Festivals becoming paid-in markets!

[acidstorm523]

As a long time (30 years +) festival goer, big and small, i am starting to get a slightly unsettled feeling.

This year we tried Nova and Over The Moon, small local festivals, and i was left with the feeling that I was being ripped off. Both were compromised of lots of stall holders, all who pay to have a stall there i assume. Having paid to get in, i am then faced with a giant marketing opportuniy. I realise stalls are part of the experience, but it's getting to be the dominant part! In the mornings at OTM, all the stalls and things you had to pay for were open, but no music - you are effectively trapped in a car boot sale you have paid £80 or much more to get into!! And no cashpoint or card sales, so you can't even buy anything anyway!!

On top of that, the lack of free kids stuff. Lots of places seem to have the pricey boat swings and trampolines now. I really object to paying £1.50 per child per go on anything! I have 3 kids and spent £9 letting them do a swing and a jump which took about 10 mins! I don't like the hard sales with a hippy smile..perhaps i am just cynical.

i realise folk are finding it hard to make money, but i do expect not to have to empty my coffers for every tiny thing once i am in. Considering it costs £80 to buy a new trampoline on Amazon, I think these basic entertainments should be provided free..especially when festis are advertised as child friendly.

It just seems like people are now tring to squeeze every last penny out of you, when you have paid over the top to get in in the first place. Don't even get me started on drinks prices!!!!

I also went to Boom in Portugal this year, and the difference became even more apparent!

rant over