If you don’t know ask…
Perhaps checking a few facts might have addressed the concerns of Tuesday’s opinion contributors. 10% doesn’t normally constitute “most” but that seemed the percent of “Americanized” carnival type booths present at the International Festival, and includes the funnel cakes, despite their origins being German and Pennsylvania Dutch.
Some booths were purely educational, but most merchants are Capitolists, something normally encouraged in this country. A gander at the website at http://BGInternationalFest.com reveals that these vendors pay fees determined by their contribution to the cultural diversity. Hot dog booths pay up to 4 times the cost of authentic vendors. These fees generate enough in to fund an entire stage.
No mention was made about the scores of authentic performances. I wonder if these writers gave thought to the potential effect their misrepresentation of the festival would have? Might some potential festival goers decide it wasn’t worth investigating in the future? Might berated sponsors pull out?
Signage at the event revelaed that beer and inflatable game proceeds are among the top five largest financial contributors. $3 for 22 oz of beer is not overpriced but about half the going rate. The Titanic is the #1 most popular inflatable, cashing in on the movie, not the event. It is very common to link not only humor, but children’s games to tragic events. Go to any playground to see little children singing and playing a game about burning plague victims in massive piles called Ring Around The Rosies. The predicted games will be on the market in far less time than the proposed 25 years. ALL of the proceeds for the inflatables, beer and the coke trailer go to the festival and pay for the performers and licensing. In addition, these three company’s provided most of the refreshments for volunteers as well as the signage that brought thousands to the event. They deserve to be thanked, not chastised.
I doubt organizers will make a no made in Taiwan rule but one good point was made and I would urge that in future they not try to pass a tiger from Indiana off as a foreigner.
Kim Mason
796-2016
WKU Alumni