Boy, I walk away from the blog for a day and a half because I have a million and a half things to do between now and July 11, and then I log in to see 27 comments…
(Oops, 28 now!)
Look, BreyerFest is a convention, not a camp meeting. People are going to be doing all sorts of things there you may not approve of, including drinking, dancing, swearing, karaoke, eating corndogs and wearing the color magenta.
I am not much of a drinker myself; I never cared much for the taste, plus I’ve rarely been in a position where I could drink freely anyway. (Always the designated driver, never the drinker….) Probably won’t happen for me in this case either, but like every BreyerFest, I’ll have to play it by ear.
Yes, BreyerFest is nominally a family-friendly event run by a company that is (also) nominally a toy manufacturer/distributor. But in case you haven’t noticed, at least half or better of the attendees are over the age of 18, and I assume most of them are know how to behave themselves in public and govern themselves accordingly.
I don’t have a problem with Dad (or Mom) having a space off to the side to drink a couple cold ones and listen to some Bluegrass or Oldies while the rest of the family does horsey-type things. And yes, it also brings more money and more people to the park.
Maybe next year they can add a couple big screen TVs, VR/Video Game setups, some massage chairs, and change the name to “BreyerFest Spousal Day Care Center”.
My Dad was a “Horse Kid” growing up as well and not much of a drinker either, so if he could have attended this event with me, he probably would spend a lot of his time at the Car Show.
(Long story: his Dad, my Grandfather, built engines for Nascar drivers in the 1960s!)
Car Show people tend to be fairly well-behaved, so the only concern I have about the Car Show itself is that it might complicate the parking situation. I’ll be more annoyed with it if it becomes a more regular thing, but we’ll cross that bridge if we come to it.
They included it this year mostly because it fits with the theme, and again, the money. Car show people also like to linger and be their nerdy car selves with fellow devotees, which is good for the park because that means they’ll buy concessions and swag, and that also means more money for the park and vendors.
While a lot of hobby people are looking at it as a diversion for the bored significant other, it works both ways: I’m sure there are members of car show families who would be thrilled to find out that they’re going to BreyerFest for a day.
That’s it for today. I just finished my preliminary BF Live showstring, and a few cuts need to be made. I also need to spackle some things. (Spackling during a thunderstorm? Not a good idea, folks!)
32 comments:
Thank you for this! People are allowed to like different things! Kelly W
So let me get this straight: Breyer is a toy company when people are arguing and complaining about their lack of quality control and customer service, but now they're not because it's more convenient that they not be so adults can play their game however they like? You can't have it both ways. It's not a matter of whether people are doing things that others don't like, it's a matter of doing the right thing for the (supposed) target audience and also a liability issue around live horses and a massive crowd with a lot of vehicle traffic nearby. People being intoxicated is bad enough in a hotel but the likelihood of a serious accident or fatality is limited there, versus in the park where it could cause lives to be ruined. A horse doesn't need a reason to lose whatever sensibility it has, especially horses pulling vehicles. And you won't convince me that the people who are imbibing aren't going to get behind the wheel. It's just not a good idea no matter what slippery little spin anyone wants to use to defend it.
Then stay home. If you’re so convinced that something bad is going to happen then don’t go.
There’s been alcohol served at the KHP since it opened & it’s not been a problem. Yes, I know that doesn’t mean there won’t ever be a problem, but it shows the risk is actually low. If you’re the type of person who doesn’t like even minimal risk then just spend your life cooped up at home & spare the rest of us your worry & complaining.
Yep. The restaurant at the Horse Park has held a liquid license since it opened. They have served beer for decades & at one point served cocktails but I don’t think they do anymore. So why after 40 years is it suddenly a problem? The park & it’s events have always been promoted as family friendly & it has always served alcohol during these events but now a few very vocal model horse hobbyists decide it’s a problem. Really? Just drop the fake outrage over things you have no say in & that are obviously not a problem for 99% of people. Honestly, it’s getting old.
Andrea--Don't know if you'll see this amongst all the other comments---and I don't want to make you sadder--but just so you're not blindsided again---Reports are that STU BENTLEY of BENTLEY SALES(Chicago) passed away this Sunday at 90 years old!!
I haven't been on FACEBOOK yet to see if the "oldie-goldies" are making tributes to him(I imagine they will!) but I just thought you'd like to know!!
