Sometimes
I get dismayed as to the lack of comments on some of our news articles
and blogs, but occasionally we get an issue that people are passionate
about and we get a truly interesting discussion.
The
decision of the Committee to charge an entry fee and prohibit BYO
alcohol will change the nature of the event, but given Fairday made a
$30,000 loss last year, the Committee is correct in trying to find ways
of making the event viable.
As
Pride Co-President Andrew Baietta has articulately pointed out,
otherwise unviable events like Fairday and the Pride Festival have been
historically subsidised by funds raised at Pride Parties.
As
we all know, Pride Parties have declined in attendance since 1999 due to a combination of factors including a lack of venues. Last year, the Pride Party lost $25,000 and Pride is unlikely to stage Pride Parties as we used to know them again.
Given
that Fairday is our community's favourite day of the year, the
Committee should be commended for exploring avenues for keeping the
event alive in the absence of dance party revenue.
And charging an entry fee at Fairday would appear to be equitable. Given
some of the debates we have had over the years about Pride Parties and
the price of tickets at Pride Parties, it has always puzzled some why
Pride Party patrons should subsidise Fairday patrons through higher
ticket prices.
I guess the principle here is that, if you enjoy Fairday, you might be prepared to make a financial contribution to its staging.
If you are not prepared to make a financial contribution to its staging, then perhaps you don't value it that much.
However, this is only part of the story. It is also possible that some people can't afford it.
And herein lies the problem.
Fairday used to be an event which people could attend and spend as much or as little as they liked.
People
on a budget could pay $1 to enter, bring their own picnic and a bottle
of wine (or passion pop), catch up with friends, have a look at the stalls and go home pretty
satisfied.
However,
over the last year or two, Fairday has evolved into a day where entry
costs $10 and you have to purchase your drinks through the bar. Sure, the cost of entry is reduced to $5 if you are a Pride Member, but membership costs $25.
These
changes have the potential to turn a $20 day into a $50 day for many
people and it is understandable that some people find this distressing
and are feeling like they are losing an event they hold dear.
It
also raises concerns for stallholders looking to reach a broad cross
section of people if some people don't attend Fairday because they
cannot afford to.
From what I can tell, the Committee is sensitive to these concerns, but is limited in what it can do. If Fairday cannot pay for itself, it won't exist at all.
There are new people on this year's Pride Committee and they are doing their best to restructure the organisation and its events in the wake of a disastrous 2007.
The
best thing we can do right now is give a fair go to a Committee that is
clearly working hard, that has brought a renewed sense of
professionalism and positivity to Pride and that is making decisions with the objective of ensuring that our community's favourite day is staged now and into the future.
That said, there may be other ways of making Fairday viable in future years that haven't been thought of yet.
Suggestions anybody?
Comments (20)
Whatev written by beth k, September 04, 2008 - 10:01:51 pm CDT
To the people complaining about saving 40 cents per day between now and Fairday for the entry fee, I assume you have some great ideas on how to run the day yourself, free of charge for everyone and still make a profit for Pride? Didn't think so.
But I assume seeing as you have no ideas, you'll be at least volunteering your time to help at Fairday? Didn't think so.
Fundraisers aren't about providing a place for you to sit and sponge off the cause.
Go and sit in another park for the day.
Challenge to Pride written by Collin Mullane, September 05, 2008 - 12:09:31 am CDT
It is easy to understand Pride's financial dilemma, however it does not justify handing over Fair Day to a profit-making enterprise.
You wouldn't hear me complaining 1/10th as much if Pride were imposing an entry fee while managing the event themselves.
I think the public have a right to know how much of this entry fee (and other revenue) is going to go to Independent Events.
Then let the community decide whether they want to pay an entry fee to a commercial entity.
Further challenge to Pride written by Pro-active, September 05, 2008 - 11:44:40 am CDT
I think Pride should also sew the canvas for the marquees themselves, build the fences from the ground up starting with digging the iron ore out of the ground, generate the electricity required by running around in circles and give birth to all the performers and security staff through lesbian IVF procedures. Think of all that money that could be saved instead of giving it to private enterprise.
the evil free market written by a fair minded socialist, September 05, 2008 - 12:00:33 pm CDT
Presumably, Pride is no longer allowed to hire lighting and staging for its events from the private sector, nor purchase the alcohol to sell at Fairday from The Court. Holding fundraisers in conjunction with businesses like Connections and The Court and advertising with private businesses are presumably out as well. Luckily they own all of these resources themselves, so we will have nothing to worry about.
get a life written by Mark Woodman, September 05, 2008 - 3:18:36 pm CDT
I find the completely unproductive criticism and selfish carping of the likes of Collin & Co utterly contemptible and sadly reflective of a loathsome nastiness that pervades sections of our community or, in some cases, an apparent rigid attachment to outdated socialist ideology. Fortunately, the new Committee appear to be very effectively negotiating the considerable challenges they face unencumbered by such emotional and cognitive limitations.
