windows or pumpkins in the faux cacti, to encourage foot traffic outside of the admissions area so those attending walk around and experience the town.



Ms. Renfro said she had met with Ray Villafane, who is working with the landlord of Spanish Village to incorporate some of the designs into Spanish Village no matter which Layout is used. She spoke with Ms. Kroyer about additional ideas to interest patrons to go to the businesses, perhaps a Bingo type card that businesses can stamp so patrons get trinkets from the Festival.  This applied more to Layout 2, which has a more restrictive feel. 



Ms. Kroyer said it happened organically last year, with people going towards Spanish Village and the wonderful vignettes in the Gardens.  They had signs reminding people to visit the local shops, galleries, and restaurants, and had already talked to Centerpoint about doing that again this year.  They never had so many people walking around the businesses as they did last year.



Stamped cards were discussed, with maybe a $500 drawing each weekend, making it worthwhile for people to get their cards stamped by visiting the businesses.  It also gives people something else to do.  There are a lot of ideas.  Some businesses don't want kids, which is understandable, but some do, so participation with stamped cards would be voluntary.  Mr. Orrico said there were dirty diapers left in the Wild Holly Gallery, and they aren't the type of people Carefree wants to attract.  Mayor Peterson added that charging admission is a way to better control that.

https://vimeo.com/322530691


Lyn Hitchon


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