Friday evening.  I’ve had a busy week at work, time to kick back, relax and enjoy the weekend.  I was doing just that when hunger struck and I though, hmmm… there’s a ribfest going on a few blocks away, why not just wander down there and grab some food.  Naturally, I grabbed my camera, today my dslr, and wandered south towards the park.

As I approached I didn’t quite understand what I saw.  Around the normally beautiful park was a ring of galvanized steel.  It almost looked like security fencing.  I thought, No, that wouldn’t be all the way around, maybe just in a few sections to guide the flow of pedestrian traffic.  Nope, it was all the way around, except at the gate.  It almost looked like the G20 had come to town (remember that last summer in TO?)  Beside the gate was a large sign listing off the rules.  No outside food or drink, no bottle water, no recording devices, and that all bags were subject to check.  At the gate stood a couple of guards, doing just that.  Stopping kids with ice creams, Teens with slushies, Men and Women with water bottles.  Searching every bag for any food or drink.  I approached with my camera slung at my side and quickly got the signal that I couldn’t go in.

I stopped in my tracks, turned around, gave my head a shake.  Did I just see what I just saw?  Is this really happening? Am I really being barred from Ribfest because I have a camera? Yes.

I don’t understand.  Why is there a fence around a public park.  Whats the problem with walking around and taking a few pictures?  I mean, almost everyone who has a cell phone. has not only a still camera but also the capability of recording video.  So why was I stopped for having a distinct camera?

It makes no sense to me whatsoever.  Maybe I’m spoiled by the great, accessible festivals of my previous home, London Ontario.  Where they take place in the park and all are free to come and go.  But no, not here.  Here they have fence.  To top it all off, it’s supposed to be for charity, for a community charity.  I would think they would make more money by allowing more foot traffic. Do they really loose money because of people bringing in their own food and drinks?  I doubt it.  Sure there’s the idea of containing the alcohol served, but that’s what beer tents are for.  It works in this town for other festivals, and in other towns for ribfests.  (I admit I’ve never been to another ribfest other than London).  Maybe I’m wrong?

I’ve been soured to the concept of ribfests for a while now.  I just don’t think the ribs you get there are all that great.  Some even downright terrible.  They’re expensive and not really worth the money.  But I thought, hell, why not go since it’s so close and perhaps I will find something worth while to eat?

I guess I just wasn’t meant to go in.  In any case, I’m protesting with my feet and my money and choosing not to go back.