Most people who take on these volunteer jobs don’t expect to be showered with praise but equally they don’t expect to face ill-informed and often ideologically driven whinging from small-minded armchair critics who, by and large, are unwilling to contribute to the community themselves.
What the sniping types fail to see is that their negative contributions impede the ability of the Committee to achieve the outcomes we all want to see. Andrew Baietta’s measured and assertive responses to this thread have been impressive and are a credit to him, but while part of his role is to listen to feedback, he and the Committee shouldn’t have to waste time and emotional energy responding to the sort of nasty disheartening crap that some people seem to think constitutes constructive feedback.
Armchair Whinging written by Dean, September 05, 2008 - 7:00:49 pm CDT
Do the people know how much is involved with putting on Fairday. Reading the complaints here i can see they do not. I was Fairday Convenor for SEVEN year. Fairday, for the people on the committee starts in march with getting quote and booking things in the ensure that we have them due to the competition that we have around that time of the year with the Royal show etc. Then all the countless meetings with government bodies and then have to set things up on the day. Yes Fairday take alot of organising. To give you a little outline. I took two weeks leave from my fulltime job to work on fairday. A week before and a week after. the week leading up to Fairday the committee is extremely busy putting the final touch on and Friday before myself and a few committee members are at Russell square from 6.30am till 11pm or midnight setting things up. On Saturday from 7am till around midnight, on sunday from 6.30am till around 10pm, on monday after the event from 9am till 3pm cleaning up the huge mess.
Yes we do have some volunteers and the Pride committee helping. But it is extremely hard to get people to help for and hour or two. There are a lot of people out there that winge and complain and DO NOTHING TO HELP! I am in support of the events company helping out. The amount of work that is involed in this event is huge (oh there is something that some of you FORGET. The committee members do have fulltime jobs and all this work has to be done after hours and on weekends)
Get Over it ! written by Brad , September 06, 2008 - 9:06:38 am CDT
What is Fairday? Fairday is the best day of the Pride Callendar. I have been associated with Fairday over many years with Pride and as a previous Committee member it sits right next to the parade in terms of Event headaches. things such as "crowd management", making sure you get it right so that the good local miserables don't go all bitchy on you. It's a huge event to organise, it takes months of panning, from fencing, security, having electricity hooked up to keep all your beers cold and food hot, organising entertainment with a very limited budget, setting up shelters and marquees, organising volunteers to assist with marshalling, cleaning to make sure the toilets are clean and stocked , making sure that the police, the city council, the church across the road, are all happy, ensure that the kids have enough to keep them occupied, make sure all the punters are happy with whats on display and that the choice of product is suitable, not to mention the massive bills for liability and volunteer insurance... It all costs money people, companies can't afford to donate these services like they used to in the days of Perry Lakes and Hyde park to a certain extent. Do you think that $10 is going to cover it all ? "I don't think so" For too long i have heard Perth people whinge about this and whinge about that but these are the same people that you see lining up at CNC every sat night paying 20 bucks to get in to do the same thing every week...boring ! Fairday is a community event, if you chose not to support pride and have to fork out a whopping $10 for a fantastic day full of entertainment, stalls, catching up with friends and socialising then so be it. The people on the committee VOLUNTEER (for those who are confused by this term it means - No life for about a month prior to the event , no pay and alot of the time "no thanks". I say, 2008 Pride committee, well done on trying to take the feedback that was given from last years event and for trying to improve and provide a safe place for GLBTQ people to have a great day. You all work very hard and for this I take my hat off to you and say keep up the great work, If they don't want to become members and pay 5 bucks then let them pay 10 bucks and if they dont like it ...Don't go! I'll be there having fun with my friends.Keep up the great work Pride 08.
Happy pride to everyone in the community, lets make this years events the best ever !