It's more than a few and it sounds like you're replying to yourself there 15 minutes apart. I expect a beer tent is much more likely to attract the drunken rowdy sort than a tucked away restaurant in the park.
Mr. and Mrs. Bentley were such very nice people, a true cornerstone of the hobby and friends to children for decades. The hobby and the world lost two really wonderful people and a bright wonderful light now that they're gone.
Breyer has ALWAYS played both sides of the fence on their product! I have been collecting since 1970. If you have to pay a large sum of money for a model it's because it's a "collectible" but if those models arrive scuffed up and blemished "these are mass produced toys". Breyer has played it this way forever and I do not expect that to change. (And stop hiding behind being "anonymous"! Say what you have to say and take the credit for it!)
I’m the collector in my family, but we all enjoy going! And, congrats on finishing up your show string work!! I know how tiring it can be. How many horses are you bringing?
Were there any problems last year because of the beer garden? They are bringing in only one additional vendor selling alcohol (plus coffee and mocktails!), so this really does not seem like a recipe for disaster. CHIN after dark seems more frightening than KHP with drinks during the day!
I don’t understand why people who are so negative toward Breyer and critical of every decision they make even continue to participate in BF.
*gasp* why Yvonne! You ought to know better than expect that!! How else are you gonna be rude or obnoxious to someone you don't know or say things to them that you wouldn't DARE say to their face unless you can be "anonymous "!! Why--that's like asking to respect each other (and their differences of opinion!) and having good manners!!('Cause it's just a "hobby" after all!!) and what 'fun" would that be?????(Yes!! I'm being sarcastic!!)
Okay I just had a vision of the signs for the non-horsey section- a black FAS silhouette with the red circle and slash over it(there's probably a word for it but I've googled enough for the day)
It’s so predictable it’s kind of tiresome. You hold a lovely, lively and interesting debate to hear everyone’s opinions, and the conversation gets a “Don’t go then.” If you have an opinion, and I do too, why do we not have the right to simply voice it? It’s a debate, and a healthy one!
Ha! My idea of what a lively and interesting debate is doesn’t involve, “Breyer is stupid, this is the worst idea ever.” So, if it actually were a debate, that would be different.
For the récord, I'll be the one in magenta. See you there ;)
You wear magenta and I’ll dance around, singing karaoke with a drink in one hand and a corn dog in the other.
some of us don't care for the alcohol area, because we have witnessed rotten behavior due to alcohol tents of the same at other events. it's not just that we are whining about it.
some just don't care for the behavior it brings out in certain people.
And I do worry about the drinking and driving aspect as well.
They got along wonderfully 30 years without easy access to alcohol.
Honestly, tell me how it makes you feel when someone says “Just relax” to you? It does not make me want to keep reading this blog. Just as we validated that some people will enjoy the ETOH tent; some others who are first responders may not; because maybe we’ve dragged people out of the KHP on stretchers before. Yes, they got along fine without it. Why does every event in America have to feed substance abuse? To partake in a glass now and then is great, to drink to excess and make a complete ass of yourself is another. So I guess we will just see this year.
Ps-I don’t know how “not” to post anonymously, that’s just what comes up for me.
Such an inclusive hobby, I’m sorry you’re so incensed about this. There doesn’t need to be alternative “areas”, because it’s a model horse event. Isn’t that good enough?
The fact is there has always been alcohol available at BreyerFest. Always. There has not been a BreyerFest where alcohol wasn’t available. People got it at the restaurant or they bought it in themselves and kept it in coolers in their cars, which is allowed as long as it’s kept in the parking lot and not bought into the Park itself. I have been to every single BreyerFest and every single BreyerFest I have seen people drinking and I and my sister have enjoyed a cold beer from our cooler while we ate lunch under the big trees in the parking lot and we weren’t the only ones out there enjoying a drink. So all this hand wringing that having alcohol available at BreyerFest is going to cause all sorts of problems because there will be drunks everywhere is utter garbage. Alcohol has always been available at the Kentucky Horse Park and people have consumed it at BreyerFest for the past 30 years without any problems. I’m just surprised it took Breyer until last year to figure out they could make money off the fact people have been enjoying a cold beer at their event. As pointed out earlier having a beer garden last year didn’t cause any problems so those complaining about it obviously didn’t know until now and are just upset because they don’t want people enjoying a beer, not because it causes issues during BreyerFest. It really doesn’t matter how the naysayers feel about it because as long as it makes money Breyer will have it available whether a few like it or not. So why work yourself up in a lather over it unless your a little Napoleon who just wants to dictate what everyone else is allowed to do. S. Reese
Inclusive means you include everyone, even those that aren’t “horsy” and are at BreyerFest with family that are. So no, if you truly want to be inclusive, it’s not enough.
