Dear Editor:
Once again, Wausau has embarrassed itself with these pointless fences.
This time in front of a National and International audience. Visitors from all over were able to scratch their heads in puzzlement over the double line of fencing at the First International Ginseng Festival. Half of The 400 block was fenced off on the diagonal, taking up so much space that a couple of exhibitors of a non-alcoholic nature were forced to set up their stands within the fencing. I assume it was because of these stands that the security team was allowing anyone of any age to enter this most dangerous drinking area.
In order to sample a ginseng beer, we had to stand in line waiting for security to check my ID and fit me with a little wristband, all the while families with children and groups of young people wandered right past. Once inside this special zone, it was a case of buying tickets to swap for beer as usual in these parts. As we sat with our samples I looked around. Roughly 30 percent of those there had wristbands. What was the point?
We finished our beverage and as we left, a group of four school girls took our seats.
A number of food vendors were set up on the street in front of the Grand Theater. The beer fences did a marvelous job of cutting them off from the crowds on the other side of the square. I cannot even imagine how much business they lost by being stuck behind this barrier, but at least some enterprising souls hopped the double fences to get popcorn or a Banh Mi sandwich.
I don’t know if these vendors had to pay to be there but I’ll bet they are unhappy, even if they didn’t. With all the other booths busy, those behind the barrier seemed pretty quiet.
We have attended a number of fenceless events this summer, all across the state, and just this one with a fence. There were no obvious issues at any of them.
I would encourage the organizers of the Ginseng Fest to seriously consider moving to a less ridiculous location in a neighboring town, should they decide to repeat this seemingly successful event. I have no idea what our visitors made of it.
As a resident of Wausau, I found it an embarrassment. Come on Wausau “tear down the fences!”
Sincerely,
Adrian Rinehart-Balfe, Wausau