Congratulations written by SCOTT RAWSON, September 06, 2008 - 8:00:54 pm CDT
My congratulations go to the new Pride Committee and their sensible decisions that they have made in regards to not only the staging of Fair day but other Pride events.
The appointment of an event management company to stage fair day is in my opinion a very sensible move. Those that have never staged and event of this nature or size could never begin to understand the amount of work that is required to simply get and event off the ground.
The requirements from local authorities and other agencies continue to increase and the paperwork alone is not something which someone without experience could ever dream to get correct the first time around. The cost of the development and management of the necessary risk, noise and evacuation management plans is substancial. However event management firms have these concepts very firmly under control as this is their business.
With prides lack of succession planning between committee members would most certainly have seen a pride managed fairday be another financial disaster in 2008.
Those that wish to complain about such a small entry fee for this event should really consider the bigger picture in life. Lets get real. $10 is such a small amount that if you cherish fairday so much i'm sure you'd all find a way to afford it, support it and keep it alive.
And lastly, to those that are complaining about the entry fee ... are you all current financial members of pride?
yay for the new fairday written by Jay Jaggard, September 08, 2008 - 1:42:28 pm CDT
and that about sums it up really - for years pride volunteers have slaved their collective guts out organising fairday - its big now and grown beyond that - it's time for an events company to take control and $10 doesn't seem like much to pay for a day that we have enjoyed for $1 or $2 for the last 15 or more years!!!!
Thanks for the Support written by Andrew Baietta, September 08, 2008 - 3:25:25 pm CDT
I just want to thank everyone for their positive comments and words of encouragement.
We have a committee meeting tonight and I'll be sure to table them there.
It's good to know that people do understand our reasoning behind making these changes, so thanks once again.
Andrew Baietta
Fairday written by Murray Jones, September 08, 2008 - 4:15:06 pm CDT
Ill be there, 10 cents or 10 dollars...
applause (clap clap) written by Gregg Helleren, September 14, 2008 - 9:37:11 pm CDT
What a brilliant idea - charge a fixed entry fee. Another brilliant idea - ban BYO booze.
You see, me and my well-off gay gentleman friends can easily afford this and never have time to prepare a picnic basket of chardonnay.
Of course, the unemployed disco-biscuit twinks (who spent their last $20 on an E the night before) can't afford to get in. But that's a bonus because they'll naturally look for an older wealthy fellow to pay for their entrance (oops that sounds rude). I hope they can still bring in bottled water for chill-lax'n.
Another bonus is that the single-mother lesbians (replete with a brood of 6 charming rascals) won't be clutterong up the park nor making a din. I wonder, would they have to pay for their dogs too?
Sounds like it will be an awesome day, plenty of space and moderate queues at the bar-ticket counter then only slightly longer queues to redeem for drinkies.
Congrats Pride committee - what will you be bringing us next year?
volunteer not wanted written by peter bright, September 23, 2008 - 9:10:13 am CDT
i am a trades man with all tools, van and insurance after reading comments on fair day i decided to volunteer helpin set up take down. tryin to be part of solution not problems. after three weeks i haven t heard a thing. its hard to have faith in the pride committee and there priorities
Armchair Whinging written by Grant Blackman, September 26, 2008 - 3:22:03 pm CDT
I would like to set a few things straight about Dean’s comments regarding the lack of support and volunteers in putting Pride together each year. First of all I want to point out three of us put our names down with Dean Cahill last year to assist in both the Fairday and Pride March. Yet after numerous requests he never got back to us regarding this. So please don't whinge about the lack of support, assistance was offered but ignored.
Also I support the decision by the "New Committee" to charge a cover to Fair Day this year, but I am a bit hesitant to support the no BYO. I have two reasons for this, 1. The prices are set at previous Fairdays are ridiculous which will force people to go over the road for a drink as we do not all have endless wallets and 2. The waiting times in queues to get a drink. If Pride can be sensible about prices and reduce the queues then I will support them with this.
I really hope that this year is going to be the best to date and wish the new committee the best for the coming month.