You can just add your name at the end of your comment. Kelly W.
You want a suggestion of an alternative, so here's one: bring back the way Breyerfest used to be...you know, a model horse and real horse festival WITHOUT the carnival tricks. What's next, carnies and old broke down crappy rides??? This isn't a county fair. Breyerfest USED TO sell out tickets, and it could again if they would bring back what sold it out in the first place instead of throwing in crutches to prop it up on. You know, awesome models that didn't look recycled from other things and the activities they threw under the bus or detracted from when they decided to go online.
So nothing for those that aren’t into models and are there accompanying spouses and children. Only things you want and like. How on earth is that inclusive? It’s not since 1/4 of those in attendance won’t have anything at all that interest them. Why do you have such a problem offering one or two activities for the family members who aren’t hobbyists? You don’t have to go to the car show or beer garden. Are you actually so selfish and narcissistic that you think if you don’t like it then it shouldn’t be offered at all? That those who don’t share your interests should just go without anything they would enjoy?
I just cannot comprehend anyone so self centered that they would get their panties in such a wad over a few classic cars and a cold glass of beer being offered to all the husbands/dads who care enough about their families to go to BreyerFest even though they don’t care about horses or models. Shouldn’t such fellows get a little something for themselves? Something that they can enjoy so that they’re willing to come back again and again. As opposed to being bored and hot all weekend so that they refuse to buy tickets and attend in the future?
I seriously doubt ticket sales are down (if they are actually down) because of a car show and beer garden. It's because of inflation and people having less fun money. So if Breyer thinks offering a car show will be an incentive to those guys who are reluctant to spend what little vacation money they have on a family trip to BreyerFest then let them have a car show.
DS Carter.
Wow!! To who ever you are--do you feel entitled much?? In case you forgot, this is Andrea's blog which makes me think that she has the "right" to say whatever she wants on it and if you're gonna be so easily offended if someone doesn't agree with your viewpoint, then you equally have the "right" to read something else or scroll past!! I've met Andrea before and have bought from her--and she doesn't strike me as a person who goes out of her way to offend anyone!!
Really!!! It's not that deep!! Either you drink--or you don't!! You either post "anonymously " or you don't!! In either case, life goes on!! You should live it to the fullest(because there's other things in the world to be concerned about besides Breyerfest activities!!) and life is too short as it is!!
Hahahaha!! I feel sorry when poor Andrea comes back to post again!!! If she reads all these comments, she's gonna think that we've all lost our everlovin' minds!! Teehee!! (I hope she allows us to keep posting 'Cause I can see where she could get annoyed if we just come here to argue, fuss and fight!!) Boy!! I've never seen so many comments on any of her previous posts before!!
YOOOOOO--Andrea!! While I look good in magenta, I think I'll just wander the grounds with a Mimosa or daiquiri in each hand wearing neon lemon yellow orange polka dotted spandex so people will see me coming and I won't bump into anyone (or the horse's either!!) I DO have a lime green and magenta crop top to match!! Hahahaha!! This is gonna be FUN!! See ya'll there!!!
Sorry, back to models! Congrats on your show string progress.
Sad news about Stu Bentley - I loved Bentley Sales.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the music box Prancer VC release!
I don't see any issues with cars or a Biergarten. I don't drink, never have. I'm not keen on auto shows, either. Guess what? Let them come to BF. I don't HAVE to drink OR go see the auto show. They aren't gonna drag me kicking and screaming, either. Give the non horsey people something they may enjoy.
And leave the online portion alone. That brings in many people who cannot partake in person a reason to enjoy BF on their own. It's not hurting anyone who goes. And if someone wants to buy their online only models in the biergarten, why do you care? It's not hurting you or anyone else. They take a break, get a cold drink, rest a while, and buy models. Lucy K
Actually it is, because Breyer spreads their resources way too thin between the both ways, and it sure did cause problems last year.
Like what? — Curious in Ohio
Complain Complain Complain. Really?
*like*
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