Get over yourselves.... written by Lizard, September 26, 2008 - 4:59:58 pm CDT
Good on the Pride committee for making changes to Fair Day so we can enjoy future Fair Days. A loud boo to the whingers who think by merit of their sexuality they shouldn't have to pay anything towards the cost of these event. I wonder how much these whingers spend each week on booze,clubbing and whatever... and yet they can't support their own community by buying a Pride membership and paying $5 at the gate on Fair Day.
wateva written by Jamie Lee Ellis, September 26, 2008 - 6:58:13 pm CDT
Christ, it's only $10.. it's really not that much.. as long as it helps to consolidate their financial position I have no problem paying this small amount to get in and support Pride. It's better doing this then having the event run at a loss and being cancelled altogether.
uncertain written by Jack Pawley, September 27, 2008 - 12:33:34 pm CDT
I think the problem may be if "gay friendly' people are running the fair, is it going to be as personal as bygone years, or are we just $10 heads going through the turnstile?
previous comments written by Collin Mullane, September 27, 2008 - 3:21:48 pm CDT
It seems that the original discussions have fallen off this page and we are left with only the most recent comments, which tend to be skewed towards complaints about the cost of entry.
My original complaint was not with the cost, but with the concept of "where is the added value", the unfair commercialisation of a community event and what I feel to be the thin edge of the wedge.
I maintain my prediction that at some point in the future Fair Day will become a fully licensed event run by a profit-making enterprise, to the detriment of the community spirit it was intended to promote.
As licensing requirements and commercial pressure takes its toll, the future Fair Day will have no room for minors, families, pets, BYO food or water, and potentially not even community groups will be represented.
The best thing Pride could do is to revert to the original structure without a licensed area so that everyone is welcome, BYO becomes a tolerable practice (as it currently is in most public spaces in WA - have a look at Hyde Park or Kings Park on any weekend). This would eliminate the need for a management company, liquor license, exorbitant insurance costs, fencing and security etc.
There is a way forward if the desire for the almighty dollar can be pushed aside in favour of community development.
I will commit to volunteering next year and will personally co-opt 10 more people to assist if the committee can swallow their Pride.
A Couple Of Comments written by Andrew Baietta, September 27, 2008 - 7:51:32 pm CDT
Grant
It's illegal to consume alcohol in a public park or on the street without a liquor license being in place. Any person can be fined $200 on the spot for doing so.
To run a responsible event we must have control of the liquor people are consuming, it's in everyone's best interests.
Fairday is not just about drinking alcohol.
Jack
The Pride Committee is in complete control of Fairday and have employed a professional organisation to make sure things go smoothly. Pride is the client and patrons will not be made to feel like $10 heads through the turnstile. Customer Services is the main focus at Fairday and everything you experience on the day is a result of a collaboration of the gay community and experts who run these events for a living.
See you all there tomorrow
$10 Well Spent written by Brad McKay, September 29, 2008 - 8:54:09 am CDT
Congratulations Pride Committee 2008, An amazing fairday, well done and good on you for sticking by your guns. I look forward to a certain volunteer next year and his 10 little helpers to take this event on and deal with The City of Perths regulations!
Thanks for giving the community an awesome day Hugs to all, Brad
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important event according to this year's convenor, Charles Denham.
Gay favourite Rachel Berger is among the headliners this year as the Wild West Comedy Fest returns
to Perth for 26 days of hilarity and hijinks. Other Australian comedy
stars on the bill include Bob Franklin, Tom Gleeson, Fiona O’Loughlin
and Scared Little Weird
Guys.
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according to festival convenor, Kieran Bycroft. While some events did
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theatre sessions were sold out.
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showed 70 percent of black voters, and a majority of Latino
voters, voted yes to the ban. More 
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Dancing in a circle with your friends, it's quickly becoming the
perfect night out. However amid the fifth round of drinks and
renditions of I Kissed a Girl, you can't help but feel a rift over the
dance floor.
From the Pride theatre and film seasons through to the Great Gay &
Lesbian Debate, Parade and Party, I thoroughly enjoyed this year's
Pride Festival. View footage from the debate and Parade and read about my festival highlights and the challenges I think Pride faces next year.
In winning today’s Presidential election, Barack Obama has provided the
world with the opportunity for a new beginning and his country with the
opportunity to put the disastrous Bush years behind it.
For some time now it's been popular among members of Generation Y to
declare that something is "so gay" to indicate that it's dumb, silly,
bad, ugly, unattractive, geeky, embarrassing, gaudy or even just plain
dull. That’s so gay. That’s so gay.
That’s so gay. It's the dull that hurts the most.
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that Barack Obama will win this year's Presidential election, I may be
among the first to declare that Sarah Palin will win the Republican
nomination and challenge him in 2012. That is, if she hasn't
bankrupted the Republicans with her wardrobe expenses first.
The global financial meltdown and impending economic Armageddon may
have an unexpected upside. For the first time in half a generation,
there may finally be a pool of people with the time on their
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written by beth k, September 04, 2008 - 10:01:51 pm CDT
To the people complaining about saving 40 cents per day between now and Fairday for the entry fee, I assume you have some great ideas on how to run the day yourself, free of charge for everyone and still make a profit for Pride? Didn't think so.
But I assume seeing as you have no ideas, you'll be at least volunteering your time to help at Fairday? Didn't think so.
Fundraisers aren't about providing a place for you to sit and sponge off the cause.
Go and sit in another park for the day.
written by Collin Mullane, September 05, 2008 - 12:09:31 am CDT
It is easy to understand Pride's financial dilemma, however it does not justify handing over Fair Day to a profit-making enterprise.
You wouldn't hear me complaining 1/10th as much if Pride were imposing an entry fee while managing the event themselves.
I think the public have a right to know how much of this entry fee (and other revenue) is going to go to Independent Events.
Then let the community decide whether they want to pay an entry fee to a commercial entity.
written by Pro-active, September 05, 2008 - 11:44:40 am CDT
I think Pride should also sew the canvas for the marquees themselves, build the fences from the ground up starting with digging the iron ore out of the ground, generate the electricity required by running around in circles and give birth to all the performers and security staff through lesbian IVF procedures. Think of all that money that could be saved instead of giving it to private enterprise.
written by a fair minded socialist, September 05, 2008 - 12:00:33 pm CDT
Presumably, Pride is no longer allowed to hire lighting and staging for its events from the private sector, nor purchase the alcohol to sell at Fairday from The Court. Holding fundraisers in conjunction with businesses like Connections and The Court and advertising with private businesses are presumably out as well. Luckily they own all of these resources themselves, so we will have nothing to worry about.
written by Mark Woodman, September 05, 2008 - 3:18:36 pm CDT
I find the completely unproductive criticism and selfish carping of the likes of Collin & Co utterly contemptible and sadly reflective of a loathsome nastiness that pervades sections of our community or, in some cases, an apparent rigid attachment to outdated socialist ideology. Fortunately, the new Committee appear to be very effectively negotiating the considerable challenges they face unencumbered by such emotional and cognitive limitations.
Most people who take on these volunteer jobs don’t expect to be showered with praise but equally they don’t expect to face ill-informed and often ideologically driven whinging from small-minded armchair critics who, by and large, are unwilling to contribute to the community themselves.
What the sniping types fail to see is that their negative contributions impede the ability of the Committee to achieve the outcomes we all want to see. Andrew Baietta’s measured and assertive responses to this thread have been impressive and are a credit to him, but while part of his role is to listen to feedback, he and the Committee shouldn’t have to waste time and emotional energy responding to the sort of nasty disheartening crap that some people seem to think constitutes constructive feedback.
written by Dean, September 05, 2008 - 7:00:49 pm CDT
Do the people know how much is involved with putting on Fairday. Reading the complaints here i can see they do not. I was Fairday Convenor for SEVEN year. Fairday, for the people on the committee starts in march with getting quote and booking things in the ensure that we have them due to the competition that we have around that time of the year with the Royal show etc. Then all the countless meetings with government bodies and then have to set things up on the day. Yes Fairday take alot of organising. To give you a little outline. I took two weeks leave from my fulltime job to work on fairday. A week before and a week after. the week leading up to Fairday the committee is extremely busy putting the final touch on and Friday before myself and a few committee members are at Russell square from 6.30am till 11pm or midnight setting things up. On Saturday from 7am till around midnight, on sunday from 6.30am till around 10pm, on monday after the event from 9am till 3pm cleaning up the huge mess.
Yes we do have some volunteers and the Pride committee helping. But it is extremely hard to get people to help for and hour or two. There are a lot of people out there that winge and complain and DO NOTHING TO HELP! I am in support of the events company helping out. The amount of work that is involed in this event is huge (oh there is something that some of you FORGET. The committee members do have fulltime jobs and all this work has to be done after hours and on weekends)
written by Brad , September 06, 2008 - 9:06:38 am CDT
What is Fairday? Fairday is the best day of the Pride Callendar. I have been associated with Fairday over many years with Pride and as a previous Committee member it sits right next to the parade in terms of Event headaches. things such as "crowd management", making sure you get it right so that the good local miserables don't go all bitchy on you. It's a huge event to organise, it takes months of panning, from fencing, security, having electricity hooked up to keep all your beers cold and food hot, organising entertainment with a very limited budget, setting up shelters and marquees, organising volunteers to assist with marshalling, cleaning to make sure the toilets are clean and stocked , making sure that the police, the city council, the church across the road, are all happy, ensure that the kids have enough to keep them occupied, make sure all the punters are happy with whats on display and that the choice of product is suitable, not to mention the massive bills for liability and volunteer insurance... It all costs money people, companies can't afford to donate these services like they used to in the days of Perry Lakes and Hyde park to a certain extent. Do you think that $10 is going to cover it all ? "I don't think so" For too long i have heard Perth people whinge about this and whinge about that but these are the same people that you see lining up at CNC every sat night paying 20 bucks to get in to do the same thing every week...boring ! Fairday is a community event, if you chose not to support pride and have to fork out a whopping $10 for a fantastic day full of entertainment, stalls, catching up with friends and socialising then so be it. The people on the committee VOLUNTEER (for those who are confused by this term it means - No life for about a month prior to the event , no pay and alot of the time "no thanks". I say, 2008 Pride committee, well done on trying to take the feedback that was given from last years event and for trying to improve and provide a safe place for GLBTQ people to have a great day. You all work very hard and for this I take my hat off to you and say keep up the great work, If they don't want to become members and pay 5 bucks then let them pay 10 bucks and if they dont like it ...Don't go! I'll be there having fun with my friends.Keep up the great work Pride 08.
Happy pride to everyone in the community, lets make this years events the best ever !
written by SCOTT RAWSON, September 06, 2008 - 8:00:54 pm CDT
My congratulations go to the new Pride Committee and their sensible decisions that they have made in regards to not only the staging of Fair day but other Pride events.
The appointment of an event management company to stage fair day is in my opinion a very sensible move. Those that have never staged and event of this nature or size could never begin to understand the amount of work that is required to simply get and event off the ground.
The requirements from local authorities and other agencies continue to increase and the paperwork alone is not something which someone without experience could ever dream to get correct the first time around. The cost of the development and management of the necessary risk, noise and evacuation management plans is substancial. However event management firms have these concepts very firmly under control as this is their business.
With prides lack of succession planning between committee members would most certainly have seen a pride managed fairday be another financial disaster in 2008.
Those that wish to complain about such a small entry fee for this event should really consider the bigger picture in life. Lets get real. $10 is such a small amount that if you cherish fairday so much i'm sure you'd all find a way to afford it, support it and keep it alive.
And lastly, to those that are complaining about the entry fee ... are you all current financial members of pride?
written by Jay Jaggard, September 08, 2008 - 1:42:28 pm CDT
and that about sums it up really - for years pride volunteers have slaved their collective guts out organising fairday - its big now and grown beyond that - it's time for an events company to take control and $10 doesn't seem like much to pay for a day that we have enjoyed for $1 or $2 for the last 15 or more years!!!!
written by Andrew Baietta, September 08, 2008 - 3:25:25 pm CDT
I just want to thank everyone for their positive comments and words of encouragement.
We have a committee meeting tonight and I'll be sure to table them there.
It's good to know that people do understand our reasoning behind making these changes, so thanks once again.
Andrew Baietta
written by Murray Jones, September 08, 2008 - 4:15:06 pm CDT
Ill be there, 10 cents or 10 dollars...
written by Gregg Helleren, September 14, 2008 - 9:37:11 pm CDT
What a brilliant idea - charge a fixed entry fee. Another brilliant idea - ban BYO booze.
You see, me and my well-off gay gentleman friends can easily afford this and never have time to prepare a picnic basket of chardonnay.
Of course, the unemployed disco-biscuit twinks (who spent their last $20 on an E the night before) can't afford to get in. But that's a bonus because they'll naturally look for an older wealthy fellow to pay for their entrance (oops that sounds rude). I hope they can still bring in bottled water for chill-lax'n.
Another bonus is that the single-mother lesbians (replete with a brood of 6 charming rascals) won't be clutterong up the park nor making a din. I wonder, would they have to pay for their dogs too?
Sounds like it will be an awesome day, plenty of space and moderate queues at the bar-ticket counter then only slightly longer queues to redeem for drinkies.
Congrats Pride committee - what will you be bringing us next year?
written by peter bright, September 23, 2008 - 9:10:13 am CDT
i am a trades man with all tools, van and insurance after reading comments on fair day i decided to volunteer helpin set up take down. tryin to be part of solution not problems. after three weeks i haven t heard a thing. its hard to have faith in the pride committee and there priorities
written by Grant Blackman, September 26, 2008 - 3:22:03 pm CDT
I would like to set a few things straight about Dean’s comments regarding the lack of support and volunteers in putting Pride together each year. First of all I want to point out three of us put our names down with Dean Cahill last year to assist in both the Fairday and Pride March. Yet after numerous requests he never got back to us regarding this. So please don't whinge about the lack of support, assistance was offered but ignored.
Also I support the decision by the "New Committee" to charge a cover to Fair Day this year, but I am a bit hesitant to support the no BYO. I have two reasons for this, 1. The prices are set at previous Fairdays are ridiculous which will force people to go over the road for a drink as we do not all have endless wallets and 2. The waiting times in queues to get a drink. If Pride can be sensible about prices and reduce the queues then I will support them with this.
I really hope that this year is going to be the best to date and wish the new committee the best for the coming month.
written by Lizard, September 26, 2008 - 4:59:58 pm CDT
Good on the Pride committee for making changes to Fair Day so we can enjoy future Fair Days. A loud boo to the whingers who think by merit of their sexuality they shouldn't have to pay anything towards the cost of these event. I wonder how much these whingers spend each week on booze,clubbing and whatever... and yet they can't support their own community by buying a Pride membership and paying $5 at the gate on Fair Day.
written by Jamie Lee Ellis, September 26, 2008 - 6:58:13 pm CDT
Christ, it's only $10.. it's really not that much.. as long as it helps to consolidate their financial position I have no problem paying this small amount to get in and support Pride. It's better doing this then having the event run at a loss and being cancelled altogether.
written by Jack Pawley, September 27, 2008 - 12:33:34 pm CDT
I think the problem may be if "gay friendly' people are running the fair, is it going to be as personal as bygone years, or are we just $10 heads going through the turnstile?
written by Collin Mullane, September 27, 2008 - 3:21:48 pm CDT
It seems that the original discussions have fallen off this page and we are left with only the most recent comments, which tend to be skewed towards complaints about the cost of entry.
My original complaint was not with the cost, but with the concept of "where is the added value", the unfair commercialisation of a community event and what I feel to be the thin edge of the wedge.
I maintain my prediction that at some point in the future Fair Day will become a fully licensed event run by a profit-making enterprise, to the detriment of the community spirit it was intended to promote.
As licensing requirements and commercial pressure takes its toll, the future Fair Day will have no room for minors, families, pets, BYO food or water, and potentially not even community groups will be represented.
The best thing Pride could do is to revert to the original structure without a licensed area so that everyone is welcome, BYO becomes a tolerable practice (as it currently is in most public spaces in WA - have a look at Hyde Park or Kings Park on any weekend). This would eliminate the need for a management company, liquor license, exorbitant insurance costs, fencing and security etc.
There is a way forward if the desire for the almighty dollar can be pushed aside in favour of community development.
I will commit to volunteering next year and will personally co-opt 10 more people to assist if the committee can swallow their Pride.
written by Andrew Baietta, September 27, 2008 - 7:51:32 pm CDT
Grant
It's illegal to consume alcohol in a public park or on the street without a liquor license being in place. Any person can be fined $200 on the spot for doing so.
To run a responsible event we must have control of the liquor people are consuming, it's in everyone's best interests.
Fairday is not just about drinking alcohol.
Jack
The Pride Committee is in complete control of Fairday and have employed a professional organisation to make sure things go smoothly. Pride is the client and patrons will not be made to feel like $10 heads through the turnstile. Customer Services is the main focus at Fairday and everything you experience on the day is a result of a collaboration of the gay community and experts who run these events for a living.
See you all there tomorrow
written by Brad McKay, September 29, 2008 - 8:54:09 am CDT
Congratulations Pride Committee 2008, An amazing fairday, well done and good on you for sticking by your guns. I look forward to a certain volunteer next year and his 10 little helpers to take this event on and deal with The City of Perths regulations!
Thanks for giving the community an awesome day
Hugs to all,
Brad